Official idiot asking about handguns for HD

If you want a firearm for home defense, your most effective gun is a shotgun. The spread of the shotgun will have far more impact to your assailant then a handgun. However, if you are still interested in picking up a handgun, try a lot of different handguns and pick the most comfortable one you can find. My first purchase (M&P) was my first and shouldn't have been the one I purchased.

Good luck.

^ incorrect

Originally Posted by Whammy

If you want a firearm for home defense, your most effective gun is a shotgun. The spread of the shotgun will have far more impact to your assailant then a handgun. However, if you are still interested in picking up a handgun, try a lot of different handguns and pick the most comfortable one you can find. My first purchase (M&P) was my first and shouldn't have been the one I purchased.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by david05111

^ incorrect

im going to agree with david.

Gun I keep next to my nightstand is my sig with a tlr-1s something goes bump in the middle of the night thats what i'm grabbing.

2nd gun I would probably grab is my 10.5" ar.

I keep a shotgun easily accessible but it's not my first choice. I am much more confident grabbing a pistol or sbr. SBR might make me deaf but that would be ok IMO as long as im not dead.

This is just based on how comfortable i am with each weapon system.

Its also about collateral damage, ability to manipulate the weapon in compact areas, proper control of the weapon, etc. Shotguns are so stereotyped as being awesome for HD; in reality, they're one of the last resorts IMO.

Originally Posted by david05111

Its also about collateral damage, ability to manipulate the weapon in compact areas, proper control of the weapon, etc. Shotguns are so stereotyped as being awesome for HD; in reality, they're one of the last resorts IMO.

Shotgun is for when you're hunkered down and the only way in is a door.

you also have to take into consideration that the spread of the shotgun in a close quarters situation is minimal. that and it is a lot easier to clear your home with a handgun than it is a shotgun. like david said you really want to be able to control the weapon in that kind of situation. especially when someone is right on top of you, try shooting them with a shotgun then

Originally Posted by Locutus09

Shotgun is for when you're hunkered down and the only way in is a door.

Haha or to create a door

Originally Posted by Whammy

If you want a firearm for home defense, your most effective gun is a shotgun. The spread of the shotgun will have far more impact to your assailant then a handgun. However, if you are still interested in picking up a handgun, try a lot of different handguns and pick the most comfortable one you can find. My first purchase (M&P) was my first and shouldn't have been the one I purchased.

Good luck.

Most effective gun for self defense is the gun you are most profencient with.

For me, that is a semi auto handgun.

Originally Posted by NOVAbimmer

bought my Glock 21 about 8 years ago, it's still my favorite handgun, and still the one that stays next to the bed.

I had a 21 and 21sf. Still regret selling them.

Originally Posted by GlockMan

I had a 21 and 21sf. Still regret selling them.

I stand corrected, I do have the 21sf.

There have been times that I've considered selling it, but then I take it out to the range and it does absolutely everything I want it to and I realize that I don't think I could ever really part with it. I love my glock.

Update: Brought the wife to Gander Mountain and had her try the following:

Glock 19c- didn't like it
Springfield XD-M 9- hated it
Sig Sauer p229 - liked the grip... Then the bastard at Gander said sigs are the most overpriced guns out there.
S&W M&P 9 compact: probably her favorite... The sign was her second favorite.

What the heck am I to do?

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How about a Ruger LC-9?

Originally Posted by ryanwhite74115

Update: Brought the wife to Gander Mountain and had her try the following:

Glock 19c- didn't like it
Springfield XD-M 9- hated it
Sig Sauer p229 - liked the grip... Then the bastard at Gander said sigs are the most overpriced guns out there.
S&W M&P 9 compact: probably her favorite... The sign was her second favorite.

What the heck am I to do?

Sent from my DROIDX using Bimmer App

Don't listen to idiots at Gander Mtn about serious information pertaining to firearms.

And lol at the guy at Gander Mtn saying anything about overpriced guns. Next time ask him if he can do a better price than the sticker to offset his opinions about being overpriced.

I've never met anyone who's had buyer's remorse regarding a Sig.

Originally Posted by NOVAbimmer

Don't listen to idiots at Gander Mtn about serious information pertaining to firearms.

And lol at the guy at Gander Mtn saying anything about overpriced guns. Next time ask him if he can do a better price than the sticker to offset his opinions about being overpriced.

I've never met anyone who's had buyer's remorse regarding a Sig.

As far as I have read (only what seems like 1000 threads)...no one has had a complaint about a Sig.

I think I'm still going to shoot for the Sig...just felt so good in my hands.

Originally Posted by ryanwhite74115

As far as I have read (only what seems like 1000 threads)...no one has had a complaint about a Sig.

I think I'm still going to shoot for the Sig...just felt so good in my hands.

The P229 is an awesome gun, smooth trigger pull, you will not regret buying a Sig (unless you buy a P250)..I almost bought the P229 but ended up the XDm9 because it was a better fit for me and I preferred the striker fire. Since this is home defense don't concern yourself with a single stack, I would also look at a Ruger SP101 - it's a 357 magnum revolver and that damn thing feels awesome in your hands.

Just bought the p229 and a Viridian C5L tactical light/laser combo from a new era local gun shop. Should be here Monday. I'll post pics when it comes in. So psyched for my first pistol.

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Get the Judge. Best of both worlds handgun/shotgun

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The only justifiable use for a Judge or Governor in the real world is to load it with .410 birdshot as a snake gun if you happen to live in an area with poisonous snakes. It's otherwise a completely worthless waste of metal.
Me and a couple guys were musing a couple months back about how it's funny how many people are saying the Judge is a great weapon for defense with the .410 shells. These are often the same guys that, if you asked them if they'd use a .410 shotgun for deer hunting or home defense, they'd say "Hell no! You need a 12ga." Funny how .410 is enough for a handgun, but not enough for a shotgun...but I digress.


I had a Sig, and I did not like it. I had buyer's remorse, but it was my fault because I didn't shoot one before I bought it. I got a good deal and took and, and hated it. By all means a good gun, just not to my taste. But that was my problem, not Sig's.
Sigs may or may not be overpriced, but only in the way that HKs are. The people who want them are willing to pay it, so maybe not so much overpriced afterall.
LOL at Gander Mtn saying something is overpriced. If I ever hear a Gander Mtn employee say that, I'll tell them "No, it's just you guys." Gander Mtn is consistently more expensive than anyone else. What a joke.

Originally Posted by Reedo302

The only justifiable use for a Judge or Governor in the real world is to load it with .410 birdshot as a snake gun if you happen to live in an area with poisonous snakes. It's otherwise a completely worthless waste of metal.
Me and a couple guys were musing a couple months back about how it's funny how many people are saying the Judge is a great weapon for defense with the .410 shells. These are often the same guys that, if you asked them if they'd use a .410 shotgun for deer hunting or home defense, they'd say "Hell no! You need a 12ga." Funny how .410 is enough for a handgun, but not enough for a shotgun...but I digress.

You probably have way more experience than I do, but I would have to say I was seriously impressed firing that weapon. I would definitely use it for the home and car. Can you explain your reasoning for saying its a worthless waste of metal?

Originally Posted by FastHackem

You probably have way more experience than I do, but I would have to say I was seriously impressed firing that weapon. I would definitely use it for the home and car. Can you explain your reasoning for saying its a worthless waste of metal?

I've got a buddy with a judge and a circuit judge. He says at best they're novelties and that's about it in this day and age.

You can find .410 cartridges loaded with SD buckshot, but at only 5 (I believe) pellets, you're not doing yourself any favors. Most .410 is loaded with birdshot, which is generally ineffective for SD use.

If you want a revolver, you'd be much better suited with a .357 magnum than a .410.

My opinion, and IANAR (I am not a Reedo)