Im looking for a handgun for home defense... perferably something with more stoping power and less penetration

Kenneth C

Most modern hollowpoints (JHP)are designed to expand and stay inside someone when you shoot them. If you hit your target, over penetration should not be an issue. If you miss your target, a bullet can go through literally 5 or 6 walls before losing it's energy. So when defending your home, make sure you are trained to use the firearm and make sure you are going to hit your target.

There are several companies that make rounds that are designed to penetrate less then normal bullets when they hit walls. Most are junk and should not be used for home defense. However, from reading, it seems like Glaser Safety slugs are actually decent man stoppers and don't have the penetration regular bullets might. I've never used them, but them generally seem to be recommended.

As I said before, you shouldn't have an issue with most hollowpoints. Personally I have a small .38spl I keep in the bedroom for home defense. I load it with federal 129 grain +P JHPs. The .38spl is not the best stopper in the world especially with a 2 inch barrel. But it's fine and low maintenance so I only have to check on it every so often to insure that it properly works. I don't expect to have a long drawn out gun battle in my own home. Plus I have two fine dogs that alert us when someone approaches the house (even at night). So I'd have plenty of warning if someone attempted to break in at night.

All the rounds you mentioned should be fine and most every manufacturer makes firearms chambered for them (Sig, Glock, S&W, Beretta, Taurus, ect, ect, ect) , the key is practice and being able to use your firearm safely should the need arise.

old fuzz

What kind of experience and training do you have with a handgun??

If your answer is none or not much, I would recommend a revolver. Simple to use and train with. Also a lot less expensive to buy than the semi auto.

When I lived in the country, I used a S&W 629, .44 mag., loaded with 240 gr. jacketed hollow points. I also kept a Remington 870 pump shotgun, with an extension tube, loaded with four rounds of #4 shot and three rounds of slugs. My nearest neighbor was over a mile away and below the crest of a hill. No danger in hitting his house. I did not worry about blowing holes competely through any intruder. My Rottweiler, Lotus Blossom, would clean up any scattered meat anyway.

When I moved into the city, I changed out the magnum rounds for 200 gr. Winchester Silver tips, in .44 special. I took the slugs out of the shot gun, everything is #4 shot. This cuts overpentetration quite a bit. However, I have recently ordered some Glaser Safety bullets for the .44. Pricey, but I'll feel better about not risking shooting through my walls and into the neighbors house.

Home defense is best in layers. First layer, stout doors and locks on doors and windows. Second layer, Lotus Blossom, thrid layer, me and the two guns. Final layer, my wife with her old S&W 411, .40 cal. (155 gr. hollow points).

For those of you who sneer at this much firepower, I spent over 43 years in law enforcement. I know the kind of monsters that prowl our streets at night.

DASHLOC4ever

I prefer a 20 gauge shotgun for home defense. Its stopping power is unbeatable and it does not over overpenetrate.

A pump shotgun is easy to maintain and easier to use for self defense; especially if you are not going to practice a lot.

But the advantage of a handgun is its portability. If you want a handgun with great stopping power and less penetration then 45 ACP is the way to go. I myself prefer 9mm because it is cheap and I can practice a lot with it.

Ti get the maximum stopping power I recommend that you go to corbon.com. They have the most powerful ammunition that is available to the general public. They also make a round tip hollow point that feeds well in a 45.

As far as brands go, stick with a major name and you will be fine. A lot of it is personal preference; I like Glock for the reliability and ease of use but my brother prefer SIG. If you are wanting to save a little money then go with a Ruger, they are American made, inexpensive and the quality is unbeatable.

If you get the 45; stay away from 1911's. They are great guns but they are very complicated. They are fine if you intend to become a gun guy but they require a lot of extra training. I am a gun nut and I am not sure i would want to use one under stress.

Get as much practice and training as you can, the caliber and type is not all that important if you miss.

12 gauge shotgun! The perfect home defense weapon. Load with #1 buck shot and you are good! Get the shortest barrel you can have (18" is legal limit). You can pick one up at Walmart, or Big 5 for under $350 (I saw Big 5 had Remington 870 on sale recently). Nothing sounds better than racking a shotgun, it will strike fear in the hearts of intruders. Plus, all you have to get it close, like horseshoes and hand grenades!

Johnny R

uhm.. guns that would knock someone down flat would be a .357, .45, and a .50 (the largest desert eagle).

More then anything the best home defense gun would be a 9MM for two reasons. The recoil isn't bad and to answer your question about exiting the body, that more so depends on the bullet then the gun. Hollow Points are bullets which expand on impact and they would stand less of a chance of coming out of the body... but at 20 feet pretty much anything moving around 600 feet per second will pass through.

Shotguns are great for home defense but do to the size of them it can be difficult to swing around, also shotguns below (I believe its 18 inches) are illegal. But I'd take a shotgun over anything else, you know the guy's on the other side of the wall and you don't need to think twice about launching some .00 Buck at him.

nineoneoner

It is not the weapon, but the rounds inside the weapon. They have several available. They have a casing, bb's and a wad made of rubber, or plastic. It will hit, knock down (depending on the caliber) and not mess up your stuff.

I have a Glock 23 .40 cal, I don't care about my stuff and know how to shoot in a safe direction not hitting others. I love this gun! Take a firearms class, shoot a couple of different guns until you find the one you want. Then buy the other shot.

gen patton

there's noyhing like a 45 for stopping power.

Marc X

Hollowpoints. Beside making a mess inside the body and causing it to shut down due to shock, it also causes a massive drop in blood pressure and death will follow soon due to lack of oxygen to vital organs. Throw in Glasers to contribute to blood poisoning, and you can rest easy, knowing that you've really blown away the perp. (Is that the correct term? Or is it skel that they're now using on TV?)

Gabriel

Any of those will work. Simply buy ammo accordingly. Hollow points or a similar personal defense ammo versus full metal jackets will do just fine. Basically there are bigger bullets, and smaller bullets, with different types of ammo for each depending on the situation at hand. However, if you do any research on the issue, you will discover "knockdown power" is a common misnomer.

march

Avoid the 9 mm or 380 rounds. They are small with minimum knock-down. The 9 will also go through a body easily.

I agree with many of the previous comments, its the ammo. I do not agree with hollow points since they will also penetrate many walls before stopping. The worst thing that could happen is if your own child or a neighbor is killed because your bullet went through the wall. Glasier safety bullets disintegrate upon impact and are safest for a pistol. If you are inexperienced or just want the intimidation factor, go with the shotgun. My primary response is a double barrell 12 ga stage gun and I back that up with a 38 snub.

...oh, and get the training and regularly practice. People die from their own guns because they don't know how to properly use them and/or hesitate to use them when necessary.

gfd_truck7

Try a good old .357 revolver. If the 6 rounds aren't enough you've got bigger problems!

plcweaver1

9 mil will work just fine or even a 380.

TURANDOT

"more stoping power and less penetration"

Sounds like a personal problem...

Edward H

Forget about a handgun. Imagine this, it's night time and somebody breaks into your house. You reach for your handgun in the dark without making a noise. The intruder probably thinks you are away or worse, home and asleep. You have a chance if you are a good shot and don't hesitate using the gun.

OK, second scenario, you get a pump action shotgun that is loaded with shells that shoot 6 slugs at a time. IF you have to use it. The sound of a shotgun when you load "pump" it makes a very distinct and ominous sound, even with the lights out. CHICK-CHICK!

I don't thing the intruder is going to wait to see what that was. AND if you do have to shoot you will have a better chance at hitting him without directly aiming at him because at least one of the six rounds will hit its mark.

All the guns you refer to are better off for self protection when you are out of your house because they can be concealed. Also, with semi-autos like the 9mm and .45 are prone to jamming when they eject a spent cartridge.

Go to a gun store with this suggestion and I bet 9 out of 10 he will agree with me. Be careful.

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