# Best handgun for home defense? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 3, 2003, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402 "2003-09-03T21:02:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/81 "2003-09-05T06:23:45Z")
Whatever your choice, I wanted to post a link to the [http://www.gunvault.com/](http://www.gunvault.com/) site. They sell gun safes that can be opened in the dark quickly. They even have one for shotguns- it is a box that protects the trigger, but it pops open to allow you to use it. -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/82 "2003-09-05T10:53:22Z")
- - - I find it amusing that some people feel that “an intruder entering their home at night” is “no big deal”, and “you don’t need to defend yourself with lethal force because they _probably_ won’t want to kill you”. I simply do not understand the mentality of _anyone_ who feels that there is no acceptable option to simply being a victim, and **hoping** the police eventually catch the criminal after the fact. * * * - I would hate for such a thing to happen, I’d probably feel pretty horrible if an intruder I shot ended up dead, but if it’s gotta be them or me, _I’m armed, and I’m not the one who chose to play the game_. … > [@](#): > > I have a security system, which thankfully I think is unnecessary, but wondering about what I would do if the damn thing went off at 2AM, I got an air-taser. It’s only two shots, but if I shoot one of the kids sneaking in late at night, at least I can unplug 'em. - I have said it before, I will say it again: **tasers (and pepper spray) don’t work**. _That’s why the military and police still carry firearms_. ~ ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/83 "2003-09-05T11:28:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HPL \* > \*\*So, if you are worried about crime and just rely on locks(and the chance the cops will make it in time to save you), you are a normal person, but if you are worried about crime and have a gun in case they get past the locks, you are obviously paranoid. > > Nice double standred there. \*\* I see no double standard. I didn’t mean that having a gun for defense=paranoid, I just was observing how there are a lot of paranoid freaks who feel the need to not only have a gun for protection, but have an extensive array of the latest most lethal assault weapons like some freakin Colombian drug cartel. I apologize for leaving the word “some” out. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/84 "2003-09-05T11:42:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Susanann \* > \*\*Concern for the safety of children is a valid concern. > > Obviously, people who have children either have to remove all dangerous items from the home, or else teach the children respect for them and to not use them except under supervision. > > If you can not/or will not, control/teach your own children, then you must take extra special precautions. > > An irresponsible/disobeying child should never have any access to guns or knives, etc. > > Period!!! > > Obviously, if you have no control over your children and they will/could get into anything, then you should NOT leave loaded unlocked guns in the house, your butcher knives in the kitchen should NEVER be left unlocked, and your car keys should NEVER be placed anywhere a child could get them if left unattended. > > Better to be safe than sorry. \*\* You seem to be implying that I don’t/won’t control my children. Depends on your definition of control, I guess. I have a 5 year old, who usually does what I tell him and can understand not to play with a gun. Does that mean he’s not going to do it? I’m not going to find out the hard way. I also have a 20-month old boy who is into EVERYTHING. He’s highly unlikely to be out of sight near a gun, but again, I’m not going to find out the hard way. I didn’t want to get into a gun debate; I am perfectly ok with guns, I just don’t see them being as beneficial as all that, and am leery of excess in their pursuit. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/85 "2003-09-05T11:44:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > \*\*Did I miss something? 😕 \*\* My e-mail is available. Contact me now, please. ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/86 "2003-09-05T14:51:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by An Arky \* > \*\*I see no double standard. I didn’t mean that having a gun for defense=paranoid, I just was observing how there are a lot of paranoid freaks who feel the need to not only have a gun for protection, but have an extensive array of the latest most lethal assault weapons like some freakin Colombian drug cartel. > > I apologize for leaving the word “some” out. \*\* I have to ask…'zactly what ARE “the latest most lethal assault weapons”? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/87 "2003-09-05T15:40:14Z")
“most lethal” is kind of an odd term, isn’t it? Anyway, I was thinking mostly of civilian semiautomatic assault weapons, etc., but I’m not an enthusiast, so there may be types of weapons I’m not familiar with. Hey if you have a gun for defense, use it safely and competently and keep the kids away, good on ya. If you wanna be Rambo or something, please exist far from me. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/88 "2003-09-05T16:08:06Z")
Gee, I’m surprised no one’s mentioned a 1920’s style Death Ray … Hey, don’t point those things at me! :DodgesBullets: Hey hey! HEEELLLPPP!! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/89 "2003-09-05T16:55:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by An Arky \* > \*\*…there are a lot of paranoid freaks who feel the need to not only have a gun for protection, but have an extensive array of the latest most lethal assault weapons like some freakin Colombian drug cartel. \*\* Really? So who are these freaks? Do you know any of them? Or did you see a Discovery Channel documentary on them? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/90 "2003-09-05T18:02:44Z")
How bout them militia types? I don’t know any of them, proudly, and I don’t think I saw them in a documentary; they’re pretty well documented elsewhere. I’m not calling all or even most gun owners paranoid freaks. However, as we can see in this thread that gun fans get really touchy about gun issues, and I really don’t have a dog in that fight. But really, enough of this “who are you calling a paranoid freak” business. I’m calling paranoid freaks paranoid freaks, and unless you’re a paranoid freak, I don’t think calling a paranoid freak a paranoid freak should be much of a concern.😃 waits for the spokesperson for Paranoid Freaks of America to come rip me a new one ---
**Author:** ![The\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/91 "2003-09-05T18:34:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by HPL \* > \*\*So, if you are worried about crime and just rely on locks(and the chance the cops will make it in time to save you), you are a normal person, but if you are worried about crime and have a gun in case they get past the locks, you are obviously paranoid. > > Nice double standred there. \*\* how is that a double standard??? i think that person had a valid point. There’s probably the same chance or greater of your children having some king of accident with the gun than you ever actually needed to use it to defend yourself. Unless you can garantee your kids aint gonna find it one day when they’re messing about, i would tend towards not having a gun. It’s not a double standard at all. Double standard would be telling people not to have a gun in the house but having one in your house yourself. That’s a double standard. Anyway, i would suggest to the original poster that the best gun for the novice is a not too powerful one, perhaps the step up from a .22, any more and you might not shot it accurately when you most need to. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/92 "2003-09-05T19:09:35Z")
It has come to my attention that sawing the barrel of a shotgun off at all is illegal. I have always been under the false impression that it was legal provided the length was at least 18". I have been told this by a police officer several years ago. Apparently he was mistaken or the law has changed. Suffice it to say, I do not advise anyone to cut the barrel down to any length and that my sheer ignorance on the matter is my only excuse. Please just forget everything I said and if a **MOD** will delete my entire comment I would appreciate it greatly. I assure y’all it won’t happen again. Sorry, t-keela ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/93 "2003-09-05T23:40:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by t-keela \* > \*\*It has come to my attention that sawing the barrel of a shotgun off at all is illegal. I have always been under the false impression that it was legal provided the length was at least 18". la \*\* Who says it is illegal? That is news to me. The only law I know of is the 1934 law which requires registration of shotguns shorter than 18 inches. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/94 "2003-09-06T00:01:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by An Arky \* > \*\*You seem to be implying that I don’t/won’t control my children. Depends on your definition of control, I guess. > > I have a 5 year old, who usually does what I tell him and can understand not to play with a gun. Does that mean he’s not going to do it? I’m not going to find out the hard way. I also have a 20-month old boy who is into EVERYTHING. He’s highly unlikely to be out of sight near a gun, but again, I’m not going to find out the hard way. > > \*\* I dunno, you are the one saying that you dont trust your own children. I taught all of my children how to handle or not handle all dangerous items by age 3, even how to swim(since we lived on the water). You do what you want, their your kids. For hundreds of years, my family taught our little children not to play with guns, knives, etc. When we were on the frontier, leaving loaded guns around the house was pretty commonplace with not only us but the neighbors. Can you imagine Daniel Boones, Wyatt Earps, or Davy Crocketts father, etc. not having loaded guns around the house? Yikes! What frontier family ever did NOT have at least one loaded gun in the house? (FYI, little Daniel Boone never did grab a gun and shot his siblings or the neighbor kids) Anyways, if you dont trust your children, and if your boy, as you say, " gets into everything", then please keep all of your dangerous items in the house locked up, guns, knives, car keys, poisons, prescription drugs, oven cleaner, paint , gasoline, etc. else you might be in for a lot of sorrow. Consider yourself warned. Although it is in your control to lock up all the dangerous items in your house, you must be esp carefull when your children visit other peoples homes, or when they play with their playmates. Although you may have all dangerous items locked up in your home, most people dont do that so your child is extremely suceptable to getting into dangerous items at other peoples homes. It might be better not to let your children visit other peoples homes else it is a(fatal) accident just waiting to happen. Many children who “get into everything” end up killing themselves, or their playmates. Ive known kids, from ages 5 to 18(who were not taught how to handle dangerous items safely) ended up killing their playmates. In most of those cases, the children, were not at the home of their parents. Untrained/uncontrolled kids getting into guns, are only one small item. Most accidents happen with other things, knives, poisons, pills, boiling water, etc. As far as ““when””, or “if”, you train ever your children how to handle dangerous items, is up to you. Some people never train their kids and shove them out the door at 18 with them having no idea how to handle dangeous items, usu eventually with them ending up with sad endings. ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/95 "2003-09-06T00:31:04Z")
Dunno about all the ethical debates on the issue but here is a site with some crucial practical advice on whats what. handguns: [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg00-e.htm](http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg00-e.htm) shotguns: [http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/SH00-E.HTM](http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/SH00-E.HTM) enjoy ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/96 "2003-09-06T00:39:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Susanann \* > \*\*Who says it is illegal? That is news to me. The only law I know of is the 1934 law which requires registration of shotguns shorter than 18 inches. \*\* [TITLE 27 C.F.R, CHAPTER I, PART 179–MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS](http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=8095571227+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve) > [@](#): > > **Make**. This term and the various derivatives thereof shall include manufacturing (other than by one qualified to engage in such business under this part), putting together, _ **altering** _, any combination of these, or otherwise producing a firearm. > > _emaphasis mine_ > [@](#): > > Sec. 179.62 Application to **make**. > No person shall **make** a firearm _unless the person has filed… …a written application_ on Form 1 (Firearms), Application to Make and Register a Firearm… > > _emaphasis mine_ It’s a Federal Regulation, rather than legislation, but as it’s been repeatedly upheld, it has the force of law: No altering (i.e. modifying barrel length, etc.) your weapons unless you’re properly certified. Note: Swapping BATF-approved parts manufactured by another party who _does_ posses proper certification doesn’t _appear_ to fall afoul this regulation, but best you talk to a licensed gunsmith _before_ any such part-swapping. ---
**Author:** ![Vlad\_Dracul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@Vlad\_Dracul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Dracul)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/97 "2003-09-06T03:05:32Z")
Another advantage of the shotgun (or rifle) is that if you run out of ammo, the shotgun works pretty well as an impact weapon. Stab the barrel into the guy’s stomach like a spear, then slam the heavy wooden stock across his head a few times. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/98 "2003-09-06T03:46:16Z")
Returning to the query of the OP, my favorite is one that is no longer manufactured-the Grendel P-10. A top-loading .380 ACP pistol, holding 10 rounds including the chambered round, I’ve found it to be a great day-to-day personal protection carry weapon. If you can find one in a gun store, buy it! Be safe and be legal. Guns don’t kill people, dumbasses kill people. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/99 "2003-09-06T04:15:10Z")
12 gauge with bird shot. Inside at close range… Anyway, hopefully the _snick-snick_ of the slide drives the intruder away. I’m a big proponent of dogs and monitored alarms, BTW. I plan on huddling in an interior closet with a phone and whatever firearm I use. My chance of missing when the intruder comes to the closet door is about 0. .45, .357, or 12 gauge to center body mass a couple times should do the job. However, even thinking about blasting an intruder with bird shot in my bedroon closet makes me really _glad_ my German shepherd barks too much. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402/100 "2003-09-06T05:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by danceswithcats \* > \*\*Returning to the query of the OP, my favorite is one that is no longer manufactured-the Grendel P-10. A top-loading .380 ACP pistol, holding 10 rounds including the chambered round, I’ve found it to be a great day-to-day personal protection carry weapon. \*\* Oooohh, yeah! The Grendel P-10 was (is) one of the most elegantly functional examples of the gunmaker’s trade I’ve ever seen. While I’m not much a fan of .380 myself, I’d dearly love to own a Grendel P-10. They’re collectors items, now, sad to say. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-handgun-for-home-defense/199402.md?page=6)