Random thoughts...
Best handgun for home defense.
Desires:
Short barrel, harder for the attacker to wrestle it away from the home owner in a Grappling situation.
Powerful enough to strike a hard blow, with only one hit.
Controlable recoil, enabling multiple shots, and hopefully mulitple hits.
Sights you can see in low light.
Quick to reload.

Everything considered, the 325 NG is worth a serious look.

To the "controlable recoil..................." I would add "with either hand alone". Your other hand may be occupied with various other tasks at the time that you cannot disregard. Like controlling a family member or other assailant.

I'd also politely suggest that night sights, while useful, pale in versatility to a mounted light. So as to not add to the number of folks who injure the innocent by failing to ID the target.

I would say a M19 or a 686 for revolver, a quality 1911 for semi. These seem to be the ones that knock a man on his hindquarters and deter him from further stupidity the best.

"Where" you live should be a primary consideration. A .45 isn't a bad idea if you've got solid walls and no neighbors in close proximity, but it wouldn't be too prudent a choice in a condo/apartment or populated neighborhood.

The Governor has its fan base and its detractors, but might be a worthwhile consideration as a round or two of shot isn't going through sheet rock and studs like a round from .38/.357 +.

K frame .38 w/+P, 2 or 3".

325NG has too short of a barrel so it's going to have more muzzle flip and more recoil. It's also too light, increasing recoil.
The extra 2" on a 625JM will give you more advantages than you would gain in the extremely unlikely "grapple" scenario.
For CCW I'd rather have the 325NG over the 625JM but in general I think there are more practical advantages in a 38/.357 revolver.

The, "Ultimate Defensive Revolver" as so named by Smith and Wesson ca.1998.

A .357 Eight Shot 2.625" Barrel N Frame. Like it better than my Glock or PC 1911 in civilian applications.

Picture of mine at http://www.pbase.com/dwever/misc

K frame Model 64 or 65 with a 3 in barrel.

This is what I use..A S&W Governor loaded with six .410 00 Buck. A real crowd pleaser. Accurate,easy to shoot and reliable.

3" Model 13 or 65. With chamfered charge holes.

That said, my choice is the Remington 870 - backed up by a 3" 13-3. Regards 18DAI

Mine varies, but right now what I keep loaded and ready as my primary for home defense is a H&K USP Compact 45. Fires 9 shots of .45 ACP (one in the pipe, 8 in the mag) and I really like the DA/SA action with a decocker. I also keep two spare mags loaded for it. If I need more than 25 rounds of .45, I am in over my head, for sure!

Current:
Ruger GP 100 with 3 inch barrel.
I doubt there is a stronger gun made.
Next time you're in a gun store, ask the salesman to load it with snap caps.
Then compare it to a 686 and you'll see which has a smoother trigger.
Yesterday, a customer came in (2nd time) and we did just that.
He bought the Ruger.
Older:
Ruger Speed Six (Picture attached).

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Remington M870 extended tube 12 gauge shotgun with #1 Buckshot!

Oh...........handgun?

I would go with any K,L or N Frame revolver (without the I/L)that you shoot accurately, comfortably, and consistently with. The exact model does not matter as long as you can put your bullets in their intended target. Unless you live in a rural setting and there are no others in the house, I would go with BB 158 Gr. +P LSWCHP bullets, but if you do live far away from other houses and there are no kids, nothing wrong with .357's a long as you can controllably and accurately shoot them.

Chief38

Charter Arms Bulldog .44spl

My primary HD tool is a 12-gauge pump with a mounted light. My sidearm/nightstand tool is an H&K HK45 with a Picatinny rail mounted light/laser combo.

What ever gun you decide to use, you'll need a light to see what's going bump in the night; and having one rail mounted sure comes in handy...

I'll second the 44 special Bulldog by Charter Arms. Or even Smith and Wesson if you got the money. The 44 special meets all of your requirements. It's a big fat slow moving hunk of lead.

My home defense pistol varies as I rotate my pistols. Right now it's a Glock 19 with a Crimson Trace laserguard. I also use GP-100 loaded with full house, XD-45, CZ-75 SP-01 with night sights, XDm-40 and Colt 1911 with CT grips. I always have my model 36 3" Cheif's Special as a back up.

The best home defense handgun is the one that is loaded that you can actually get your hands on when the need arises.

I'd have to agree with the Gov, especially with the assortment of defensive ammo.

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Remington 870 12 guage.

Just Kidding, I recommend a 4 inch, K or L Frame sized/type revolver if you don't have a lot of experience shooting.

And if you feel comfortable with a Semi Auto Pistol, any of the quality 9mm/.45acp pistols of the market that you prefer.

Kinda like asking which Auto do you prefer, you'll get lots of different answers.

Rule 303

For me it's simple. My wife and I just had a custom home built for us and I made sure that a biometric safe was built into every singe wall in each and every room in the home. Inside the wall safe is:

1. 1 Smith & Wesson 325 Thunder Ranch Revolver with built in rail under the bbl fitted with a Viridian laser in .45acp

I also use one as my nightstand pistol. Why? When your woke from a dead sleep, revolvers require less to get into action than semi-autos.

My primary carry is:

1. Kimber Raptor
2. S&W 108303

BUG is:

1. Kimber Ultra Raptor
2. Colt Officers

A wall safe in every room is an excellent idea...

Me Niece and her husband live in Texas next to the border. He is a Army Major and she is a nurse. This past summer she was asleep, hubby was on base working, when she heard a CRASH at the front door. Someone was trying to kick it in.
She grabbed her 8 shot .357 and "Well I knew how tall a guy stands and I didn't want to kill someone so I put 2 rounds through the top of the door. "
Bad guy quickly decided to depart and seek easier pickings. Thank God her Father, my Brother in law, taught ALL his kids to shoot and insists they keep their skills sharp.

My HD handgun is the one I shoot the best. That would be my Model 14 that resides in my nightstand, that gun plain shoots and never seems to miss. I put it in my hand and it just points perfectly. It is a 6" but I figure if they get close enough to grab the gun out of my hand then I have failed miserably in doing my duty. I should only need 6 shots, as that should give me enough cover to get to the rifles in the den.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

While I've had some shooting courses, have my CCW and practice as much as possible, I recognize that I don't have nor will not likely have the proper training and experience to know exactly how I will react or what I would do in a home invasion situation. So, when faced with a life threatening situation that is immenent, I know my adrenalin will kick in and the good Lord will have to guide my actions. As I've said before in several threads here on the forum... it's a Benelli M2 with 00 or 000 buck. I can back that up with a 4006. Nuff said.

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I carry either an M&P 9c or a Ruger LC9 during the day. At night I take it off. If it is the 9c, I wipe it down and put it in the night holster. If it is the LC9, I wipe it down, put it in the drawer as a bug, and take out the 9c to put in the night holster.

Someone once said when it come to home defense, you want a short long gun or a long short gun. In essence, an 18 inch barrel shotgun, or a 5" 1911 are your best tactical option in a home defense situation simply because of the nature of indoor combat.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Short barrel not really needed you shouldn't let the perp get close enough to grab your gun.
I use a Sig Sauer 226 in 357Sig and a S&W J frame 340PD 357mag Both loaded with Gold Dots.

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20 years Mil, 18 yrs Sac P.D.

There are several handguns that I would feel comfortable with as a home defense weapon, but I didn't feel comfortable about them until I got familiar with them, and I don't feel comfortable telling somebody else to use a gun that I happen to like without knowing his psychology. The best gun is the one you feel most confident about using. A theoretically perfect gun is the wrong one if you can't use it effectively against a threatening intruder.

Realize that "use effectively" is not the same thing as shooting somebody. In terms of personal safety, a retreating intruder is as good as one who is prostrate and bleeding.

I tend to feel best about short-barrel N frames with downloaded cartridges in them -- .44 Special in a .44 Magnum or .38 Special in a .357 Magnum. You are going to be confronting somebody at a distance of 10-20 feet unless you live in a mansion. Getting hit at that distance by a .38 wadcutter round will be pretty effective, so a big ugly gun like an 8-shot .357 with wadcutter ammo in it is threatening to the bad guy and relatively safe for your neighbors in case a round gets past him.

But seriously, get any gun you can be consistently accurate with, and then train yourself to use it quickly as well as accurately. That's the one you want.

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David Wilson

Ours is a 4" 10-6 loaded with 158gn SWC moving around 900 FPS and rubber grips. Over the years my wife and I have found this particular revolver tends to hit where we are looking, even when shooting in poor light.

Mine is an M&P .45 loaded with 230 grain Winchester Ranger T's (14 rd clip). God forbid I should ever need 15 shots.

I broke my 3" 65 out to carry a couple of weeks ago. I've kept it out for home defense. It's easy to handle and shoot. I painted the front sight orange (with a white base coat) with model paint. Loaded with the Federal .38 Special 158gr. LSWC-HP "FBI" load, I'm confident that it'll incapacitate any intruder.

A shotgun MAY be good, depending upon where you live. In my cramped apartment, it's about as useless as a naginata or a 14' bamboo cavalry lance. I couldn't get it out of my bedroom door without smacking the muzzle or butt on something. Where I live, any non-NFA long gun is more hindrance than help.

the best home defense handgun is the one that is within reach, and will get me to a long gun.

Glock 19 (or Glock # of your choice, or S&W M&P autoloader of your choice) with night sights, white light and 33 round mag.

Emory

I am looking at the governor for carry. How does it shoot? Have you tried 420/45 combo in rapid fire? Does the gun heat up making it hard to reload quickly? Is it a heavy gun? Thanks

[QUOTE=letjimdoit;136238859]I am looking at the governor for carry. How does it shoot? Have you tried 420/45 combo in rapid fire? Does the gun heat up making it hard to reload quickly? Is it a heavy gun?

You may have to look rather long and hard for anyone here to endorse such a handgun for self defense.

In short you're better off with most conventional revolvers or in my opinion an auto loader. It's hard to beat a Glock 19. There may be other preferences, but your not going to "beat" it.

Emory

SHOTGUN, SHOTGUN, SHOTGUN- DOUBLE OO BUCK- IF YOU FAIL TO HIT THE BADGUY- YOU'LL SCARE THE **** OUT OF THEM.

I was going through the same dilemma about a month ago. I settled on the 632-1 J Frame in .327 magnum. 3" barrel which also makes it a worthy CCW gun. After some reading and research I'm very happy with it. I was also considering the overall safety/reliability of a revolver verses a chambered or un-chambered semi auto stashed in the night stand.

Model 60 stainless steel .38 +p with a 2-inch barrel.

Hard to wrestle away, reasonably allows for one-handed shooting, and heavy enough to club a guy with if need be.

You've got 5 shots, but that should be enough to get you to a safe place where you can reload (or reach a rifle or shotgun).

Your first line of Home Defense should not be offense, but should be DEFENSE in the form of a solid-core hardwood bedroom door with a decent lock. Let them steal your damn TV. That's why you have insurance.

I used to keep a Ruger GP100 nearby. However, my mechanic
hands lost strength after carpal tunnel surgery. My idea is that
the 442 or 642 allows me to grab it without fumbling with a
heavier gun. Most of my practice is with these. Haven't grabbed
either by mistake when the phone rings, yet!
I'd rather use a 1911 or a Tokarev, but I know I am fumbly
when I first get up. TACC1

For serious home defense I would go with a long gun, but for the "in the nightstand" pistol nothing beats a .357 mangum with a 4-6 inch barrell in my opinion. Mine is a 686 6-inch.

I have a .45 cal Glock 21 SF (short frame) with a Surefire 600 lumen light mounted on the rail. Note: the weight of the light will have a tendency to lower the point of impact a good 5 to 6 inches. Point of impact tends to be lower than normal by 5" due to the weight of the light at the front of the barrel. Heart shot = gut shot, but the 600 lumen light, especially on strobe is awesome.

A HD handgun should be reliable, something you shoot accurately with a variety of holds ( two hand, strong hand, support hand), and can manipulate and maneuver with while also carrying a light source or talking on a cell phone. A six shot, four inch revolver or a medium/full sized pistol usually fit the bill. Something in 38 Special or 9mm will work for most people, as you want to be able to accurately control the pistol under the aforementioned circumstances. Most people who don't shoot a lot can't control a 40, 45, 357, 44 Mag, etc, so the 38/9 family is more desirable. That's not to say that a 22, 32, 380 would not do the job, because few criminals, when confronted by someone determined to defend themselves, want to get shot. Get something that works for you.

I'd have to say that we sound like we are purpose building a home defense handgun here.
Some things I'd consider from my limited experience:
•A weapon mounted light: Threat identification is crucial, we don't want to shoot family members or guests.
•Rounds on board/magazine capacity: Face it, you may have to go to bat with just what's in/on the gun. No tac vests allowed and no time to jump into a gunbelt.
•Longer rather than shorter barrel not to exceed six inches: I do not want to shoot myself accidentally in the dark, the longer barrel points better, achieves better velocity, and will flash less when fired.
•Night sights: You may be forced to shoot in the dark and it at least allows you to align the weapon on target without giving away your position with a portable sunshine device.
•Laser: Why not make it as easy as possible for ourselves to get the hits we need to stop the fight?
•Simple straightforward design: I'd rather not fumble with safeties and levers in the dark, half awake, and scared to the point of constipation.

Easy semiauto options would be an M&P 9/40/45 with full length magazine and longest slide you can stand. Mount a light and laser combination like a streamlight tlr3 on the rail and stock the magazine with the hottest defensive loads you can accurately shoot. Some night sights like trijicon Hd on top would cap it off and you don't have to worry about safeties and levers.

For the revolver guys, the TRR8 or M&P 327 would be the way to go using full moon clips for positive extraction. Night sights by XS would complete the package. Again I'd opt for a weapon mounted laser/light combo from Streamlight or Surefire. I'd reload with moonclips and some sort of point ammo like Corbon powerball that I know will go right in.

You may notice I avoided red dot sights completely. Why? Because they are near invisible once a white light is turned on and depending on what manufacturer you decided upon the sights may or may not cowitness. Sounds like a great way to forget about the irons and get accustomed to something that will be of little use in the dark.

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

This works.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

Really? I'm raising the BS flag on this one. The only way this could happen is if the sighting plane were distorted or the barrel to slide relationship is changed which happens sometimes with suppressed weapons. It isn't common with rail mounted accessories. So which is it? A distortion of the sighting plane/change to the barrel slide lockup or just poor shooting technique amplified by a change in the balance of the weapon?

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

For serious home defense anything you are proficient with, can handle with either hand know what to do with it if it malfunctions, and what you can get to when you need it. Size and caliber doesn't help you if you cant control it. Don't count on one shot to stop someone, it could take more then that or maybe more then one BG. Me I'm lucky no little ones around here so I have a large variety all around loaded, chambered and safeties off from .22 to .45acp not including the long guns that would be my first choice if I can get to them first, but only if I'm in a static position. Remember if you go looking, and you have some of the advantage as you know your house, the first thing through any door will be the barrel. And yes I've told everyone that come here that any firearm they see around here is loaded, whether it is or not.

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Psalm 23:4

This logic is faulty. The length of the barrel is irrelevant in a wrestling situation. If he grabs just the barrel, pull the trigger, he'll let go, I guarantee it. If he grabs the frame, pull the trigger, he'll let go, I guarantee it. If he grabs the frame and the hammer at the same time, he probably knows what he's doing and you can't stop him from getting it anyway.

My home defense gun will be a 5" 1911, or a full size M&P 45.

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Freedom isn't free.

I have several:
In the kitchen we have a 4" M10-8 .38 Special loaded with Federal LSWCHP +Ps. Even my daughter, who is not yet into guns, can handle it.
In the bedroom I have my Glock 22 in the headboard. I also have a M12 Winchester Riot Gun and an M1 Carbine in the bedroom.
We live on an acreage, so I think my choices are good ones.

The only time I ever needed a gun, was a night I came home late and found a guy trying to break into the house. I was carrying my M696 in my hand into the house. Never even pointed it at him. He saw the muzzle and wanted to be someplace else.
A motion I seconded.
Jim

I thought our Vice President settled this issue months ago: "Get a shotgun. Just get a shotgun."

My first gun purchase was for home defense. I wanted it simple, reliable, not too long or short, requiring minimal upkeep, and a ammo I could find everyday.
I got a S&W Model 65. I still think it was a good buy. I still have it.