What is your choice for the best handgun for self defense? Why???

[John P.]

Practical to me means taking into account the conditions and situations. In the summer months, a 637 loaded with Speer 135 +P SB in a cargo pocket is my go-to. If conditions or situations change, my go-to is a Glock 19 loaded with Winchester Ranger 127 +P+. When I say conditions or situations I mean all factors including weather, clothing, and the location and activities one will likely encounter in their travels.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The handgun on my nightstand is not the handgun in my pocket.

The reason I keep a Colt 1911 on my nightstand is that I handle and shoot it the best.

The reason I keep an LCP in my pocket is because the 1911 don't fit.

 

[Zeman]

Op, You asked about 'self defense', so I totally agree with you with your choice when I consider the possibility of getting into a major gun fight. If I had some special power to know ahead of time that I was going to get in a gun fight a day before, I would carry two or three Glock 22's. But, that is not possible, so I compromise by carrying the most gun my attire allows me to do comfortably. Sometimes it's a smaller Glock 40, sometimes a 38 J frame. If an intruder enters my house at night, I'm going to have my Glock with attached light.

 

[kmyers]

For me it would be the H&K USP in .45 we have here. It has a fairly large capacity, this pistol has never failed to function and can be carried and used either as a DA/SA or SA mode firearm.

 

[Arik]

For me it doesn't matter on the season or the location the gun is always a G19. From 100 degree summer days to below 0 winter. Cow country or center city. To me it's the best all around gun.

I own Sigs, S&W, HKs and 1911s. All good quality guns that work every bit as well but, between size, weight, price of mags and capacity the Glock wins out. It is very rare that I carry something other than the G19.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Why the one you have with you at moment of course! Now with that bit of flippancy out of the way I have two that I lug around, a Kel-Tek PF-9 and a S&W 442. Why, because they both go bang every time they are supposed to and both are relatively light, accurate and reasonably powerful and can be carried in a pocket holster. Would I feel better with one of my Commanders in .45 ACP or my S&W M-21-4 in .44 Special, why yes I would but they are a bit too big for daily concealed carry for me.

 

[Xfuzz]

Colt Commander in 45 acp...230gr ball.
Near 42 years now.
Reason.. power. They shoot well for me.

I know the word self-defense is ingrained.
Namely, because if you are unfortunate enough
to go before a Grand Jury or trial.

But, regardless how you slice it.....a gunfight goes from "defense" to "offense" very fast.
Just my 11 cents.(inflation)

 

[WC145]

I carry 1911s or S&W J frame snubbies, have for years. I'm very comfortable and familiar with both platforms but these questions are seldom as simple as "what's the one gun....". My nightstand gun is my former duty weapon, an FNP45 Tactical with a Streamlight TLR-1 and a Trijicon RMR02. My two "going out" or "answer the door" guns are a Colt Commander and S&W Wyatt 637 in the kitchen cabinet. And my "something's after the chickens", "there's a coyote in the back field gun", "who the hell is shooting down by the creek", "throw it in the Jeep and go check it out" gun is a FN PS90.

If I was forced to choose one gun for house and carry defense I'd go with the Commander or one of my other 1911s, though I could make do with anything I've got around here if I had to.

 

[Harrydale]

I agree with Mrtrolleyguy and Bam-Bam. Are you talking about self defence out in pubic, dark street at night, at home late at night, in the car ect; ect;?

For me if I knew I would be in a gun fight--and what civilian ever knows that---it would be a Glock 17 with 3 or 4 loaded 33 round magazines. On the street or in my car a 8 shot .357, I believe that would be a M327? At home late at nite it is a tie between a 12 gauge shot gun or an M&P R8.

If I had to pick just one of these and one was all I could ever have, it would be the M&P R8. jmho.

 

[Harrydale]

oops! I forgot to put the "why?" For me an 8 shop .357 that I can hang a light and laser on is the ultimate handgun as for as dependability, simplicity and versatility. Again jmho.

 

[Grayfox]

A 1911 for me. Its a gun I'm intimately familar with, have complete confidence in and shoot well. Plus the .45 makes big holes.

My carry gun is a 1959 vintage Lightweight Commander.

This is what I keep in the house for when things go bump in the night.

 

[LimaCharlie]

It depends on where I am and what I am doing. My routine carry in urban areas with help minutes away is a 5" 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10mm on my belt with a spare magazine. I also carry either a Sig P938 9mm or a 3.3" SA XDs-45 as a pocket BUG with a spare magazine.

When I spend time in remote rural areas with help an hour or more away, I often switch to either a Glock G20 SF 10mm or an FNH FNX-45 Tactical with two fifteen round spare magazines. If I am spending time in the woods with signs of bear, I often switch to my 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum for concealed carry plus two speed loaders.

 

[KLYDE]

However, my day to day carry guns are the two shown below. The Model 66-4 is currently being customized by David Sams to make it more suited to my specific requirements



With my choice of weapons (and their modifications) I've addressed to my satisfaction two of Gunsite's three considerations: speed and accuracy. Because all of my choices are 357 Magnums, my last consideration - power - has been addressed by my careful selection of ammunition. My choice is Remington's 125 grain Golden Saber round (SKU GS357MA). It's a mid-range load optimized for low flash out of short barrel guns, and is know for both its accuracy and its terminal performance.

I look forward to any and all comments.

Keith

+ one Keith,
After "testing" several guns over the years, including revolvers and semi's, I finally found what I consider a fantastic carry gun. The SP 101... Factory bobbed hammer, DAO,.357 capable, just large enough to shoot competently and just heavy enough to absorb recoil. Teamed with Buffalo Bore .357 Low Flash Short Barrel Ammo I feel adequately armed.

Maybe I'm blurring the OP's post between adequate carry and optimum self defense. As mentioned different situations would merit a different gun. Ideally optimum self defense would probably be something where the caliber begins with a 4 or a 12.

 

[Fuch]

my choices

for my part 45 acp for its stopping power but limited to 8 shots in my case (PT 45acp 1911). and 2nd CZ sp01 shadow.
accurate, magazine capacity 18 + 1. And if I am Assaulted by a bull, my 44 mag mountain gun.
and then always remember not to sleep alone in my bed one is minimum 4 my wife, Smith , Wesson and me !!

 

[mc5aw]

Self defense against what? Wild animals? Zombies? Two-legged predators?

If I could carry it, I'd go with the Arsenal SAM pistol in 7.62x39. Since I can't, I'm happy with a 624 snub. If I still owned a Thunder Ranch 325, that would be the choice.

 

[John R]

I have a FS M&P 40 for a duty gun, I've been carrying a M&P 40 Compact IWB for awhile now and I'm getting used to it.

I carried a 442 IWB for about 40 years and felt well armed, it's just a great gun to have.
The 442 is just a good old friend, the satin nickel is wearing off but it's still a great shooter, and has always work.

I started carrying the compact just because it's a 40 and has double the rounds as the 442 has.

I've never felt out gunned in any situation I've encountered anytime in my life.

The main thing is to have a gun, when you need a gun nothing else will work.

 

[JaPes]

The best handgun for self defense is the gun I have on me at the time. If the circumstances allow me to carry a full size pistol, I will. If circumstance dictates I carry a small .380, I will.

 

[Protected One]

Judging from the variety of "posters" I presume your question was not directed at LEO's only, and that since you mentioned "carry gun", we're not talking about home defense.
I make the distinctions because of your comment about a six shooter not being adequate for todays society, which, for LEO's I would agree. But for the average armed citizen I'm a believer that if a handgun is needed, 6 rounds will likely be plenty.

Therefore, I'll say that my choice is the Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm, loaded with Hornady Critical Duty. It's the perfect blend of easy to carry and a good defensive caliber. I carry the extended magazine +1 in the chamber. That gives me 9 rounds of 9mm.

 

[Cyrano]

If I can see trouble coming in time, it's my Colt M4 carbine. If I don't have time for that I reach for my Colt Series 70 in 45 ACP with night sights and other minor tweaking. For answering the door at night it's the RIA Compact in 45 ACP that sits next to my computer, and when going out the S&W 638 often rides in my pocket.

 

[SilentKnight]

with a similarly simple answer. It's the one you feel confidence in as you carry it day to day. I did not interpret your question as asking for some idealized weapon, but rather as you state you needed to "reevaluate and stop romanticizing my image of my revered pistols."

I look forward to any and all comments.

Keith[/QUOTE]


Excellent response to a broad question by Keith.
I am proficient with 1911s, Browning HPs, H&Ks, Glocks, and Sigs but I love a S&W wheel gun.
I have carried a bobbed hammered Model 60, 66 (2.5 inch barrel), 1911s, and more recently a 325 PD, depending on clothing situation, for defensive purposes.
For combat, Glocks are wonderful but the BHP is hard to beat.
For daily civilian carry the S&W 325 Airlite PD is remarkable. Lite, very accurate, durable, concealable and powerful. It has become my go to for concealed carry as my lifestyle leans toward defensive conditions. It does have what most would consider impressive recoil... but it suits me fine.
Moon clips reload fast and ride in a coat or vest pocket very well. I usually carry two to balance things plus the weight in the pocket can help swing a coat out of the way for a quick draw.
SK