Home Defense / Concealed Carry Advice Requested

[zbird]

A shotgun is a very affective weapon for home defence, but sometimes its not always your best option. It only takes one hand to operate a handgun, leaving your other hand free to open or close doors, light switchs, flashlite, phone, ect. plus the bad guy has less of a chance taking a pistol off you then a shotgun. Every situation is different.

 

[Capt Crunch]

I would have to agree with some of the other posts here, for your current condition, I think the M&P 9 Compact would be a fine choice. The M&P compacts are really not all that small and with the angled pinky extension you can get a full grip on it. 9mm is cheap and you will be able to get a LOT of practice in.

 

[Fat B]

Go with what feels best in your hand and what you'll practice with. A couple suggestions. First, practice alot. And not just slow aiming. Practice pulling out your pistol from the holster. Look up "El Presidente" drill and try that out. If you have a smart phone, get a shot timer app, it will let you know how fast your getting.

Also, practice the 3 types of malfunctions. Last, creep around your house a couple times to find the trouble spots and good cover. You don't want to do it for the first time at 3am when you think someone is in your house.

A good pump shotgun is relatively cheap and can't be beat for home defense. There are plenty of good choices out there. A Remington 870 is a time tested excellent choice. I'd much rather shoot a 12 gauge at an intruder than a 9mm.

 

[TNSmithfan]

You wont go wrong with the M&P 9c for CC or home defense. If you really want to cover your bases buy a 17 round mag and a mag extension. Makes range time a bit more fun as less time is spent reloading. At night pull out your short CC mag and insert the 17 round mag loaded with your choice of man stopping ammo and you should be fine.

 

[HCF]

Either 40c or 9c, as others said get fs mag for night stand an range. I'd opt for 40c that way you can add different barrels such as 9 and 357 sig if you so decide later.

 

[baccusboy]

I have read that when your in a real life and death situation your body reacts differently. I understand the hearing is not as affected because of the adrenaline pumping and you become hypersensitive.

I'm sorry, but whatever you read is highly inaccurate. Auditory exclusion means you won't hear the shot because your mind will be on other things. The damage that can/will occur to your hearing from firing a .357 magnum in the room of a house most certainly will be something you feel thereafter, and most likely for months (if not for the rest of your life).

Pass this by any audiologist and I know what they'll tell you. I'd bet my entire gun collection that adrenaline will have nothing to do with your hearing avoiding damage.

Here is one short story to read:

Active hearing protection for police | American Handgunner | Find Articles

Please pay particular attention to the last few lines.

 

[Just Shoot]

Stricktly refering to home defence. The 12 ga shotgun is the way to go in my oppinion. The mere sound of the bolt closing will do the job in many cases otherwise you have a pattern that will do the rest. Don't get me wrong I am a handgun as well as long gun enthusiast and keep both within easy reach. I keep my m&p 45c with a laser and tack light close at hand

 

[alde]

I'm sorry, but whatever you read is highly inaccurate. Auditory exclusion means you won't hear the shot because your mind will be on other things. The damage that can/will occur to your hearing from firing a .357 magnum in the room of a house most certainly will be something you feel thereafter, and most likely for months (if not for the rest of your life).

Pass this by any audiologist and I know what they'll tell you. I'd bet my entire gun collection that adrenaline will have nothing to do with your hearing avoiding damage.

Here is one short story to read:

Active hearing protection for police | American Handgunner | Find Articles

Please pay particular attention to the last few lines.

That's great information. I appreciate the article link and the new to me information. I do know long term hearing damage can occure with the situation we discussed. I understand the adrenaline rush will cause increased awarness though.

 

[Storm40]

Hello everyone. This is my first post here.

I am relatively new to guns in general. I have taken an 8 hour safety course and have been to the range a couple times with rentals. I have also obtained my CPL.

I'm now getting ready to purchase my first handgun and I've narrowed my focus to a few M&P and Glock 9mm models. I'd rather an S&W from a style and overall feel point of view.

I am primarily looking for a gun for Home Defense but I am also interested in possible CC. I'm wondering if there are models that fit both of these applications? If so, which would you recommend? Or is it more common to have two different guns for these jobs?

Thanks for your help!

Both of your choices have smaller models that accept the magazines from their larger siblings and can do double duty. The larger magazines are also fun at the range.

 

[Storm40]

If you go with a Glock, I also recommend the G19, but I would go with a 3rd gen, 4th's seem to have some issues. But I would seriously look at the M&P's.

The problems seem limited to the 9mm's. Even then, Hickock45 did a few thousand rounds through the Gen 4 with only four or five failures with bargain ammo. The recoil spring issue was blown out of proportion. Glock haters are just as bad as Glock lovers, so it seems. Since I prefer compacts and subcompacts, the only Glock to appeal to me was the 27. As far as S&W, I only have the Shield 9 but I do enjoy shooting my cousin's M&P 9c.

 

[cluznar]

If someone has no Home weapon then even a .380 pistol is an improvement. That being said I prefer a 9mm M&P9 or 9c. Also have a Ruger SR9c and a Bersa Thunder .380

Just make sure whatever you have that you know how to handle it and react right.

 

[had2]

I strongly recommend getting the CT lasergrips on your M&P for HD. I have the M&P FS in 9mm and 45ACP with lasergrips and lightguard light. They integrate like they were part of the gun, and they are extremely intuitive to use. The light on the weapon does not eliminate the need to have a handheld tactical light, however, if you have to deal with a BG at 3 am without a handheld light, you can identify your potential target with a quick flash of the gun light. Putting the red dot on the BG's chest should give you confidence, and give him pause. For night time intrusions, I believe the laser equipped pistol completely trumps a shotgun, even one equipped with a forend light. Not to mention that you well might permanently sacrifice some of your hearing to an interior shotgun blast. The M&P 9c with different mags, and Crimson Trace Lasergrips is a killer combination that should cover your needs with your first gun, with many more to follow most likely.

 

[jackfrost101]

This my first post too, I thought long and hard about a home defense weapon and a CPL. many years in fact, then took the plunge. I weighed the advice, (everyone's is different), went to the range and shot some different guns, ended up with an inexpensive used police model 10 revolver in 38 special for home defense. I'll use fmj at the range and jhp for home defense. I'll also be shopping for a .22 target gun, probably S & W 317, and a 12 ga home defense shotgun. I just got my CPL so for carry I am hunting for a good condition German made military Makarov, in 9x18, if anyone has a nice one for a good price. To answer the question 'is one gun enough', I've read it can be, but making it all into a hobby (as happens -it grows on you) means a plan and this is mine! Best regards to all. Colin.
Also need help with tightening up the radial slop in the model 10 cylinder, have read the advice on installing new cylinder stop, or oversize stop. My cylinder is also loose on it's pin. Help please?

 

[Lost Lake]

Is one kind of beer enough? Is one type of meat enough? Is one style of car enough?

As many have pointed out the M&P 9 is a great first gun and you will love it. And it's a respectable gun. But soon enough you will cheat on your M&P and begin looking at other guns, maybe even fondling them.

Variety is the spice of life! Enjoy your first gun and be prepared to buy another sometime down the road. It will find you, you won't have to look.

 

[Houdini1953]

I'm surprised about people advocating 357 rounds as a good Home defense ammo over 9mm. I'd be concerned about pass through the way homes are manufactured these days.

That is what hollow points are made for, FMJ is for target practice not defense. Get some decent hollow points and there is no worry about over penetration.

The two most penetrating and will carry on rounds are a 9 millimeter and a 22 rifle or handgun load either short or long or magnum~.

 

[Storm40]

I disagree with the comment that "there is only one home defense gun, a12 gauge shotgun..." While a 12-gauge may be the ultimate, if you are new to guns and can only afford one, the best one for you is the one you shoot best. As a first gun, ideally, a .357 magnum medium frame revolver with a 4" barrel is hard to beat. You can practice with lower powered .38 Special ammo, or even use a good +P lead semiwadcutter hollow point for defensive use. Ideally, you would want a 12-gauge at some point, but again, it's not optimal in certain home defense situations. If you know you have an intruder in the house, you call the police, grab your 12-gauge and ensconce yourself in a "safe room" and wait for the cavalry to arrive. But you can't be calling the police for every "bump in the night" you hear, and there are times you may feel the need to investigate (not the greatest idea, but sometimes necessary). If that becomes the case, a shotgun is rather unwieldy to try to maneuver with, in addition to handling a flashlight, cell phone, etc. That's where the handgun shines.

There are many books and articles written on the subject. I'd suggest you do a search and read as much as you can on the subject, then make a choice that is right for you.

My primary HD and EDC is a .357. My Shield 9mm or Taurus 740 play backup but in the home they would be used until I can get to my shotgun. My wife has her FNP 9 and Taurus Mil Pro 9mm. Plenty of firepower within easy reach.

Whatever our choices, it is up to us to become familiar and proficient with them.

 

[Houdini1953]

A shotgun is a very affective weapon for home defence, but sometimes its not always your best option. It only takes one hand to operate a handgun, leaving your other hand free to open or close doors, light switchs, flashlite, phone, ect. plus the bad guy has less of a chance taking a pistol off you then a shotgun. Every situation is different.

If I have pulled out my shotgun I will guarantee that the bad guy will next be hitting the floor there is no way once I have it ready it will be pointed at him and a then just pull the trigger, mine has one in the chamber and all it takes is a trigger pull, kinda hard to stop that, plus if that fails and the bad guy is that close I can club him with the shotgun in case I do not neutralize the situation to begin with.