Guns you own (6 Viewers)

[Moxie Mike]

I just picked up an SD9 over the weekend.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/sw-sd9-ve-std-capacity

Anyone else have one? Can you suggest a holster for open and/or CCW?

 

[DuffCal]

I do not have one but I have two holsters from Vedder Holsters and I really like them

 

[Jeff]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

 

[DuffCal]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

In my opinion, I wouldn't use it. But it would work fine.

It's similar to the 9MM vs 380 debate. They both will work fine

 

[Jambine]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

maybe a 20 ga?

 

[Highli99]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

All about the ammo, but personally I would choose something different. I assume you are not talking about one of those revolvers like the judge?

 

[BNM]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

Will she train with whatever you buy?

 

[Jeff]

Yes,

Will she train with whatever you buy?

Yes, she is finally interested in being trained, and my 45s and 12 gauge are more of a handful than she may be comfortable with. There are a lot more options, but I saw an interesting .410 made by Henry that I thought might be a better handling gun for a small woman.

 

[BNM]

Indeed. Take her with you?

 

[WedgeRock]

My sons fired 12g when they were 12 years old... If she's going to train with it, she can shoot a 12g. Start with birdshot.

And FTR, shotguns are meant to be shouldered... No pistol grip for me...

 

[Jeff]

All about the ammo, but personally I would choose something different. I assume you are not talking about one of those revolvers like the judge?

No, not the (Taurus?) judge, a shotgun. As shotguns go, .410s are quite a bit lighter and easier to swing around. Very little recoil. Still will do the job in tight quarters, I think.

I'm unconvinced, and was looking for someone to tell me its a good idea. There are plenty of smaller caliber handguns (probably best a revolver...easier to load, etc) to choose from and I already have a couple good 12 gage shotguns.

 

[Highli99]

No, not the (Taurus?) judge, a shotgun. As shotguns go, .410s are quite a bit lighter and easier to swing around. Very little recoil. Still will do the job in tight quarters, I think.

I'm unconvinced, and was looking for someone to tell me its a good idea. There are plenty of smaller caliber handguns (probably best a revolver...easier to load, etc) to choose from and I already have a couple good 12 gage shotguns.

Have you had your wife try a 12 gauge loaded with lower recoil shells? i'm not sure how the ballistics on those compare to a .410 but i'm going to guess they are still better. A revolver is a great idea. A .357 loaded with .38 special could still be very effective with very little recoil.

 

[Jambine]

.357 loaded with .38 special could still be very effective with very little recoil.

works for my wife

 

[12thMan]

but I saw an interesting .410 made by Henry

I really like Henry and what they makr so I'm a little biased, but I saw that shotgun too and I thought it was very cool. Would be a fun little gun that's for sure. I can't help much on the .410 for defense question, I can only encourage the purchase because it's cool.

 

[Old State]

What do people think of a .410 shotgun for home defense?. It would definitely be easier for my wife to handle.

The more research I do the more I find it hard to justify a shotgun for home defense. Most of the Highly respected SMEs in the defensive/tactical community rarely if ever recommend them anymore. The problem is you really need buckshot to be effective and that has the same penetration issues most hand gun calibers do ....penetration meaning through walls if you miss. Then shotguns recoil hard and don’t have a lot of capacity. People have been known to short stroke pump actions under stress and there aren’t that many semis that are 100% reliable.

If you spend a lot time researching ballistics and weigh all the pros and cons the AR checks the most boxes and may be the ultimate home defense weapon. The cartridge fires a tiny bullet with a ton of velocity. Most loads have projectiles that will fragment and not penetrate more than two walls...usually half of a 9mm or 45. Yet when they strike a bad guy they are devastating (like most rifle rounds). There is almost no recoil and the ergonomics are the best. They can also be very light weight. You can also easily mount a light and a red dot...the light being extremely important for HD.

The only drawback is how loud they are...especially fired indoors. They can be disorientingly loud with the chance of serious hearing damage (but so are shotguns) Now if you live in a free state a suppressor can help with that...but then you have a long unwieldy rifle. The fix there is to run a SBR or “pistol”. 11.5” is is a great length. After years of reading on this topic I really believe an AR is the best option..specifically a suppressed short barreled one. If a shorty isn’t available a 16” and a set of electronic hearing protection near by is an option. Not saying you would think to grab that under stress but it’s possible. I keep a set on my quick access my safe.

I have a 11.5” AR waiting for a suppressor. Until then an M&P 45 with a 14 round mag is my go to HD gun

 

[Nuhockey]

I finally joined the club the other week and can now post in this thread.

Walther PPQ M2 9MM with 10+1.(It’s what we are allowed here.)

Got this yesterday after confirming with Streamlight that it is compatible with my weapon.

I also got an Orca Tactical Gear Range Bag. Got electronic headphones for the Range and a few more magazines and some Ammo from online for practice at the range. For my home I got Hornaday Defense Ammo. I also got a quick ammo loading device. I have safety glasses from before and then I got a cleaning kit with a matt. The most important thing I got was a safe. I have to keep the Gun locked up as I have a child at home. I think I have everything I need. If I don’t someone let me know.

 

[Trihonda]

IMHO, I’m not a big fan of rifle length HD options (generally). It’s unwieldy to handle in high stress situations, unless you’re highly trained and agile. As stated earlier, shotguns often require 00buck to be effective, and the AR (while intimidating) has limited practicality in residential situations.

Though the noise aspect isnt going to be a major concern in a real life HD situation due to auditory exclusion, a phenomenon where people under shooting stress rarely even hear their own shots being fired (or with greatly reduced volume).

@Jeff my advice would greatly depends on the experience and preferences of the shooter, the environmental factors of the home, and potential for use (likely situation they’d encounter, home invasion vs outside the home SD). So I’m hard pressed to make blanket “I’d go with THIS” statements without some more info.

...but knowing your home situation to a small degree, I’d start my search in the handgun realm, and as some have pointed out, you can get a lot of stopping power with lower recoil in .38 and 9mm rounds. I don’t dislike the .357 (using .38) advice, as a revolver is as simple as it gets for a new shooter (unless reloads are expected). There are many quality smaller 9mm guns out there if an automatic is in the cards. My last bit of advice is “you get what you pay for” is very accurate in the firearm realm. A high quality weapon can function easier, more reliably, and with lower recoil than cheap alternative.

 

[BNM]

How about the Mk1 home defense system? A dog?

 

[Jeff]

@Trihonda Lisa is finally showing interest in having gun and training with it after resisting the idea for quite some time. I’m now starting to think that a .38 revolver might be a good choice. I’m not sure whether it’s she’s coming around to the idea of home protection or if it’s been me at home for 2 months. Yikes.

 

[HeWhoWouldPun]

@Trihonda Lisa is finally showing interest in having gun and training with it after resisting the idea for quite some time. I’m now starting to think that a .38 revolver might be a good choice. I’m not sure whether it’s she’s coming around to the idea of home protection or if it’s been me at home for 2 months. Yikes.

Don't make the mistake I made when my wife came around to having a firearm of her own--I guessed at what she would like based on what I thought would be good for her. I was (as usual) wrong.

I took her to my preferred gun store and let her hold a bunch of things to see what she liked. I would never have guessed what she ended up liking. So, like chipping, get samples. Let her hold a variety of things and then shoot a variety of things. And now I will stop with my unsolicited advice.

 

[trever]

Let her pick the gun she wants, using whatever criteria she prioritizes. If she changes her mind later, she can always get another one.

 

[Jeff]

Don't make the mistake I made when my wife came around to having a firearm of her own--I guessed at what she would like based on what I thought would be good for her. I was (as usual) wrong.

I took her to my preferred gun store and let her hold a bunch of things to see what she liked. I would never have guessed what she ended up liking. So, like chipping, get samples. Let her hold a variety of things and then shoot a variety of things. And now I will stop with my unsolicited advice.

Let her pick the gun she wants, using whatever criteria she prioritizes. If she changes her mind later, she can always get another one.

I think these are two examples of VERY good advice, I think a trip to the local gun store and range is the ticket!

 

[Old State]

and the AR (while intimidating) has limited practicality in residential situations.

I have to respectfully disagree. The AR requires minimal training. The manual of arms is very simple. All weapons designed originally for military use are made to be that way. The concept is to design something that is idiot proof. A significant amount of firearms instructors (at least the ones with some national and international fame) choose the AR for HD.

As a long time competitive pistol shooter I can say the hand gun by FAR takes the most training to be proficient in.

if a hand gun is what she wants I would recommend taking her to a range where you can rent guns. Just picking them up in a store isn’t going to do much. Plus the advise you are bound to get from gun store people is usually the opposite of what is best. If she is unable or disinterested in training, I think a revolver would be the best she can’t induce a limp wrist malfunction.
All that said, if you are serious about this I would advise looking outside of a poker chip forum (no offense meant).
There are a few highly respected forums with industry professionals, LEO, and military people that you can search and ask questions
Here is a great one:

https://pistol-forum.com/

Here is an article I found on a quick google search that illustrates many of the points I made

https://gundigest.com/article/why-an-ar-15-for-home-defense-is-the-best-choice


Here is a video by a former Ranger turned forearms instructors that breaks down the thought process on choosing the best HD weapon for a new shooter and even talks about “your wife” as an example

 

[Jeff]

Thanks for the video. Regarding talking about this on a chip site, many of the folks here are friends and some are LEOs and I am interested in their opinions, but don’t need them to facilitate my wife’s decision I have people I trust at my gun shop and I have some experience myself. Also...in the end, she’s a adult and may or may not take any suggestion I make anyway.

 

[BNM]

I have to respectfully disagree. The AR requires minimal training. The manual of arms is very simple. All weapons designed originally for military use are made to be that way. The concept is to design something that is idiot proof. A significant amount of firearms instructors (at least the ones with some national and international fame) choose the AR for HD.

The concept of the AR platform as the best for home defense, or that is requires minimal training, or that the manual of arms (instructions for use and care?) is simple is wacky. I don't have the energy or time to go into this, but the AR, or any rifle, should not be the firearm of choice for HD.

 

[Trihonda]

I think these are two examples of VERY good advice, I think a trip to the local gun store and range is the ticket!

yup, very much in line with this. Definitely involve Lisa in the decision, and the local gun shop is a great Place to start. Today I joked around with Terri that I was in the area of a local gun and police supply shop I frequent, and said I could stop by and snag her a new pink Glock (with that stimulus money). I was ‘shot down’...

my advice would greatly depends on the experience and preferences of the shooter,

I have to respectfully disagree. The AR requires minimal training. The manual of arms is very simple. All weapons designed originally for military use are made to be that way. The concept is to design something that is idiot proof. A significant amount of firearms instructors (at least the ones with some national and international fame) choose the AR for HD.

I greatly respect you opinion. My experiences differ. To be frank, I’ve seen a lot of folks coming back from military service, and the AR rifle has gained a ton of popularity since. There’s more “general” experience with the platform, more availability, and it IS a simple weapon system, to some degree. But it’s a rifle, and though ANY long gun is going to give some advantages, there ARE some practical drawbacks, depending on the shooter. In many cases a simple revolver handgun is easier to handle, and far simpler to operate under stress (esp for folks smaller in stature). I personally have access to pretty much any weapon system (and ammo) I’d want for SD and HD, and my go to for clearing a house is a handgun.

but don’t get me wrong, Im not hating on ARs... I have a couple.

 

[David O]

@Trihonda Lisa is finally showing interest in having gun and training with it after resisting the idea for quite some time. I’m now starting to think that a .38 revolver might be a good choice. I’m not sure whether it’s she’s coming around to the idea of home protection or if it’s been me at home for 2 months. Yikes.

Jeff, my 83 year old mom carries a .38 Colt Cobra Detective Special. Great weapon and simple for a beginner. It would not hurt to take her to some beginning gun safety class. Ir usually gets her past the fear of handling a gun especially if one has never held one. Ince she goes through this she may find that the ease of a small 9mm might be the choice for her.

My mom carries that but can operate any of the guns that I have in my safe and also the ones I have "on the ready"

Good Luck my friend

 

[Trihonda]

The concept of the AR platform as the best for home defense, or that is requires minimal training, or that the manual of arms (instructions for use and care?) is simple is wacky. I don't have the energy or time to go into this, but the AR, or any rifle, should not be the firearm of choice for HD.

this Online gun Article Outlines some of the reasons I prefer not to use a rifle for HD. But I’d argue that the right person, with the right training, CAN adequately deploy a rifle in a HD scenario. However, I feel there are more pros (with my skill set) to using a handgun for defending MY home (and Id consider myself proficient with the AR platform).

 

[Old State]

The concept of the AR platform as the best for home defense, or that is requires minimal training, or that the manual of arms (instructions for use and care?) is simple is wacky. I don't have the energy or time to go into this, but the AR, or any rifle, should not be the firearm of choice for HD.

“Wacky”? Based on what? You just made a statement without backing up anything you said with any type of reason data or logic. You do realize some of the most highly respected firearms instructors and experts in the world use and recommend the AR for HD?

Here are just a few by name: Larry Vickers, Travis Haley, Frank Proctor, Kyle Lamb, Kyle DeFoor, Jeff Gonzales, Pat McNamara, the late Pat Rogers, and so on.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/home-defense-ar-15-might-be-your-best-choice/

here is Larry Vickers Talking about the pros and cons of every type of weapon for HD (Vickers trains civilians, LEO, and Military. Former Special Forces and Delta Force)

 

[Trihonda]

...again, I’m not hating on the AR, but i have to wonder why the AR has surged so heavily in recommendations for HD. I cede it’s not a bad platform for some, given the right circumstances...

but consider this... ARs (and assault riffles in general) have gotten a bad rap in several active shooter incidents in recent years, and the gun control folks have come after it HARD core. It wasn’t until these attacks on gun ownership, and assault rifles, that we saw a huge surge to tout the AR as the ultimate HD platform. “See, we need assault rifles because they’re the best HD defense option”. The gun industry has pushed this premise HARD! Industry Experts abound, but I’m not completely sold that it’s the only, or even best option (and I have a wealth of my own experience and training).

Im firmly against the “this is the best” mindset, as everyone is different, and each situation is different. Love this debate though. .

I’d argue that some of the pistol “discussions” in the above videos and such, understate the pros of using a handgun in a HOME self defense scenario. These same videos seem to gloss over the reality (likelihood) of a soccer mom pulling out an AR in the middle of the night, slinging it, and then clearing their homes like door kickers in Afghanistan....

In a real HD situation (at least the vast majority I’ve been involved with), the homeowner barricades themselves in a closet, or bedroom, hiding behind a bed, etc. they will use the gun as a last resort, if attacked. They aren’t normally charging through their house Tactically clearing.

The other aspect that troubles me with using a rifle, is the ease of bringing it on target in close quarter SD combat. This become easier with more training, but I still prefer the handgun in close quarters. Now, I’d argue that an offensive close quarters combat is different, and a rifle excels in this arena. But this is moving to the target in an aggressive manner.

Another aspect where the handgun excels is interacting with the environment. If you ARE exploring and clearing your home, you’ll need a free hand, whether on the phone with police, or to open doors, turn on lights, etc. this is harder to do carrying a rifle.