My house guns are some of the oldest in my collection. Why? Because they are tried and true and never let me down.

One is a Chief's Special (NOT a model 36) and the other is a 1911 (not a 1911A1). It's a 1914 Commercial Model and it's 100% reliable.

I also have a 12 gauge double that was my Great Great Uncle's that he kept under the counter of his Blacksmith Shop (his name was J.P. Sauer, though no relation to the famous one.) It is post-Damascus so its safe to shoot.

I shoot all 3 at least once a year, just to keep them active.

Well, I would never get rid of old guns or new. That said, my go to first is a M97 12 ga riot gun. Then it is a 9mm browning Hi power. Not that I like the 9mm cartridge mind you, but the gun is totally reliable

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

As usual you guys make some very valid points . I would like to add this about my neighbor that had his shotgun taken from him. It was very foolish for the guy to go outside with a gun - he should have called the police. Even in gun friendly Florida he would have been in real hot water had he shot those two. He took a beating for his mistake but did not end up in jail or killed with his own gun. Florida law is very forgiving for somebody protecting their home , but going outside to protect a shed full of garden tools is just foolish.

Fred, as usual, I don’t really know who you’re trying to convince. Like I said before, that’s just how my dad saw it. He’s been gone many years now, so it really doesn’t matter in his case. Could he have stopped a determined attacker with 9 rounds of .22? Maybe, maybe not, but the same said about 10 rounds of 9mm or whatever anyone chooses.

I read post #32 and it just reinforces MY perspective and what I’ve always advocated including the often overlooked weapon retention and ECQ skills, which most gun guys don’t have a clue about despite believing they do because they took a weekend class . Still, I can find competing theories and alternative viewpoints to have merit and validity even if they are not what I believe is the best approach.

My dad was pretty proficient with his weapon of choice regardless of my own opinion of it and he had better H2H skills than the vast majority of people who post on internet gun forums. Untrained people successfully defend themselves with firearms(including .22’s) all the time. That doesn’t mean training isn’t beneficial or a more formidable weapon isn’t a better choice, but I most definitely would prefer an untrained family member of mine to have a .22 in the event of a home invasion over nothing at all. Then there’s the matter of what constitutes effective training and what skills are likely necessary or useful in most civilian defense scenarios, but that’s been discussed ad nauseam with few willing to even consider alternative perspectives, so I see no need to rehash it here.

I find myself quite competent in close quarters with my 1897 Winchester trench gun (#00 or #4), and my shorty 1911 in .45 ACP (Sig Ultra Compact). I can squarely hit what I am pointing at with them, and their 'limited' firepower therefore is not an obstacle that I need to overcome with a hi-cap polymer piece. I keep a J-Frame .38 Spl. or two around too for good measure. No compelling need for me to "upgrade" to a platform that I am not familiar with. If those don't get me out of trouble, I likely should have snuck out the back door.

I have a mixture of old and new. A '97 Winchester with a 18 1/2" barrel is in a corner of the bedroom. A M625 .45 ACP Mountain Gun is the bedside gun. My wife's bedside gun is .38 M&P. A M4 is nearby, as are a M65 and a M629 .44 Magnum Mountain Gun.

A Browning HP is assessible, as are other handguns, shotguns and rifles. Another poster poo-pooed a lever action rifle. While not ideal, if the owner is familiar with it, more power to them. A pistol caliber carbine, in .357 or .44, would be a fine SD arm, in my eyes.

I carried a M625 .45 ACP and my '97 Winnie as a LEO. I carried a M4 in Afghanistan as a police advisor. I have qualified with my HP. So, I am familiar with all of them, old school and new.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A good thought-provoking thread with many thoughtful posts.

Same ol' guns stand duty here as always. All but one have decades of service as our home defense guns.

The "Always" Guns:
1971 Smith & Wesson Model 10 Heavy Barrel 4-inch by the bedside.
1952 Smith & Wesson Military & Police snub on Mrs. BMc's side of bed.
1970 Smith & Wesson Model 10 3-inch secreted in the front of the house.
1943 Underwood M1 Carbine at bedside.
1924 Winchester Model 1907 secreted in the front of the house.


I always like to say that I never got through with playing with the "guns of my youth." The firearms market moved on. I didn't move on. I'm a hobbyist and have sampled some of the latest and greatest currently popular models. They all stay stowed in the safe, not to be taken "seriously."

Two items of interest that the Forum might find useful.

Bedside caddy: The 4-inch Model 10 and 2-inch Military & Police sleep in these at night. Better than the surface of a nightstand. Better than a nightstand drawer, better than the floor beneath the bed. I won't have a bedside handgun safe.
Kikkerland Felt Bedside Caddy – S. Feldman Housewares


Gun magnets: Handy for placing revolvers within reach, yet undetected with some foresight. Both the 3-inch Model 10 and the Winchester Model '07 are discreetly mounted nearby as I type this.
Rymmes Gun Magnet Mount

It happens the same to me I keep my old trusted Model 10,(my wifes gun with which we both shoot accurately), and my "modern" Remington R1 1911, and my Beretta 92FS,as for long arms, I keep a Rossi .44Magnum 20" barrel carbine!!!!,I dont like long barrel rifles, I tolerate only handy carbines!! the shorter the barrel the better!!!, I am looking with interest the Ruger PC9 carbine in 9mm,it has been introducer recently in my Country, I would like some input from the Forum for this gun???
Best Wishes
Roberto Renauld

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"Off we go..."

My in law kept a 25 ACP pistol in his nightstand. His theory was that if someone tried to break in at night he was probably going to miss the shot in the dark anyway. The shot would scare the intruder off and 25 caliber holes were easy to patch. me, I keep a 20 gauge pump in the bedroom and my wife has both a Ruger LCR 357 and S&W 6906 in her night stand. I figure with that kind of back-up a 20 gauge is plenty.

Consider using light loads in your converted Webley Mk VI .45acp Revolver.
Modern .45acp factory ammo is more powerful than the Webley was designed for.

I have always said, if I need to bring the gun out I am ready to
pull the trigger multi times if need be. The old man was not
ready, or willing, to shoot these bad people. If you are not
willing to use the gun, don't carry.

I'm only 37 years old, and keep it REAL simple with my defensive guns.

1911's, Beretta 92FS, or my .44 magnum or .357 magnum revolvers. For long gun, I got an old Browning A-5 with buckshot.

A good long gun and few good handguns is all one needs.

Jimmyj , I see you live in dunnellon . You may recall the case I mentioned. I live in Lecanto where the guy had his shotgun taken from him and the man that they killed lived in Dunellon. The guy they killed was a famous music composer.

I haven't shot my 1911 .45 in a few months but no it doesn't make me think I need to practice a lot more to stay proficient with it. I can shoot it accurately and control it pretty well and I don't think its any more difficult to shoot than 9m/ms. It's actually one of the easiest self defense handguns to shoot since it has a nice trigger and a thin grip and I like the power but going against multiple armed ex cons with a history of killing just made me want something with more rounds in the magazine.

I too don't see 9mm as any more user friendly with any basic level of proficiency.

When i hear the door or window go crash in the middle of the night I will have plenty to occupy my brain without having to think about the "new" gun. I want familiar. The revolver beside my bed is very familiar. Not getting replaced

The story about the druggies and the shotgun mostly serves to teach the importance of having the will to pull the trigger and keep your gun out of reach of the problem. Don't provide them with a weapon, especially yours

I have the same gun by my bed that I carry, a Sig P365 with 13 rds.

Guess I’m gonna die..........someday.

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Sure you did

pump 12G shotgun. Qualified with 870 every years for years till we went to an AR. Never had to test the theory, but it seems to me to be okay for the last 40 years guess I'll keep using what I know. If your going to have a gun in hand be prepared to use it. Fight or flight, no middle ground, yet don't go looking for trouble. As for "sub-optimal" calibers of platforms. A single shot hammerback shotgun MAY be better for the un/under trained than a tactical what ever with multiple bells whistles and safeties as it is so simple & self explanatory to use. 4 or 5 22lr in the face, neck, chest, abdomen, knees, etc. may not be the " fight stopper" but I'm willing to bet they will give even a fat middle aged guy like me an advantage in a physical altercation or getting out of the area. JMHO.

I originally bought my 686+ thinking it would be my only gun, so it had to handle home defense, camping, road trips and fun at the range. I did my thinking back then and don't anticipate needing to do it again. Carrying is a whole different matter, but I do have a IWB holster for it that feels pretty good.

Thumbs-up to the 686.

Red Dot Equipped Glock 19 and my well equipped AR-15 with ammunition suitable for indoor engagements.

The old stuff may still work, but the new stuff works better. Firearms technology didn't stop in 1980. I love revolvers too, but given the option I'm bringing 15+1 over 6.

If I have to go to combat I want a 1911A1, the only weapon I've used in anger it works.

The above firearms are Gods' gifts..... to man.

If I had to decide upon 1 long gun and 1 pistol , to defend my family and home.....

What I keep most avaliable is a 10/22 with a Ruger factory 25 round magazine. I wish that setup was avaliable in 22 Mag. That is a recent addition, easy for anyone in the family to handel, quiter than any centerfire, calms overpenatration fear, 25 rounds of CCI Stinger is not nothing and the front site makes a great little knife to lacerate someones palm if they grab the barrel. It has been used against racoons, most likely the sort of reason i would need a gun. The final reason, and this may not be real, but if i ever did use it in self defense, and some politically motivated prosecutor was trying to sell a murder charge i would much rather the gun in evidence be a 22 than a tricked out AR15. Close by is a Gen 3 S&W, a 915 in 9mm. The shotgun is a Ithica 37 16 gauge , a early slamfire model, barrel chopped to 21 inches loaded with #1 buck. I have had the 9mm and 16 gauge forever. I don't think any modern 9mm offers a real advantage over my old one. Same with the 16 and #1, if shot with it, would anyone really know it was not a 12 and 00 buck. There is a mini 14 also, but i would not want to shoot it indoors, and i cant imagine going outside in a situation where i legitimately was in fear.

It would be happening to me if I was smarter. I have succumbed to the call of “ better” weapons over the years. Some were wise choices but many were “ just because”.
In the beginning I was perfectly happy being armed with a 10 shot Marlin 1894 .44 and my Dads 12 gauge model 12. The handguns were a Colt Commercial .45 and a Charter .44 Bulldog.
I still have all of them and I STILL don’t need anything more than them, for hunting and self defense.
As I got older and had more money I started acquiring a few “better” ones.
I’ve come to realize that they’re not really any better, I got them “ just because”.
I’m working on paring things down to where I started.
Great investments though!

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“Look life in its iron face”

As I enter my seventh decade, I have come to the conclusion that there are few "social problems" that cannot be solved by a 1911 and a Model 10. As to the Model 10, I must admit a preference for the newly introduced Models 19/66, the ones with the two-piece barrels and the new lock-up at the front of the cylinder. The new Model 19/66 models allow the use of full power ammo without fear of a split barrel shank because the new lock up allows the barrel to retain its full diameter all the way around instead of the weak flat spot on the older design. In addition, the new Models 19/66 have round butts which make concealed carry easier. What we wouldn't have given for this design back in the 70s!

As to long guns, I favor the Marlin 336Y, which has the shortest barrel available without bribing the ATF with some tax stamp foolishness, and the wood stock bothers me not in the least.

Are the M4s fun? And the Glocks? Yes. More efficient? Yes. Easier to clean and service? Maybe. That said, one can get along just fine with the older designs.

I'm just getting used to model numbers on S&W's!

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SWCA #2420

I carry a 642-1 daily everywhere I go, at night it's my home defense gun. I see no need to change. Also within arms reach of my side of the bed is a Mossberg 500 loaded with Federal Tactical 00 Buck.

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Support your Police, & NRA

I don't find this to the case at all, and I qualify as an "older individual." But YMMV. I shoot a .45 1911 better than my EDC 9mm Shield PC. The Shield is much lighter than the 1911 with a shorter sight radius. Hence, more perceived recoil, and larger groups. The 1911 (Series 70 Gold Cup) has more of a "push" in it's recoil, and I can get back on target faster than with the Shield. And the Gold Cup has a much better trigger. I find I have to practice much more with the Shield to get results similar to what I get with the Gold Cup.

I've been forced to work from home over the past couple of weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I'm not complaining at all - I'm grateful to have my job and haven't lost a nickel in pay. That being said, I have my EDC sitting next to me as I work on the computer: a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1 as backup. I keep a loaded long gun in the safe a M-1 carbine with a loaded magazine and 2 loaded magazines in the stock mounted magazine pouch. Yes, I have shotguns and 2 AR pattern rifles, but I prefer the M-1 carbine for self defense. Yes, I have high capacity semiautomatic handguns in 9 mm and .40 S&W, as well as .357 Magnum revolvers, but the little .38 Specials are fine by me.

Regards,

Dave

Attached Images

S&W Model 38 & Model 638 #1.jpg (89.4 KB, 21 views)

For HD from criminals, it’s pretty hard to consider myself under-armed with a good quality, 6 shot 38 Special or 357 magnum, a model 10 or 13 or L frame is a fine choice. Pretty much anywhere, any time. A coach gun with BB shot is nearby as well. Kicks like a horse!

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Geoff. Since 1960.

Well, I upgraded- to a 68 year old gun.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Well, if you say so....

I live out in a country setting and there have been two home owners shot over the years and a few day time break-ins over the years . I carry most of the time 9 or 38 ,go out at 3.30 am they will have to go through me to get in . also old Ithaca riot and 870 behind the doors .

... loaded with meth, crack and bath salts or something else that makes them more dangerous and volatile.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Great thread, illustrates that one size rarely fits all.

Have trained a number of families in home defense. Husband, wife, and middle school or older kids. Have found for the purpose of use by the whole family a K frame with round butt & grip adapter and a 20 gauge works well. I start them out with a 22 and 20 gauge light loads and move them up.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

Thinking it would be my only gun

I thought the same w my first gun , ya buy 1 , and youre certainly not done!

I hope the link works...

Themanspot - Too many decisions | Facebook

Whoever said old guns aren't reliable have never clearly handled them before. They might now but the most deadly with a lot of velocity but they get the job done.

Got my 2 primary's. My Sig P 239 next to the bed. DA, no saftey, round chambered.
A Ruger Security-six 2 3/4" stashed in the kitchen.
My 2 oldest carry guns. I can operate and load both of them in the dark. No need for an upgrade.

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Diddums

I too have changed a few things up....

The house in town has a 870 with buckshot and a model 10 or three statistically placed around.

At the country place (out on the rural route),
a few 44s here and there, with an '86 45-70 close at hand.

Jest cause ya never know.

.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Lots of good choices.
I like good sized early warning dog as well.

I just keep adding more of the same old Smiths and Colts. Pretty soon, the sofa cushions will be too lumpy to sit on and the ice box won't have room for the ice. Steel and wood except for my Model 39.

I just keep a gun in every room.

My neighborhood was built in 1957 and, according to some of my old neighbors, there has never been a break-in. I'm all revved up with no place to go (name the song and artist).

Actually, I'm quite happy that I've never needed to use a gun in the forty years that I've carried.

ADT sensors on every door and window, lots of outdoor lighting, keep several lights on in the house 24/7. oh, and there's a few firearms scattered around the house in case someone doesn't take the hint.

I understand the affinity for a blue steel, tried and true revolver, rifle or shotgun. I won't recount my journey in detail but I was a "never tupperware" kind of gun guy.

So, a word for the "new fangled plastic fantastics". Gentleman, they ain't that new. They've been around for a while and they too are tried and proven. It is that realization that led me to purchase a S&W Shield. And say what you will about Glock, they are the AK47 of the handgun world; highly reliable!

I would agree that there is no one-size fits all handgun. Size, shape, ergonomics, recoil, etc... all come into play and that varies by individual.

I don't believe that there is a one-gun for everything handgun either, although I used too. If there was, for me it would be a 3" K frame. Now I have handguns in a small, medium, and large for different purposes.

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otis