Help me pick 2 home defense guns----------

[Cal44]

I posted a thread asking for suggestions for which of my small handguns to put on my CCW license.

Thanks to everyone who replied. Lots of useful input.

Now I'm also looking for guns to have ready for home defense. Ready for me means loaded, but locked in a quick access safe. I realize there are some here who think that's useless and they must be out and unlocked.

But that will never work for me. First we have grand kids that come over from time to time. Also, we live in a friendly neighborhood of people younger than us, and my wife's friends can show up any time and bring one, or more, young kids.

I figure if the threat level seems high I can always keep one of my carry guns in my pocket. Right now this neighborhood has low crime, but I monitor the local PDs crime maps each month and if trouble becomes common, I'll start carrying at home.

So, getting to the question, I need to select two handguns for defense. Our house is a fairly large two story and I have a quick access (Gunvault type) safe downstairs and another upstairs. One accessible handgun on each floor is what I'm looking for.

Most of my other guns are in a larger knob type combination lock safe that is useless for SD because it takes too long to open.

I want to select the best two from this list:

Ruger GP-100 357, 4 inch
M28-2 6 inch
M627 2.625 inch 8 shot, 357 mag
M242 2.5 inch 7 shot lightweight, 38 Special
M625JM 4 inch 45 acp
M629 2.5 inch 44 mag (shoots 44 special very well)
M19-4 6 inch 357 mag

I can shoot them all fairly well, and once I make my choice I'll practice with those more.

The problem I have is too many good choices.

Or maybe I should just use my carry guns for HD and keep the others as range guns.

Thanks for the input.

 

[robertrwalsh]

With that list I would go with the 4" .357 and the 4" .45 acp, but that's just me.

 

[mrrick]

4" .357 and the 5" .45 acp

 

[murphydog]

Carrying your carry guns (if that is not redundant) seems the best plan, however if you are not in the habit of keeping reloads near the guns in the lockboxes having the 242 and 627 with .38 +P (and the extra 1-2 rounds) would seem to be good choices.

 

[F75gunslinger]

My suggestion would be to use the longer barreled guns, since you won't have to worry about concealment. Another thing to consider, is that a .44 mag or .357 mag, especially in the short barrels you're choosing from , in the dark puts on one hell of a light show.It will be harder to refocus your eyes once you touch one off. I'd suggest either the .38's or .45's.

 

[Zipdog]

Any of those listed are just fine. Your problem is you don't have a workable plan for them. Therefore they are useless for protection.

 

[wrhk33]

I like these two.
M625JM 4 inch 45 acp
M629 2.5 inch 44 mag (shoots 44 special very well)

 

[Duelist]

1 - you mean you don't already carry at home? Why wouldn't you? A .38 in the pocket is hardly a great burden. Threat levels to the outside increasing would get me to get a shotgun or rifle out. I already always carry a pistol - they're really for emergencies you didn't see coming. If you expect trouble, you get out your rifle. (Avoidance, of course, being the best option when possible)

2 - I would use the GP100 and the 19 for the lock-box guns, with reloads available to feed the .38 in your pocket and either/both of the bigger guns that are universal. In fact, I'd probably load all three guns the same: 125gr .38 Special Gold Dot hollow points, standard pressure, with all reloads being identical. That's what's in my 642 (in my pocket) and my S&W 13-3 (safe).

 

[Rustyt1953]

I believe you answered your own question.

 

[W.E.G.]

Pick two that use the same speedloader.

 

[Smoke]

1 - you mean you don't already carry at home? Why wouldn't you? A .38 in the pocket is hardly a great burden. Threat levels to the outside increasing would get me to get a shotgun or rifle out. I already always carry a pistol - they're really for emergencies you didn't see coming. If you expect trouble, you get out your rifle. (Avoidance, of course, being the best option when possible)

There you have it. When I'm at home my M&P Shield is in my pocket until I go to bed

 

[Welder1]

I believe you need to decide which you shoot best and operate most comfortably.Once you choose you must stay proficient with them. My wife and I both decided on Glock 23s as our non carry always ready guns. We both shoot them well and spend range time with them often.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

The 627 8 shot 2.65" .357 sounds like a perfect nightstand or home defense gun. I think I would stick with .38 +P to save my ears, though.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I'd go with the 8 shot .357 and .45. I figure moon clips are pretty good for reloading and ejection. Who cares where you put the ammo so long as it's handy. You can put an XS night sight on the JM easily and give yourself an extra edge. Don't loose for lack of effective shooting/shooting back.

 

[fredj338]

Again, you have basically all the same guns, 6 shot rev, caliber is irrelevant. So it's what do you shoot best, which do you not mind having for 6-12m after a shooting? I prefer a semi with weapon light, but had a 4" 686 for years because the wife was good with that.

 

[Fastbolt]

I get the importance of making sure young hands can't find a loaded (or unloaded) gun when the grand kids are here. My wife doesn't teach piano or guitar to kids anymore, so that's no longer a concern. Rarely does one of her friends have, or bring over, a youngster of 'minor' age, either.

I don't make recommendations about designated 'home defense' guns.

Over the years of my LE career I sort of lost seeing a real distinction between something I carried on-duty, off-duty or reached for at home. Sometimes it was whatever I was wearing home from work. Sometimes it was whatever I'd been wearing for off-duty that day/night. (For the last couple of days, it's been my LCP, since that's what I was carrying. For a couple of days before that it was one of my M&P 340 snubs.)

Now, before some folks decide to freak out - (probably too late, right? ), seeing a retired cop and still-active firearms instructor write that I've not had some double stack hi-cap wonder pistol ... with night sights, weapon-mounted light, laser AND red dot gizmos attached, with a bandolier of extended mags of all assorted specialty rounds loaded into them ... this is a bit variable. Sure, at some time or another I've felt like taking one of my 9, .40 or .45 pistols out for the task.

There were also a couple of times when I felt it prudent to temporarily pull my HBAR or a shotgun out of the safe for specific situations occurring in my general area. No, I don't have one of them leaning behind the bedroom door.

Your home, your choice. You're the one who may have to use it and explain it.

Know where whoever ought to be in the house is, or can be, and know what's 'downrange' on the other side of the wall(s) ... like neighbors, streets, etc.

Bear in mind that the gun is just one of the pieces of equipment (cellphone, alarm, flashlight, etc) you may find yourself having to use in an unwanted, unexpected situation that may occur in bad light, when you're distracted or trying to wake up ... and is probably going to turn into one of those situations often called dynamic, chaotic, rapidly evolving and highly stressful.

What do you want to have in your wallet in those moments?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

First, unless you're wearing skivvies only, I recommend that you always carry your EDCG, even at home. First, it's pointless to not have it when you're already used to carrying and, second, when it's with you then you don't have to worry about any little hands finding it.

Next, out of your list, any gun that you shoot well is your first choice. The 629 with .44 Special is an excellent choice, 200 grains, more or less, of slow moving lead is a fine way to protect your home, but the other revolvers, stoked with high quality defensive .38 Special, will do fine if you do your part.

Third thought - avoid magnum loads for home defense. They're ultra-loud, they light up the night, but most importantly they over penetrate. You do NOT want excess penetration in your walls.

Fourth thought - why isn't a shotgun in your plan?

 

[fredj338]

First, unless you're wearing skivvies only, I recommend that you always carry your EDCG, even at home. First, it's pointless to not have it when you're already used to carrying and, second, when it's with you then you don't have to worry about any little hands finding it.


Fourth thought - why isn't a shotgun in your plan?

Doesn't 4 contradict 1? I have a 12ga pump in a locked mount as backup for something more serious than the pistol will handle. The wife's job is to get the sg out of the rack while I hold down the fort.

 

[hkcavalier]

These seem like some strange choices to me. My idea of an excellent home defense handgun (revolver or auto) has a full length barrel and fires a fairly low flash caliber. I suppose the 625 matches that, or the longer barreled .357s with .38s. Having a great flashlight with negate a huge need for tritium sights. In most parts of the world, things go bump in the night more than the daytime. So I'm voting for the 28 with low flash .357 or .38s, and the 625JM. Get great flashlights (not the blister pack of 3 from Costco for $20) and lock them up with the guns, keep one by your bed. I like Streamlights but SureFire and others are great too.

 

[Ranger514]

Just conceal carry one of your snubbies loaded with .38 Special +P+ and you won't have to worry about taking time to get into a gun vault. If you need more than a handgun can offer, consider a couple of pump shotguns loaded with #4 Shot, and place one on each floor out of sight and the reach of young children. Key operated trigger locks come off pretty quick, as longs as you remember the key, or hide it nearby.