I just got off the phone with a friend who called asking for pistol recommendations. He wanted one for his home, not for concealed carry.
I suggested a shotgun for his wife (who wasn’t a big pistol shooter) and these pistols for him:
Glock 22 40 S&W or Glock 21 .45 ACP
XDM .40 S&W or XDM .45 ACP
These guns are simple, easy to maintain, and extremely reliable.
I didn’t recommend 9mm as it doesn’t hit as hard but does go through more home walls than the .40 or .45.
I also strongly suggested that he and I get together for some quick training on basic pistol operation, shooting and safety, or that he get training from a competent instructor. Additionally, for the home defense part I recommended these video series and book:
The Best Defense
Introduction to Home Defense by Clint Smith also at http://www.thunderranchinc.com/store.html
Personal Protection & Home Defense
The videos and the book take a practical approach to home and self-defense, relying on things you can remember and execute under stress. They also stress preparing and avoidance as the best techniques.
Finally, since he has children in the home, I recommended a pistol safe that is plugged in but has battery backup.
What he will learn as he studies the topic is that home defense is as likely to be needed when he is away. He will probably want to work with his wife and kids on techniques and weapons they can use when he can’t defend them.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Pump actions are simple, reliable and effective. 90+% of robbers and home invaders will run like little girls when they hear that pump load a round. The sound is almost universally recognizable.
When the point is to survive with minimal risk to yourself, a *scary* gun is sometimes more effective than a deadly gun, so get one that is both.
Anyone with the strength can operate a pump action when scared. Remember, when you are fighting for your life and your family you lose fine muscle control. Small safeties and other controls become more difficult to operate. Racking a slide or pumping the shotgun is better. Keep the chamber empty and the safety off.
If you are dedicated to a pistol, I am in love with my Sig Sauer P226, but I admittedly have limited experience. My home defense gun is a AR15 in .223. The problem with this is it is slightly more complicated to operate, keep running and I wouldn’t be as quick to train a child with it. If I had the money to spare I would be getting a 12 gauge pump.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
The Sig is a great pistol, but it is more expensive & more complicated to operate. I think it a good pick for someone who wants to devote time and money to practicing with it.
And I concur about a shotgun. A pump is simple and reliable. The pump sound is overrated as it is probably better to keep it ready to fire. That way, if you need stealth, you’ve got it. We have a Benelli M2 automatic ready to go and handy for my wife, who is more comfy with it than a pistol.
An AR is a great home defense gun. But my wife isn’t familiar with it.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I strongly disagree with the AR as a home defense weapon. Too powerful, and long arms in general are difficult to manuever in tight spaces ( shotguns included). I know this from having cleared numerous houses in real life using all three types of weapons. If you are worried about a 9mm going through walls, why would you use an AR?
Also disagree about 9mm. With 147g JHP, it will work effectively. I doubt it will get through many walls; the muzzle velocity is not that much greater than a .40 or .45.
I recommend a short barrel revolver for anyone not having the skill or desire to obtain the gun handling skills needed for an autoloader. The heavy trigger pull will guard against A.D.’s, and they come in calibres sufficient for home defense. They are absolutely reliable, require little if any maintenance, and can be bought new or used for a fair price.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I knew there would be “disagreement”.
The 9mm results are proven – it penetrates more walls than .40 or .45ACP.
A revolver is a fine choice. I do not find them comfy to hold and, in fact, do not own more than a .22 revolver.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I agree that an AR isn’t the best choice for close quarters, the reason I chose it was that it was the best I had available and still is considering how often I am swapping all of the ammo out of my Sig.
I think the penetration factor has more to do with resistance than velocity: a 9mm hits less area and therefore loses less energy into the wall. I was surprised at the implication that 9mm would have more penetration power, but it could make sense in the way that with equal momentum a needle would penetrate cloth but a ball-point pen wouldn’t.
I have seen some fancy rounds that claim to reduce drywall penetration for .40.
I also have a mental block against relying on trigger pull to prevent accidental discharges. I either need a safety or no round in the chamber.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I didn’t say to rely on it, or that it would prevent it,just that in the stress of a combat situation, a little more resistance to trigger pull, such as 9-10 lbs in a revolver vs 5lbs in a Glock, would make an AD less likely.
So will you wait until the last second to rack a round or take off the safety? Your only real safety is your trigger finger.
Why so much worry about wall penetration anyway? Hit the target. Know your background. You saying you would fire a .45 or .223 at your kid’s bedroom wall but not a 9mm? If it goes through an exterior wall, who cares? Wont be much punch left if it hits anything.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Not what I was saying, but think about my situation. I live in an apartment building at the end of a line of 4. If I were to fire a round through my bedroom, how far would that round go before stopping? I would prefer rounds that go through the person I am shooting them at and no further. So, drywall penetration is a major concern since I *can’t* know what is on the other side of the wall.
That is, of course, a balance. I can either nerf my rounds to the point of preposterous lack of power or I can risk something being on the other side of that wall.
.223 is going to have significantly more penetration power than a 9mm because of increased velocity and reduced impact area.
That is one of my concerns firing a .223 in self defense. I would wager that a .223 round would be 2 apartments over before stopping. 9mm, .40 or .45 would probably all make it at least one. No matter what round you are firing you need to check the background, but that if I had to fire in the direction of those other apartments it would be comforting to have a round that won’t end up in some kid’s bedroom.
Actually, for preventing penetration while maintaining deadly power I would say that Buckshot is worth considering. Again leading me back to a shotgun. Or, perhaps Frangible rounds?
November 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
In your situation frangible rounds is probably best. Or the shortest shotgun you can get. .223 is out.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
.223 hollow points penetrate less drywall than most tested. That is because they fragment on the way out of the wall. 9mm goes through quite a bit, .40 and .45 a lot less. Shotgun, oddly, is worse than the pistol.
http://how-i-did-it.org/drywall/results.html
I’ve seen tests on The Best Defense TV show that demonstrated this as well.
Quote counter-intuitive results and a godo reason to study up on the matter before deciding. The links above – books and videos also cover it.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Cover all bases- get one of each!
November 24th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Concur.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:40 am
How about some strategically located claymores? Imagine the look on your drywall/casework contractor’s face as you explain what you need him to do.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:43 am
This side towards robber
November 25th, 2009 at 11:30 am
In other words, you saw the movie “I Am Legend” and thought “Thats a good idea!”
For those uncultured who may not have seen it, when the infected attack the house, the first get hit with spotlights (they are allergic to bright light…. sigh). Then claymores/C4, then an m4, then a pistol. And, of course, like any reasonable scientist the hero had a frag grenade in a drawer in his lab.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:37 am
The Home-Alone school of self defense, after he joins the marines.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
A sawed-off double barreled shotgun with a bayonet should handle most zombies and banditos.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:23 am
A valuable article this, thanks for sharing it. Crime in todays society is increasing at an alarming rate despite what the authorities advise us and this advice could well prove to be valuable to homeowners.
December 21st, 2011 at 7:39 am
theyre really good quality pictures I would like to know what camera you use and what inspired you to take them. Definately caught the magic hour of light, and like other peeps have said God/Nature is beautiful.
The camera is an immense invention of technology, I always wonder what the great artists would take pictures of if cameras were around back then.