In your opinion, what is the best handgun to keep around for home security use? Interested?

Steven

It sounds like it's a gun you won't shoot a lot and that you don't currently have any other firearms.

I'd recommend a revolver in .38 special or .357 magnum. .357 magnum is much more powerful so it depends on how much recoil you want to have and if you can reasonably handle it.

Buy a stainless steel version to minimize, but not entirely eliminate any maintenance you would have to do.

You should probably shoot it and clean it properly every month or two to make sure it's working well and you get some practice.

Keep it in a small keypad locked safe that can easily be stored ina drawer or closet and remember to change the batteries once a year.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5737.html

Good luck.

Jesse

Does it really matter? Any gun can kill some body.

El Jefe

I keep a Glock 20 in 10mm. In my opinion, all handguns are underpowered for use against humans...even a .454 Casul. My Glock 20 is a good compromise for a carry gun, and more powerful than the majority of available handguns.

But if someone tried to break into my home when my family was inside, I wouldn't reach for my Glock. I have a 12-gauge shotgun that both I and my wife know how to use (and my daughter as well). Racking the slide is the best warning you can give a criminal...they all recognize that sound and know that you mean business.

If you rack the slide and they persist in attacking, the 12-gauge will end the fight more quickly than anything else. It will probably kill them, but I wouldn't be using it unless the situation justified the use of deadly force. And the important thing is STOPPING the fight, who lives or dies is secondary. If the fight's over, they can't harm you or your family any more...you can always call 911 if they're still breathing.

Dino4747

A good choice is a .45 caliber in the model 1911. Don't go cheap; a good one is going to run over $400. It would also be good to invest in a Laser Grip sight; most combat situations are in low light and aiming with all that adrenalin pumping through you body will be difficult. With the Laser Grip sights, you place the red dot where you wish to shoot, pull the trigger and call for an ambulance. It is a good idea to keep the gun far enough away that you need to be awake before you can get it. Don't place it under you pillow...a night-stand is good. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are sure of your target, and ALWAYS be sure of your target.

John D.

Rocket launcher, why take chances they might get back up?

silvercharm516

My recommendation is a .357 Revolver.

Forget the semi-automatics. They may look "cool" and you may think that it's melodramatic to load the round into the chamber, but in the heat of the moment, when an intruder is in the house, most people are not trained well enough to deal with things that can go wrong. (Did you remember to chamber a round? What happens if a round jams?)

If a round doesn't fire in the revolver, you just pull the trigger again. The next round will chamber and fire. You don't have to remember to chamber a round. It's already there.

The .357 rounds are more than powerful enough to stop an intruder. However, they are expensive rounds. The bonus to the .357 revolver is that it also fires the much cheaper .38 rounds which can be used for practice at your local range.

That is my recommendation for the weapon. Now comes the biggest recommendation: Get lessons. Get training. Get plenty of practice. Stay in practice. You don't want to be second-guessing yourself if your life, or the life of a family member, is in jeopardy. And on top of all that, KNOW THE LAW. Many states have a "duty to retreat" clause which states you must attempt to retreat from the situation if you can.

lestermount

A large caliber revolver is best, it is simple and easy to operate.
You just point and pull the trigger.
Go to a gun store and look at some, they will help you.
You need to go to a class for instructions and practice before using it at home.
If you have children it needs to be in a lock box, and the children need to understand it is a real gun not a toy.

Researcher

It depends on your size most 6 foot men wouldn't have a 22 pistol and most women wouldn't have a 357. My personal preference is a 9mm, Gluck is satisfactory but I prefer the Beretta that was my fathers, it is something that most people my size wouldn't use, but I feel comfortable with it and it was the first gun I learned to shoot.

jim s

Agree with the 357 wheel gun. Unless you're familiar with semi-autos.
The ability to become proficient with it using (cheaper) 38 Special is a bonus.
There are many varieties of small safes to keep it in that only you have access to.
Get a Smith & Wesson with a six inch barrel. One piece frame. Ruger, Colt, Taurus, two piece.
Have tried all three. With myself, the Smith (when pulled up) goes high, but it is easy to drop down on target. The Taurus pulls low and for me is front heavy. The Ruger is right on, yet seems frail. It really is all up to you.
Nickel plated, Stainless or Blue, your call. I like the rubber grip myself.
Keep it clean & dry, lightly oiled, and it will last for "many" generations.
$600-$700 will get you the best (after you pass the course).

James

A reliable semiautomatic is often the best.

As far as caliber I would say minimum 38 Caliber or 9MM. (note: Weapons denoted .357 are the same caliber, use the same size bullet, as weapons designated 38 Caliber)

Also the Smith and Wesson 40 Caliber Semiautomatic is good.

Also the 45 Caliber Semiautomatics are very good.

The primary concern is make certain that the gun is reliable, is not prone to jam and is quick and easy to reload with a new magazine.

Mario

More than a third of homes with childrenâ€”that's 22 million children ages 18 and under in more than 11 million homesâ€”had at least one firearm, But only 39% of these families keep their firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition as recommended. 43% of these U.S. homes with children and guns reported keeping one or more firearms in an unlocked place and without a trigger lock. Nine percent keep their guns loaded as well as unlocked. This analysis is based on data from 1994 interviews conducted in tens of thousands of households by the National Center for Health Statistics.

gomanyes

There is no handgun that is good to keep around for "home security use". The odds of you killing yourself or a family member (intentionally or not) are far greater than using it for defense.

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