I guess I am getting old and cantankerous . Recently I decided to update my home defense guns because all of mine are at least 30 years old . I set out to find the perfect new guns to last me and my wife the rest of our lives and give my old guns to my son. I had the money set aside for this ,but ended up deciding to keep a few of my old trusted guns instead . I wont bore you with my reasons for leaving 3 gun shops empty handed . I decided to keep my old 686 under my side of the bed and my wife has her 10-5 under her side. I am keeping my old marlin 30/30 in case I ever am expecting trouble. I just cant think of any situation that these wont solve. This must be proof that I am getting old . Is this happening to anybody else ?

Went through the same thing. Like you, I kept my model 66 and my 1911 's for home defense. Reason being ---I have the utmost confience and I can hit what I'm aiming at. Made no sense to me to change just because of change.
Jim

The "old" 686 ...
Guess I'm getting old ...

thanks Jim. yes , fuzz I bought that 686 new in the mid- eighties . The eighties dont seem that long ago to me either .

I'm getting old and cantankerous also. Updating is good, however, I have not figured out the empty handed part yet.

I LOVE IT! I was always cantankerous but now I get to blame it on years instead of just being an upstart.

I keep a 3" 686+ under a pillow, a single shot 12 gauge in a closet and, after certain things get organized in the new house (this is post-fire as some of you might recall), an Ithaca M37 pump will also be ready to defend the home turf and a secreted Beretta M92 (hidden in a special drawer invisible to the normal eye) will be available again, too.

New is great. Old and reliable are great, too.

Here's a senior moment for a smile - some weeks ago I put up the 686 and made my 2" Model 10 do the night guard duty. The funny thing is, I can't recall why I did that and then I went back to the 686+.

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Come and take it!!

I weekly ponder acquiring the latest greatest that I see in various advertisements, thinking, WOW, that would be great.
Then I make my weekly trip to the range with my "old" guns and realize why I still have them.

hard to argue against a competent person and an L frame .357

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I'm only allowed 30 characters

I upgraded a few years back ........got 17 and 18 rd Mec-gar 59xx mags and last year some of Mec-gar's new 15round magazines for my Beretta Compact.

Now I can play with the Glock boys.................



IMHO a 4" 686 is the best utility/duty/general purpose .357 you can own..... they pair nicely with Safariland CompII speedloaders.

Competence begets confidence.

Beware of the man with only one gun; likely he knows how to use it.

The victory is in the mind, not the tool.

I keep two riot guns loaded with #4 buckshot, one for each end of the house. I have a high cap 9 mm with a light attached next to my bed. The light also comes in handy when the power goes out, which happens just about every time we get a storm. I have a S&W model 65 in a cabinet by the back door and a S&W model 58 near the front door. I always open carry when I go outdoors, even when riding machinery on my little 23 acre farm. I have seen several people attacked on the outside of their home and if I can help it it won't be successful with me. I have one concern that most people don't have. I retired from LE seven years ago. I helped send more than my share of folks to prison and occasionally one or two are released, some after a very long sentence. If any of these creatures show up at my house, I want to give them a proper welcome.

Statistics tell us that in around 93% of good guy vs bad guy encounters, the good guy with a gun tells the bad guy "Don't do that" and the bad guy doesn't and there are no shots fired. The OP's gun choices are fine IF that is his only situation. BUT, the other side of that coin is that around 7% of those encounters require shots fired. AND, bad guys come in pairs or even more. To be prepared as possible for the later possibility the good guy needs to be able to shoot accurately and QUICKLY. The lever action was laid aside by law enforcement as soon as the pump rifle/shotgun or the semi-auto was available and reliable. Today, IMHO, the best home defense firearm is a semi-auto or pump short barreled shotgun. Depending on what else is potentially down range a semi-auto short rifle like the AR-15 is also a good choice. My choice was to upgrade to both short barreled shotguns and AR-15 type rifles, get trained and stay in practice. .............

My Dad used the same .22 revolver he got as a teenager in the mid 50’s as his primary home defense weapon his entire life. I tried on numerous occasions to talk him into updating and upgrading, but he always insisted there was no need. Perhaps he was right.

I just keep adding, instead of updating. BTW, I recently bought a 686+ and think it'd be hard to get a much better HD handgun! :-)

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M&PC FS BG Shield+ 642 686+

My only recent "carry" is a 642-1 to replace a Model 36 I sold back in the mid 90's. Otherwise, my carry guns are from 1988 and 1995 respectively.

I see no particular need to replace what has been proven, tried and true.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I turned 65 a week or so ago.

Last year I bought my first 9mm. A Taurus PT 92. Love that thing. So much firepower in a small package. I feel much safer especially when I go out camping alone. I can see why the Europeans went to the 9mm when we stuck to our 45acp. I still have my 45's but the 9mm definitely has its place.
And I really like the reduced recoil. And 17 rounds in the magazine... I carry a snubbie but I got this for close area denial and/or multiple adversaries.

Us geezers can't be too careful.

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thanks guys . One of my reasons to keep the old stuff might sound stupid to some of you , but here it is. God forbid I ever had to shoot somebody I just cant help thinking the police and legal system would think differently about an old man defending his home with a gun he has owned for decades as apposed to a newly acquired high tech weapon with all the latest tactical , fighting stuff. I know that is not fair to to the younger or better equipped guy , but I believe it to be true.

As is the case with others here I have found myself on the cantankerous side of things also. Not having a military or LE background most of what I know about firearm handling has come from classes and tactical training. The biggest one of course is personal mental training of the mind - if you are going point you must be ready to pull the trigger. Thank G-d this one has not been tested, but I do to the best of my ability remain ready. What I believe is the right gun is the one you are most comfortable shooting and handling. I have my girlfriend trained with any various of Glocks. A Glock of any flavor is this homeowners first go too. I think a shot gun is probably the better home defense or an Ar as one of the earlier post suggest. Based on practice and my training a Glock 17 with an attached light are my first choice.

Old stuff ain't stupid just simple and dependable

Yeah, I'm not one who needs to have the latest and greatest. At some point, good enough is good enough. I was a "never Tupperware" gun guy. I have a Shield 1.0 9mm that I've grown fond of. Just picked up my all time favorite hand gun, a Browning Hi Power 9mm. I will pick up a Ruger LCPii .380 this week for church carry. My Winchester Model 70 in .223 serves as a home defense/varmit/game rifle. Pretty content with my choices and don't see much need for anything else.

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otis

I am a gun guy, so having more than one option is always nice. I prefer a shotgun for home with #4 buck. Nothing wrong with a rifle but at night, I like a 12ga. Once I got the wife up & running on a semi, went to that for a house gun. Nothing wrong with a revo but 5-6 rds can go really fast.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

If like most, he never had to use it, then sure, it was enough. My dad was a retired LEO, carried a Freedom 5 shot 22lr in his pocket, always thought it enough, but then never had to use it.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I keep a Model 10 snub in the nightstand w/a few speedloaders handy. This was my service revolver once and it was the only gun I shot a perfect score with during semi-annual qualification.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

OP I would suggest you acquire a new to you riot style shot gun. Just to add some versatility to your already formidable home defense arsenal while scratching that new gun itch.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, only YOU know what will work best for you.

Folks can cling to the nebulous concept that there exists an ideal, one-size-fits-all firearm/cartridge/platform for Self-Defense if they like, but I'm an individual, an outsider, an eccentric, an oddity, and thus I learned a long time ago that what works for others doesn't necessarily work for me, so I opt to make my own personalized choices.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate advice and value the opinions of wise/informed individuals, but I don't base my decisions on the advice/opinions of others because I'm under no illusion that differences between myself and others cannot render that which is highly effective in the hands of another far less effective in my own hands or vice-versa.

Size, shape, and overall aptitude as well as a multitude of other individual factors can easily render an otherwise highly effective weapon an ineffective weapon. For example, if you place a gun with a large/wide grip into small hands, obviously said small-handed individual isn't going to be able to aim or shoot that gun as well as someone with larger hands who can get a more secure grip on it. PERIOD.

That being said, I'm glad that you have found a system which works for you, and I respect your decision.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

What the OP describes in his post sounds better to me than all of the "plastic fantastic" nonsense on the market today.

Due to some nerve problems over the past year or so I am having some difficulties with semi-auto pistols in suitable calibers for defensive use. My answer came with a 40 year old S&W double-action .38 Special revolver for daily carry. My equally old Remington 870 pump 12-gauge suits me better than anything I might spend months or years familiarizing myself with.

I am not ready to relinquish the 1911 pistols, or the Browning Hi Power, or the magnum S&W revolvers, or any of the tried and true proven methods of self-defense that have served me very well for a half-century. My M1 Carbine was manufactured in 1943 (Inland Division, General Motors) and still works just fine.

YMMV, especially if you like Tupperware in your holster!

Yeah... I remember S&W introducing it when I was 11 years old.... Am I old?

I've got a 1911, a 1917, and a Model 12. I say -- get rid of all your newfangled stuff and get some REAL guns...

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Pisgah

I agree. Get an older Remington 870 and set it up with an 18" barrel.

Sounds like you're set, otherwise.

Nope. I get younger everyday. I'm so young now I'm starting do really stupid things.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Re:OP. Fine choices! Stick w/ what works for you. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

Thanks again for your replies. I dont post here much , but I do quite often read stuff on this site. There are some pretty smart people that post here. Here is a quick story to highlight what some of you just said on this thread. A couple of years ago we had a drug infested married couple breaking into homes around here in the middle of the day. Not far from our home a guy about my age saw the two breaking into his shed. Instead of calling the police he decided to confront them with a shotgun. The male burglar took the loaded shotgun from the old guy and beat him with it. Thank God he did not shoot him with his own gun. The drugged couple was not afraid of the old man and his shotgun. They left with his gun and eventually got caught after strangling another guy to death. Bad guys are not always scared of a gun being pointed at them.

Big mistake. Don't go on offense when doing home defense.

About a year ago or so we had two dangerous and violent men escape from prison and they had killed someone and there was a dragnet out for them and all the news channels were telling people to beware. As I was watching the news one night the police had found their abandon truck and it was about three miles from where I live out in the country! I've always been a revolver and 1911 guy and got my .45 Commander and laid it (hammer down) on the end table next to my recliner and got to thinking about taking on two armed felons. I later made a change and bought a CZ-75 that holds 17 rounds and feel a little better prepared.

Consider adding a shotgun to your home defense battery. (maybe two. his and her's)

I updated my home defense weapons too over the course of the last 7 years. I didn't have a carry pistol or a shotgun or an AR. I'm good now tho.

Shotguns keep coming up

let me recommend the Mossberg Youth model 510 20 gauge.

Handy at 5lbs. with a 18.5" barrel and 35"OAL. 10.5-11.5 LOP will fit almost any member of the family.
Only 3+1,but can one can add 5 more on the butt ( can be reloaded as you shoot) and a fiber optic front sight. My butt reloads include 3 #4 buck and two slugs..........

Old and trusted beats new and improved seven ways to Sunday .

If I'm faced with danger I want old, trusted and familiar in my hands !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

This says it all. A lot of bullets combined with low recoil, compactness, and controllability. What more could you ask?
We're talking about us older individuals, right? When's the last time you shot your 1911? Didn't that remind you how much practice a gun like that takes in order to remain proficient? The 9mm is so much more user friendly.

I like your "new" list of home defense firearms, I would only add a pump or auto 18" shotgun to the mix.
Like has been said over the years, "Ya never can tell".

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

This is a good point. Although it's only been several days since I've fired my LW Commander That I've carried and used for years, a 9mm w/ a 10+ round capacity, lightweight and compact, is much more controllable in putting rounds where they are supposed to go.

Shot placement is king, bullet performance is queen, and caliber is the mistress......

Like the OP's wife...I've kept a S&W 10-5 between mattress and box springs for over 30 years. Only had to bring it out a couple of times when the wife heard a sound that turned out to be nothing. Recently heard reports of coyotes roaming our country/county neighborhood and made decision on what gun to put beside my frequent occupied recliner. What would be good for four or two legged intruder? Being an "Accumulator" (mostly S&W revolvers) I surprised myself by choosing a 1915 Webley Mark VI converted to 45 ACP or 45 Auto-Rim. Attached are pictures in case someone is not familiar with this tank of a gun.
Anyway...Ain't it great to have the opportunity to own and operate a defense weapon of our own choice?
OP...Good luck on your choice.
Ray

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Old guns are blue steel and wood.
New guns are plastic.
Is there really a choice to be made here?

Why? Are they worn out?

I didn't think guns had a "use by" date associated with them.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Since I have retired all most 14 years ago,I have a lot of time to think.I got thinking about my home defense.I thought about being woke up in the middle of a deep sleep,trying to find my glasses and grab the 640 Pro to defend my home. I still have the revolver on the night stand for back-up but I have added a Mossburg ATI 500 tactical cruiser under the bed. It's loaded with 00 buck and has a laser/ flashlight combo. I practice with it regularly. I feel this combo is better.

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Nope, he never had to use it. My father had no enemies, lived in a rural neighborhood with neighbors close by who looked out for each other and should a break-in occur, he was of the opinion that simply being confronted by an armed homeowner would send the intruders running and if it didn’t, then surely him shooting at them would. Despite my point about the possibility of them not fleeing, he was never persuaded otherwise and felt confident with his .22 and I can’t say he was necessarily wrong. Although I would prefer something more substantial, he was very familiar and fairly proficient with his old revolver and the .22 may very well proved adequate against a determined intruder. He was extremely accurate with it and thought that an advantage over a heavier caliber. He also never strayed from the one-handed bladed stance he was taught in the military and said he never really cared for the M1911 he used while serving. And he was right, unless you are involved in some form of illegal activity, the vast majority of intruders will flee at the first sign of armed resistance. Even though his perspective was different from mine, I don’t find it in anyway illogical.

A little side story.

Awhile back I had the opportunity to train in a defensive point shooting class. However, I didn't know it when I got to the little ranch. I thought it was just a bunch of folks going to be target shooting all afternoon. Surprise!!

I had a number of guns with me. The instructor was Australian, didn't have his own gun, so he confiscated my SIG for the day (since sold but that's not important). I used my Browning HP. All well and good until I ran out of 9mm ammunition. I asked if I could switch guns and was told yes so I took out my 686+ 4" and continued to shoot, using .38 Special ammunition, including shooting at moving targets that I devastated with my revolver.

Good guns and practice are what is needed. Old guns you know and shoot well are what is called for.

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Come and take it!!

Having had two shotguns stolen from me in an apartment when I was young, I will not leave guns around unsecured. I have 18 grandchildren 1+/years old, and my house is accessible to family. My wife and I now live alone in the house. There is nothing in the house someone breaking and entering could get to that I would not let them take rather than shooting them. I have insurance. My plan is only for when we are personally threatened.

I have some concealed mechanical Simplex 5-button handgun safes in the house to cover different areas. No batteries for me. The guns in them are loaded.

My bedroom door is at the end of a narrow “fatal funnel” hallway and is solid wood with reinforced hardware all around. With that door double locked at night, my bedside 21-round 9mm with light is immediately available. A Saiga 12-gauge with a 10-round drum and attached light is in a Simplex locked long gun case under the bed if I have time to get it. I do not plan to leave that room and I don’t mind shooting through the door into the narrow hallway.

I also have a clearly advertised alarm system set for exterior intrusion at night. Motion sensor floods cover the exterior. 3-M window film on the glass that might otherwise be broken (also with notification stickers). All exterior doors are metal in metal frames, double locked and hardware reinforced. The house when cased screams, “Go next door!”

There are actually some enhancements and extensions to this plan I am not sharing. Passive measures are more important than guns.

I sleep just fine. I have never heard a noise that threatened our home in over 30 years of living here, and I don’t expect to.

Mind set. Predators know if their target is a threat. Merely showing up with a gun isn't likely to solve the problem if the attackers are determined. If he showed up with a revolver same thing would have happened because he wasn't trained or mentally prepared for a fight. Sadly most that own & carry guns fall into the same category imo.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Well until they don't. Read post #32. If you are bringing a gun to a fight, bring enough gun, skill & training to use it. Otherwise call 911 & pray.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO