House Gun.

[TXTIGR]

What do you guys think about the S&W SD 9/40 VE.I want to get a Home defense pistol and these seem to be pretty good and at a good price.I know carbines and Shotguns are the usual recommendations for HD,but the wife has no desire to use one.The other choice is a Sig p250sc.Thanks,love this sight.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Maximpactguns]

I have been told by many friends in law enforcement and military NEVER use a carbine for home defense. Your best option is a shotgun or pistol. Quality wise I stick with German/Austrian made guns. I've never had issues with either or any for that matter. I'm a new member on here but my recommendation is to take your wife to a range that rents and you can both find something your comfortable with. Try before you buy if you have the option. Saves headaches later. Good luck!!

[BugDude]

That would be a fine HD weapon. My personal opinion is a 12 ga shotgun is your best bet for HD, but nothing wrong with a good hi capacity handgun for HD. High powered rifles would not be a good choice because of over-penetration of interior and/or exterior walls (depending on your iondividual housing situation).

[lowercase]

I prefer a revolver for my HD weapon, in my case, a S&W Model 10 police trade-in from Bud's.

Not glamorous, but works like a champ, and is the only gun my wife is comfortable shooting. That's why it made the cut.

I have an awesome shotgun (Mossberg 590a1), but it is in the safe unloaded. Give me my trusty old Model 10.


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[thedogfather]

I have to second the vote for the revolver for home defense. There are still plenty of quality name brand wheel guns out there for a very reasonable price; the S&W Model 10 among them. Also look for Ruger, Colt, maybe Taurus. For peace of mind, take it to a local gunsmith. Maybe $75 to break it down, 'time' it, clean, lube, buff, maybe replace a stiff spring; good for another 100 years. The original "point and click " device. Better yet, find one that accepts "+P" loads ... that is the difference between "good coffee" and espresso. I've never felt under gunned with a .38 special.

[ANGLICO]

Regardless of the type of weapon or caliber, the penetration and back stop potential always need to be considered for home defense. What is appropriate for your situation? Think about that. When I lived in a trailor (single wide and dirt poor enlisted guy) I did not consider my Mini-14 as a good home defense weapon.......... After all, we don’t want to FRAG the neighbors if we don’t have to………

The pistol is a good choice. That is a capable weapon.

But – always practice ‘defense in depth’ and consider that one pistol might be a single point failure.

Do you have an alarm or ‘reliable dog’? Do you have a fallback position and..... possibly (yes…) a shotgun?

This, like many on this Forum are great reoccurring discussions, and everyone should always reevaluate one’s situation considering basic SD.

(besides my side arm - MEU SOC .45, I always carried a 12G Remington issue as infil/elfil aircrew support, because.... if the bird was down and I was still capable, that was the most effective type of weapon I wanted for 'Run through the Jungle' E&E)

Personal preference of course. But heck, it was capable of mounting a Bayonet... OooRaaah!

[claimbuster]

Guess I will ask, why is a carbine a no-no for home defense? I keep a 16" 223 AR loaded and ready in a closet. I always think a high speed 55gr. SP bullet is no worse for going through walls than 00 buck shot. My AR is not in lieu of a handgun or two placed in good locations.

BTW, we have no kids at home so that is not a risk.

[Ksgunner]

I just bought a Remington R1 1911 .45 for my house gun.

[archer51]

First choice for a HD gun is going to be a 12 ga. Second choice will be a handgun.

[kapnketel]

Guess I will ask, why is a carbine a no-no for home defense? I keep a 16" 223 AR loaded and ready in a closet. I always think a high speed 55gr. SP bullet is no worse for going through walls than 00 buck shot. My AR is not in lieu of a handgun or two placed in good locations.

BTW, we have no kids at home so that is not a risk.

Try maneuvering around quickly in your home with a rifle, that is one of the main issues.

[lchamp]

I'm planning on getting a Walther PPQ for my home defense gun. Right now, I have an OLD S&W "highway trooper" revolver and a Sig P239 loaded for home defense. Wife told me to wait until "after Christmas" before I buy the PPQ.

[BugDude]

Try maneuvering around quickly in your home with a rifle, that is one of the main issues.

Not to mention over-penetration and what lies beyond the target.

[10thmtn]

What do you guys think about the S&W SD 9/40 VE.I want to get a Home defense pistol and these seem to be pretty good and at a good price.I know carbines and Shotguns are the usual recommendations for HD,but the wife has no desire to use one.The other choice is a Sig p250sc.Thanks,love this sight.

To answer your original question, those would all be good choices. The SD line of pistols is kind of a cross between the Sigma and M&P pistols. Many have commented that the trigger feel is not the best, but the gun will likely work for the intended role.

The Sig P250 is also a good choice, and that pistol allows you to change the frame and slide to turn the gun into a larger or smaller option for various purposes.

I would also counsel you to try before you buy if at all possible - and be sure to include your wife as well.

Down the road, you may wish to get a long gun as well, to back up the handgun. In our home, the plan is for me to use our Glock to cover the hall, while my wife gets the kids into our bedroom. Then, she gets the Glock, and I get the long gun out of the safe to cover the door until the cavalry shows up. I am not going to attempt to clear the house on my own.

The shotgun vs carbine debate is an old one. My preference is for the shotgun - except for the fact that my wife will never train with it. Thus, my Mini 14 has taken its place, because if the worse happens, she can use it more easily that the shotgun - just point and pull the trigger. The semi auto action and reduced recoil (compared to the 12 gauge shotgun) means it is better suited for her use.

As far as overpenetration goes - anything that will get to the vitals on a criminal will penetrate multiple layers of sheetrock walls. If you use lighter weight bullets that tend to tumble and fragment, you can actually get less overpenetration with a carbine than you can with other options. Of course, bullets don't always behave like we think they will, so the usual safety rules apply.

OP - hope this helps. Good luck.

[TXTIGR]

Thanks guys.The Wife does not like Shotguns or Rifles and does not want to train with them.she will shoot/train with a handgun.This is mainly for times if I am not home etc.We live in a two story town home so that comes into play.BTW I carry a Glock 27 gen 4 daily.

[Thunder71]

Not to mention over-penetration and what lies beyond the target.

Common misconception... a handgun and shotgun both have the potential to over penetrate more than a home defense .223 round. If that's your reasoning you may want to reconsider your thought process.