A home defense gun

[1hogfan83]

I'm looking for a home defense handgun, specifically a semi automatic full size pistol. An AR or Shotgun are out for right now. I have it narrowed down to a few but any opinions would help. I would like as close to a 5" barrel as possible, weight doesn't matter really since it wont be carried, it must have a rail, and must be a 9mm like my other guns. Thanks.

[JERRYS.]

Glock 17.

[smokehouse4444]

SIG P226

[ligonierbill]

There is a full size S&W M&P 9 in the drawer now. I like everything about it except the trigger, but I'm getting used to that. Nothing wrong with a duty size Glock either. I do like the trigger on my 23.

[Wyosmith]

and must be a 9mm like my other guns


Ok......so what's wrong with your other guns?

[bn12gg]

Handgun meh -- get yourself a 12g pump shotgun. It is much safer for your loved ones in adjoining rooms and it's a "can't miss" under pressure firearm. Frankly, you don't need anything more than basic sport loads in 7 1/2. Simply does the job !

.02

David

[Theohazard]

Originally Posted by bn12gg

Handgun meh -- get yourself a 12g pump shotgun. It is much safer for your loved ones in adjoining rooms and it's a "can't miss" under pressure firearm. Frankly, you don't need anything more than basic sport loads in 7 1/2. Simply does the job !

He specifically said a shotgun or rifle was out of the question for now. Also, you posted some of the common shotgun myths:

1) A shotgun will often over-penetrate just as bad -- or worse -- than a handgun. Even target loads are still clumped together enough at close range to over-penetrate through mulitple walls, and buckshot will usually penetrate even worse. It's simply a myth that a home-defense shotgun won't over-penetrate through walls.

2) You DO have to aim a shotgun. At home-defense ranges the shot pattern will still be very small; you need to aim it just like it was a rifle.

3) Sport loads will work OK at close range, but they also over-penetrate walls at close range, too. And if you ever had to take a longer-range shot, those sport loads wouldn't reliably penetrate the human body as well as buckshot.

[Tribal Rose]

I'm in love with my new CZ75B SA, and it's my HD gun. The weight minimizes recoil, and the barrel length makes for what seems to me extraordinary accuracy compared to others I've tried.

[1hogfan83]

I have a CZ P-01 that was worked over pretty good by Cajun Gun Works but the the trigger is REALLY touchy. I'm thinking a SP-01, M9, maybe....a HK P30.

[TailGator]

Too many choices to list them. What do you already have? What trigger type and safety setup do you like?

[SansSouci]

While there are better choices, a .357 Mag revolver loaded with .38 Special +P is good. I would not advise using .357 Mag rounds. In a bedroom, the blast would be deafening and the muzzle flash blinding.

[marine6680]

I have never cared for rails on a pistol... I use a separate flashlight.

I don't want to cover someone with my muzzle just to identify them. There are plenty of easy to learn and use techniques to using a separate flashlight.


But I echo the statement.

"Whats wrong with your other guns?"


If you already own 9mm pistols... Unless they are all subcompacts... use them. Even a subcompact with an extended mag will work well enough for now.

What do you currently own? Maybe get a larger version of one of them.

[Water-Man]

What do you prefer? Striker-fired, DA/SA ??

[jmr40]

Handgun meh -- get yourself a 12g pump shotgun. It is much safer for your loved ones in adjoining rooms and it's a "can't miss" under pressure firearm. Frankly, you don't need anything more than basic sport loads in 7 1/2. Simply does the job !

Bad advice on several points.

You don't give enough info to help narrow things down much. Any of the offerings from most of the major makers will do just fine. I chose Glock.

[Jim243]

I would like as close to a 5" barrel as possible

Five inch barrel, excellent accuracy and yes a rail too.

Jim

[nc-oldfart]

Glock gen 4 model 34-9mm, 35-40sw or 41-45auto all 5" double stacks. Not sure why 5" is a most have as close quarters work a 3 or 3 1/2 is plenty. Practice point shooting too.

Shotguns cost less than all but a fe handguns so why are they "out" for now. a 20ga or 12 ga 18" barreled pump can have alight attached and is quick handling. A short barreled AR like a basic M&P sport and be bought fro around 600 bucks and is short and less likely a 223 55gr bullet to punch holes threw the walls to the outside as 9mm or 40 ,45 is likely to do.

[1hogfan83]

I meant to post this in the semi auto forum but da/sa with a rail is the set up I want. One question I have, the Taurus PT92, can the grips be made smaller? I've only held the Beretta and the grip was huge for my medium hands.

[Worc]

DA/SA: Sig 226, HK P-30L, or Beretta 92

Striker: Walther PPQ 5" or Steyr L9-A1.

[Leejack]

The SD9VE is perfect for the task.

[Guv]

A 6" GP100 or 686 Smith 357 magnum with what ever grips fit you best. Learn and practice to shoot double action.

[wwd88888]

I don't want to cover someone with my muzzle just to identify them. There are plenty of easy to learn and use techniques to using a separate flashlight.

Conversely, if the bad guy aims at the light attached to your barrel, he'll hit your head, neck or upper chest.

[Xfire68]

I will second the CZ75! Fantastic gun! The CZ P09 Duty has a poly frame, Rail and 19+1 round capacity. It is also affordable at under $500 shipped to your FFL.

[BigBL87]

In the vein of the CZ-75, I personally have a SAR B6P as my home defense pistol. It's a Turkish clone of the CZ-75, and INCREDIBLY affordable. I paid $250 for mine plus a $25 FFL fee. To this day my FFL doesn't believe me on how much I paid for it because of how nice of a gun it is.

If you wanted a rail, the closely related K2P would be an option although the barrel is only 3.8". The Tangfolio Witness Polymer is pretty much a B6P plus a rail, so that would probably be the best match to what you're looking for.

[jr24]

Conversely, if the bad guy aims at the light attached to your barrel, he'll hit your head, neck or upper chest.

Have you ever looked into an appropriately bright tactical flashlight? Even with my eyes ready for light I had difficulty focusing on ANYTHING myself, I doubt I could AIM at the light. Might as well be shooting with my eyes closed.

YMMV.

OP if you're looking for a full sized 9mm the suggestions already made are solid. Depending on how you like your triggers I'd suggest a CZ 75B, Glock 17, or Walther P99.

[Derbel McDillet]

I don't want to cover someone with my muzzle just to identify them. There are plenty of easy to learn and use techniques to using a separate flashlight.

You don't have to point the muzzle at a potential threat to ID friend or foe. You can splash the light off the floor, ceiling or wall.

Conversely, if the bad guy aims at the light attached to your barrel, he'll hit your head, neck or upper chest.

We don't use the light to "search". We use it to ID friend or foe AFTER we've used verbal commands as part of the threat ID process.