Home defense for a newbie?

[ContinentalOp]

If somebody is going to attempt to force a closed and locked door why would you make their job easier by opening it?

Ok. You've completely lost me now. Where exactly did I say anything about opening the door?

Because if their intent is to invade your home they may try to force their way in if you don't open the door.

It's not a difficult concept. If someone is intent on invading your home, it's entirely possible they may try to force their way in even if you don't open the door. Just because your front door is like Fort Knox doesn't mean everbody else has the same door.

I have no idea how to explain it any simpler than that.

 

[delcrossv]

New shooter.
want's a handgun
Probably won't become an enthusiast

Model 10. Easy and done. Just point and keep squeezing.

Autoloaders, despite their advantages, have a more complicated manual of arms than a revolver.

Remember the KISS principle.

 

[hittman77]

Only HE can decide what he's comfortable with.

He should buy what he shoots well and is confident he can handle properly.

If you "make" him take a safety course, he won't appreciate it . He has to WANT to learn at least the basics or it just won't stick.

Good for you in taking him under your wing. All of us gun enthusiasts should take time to do that when asked.

 

[Gamecock]

Is BIL healthy and strong?

I think the best home defense gun is the Ruger Redhawk. .44 SPC loads in the .44 Rem Mag model. Trying to manage magnum recoil would limit its usefulness.

If you really, really have to shoot somebody, .44 SPC is pretty good for a pistol. It's not as good as a rifle or a shotgun, but it leaves you a free hand to do important stuff.

In 99% of confrontations, the mere appearance of a gun stops the confrontation - no shots fired. The Redhawk is such a big, hulking gun, it should be very noticible to bad guys. You want them to see it. They may not see a Bodyguard .380.

If you have to shoot the Redhawk, it can be done. Reliably.

 

[Buick]

I think the model 10 is ideal.

 

[Farmer17]

This makes no sense. You recommend a gun with a thumb safety for new shooters because guns with thumb safeties are for advanced shooters?

The 1911 carried cocked and lock typically has a very short light trigger pull which can be a bit dangerous when re-holstering if a newbie is not paying attention and has the safety off. Lowering the hammer slowly on a chambered round can also be problematic, and the half cock position on the hammer, is something else to know. Just a lot more to learn and remember for a newbie in my opinion and the M&P with a thumb safety is simpler and with a longer and more forgiving trigger pull.

 

[jeffrefrig]

My BIL has everything secured as far as cellar doors to garage and to driveway with the bars on them, and he always has the front door secured and has the outdoor motion lights, and front door light is on all the time. I always joke with him about how secure he keeps it! He's no slouch if push came to shove, but it IS the city and you never know what nut jobs may show up. The Model 10 was my 1st handgun before I moved to the city, as my friend, who was a FFL, trainer, gunsmith, 2-tour Nam vet, etc., suggested it and it's worked out as a first of quite a few different types of handguns I have. After hearing all of the many ideas I didn't think of and others that sort of backed up some ideas I had, I believe a .357/.38 spl+p would be a good start, and wouldn't hurt to keep a 20 gauge scattergun handy. As far as actually using them in self-defense, I don't think he'd hesitate to the point of being disarmed. Opening the door to an unknown wouldn't happen. I appreciate every one of your suggestions, and I'm going to let him read this post so he has a better idea, and he may even decide on a semi-auto.
On a side note, today my daughter and I took her friend to the handgun range today for her first time (they're 19) and she's hooked now! They took turns on Sarah's .22 single action, and she shot my 9mm Beretta 92, but handed it back after 3 shots. So we have a new shooter in our midst! Again, I thank yinz for all of your inputs; all are taken open minded and serious.
Jeff T.

 

[ContinentalOp]

The 1911 carried cocked and lock typically has a very short light trigger pull which can be a bit dangerous when re-holstering if a newbie is not paying attention and has the safety off. Lowering the hammer slowly on a chambered round can also be problematic, and the half cock position on the hammer, is something else to know. Just a lot more to learn and remember for a newbie in my opinion and the M&P with a thumb safety is simpler and with a longer and more forgiving trigger pull.

Ok. I can see where you're coming from. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Oracle]

Keep in mind that multiple walls can be penetrated with even wimpy guns. I have a Mossberg Shockwave 12 gauge. If it were fired in the average room in a house the pattern wouldn't open up much.

Almost all people instantly recognize the sound of a shot gun shell being racked into the chamber. This may be a sufficient deterrent to cause the intruder to leave. Or it could announce to the intruder you are armed and the intruders first objective changes to disarming the home owner and arming the intruder.

If the poo hit the fan and I were placed in a them or me situation I would target the ankles and feet and then rack in another shell in case the first round didn't deter them.

How about the S&W Governor? Load it with 410 bore small shot.

 

[JayFramer]

The Shield EZ 380 has gotten PHENOMENAL reviews.

.380 out of a longer barrel such as on the EZ and with today’s modern hollow point will do the job just fine, and the EZ is so, well, EZ to shoot and manipulate it’s a no brainer for a first time elderly gun owner.

 

[jeffrefrig]

The Shield EZ 380 has gotten PHENOMENAL reviews.

.380 out of a longer barrel such as on the EZ and with today’s modern hollow point will do the job just fine, and the EZ is so, well, EZ to shoot and manipulate it’s a no brainer for a first time elderly gun owner.

Thanks, JayFramer! I've been meaning to ask about the EZs. It seems though that as soon as they came out with the .380, which is a fine cartridge IMO for self defense, they came out with the 9mm. (What was it; less than a year?) I'm still thinking about getting one for myself to keep handy around the house. I've heard nothing bad about them, but haven't really heard any honest reviews. Thanks! I'll keep the .380 in mind next time I'm window shopping.

 

[BearBio]

12 ga double barrel coach gun

When I first took Hunter Safety, it was taught by two local cops=they said they preferred a double over a pump because of the psychological impact of staring into two "sewer pipes".