Alrighty, for home protection, which is it? Revolver or Semi-Auto Pistol?

I contend the reliabilty, power, and ease of use in a crisis, you have to go with revolver. I have been a pistol guy forever (in fact, that is what I have handy), but upon thinking about about a middle of the night break in, a revolver seems best choice.

What do you all think?

I prefer semi-auto's but revolvers definitely have their place in defense as well. What kind of caliber are we talking about? Something like a .38 special/9mm or 45 .acp/.357 mag or more? Is it for you or the "household"? If it's a gun that anyone in the household could have access to in times of need then I would go with a revolver in a .38 caliber or a .357 loaded with .38's. They are far more simplistic and less chance of a jam. Even if you have a misfire, you can stay on target and simply roll the cylinder to the next round whereas you would have to clear the breach with both hands to clear a semi-auto.

You could always get a "Judge":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H5GepjBRsM

IMO, a shotgun would be the best form of home protection...but if you really want a handgun, I would go with a semi auto; extended clip and surefire tac light (which is my PX4 configuration).

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa193/yeuki/IMG_3984.jpg


To be honest, unless you have the proper training, you will not be able to fire accurately in an emergency = shotgun, but more rounds you can carry the better (since you won't have time to reload). The downside of semi auto handguns...the empty casing can jam between the slide. You wouldn't have this issue with a revolver.

Check out Ruger's new LCR (http://www.ruger.com/LCR/index.html).

when you think about all the "what if"s that's very hard decision. things to think about: 1-if you're married(girlfriend) take her to range to see what best she can handle. 2-think about over penetration of the round(through body and misses). 3-sights ie, glowing sights, laser or tac light. become proficient with what ever your choice. i prefer semi-auto for ease of reloading and most newer semi-autos have a weapons rail for accessories.

Any gun is better than no gun, as police cant be everywhere all the time.

I started the thread to see what people thought. I have a .45acp at my call, but my wife would probably have a hard time with the slide. A revolver, heavy solid steel snub nose .357 (loaded with .38 special +P) may be a good compromise for controllability and power. Unless I get her to the range, this is all a moot point.

Now with kids you have to add in some sort of safe for the pistol, too.

There are so many factors to take into account over penetration of the bullet or shot, quick time on target, etc.

extended clip

Fopr the love of all that is holy in the shooting world, PLEASE do not refer to it as a clip! Its a magazine!

This is a Clip
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Wkunasek/clip.jpg

This is a Magazine. Notice it has a spring in it! If it has a spring in it its a Mag
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Wkunasek/mag.jpg

-DM-

I prefer a semi auto myself. I have a Colt .45 Semi Auto Officers Issue ready and waiting. I do agree that a shotgun is probably the best option for most. If I were going to get a shotgun I'd go with more of a tactical type shotgun with a pistol grip or a folding stock as opposed to a traditional stock... Just my 2 cents.

I prefer a semi auto myself. I have a Colt .45 Semi Auto Officers Issue ready and waiting. I do agree that a shotgun is probably the best option for most. If I were going to get a shotgun I'd go with more of a tactical type shotgun with a pistol grip or a folding stock as opposed to a traditional stock... Just my 2 cents.


That's why the "Judge" by Taurus is a great home defense weapon. You can fire .45 colt and .410 shot/slug all in a 6-shot revolver. Watch that video and see the damage it does to a target at close range. It's just nasty!

My preference is always going to be a semi-auto. It's what I've shot with, trained with and I just feel comfortable with it.

The beauty of having a shotgun for defense is that you probably will never have to use it. Any person alive today can recognize the sound of a gauge racking the action and they know their odds of survival just dwindled to nil and that a hasty retreat is now their top priority.

I agree about the Judge. It has a couple of drawbacks as a revolver; the .45 Colt is not up to complete potential due to the tolerences in the chamber, for one. For its intended purpose of self defense it is very good choice.

It has a lot of versatility that would be good in close quarters like the spread of shot. Maybe bird shot to the face as an attention getter, maybe a couple of .410 buckshot as the first two shots followed by a couple of .45 Colt. Lots of choices...

I wouldn't keep a revolver around with kids in the house. Mine are all Semi-Auto.

My quick grab has a dead trigger when the mag is out so I can keep a round chambered and not worry about the kids shooting it off. The first thing kids do when they find a gun is look down the barrell to see if they can see a bullet in there and the second thing they do is pull the trigger to see if there's really not one in there since they didn't see one in there. At least mine did, I empitied one and handed it to them at 2 different times when they were young and that's exactly what they each did. Their actions informed me of how I need to safely store them.

When I need it, I just pop the mag in and go. Just my $.02

So true, unfortunately. A revolver is great because of simplicity, but deadly around kids BECAUSE of it's simplicity. A semi-auto would offer an extra step or two.

I would probably leave the mag out, and not one in the chamber. The problem there would be fumbling with a mag in the middle of the night.

... I would probably leave the mag out, and not one in the chamber.....

I wouldn't. I'd do one or the other but not both, that's too much to do when your heart is racing 90 to nothing and your hands start sweating. And that's not to mention when you're groggy tired and can barely see straight from just now opening your eyes. :D

I prefer a revolver for home defense although I have both a baby glock 9mm and a S&W chiefs special .357 mag snub nose revolver. Both are outfitted with night sights and built-in lasers. As far as over penetration goes, both are loaded with magsafe bullets while at home. No kids, no wife btw. I prefer the revolver in single action since its accuracy becomes deadly accurate and one .357 magsafe bullet would do the trick to just about any size home invader w/o going through any walls. That ammo is nasty!

"I wouldn't. I'd do one or the other but not both, that's too much to do when your heart is racing 90 to nothing and your hands start sweating. And that's not to mention when you're groggy tired and can barely see straight from just now opening your eyes. "






:)

Good point. You would at least have one round at your disposal, if everything hit the fan.

"I prefer a revolver for home defense although I have both a baby glock 9mm and a S&W chiefs special .357 mag snub nose revolver. Both are outfitted with night sights and built-in lasers. As far as over penetration goes, both are loaded with magsafe bullets while at home. No kids, no wife btw. I prefer the revolver in single action since its accuracy becomes deadly accurate and one .357 magsafe bullet would do the trick to just about any size home invader w/o going through any walls. That ammo is nasty! "


I am a big proponate of the .357 mag. It is a great round. Powerful, readily available, and lots of choices for different situations (like the MagSafe you mention).

Fopr the love of all that is holy in the shooting world, PLEASE do not refer to it as a clip! Its a magazine!

This is a Clip
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Wkunasek/clip.jpg

This is a Magazine. Notice it has a spring in it! If it has a spring in it its a Mag
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/Wkunasek/mag.jpg

-DM-

Good call, that's my bad.

That's why the "Judge" by Taurus is a great home defense weapon. You can fire .45 colt and .410 shot/slug all in a 6-shot revolver. Watch that video and see the damage it does to a target at close range. It's just nasty!

My preference is always going to be a semi-auto. It's what I've shot with, trained with and I just feel comfortable with it.

The beauty of having a shotgun for defense is that you probably will never have to use it. Any person alive today can recognize the sound of a gauge racking the action and they know their odds of survival just dwindled to nil and that a hasty retreat is now their top priority.
Yeah that thing is nasty... I like the versatility too.
I agree you could have the shotgun empty and just that sound will probably do the trick...lol

the judge is sweet it would be a sweet one for home defense or someting for on the road deffense. who makes that 50cal revolver?
right now all i have is a simi auto 9mm. but i would rather have a revolver for the home defense probably in the 38 special size mabe do .40 for ease of use for me and wife at 0330.

I think either type of pistol is fine if you've done the right training with it. How many people do you see at ranges preloading for misfires or working on mag changes with one or two rounds in each, or working with reactive targets? It's all about making things second nature and being fast at corrections. As far as lasers and night sights go, that couldn't be a bigger waste of money. Most gun fights take place at less than 5 feet so you shouldn't have to aim. But, if you have to, odds are you're going to lose. Pick up a Massad Ayoob book, read it, and get to the range and work on things other than printing within circles!

I think either type of pistol is fine if you've done the right training with it. How many people do you see at ranges preloading for misfires or working on mag changes with one or two rounds in each, or working with reactive targets? It's all about making things second nature and being fast at corrections. As far as lasers and night sights go, that couldn't be a bigger waste of money. Most gun fights take place at less than 5 feet so you shouldn't have to aim. But, if you have to, odds are you're going to lose. Pick up a Massad Ayoob book, read it, and get to the range and work on things other than printing within circles!


^^^^ VERY well said!!!! ^^^^

honestly havent read the whole thread, but it doesn't seem like much of a dilemma to me...

pistol or revolver?

why not both!

Just my opinion/experiences here:

1. What ever the weapon is, train with the weapon so that many different course of actions become second nature/muscle memory. Don't just go to a range and practice bullseye shooting. Try weak hand shooting, reload drills, malfunction drills, etc.

2. Every style of weapon has pros and cons, learn to addapt to each and intentionally set up the weapon system at it's weakest point to learn to over come the situation (i.e. a stove-pipe in a semi-auto pistol....take an empty shell case on an unchambered pistol with a loaded magazine, and practice taking your non firing hand and swiping your hand from front to rear of the slide in a quick and fluid motion to clear the malfuntion and engage a target).

3. If you don't live alone, research to see what the safest round will be to engage a home invader with minimal threat to collateral damage (Hollow points and caliber of the round). I do not wish to start a debate on what caliber is the best, it depends on the individuals' preference. Shot placement is more important than the caliber used, I agree, but when involved in a life or death situation, I feel more comfortable with a larger round just incase I can't get a perfect site picture/site alignment, and hit the target somewhere other than center mass. Obviously, a larger caliber will inflict more damage. Due to personal experiences, I am against anything smaller than a 9mm.

4. Store the weapon loaded in a safe place. I store a Glock 22 .40 with a Streamlight mounted weapons light and a magazine of 15 Hydrashock HPs inserted in the pistol bedside in a spring loaded safe (Gunvault). In my office, I have another Gunvault safe with a myriad of other firearms. I only leave three loaded. The above mentioned Glock, a Kimber 1911 .45 and a Remington 870 Super Express Magnum, none of which are chambered when stored due to children in the home. However, the shotgun will be the last weapon I engage with due to the layout of my home and the location of my two children and my wife unless they are in the same room with me, then it will be the first weapon I use.

5. If you do not have the ability to attach a weapons light to your pistol, either keep a good flashlight next to the firearm, or install a laser. By "good" flash light, I mean one that is extremely bright and reliable like a Surefire, Pentagon or Streamlight. They are expensive, but the right flashlight can actually temporarily subdue an assailant.

I apologize for such a long write up, as you can see, firearms are a mild hobby of mine. I also believe in removing the curiosity of firearms from children. So far, I have effectively done this by allowing my son to handle some of my smaller weapons. I started this about a year ago (he is 5 now), and he knows and understands the weapons safety rules. He also understands the difference between my guns and his toy guns. To date, I can actually leave him in the office with my gun safe open (all unloaded ofcourse) and he will stand next to the door of the safe and gaze at the weapons but will not touch them until I come back in the room and he asks for permission (when I leave the room, I actually only step outside the door where he can't see me so I can monitor what he does when I am not in the room). Now the only challenge will be to keep his friends' curiosity of firearms away from my weapons (which is why I bought the safe).

Just my opinion/experiences here:

1. What ever the weapon is, train with the weapon so that many different course of actions become second nature/muscle memory. Don't just go to a range and practice bullseye shooting. Try weak hand shooting, reload drills, malfunction drills, etc.



Couldn't be more important or stressed enough. Too many people think bouncing a beer can down range is enough. A 2" grouping is great but if you can't hit center mass from an awkward/hurried stance, you're losing that fight.

We have a large range near my house and during the week it is pretty empty. Me and a buddy will go out and set up several targets down the range and practice moving and acquiring, weak hand, awkward cover (not tall enough to stand and too tall to crouch/knee) as well as mag change, breach clear and the final target is point blank double-taps. Also makes for a pretty good workout after about 100 rounds.

TRAIN! TRAIN! TRAIN!

Well the other guys beat me to it but bewteen pistol vs revolver pracitce is number one.

If you look at pistol / revolver compeditors you'll see your not really hampered with either tool. You can become very proficant with whatever you choose, just look at guys like Todd Jarrett or Jerry Miculik. Again practice is key.

A 1911/45 acp with hps is an excellent choice or a S&W, Ruger, etc Revolver (single/double action) .44mag, 45 colt loaded down with 180-200gr hps. I like Hornady xtp's meself while Speer makes a beauty defensive hp but I haven't tried it yet.

One thing you may want to think about is over penetraition, shooting the bad guy and then having the bullet (s) enter someone elses kids bedroom. Choose the right ammo. Fragmenting hps.

I reload for my guns and shoot a few thousand rounds each month, I practice shooting long and short guns from standing, sitting, prone, with both right and left handed.

I enjoy shooting sports anyway but if someone was to break and enter I feel comfotable in my abilty, practice, firearms and reloads.

Good luck, gun shopping is fun!!

Heres a clip of Jerry, World Champ, For anyone who thinks revolvers are slow!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

:anbeten-big:

8 rounds/reload/8 rounds in 2.8 seconds!!! That's just friggin' sick!

Sawed off shotgun... let the pellets spread faster.

Ideal.....
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/138584000/138584182/pix238925281.jpg

Yes its a shotgun.

All of my guns are semi-autos.

One is in my Xterra loaded and ready to fire at all times. Yes, I have been trained for that and have a permit for it.

One thing I really stress is that semi-autos CAN misfire/jam on you but with training and PLENTY of researching the gun brands, you will be happy after doing plenty of research and going to ranges and renting their guns to test them out before you buy.

I've been a Glock person and have always been one but not all of my guns are Glock though but I would pick them over anything due to their reliability and quality, Springfield would be my close second pick although. My Glocks have not misfired nor jammed and I've put in close to 2,000 rounds through them.

Oh BTW - Don't be a cheapskate and buy the cheapest gun you can find, a cheap gun will cause more trouble than a quality gun would.

Oh BTW - Don't be a cheapskate and buy the cheapest gun you can find, a cheap gun will cause more trouble than a quality gun would.

...and may ultimately cost you, your own life.

Is there a reason why you are shying away from a shot gun for home defense?

A shotgun is the most effective form of home defense. At 3AM groggy and wiping the sleep from your eyes your effectiveness and muscle memory can only take you so far. It took a rude awakening and me grabbing my CZ-75b through which I have put close to 10 000-20 000 rounds through and sweeping my apartment feeling that while i was in control I didn't trust myself the way I would with a shotgun. I did a lot of research and found that a shotgun is a better match.

First I can control the shots. I live in an apartment so I load the first shell with bird shot.

Next, it's a melee weapon as well, something I can use to put distance between you and I.

The shots are bit forgiving as well.

And finally the sound of an 870 being cycled is scary.

Downsides are

If you have a long barrel someone can grab onto it while you turn a corner.

Much more recoil by comparison

Totally would depend on how experienced you are. Semi or Revolver are both fine, but require practice. I always hear my old self-defense instructor saying… “The best home defense weapon is a 18-20” 12GA double barrel shotgun w/ buckshot.” You know it is not going to jam, plenty of stopping power, will not go through any exterior walls, and so easy to use anyone can operate it!

check out ruger's new lcr.

x2

Best home defense - for homeowners of course - home security system that you arm every night and a large dog. Of course that not practical for some renters with allergys, but for everyone else, theres none better.
Someone breaks into my house it goes like this: The moment they opened the door or window, an alarm screeched and woke us all up, and turned on all the lights in the house. The bad guy, undeterred, enters and meets 85 pounds of labrador retriever. He usually goes back out the same entrance with said retriever attached to his @$$. (has allready happened twice in 7 years) But say hes really determined. The situation goes into phase 2.

now, FWIW: My weapons experience - lifetime around weapons of many different types and calibers, father was career marine corp, now I'm retired military. I currently am a "volunteer policeman" in my community, So just take it fwiw.

Handguns - autoloader, something like a Glock model 22.
http://www.glock.com/english/glock22.htm
Very easy to own, operate and maintain for the once a year crowd. .40 S&W is readily available, and relativly inexpensive ammo. Besides, I love something I can clean in the dishwasher! - cost - $500 new

Shotguns - My weapon of choice for the past 12 years for home defense was a shotgun. Currently it is a Mossberg model 500 with the 18" barrell and collapsed stock, with a loadout of 00 buck 3" mags. I have (HUGE) shoulders, and can move down a hallway with this on my cheek. Recently, I have since seen studies of overpenetration of 00 buck and am switching to 000 buck, or dimeshot ($$$). I dont like the idea of a bad guy getting inbetween me and my kids rooms, and my kids getting hurt or killed by that one rogue pellet that always happens in a buckshot load. Cost - $400 new.

OTHER: However, the more I talk wth the swat team lead, for home defense, an AR15 type weapon is a good option. The .223 round has very little danger of overpenetration, and your rifle is exactly what you make it. They are the honda civics of the weapons world, with HUGE after market support. This is the option I will be taking in the next 30 days. Cost: $700 base, up to $2000 with goodies.

Now I am starting to sound like your neighborhood gun nut.

Best home defense - for homeowners of course - home security system that you arm every night and a large dog. Of course that not practical for some renters with allergys, but for everyone else, theres none better.
Someone breaks into my house it goes like this: The moment they opened the door or window, an alarm screeched and woke us all up, and turned on all the lights in the house. The bad guy, undeterred, enters and meets 85 pounds of labrador retriever. He usually goes back out the same entrance with said retriever attached to his @$$. (has allready happened twice in 7 years) But say hes really determined. The situation goes into phase 2.

now, FWIW: My weapons experience - lifetime around weapons of many different types and calibers, father was career marine corp, now I'm retired military. I currently am a "volunteer policeman" in my community, So just take it fwiw.

Handguns - autoloader, something like a Glock model 22.
http://www.glock.com/english/glock22.htm
Very easy to own, operate and maintain for the once a year crowd. .40 S&W is readily available, and relativly inexpensive ammo. Besides, I love something I can clean in the dishwasher! - cost - $500 new

Shotguns - My weapon of choice for the past 12 years for home defense was a shotgun. Currently it is a Mossberg model 500 with the 18" barrell and collapsed stock, with a loadout of 00 buck 3" mags. I have (HUGE) shoulders, and can move down a hallway with this on my cheek. Recently, I have since seen studies of overpenetration of 00 buck and am switching to 000 buck, or dimeshot ($$$). I dont like the idea of a bad guy getting inbetween me and my kids rooms, and my kids getting hurt or killed by that one rogue pellet that always happens in a buckshot load. Cost - $400 new.

OTHER: However, the more I talk wth the swat team lead, for home defense, an AR15 type weapon is a good option. The .223 round has very little danger of overpenetration, and your rifle is exactly what you make it. They are the honda civics of the weapons world, with HUGE after market support. This is the option I will be taking in the next 30 days. Cost: $700 base, up to $2000 with goodies.

Now I am starting to sound like your neighborhood gun nut.


I was totally with you until the last point. I don't think I could walk down a hallway still wearing my slippers and boxer shorts and be able to hit accurately. Also the .223 does have quite a bit of penetration (unless you are using frangible bullets) and doesn't have the man stopping power I'd like. Maybe a FAL in .308 or CETME or one of those foreign guns in 7.62NATO.

Point taken.
Just tossing it out there.
Agree, It is classed as a long gun, a riflle. Your not moving down many hallways with it on your cheek. And of course, any weapon you choose, you better practice with it, and know its strengths, and limitations.
The .223 rounds I was thinking about are the plastic tipped polymer M/P/Defense rounds.
and for me, it is still theorycraft on the AR15, I havnt tried it yet, but I am convinced enough to spend $700 on a new base model DPMS Panther Lite this weekend =)

You bring up another good point - "Hit Accuratly"
Handguns suck for self defense, comparitivly. Thats why you have 15 rounds of .40cal. Heres hopeing you can poke a few holes in a bad guy if you have 15 tries.
The shotgun also works for that because you have a 12-24" spread now, and 5 rounds of it. how many individual pellets are in 5 rounds of 3" mag 00 buck? Now about 000 buck?

But I digest. =)

My choice = autoloader.

Gotcha. I don't have much exposure to the polymer tips. FMJ is cheap and just as fun to shoot. I have hollow points in my carry weapon (makarov PM) but thats about as crazy as I get.

No body like holes in them. If you are dead accurate with 22LR 100% of the time why use anything else? Shoot everyone in the eyes. I spend a lot of time practicing with my self defense guns so in case the worst case scenario happens I am prepared and not laying in the hospital bed (or ground) wishing I had been that much faster/accurate/observant.

Ok, I shoot my SKS a lot too but I doubt that I will ever have to use that for self defense...but if they day comes I will stick 'em with the bayonet too.

We had a tax holiday last week, picked up a Benelli semi-auto 12 gauge M4 tactical shotgun. Don't think you can beat that for home defense.

We had a tax holiday last week, picked up a Benelli semi-auto 12 gauge M4 tactical shotgun. Don't think you can beat that for home defense.

we used those in the Marines, very very nice.
i've been looking to get one of those but way too much $ for me right now.

we used those in the Marines, very very nice.
i've been looking to get one of those but way too much $ for me right now.

Yep, it wasn't cheap but still worth every penny. We have a gun show tomorrow, hoping to find a good deal on a Colt 45acp Commander.

We had a tax holiday last week, picked up a Benelli semi-auto 12 gauge M4 tactical shotgun. Don't think you can beat that for home defense.

Nice! Here's a bunch of them.

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/benelli.jpg

I do not recommend going down a hallway in a suburban area with FMJ 223 pushing through an AR15 especially if you have loved ones in the home with you. If you are running frangible munitions, then yeah, but a .223 is an extremely fast round. Think of it this way, yeah the military employs it as you have seen (I am currently on my 4th time to the mid-east with the Marine Corps), but in the hunting world, it's a caliber designed for varmints. I have a great deal of experience in employing this weapons system in combat, and have utilized many different types of rounds from frangible munitions to 62 grain green tip FMJ to 77 grain LR from Black Hills. All but the frangible rounds had a lot of overpenetration. The SWAT guy is most likely running a very short barrel which slows down the round velocity causing a less likely chance to overpenetrate, also causing the shooter to lose power potential of the .223. If you are willing to pay the tax stamp and file the proper forms (if your state is NFA title ii weapons friendly that is) then yes this may be a good idea, but I would look into running an SBR (short barelled rifle) chambered in 6.8 over a .223, just personal preference/experience.

As for shotguns, I would love to employ mine as a primary home defense, however, the layout of my house in regards to entryways/hallways and family member rooms and a mindset for shot angles/trajectory causes me to re-think employment of my 18" 12ga, and ESPECIALLY not my built-up M4. I want a heavy, slow moving caliber which is why my primary weapon systems are my .40 and .45. Now, this is personal experience and preference so I'm not starting a debate, but I am just as confident in my combative pistol skills as I am with my M4 or my shotgun, or any other weapon I own due to the frequency and time I devote to training with all of my weapons. However, I will admit if my family is co-located with me, you can bet your bottom dollar my suped up M4 with 77 grain Black Hills and/or anti-people shotgun with 3" slugs will be employed first. There is no better weapon in a close quarter battle than one that can physically dismember an assailant at close range such as the shotgun (which is why I always carry one on raids), but this is perfect world/picture scenario.

For home defense:
http://pic.phyrefile.com/b/bl/blind_io/2009/10/01/mossberg_500A_12ga_18in.jpg (http://img.phyrefile.com/blind_io/2009/10/01/mossberg_500A_12ga_18in.jpg)

Nothing is easier to use, has as many types of ammo (use birdshot and it won't go through walls or rocksalt for hours of fun) and nothing else is more recognized than someone racking a 12 gauge. It says "Stop and GTFO" in every language.

For handguns, I would go with a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with hollow points. If it does misfire, you just pull the trigger again for a new chamber and new round. Also, I love my S&W and it's dead-on accurate. I like the fact that it won't over-penetrate the target if you use hollowpoints or other expanding ammo.

For personal carry, I have both a semi-auto and a revolver. The revolver is another Smith & Wesson .38, but this one is a snub-nose airweight. It's still very accurate, considering the short barrel (once put my "cold" shot through the X at 30 yd.) and has the advantages of a simple jam-free mechanism.
Down side: it's thick and tactical reloading is almost impossible unless you drill for hours a week with a speed loader.
My other personal carry is a Springfield compact 1911 Government model. Six round magazine, thin profile, easy tactical reloads, redundant intuitive safeties and the stopping power of a .45. Down side: more likely to jam than a revolver, more chance of overpenetration.

For home defense:
http://pic.phyrefile.com/b/bl/blind_io/2009/10/01/mossberg_500A_12ga_18in.jpg (http://img.phyrefile.com/blind_io/2009/10/01/mossberg_500A_12ga_18in.jpg)

Nothing is easier to use, has as many types of ammo (use birdshot and it won't go through walls or rocksalt for hours of fun) and nothing else is more recognized than someone racking a 12 gauge. It says "Stop and GTFO" in every language.

For handguns, I would go with a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with hollow points. If it does misfire, you just pull the trigger again for a new chamber and new round. Also, I love my S&W and it's dead-on accurate. I like the fact that it won't over-penetrate the target if you use hollowpoints or other expanding ammo.

For personal carry, I have both a semi-auto and a revolver. The revolver is another Smith & Wesson .38, but this one is a snub-nose airweight. It's still very accurate, considering the short barrel (once put my "cold" shot through the X at 30 yd.) and has the advantages of a simple jam-free mechanism.
Down side: it's thick and tactical reloading is almost impossible unless you drill for hours a week with a speed loader.
My other personal carry is a Springfield compact 1911 Government model. Six round magazine, thin profile, easy tactical reloads, redundant intuitive safeties and the stopping power of a .45. Down side: more likely to jam than a revolver, more chance of overpenetration.

totally agree with you on the shotgun issue.

And I love the SW .38 snub nose revolvers.

But I think the issue of tactical reloading is a non issue. When you carry your 1911 do you carry magazines with you? Also if you are in a situation where more than 8 rounds are need due to the number of people...you are screwed anyways.

6 rounds out of a revolver is plenty enough for me. Of course my CZ75B carries 15+1 but to me that adds no extra security, besides it's 9mm so I might need to shoot him more because the first one just made him mad :-).

A statistic I heard awhile ago said that most gun fights (w/ police officers) in the 90% range have only 3 shots fired by both parties. Thats not to say your little Derringer is going to suffice but it was something that made me think.

Because my 1911 is a compact, the magazine only holds 6 rounds rather than the usual 8. I do plan to carry 2 extra magazines since my weapon came with a belt holster for the pistol and a carrier for 2 compact mags.

Granted, the chance of needing those extra rounds is pretty thin, and I might decide later that I don't want to carry them. On the other hand, I'd hate to be in that rare situation where I need that ammo and not have it.

Because my 1911 is a compact, the magazine only holds 6 rounds rather than the usual 8. I do plan to carry 2 extra magazines since my weapon came with a belt holster for the pistol and a carrier for 2 compact mags.

Granted, the chance of needing those extra rounds is pretty thin, and I might decide later that I don't want to carry them. On the other hand, I'd hate to be in that rare situation where I need that ammo and not have it.

Ah so you live in an open carry state?

Here in Texas it's only concealed carry (w/ permit) so extra magazines means extra concealing. And I don't wear a suit enough for a shoulder rig. Mostly IWB (in waist band) or I made a custom holster to fit inside my favorite jacket.

Who makes your compact 1911, Kimber or paraordinance?

Still an extra 12 rounds of 45ACP and magazines is around 2 pounds extra, just enough to make your pants hang lower. Plus the bulk. I don't know if I would do it, but I am very particular.

Then again I don't care for compact frame pistols. I have big ol' meat hooks and a compact frame to me feels like I am trying to balance it. I want to be able to grab my weapon and it give me the same satisfaction of handling a baseball bat. The I am more powerful than you see how big my stick is? I do own a makarov PM that I carry occasionally. Not a great round but the gun is small enough to put in a cargo pocket and but still large enough for me to grab a hold of it.

Like I said I am just particular.

Yes, Utah is an open carry state, in fact I can openly wear my gun right into the legislature if I wanted to (many representatives do anyway). I did just turn in my paperwork for my CFP, so now I just wait for them to send me my permit.

Since it's already snowing in the mountains here, it's pretty easy to conceal everything under a sweatshirt or jacket.

My 1911 is actually a Springfield, and it's a sweet shooter. The grip is just long enough that I don't feel like I'm holding a toy. I'm not too interested in intimidating someone with my pistol, if a situation is bad enough that I need to draw then it's bad enough to use it. If I did have to draw for some reason, I think staring down that .45 would seem like someone has cannon pointed at you, I can't imagine that would be very fun. I'll probably try a couple of belt holsters to see what I like since the one that came with my pistol is designed to be worn on the outside of the pants.

One of the reasons I went with the 1911 instead of any of the more modern compact pistols was it's thin profile. While that means you get fewer rounds, I find the grip to be more comfortable to hold and wear. With a staggered magazine pistol like a Beretta, Glock, or H&K, I feel like the grip is too round and I can't really "feel" where the front of the pistol is aimed. The thinner and more linear grip on the 1911 makes for more intuitive aiming, at least for me.

Firearm choice is very personal, and what works for one person won't work for another. Fortunately there's a firearm out there for everyone, if they decide to get one.

I didnt read all of this thread, but saw some people giving the shout out for the shoty, I agree.. If you have an intruder, they may bolt just because of the sound of you cocking it.. if you have to fire it you do not need to worry about it going through all of your walls, greater spread for shooting, plenty of stopping power.. Im sure everyone has put way better info so i'll stop.. lol

Yes, Utah is an open carry state, in fact I can openly wear my gun right into the legislature if I wanted to (many representatives do anyway). I did just turn in my paperwork for my CFP, so now I just wait for them to send me my permit.

Since it's already snowing in the mountains here, it's pretty easy to conceal everything under a sweatshirt or jacket.

My 1911 is actually a Springfield, and it's a sweet shooter. The grip is just long enough that I don't feel like I'm holding a toy. I'm not too interested in intimidating someone with my pistol, if a situation is bad enough that I need to draw then it's bad enough to use it. If I did have to draw for some reason, I think staring down that .45 would seem like someone has cannon pointed at you, I can't imagine that would be very fun. I'll probably try a couple of belt holsters to see what I like since the one that came with my pistol is designed to be worn on the outside of the pants.

One of the reasons I went with the 1911 instead of any of the more modern compact pistols was it's thin profile. While that means you get fewer rounds, I find the grip to be more comfortable to hold and wear. With a staggered magazine pistol like a Beretta, Glock, or H&K, I feel like the grip is too round and I can't really "feel" where the front of the pistol is aimed. The thinner and more linear grip on the 1911 makes for more intuitive aiming, at least for me.

Firearm choice is very personal, and what works for one person won't work for another. Fortunately there's a firearm out there for everyone, if they decide to get one.

I recently shot a buddy's Springfield 1911 .45 and man, it shot awesome, almost very accurate as my G26 that I carry.

I'm def. looking into getting a 1911 when funds become available and ammo in .45 are becoming more readily available around here.....