Top 5 Firearms For Home Defense

Any semi-auto handgun that requires you to push the safety UP with your thumb on order to fire is not ergonomically designed. The 92 is a good gun, just not intuitively obvious to use in an urgent situation.

Shotgun, Pistol Grip Shotgun, Semi-Auto Pistol, Revolver, AR-15 . . . . I know, you were likely leaning toward specific caliber, brand and model, not type of weapon. My first choice, Hogue pistol grip 20 gauge Mossberg 500 w/18 1/2″ barrel load with 3″ shells packed w/#4 shot alternating with 2 3/4″ shells w/#4 buck.

Something that the writer and the commenters failed to consider is gender, size, comfort. I agree, a pistol is most definitely something your can navigate tight spaces with and be placing rounds on target efficiently, but in some cases, size does matter. My ex-wife is tiny, my current wife is also small. Both are intimidated with anything over a 9mm and have complained countless times about feeling like the “gun will come out of my hands” when they shoot. However, when I purchased a compact single stack pistol and had my ex-wife fire it (while we were still married) she fell in love with it claiming it was the most comfortable pistol to shoot. Shotguns were out of the question as they were either too big and heavy or scared her with the jolt they give. When I got a divorce, my ex-wife asked if she could keep the compact 9mm and I said yes knowing that she has the kids half the time and I wasn’t going to refuse her from protecting our kids. When I got married a second time, Same thing happened. My current wife hated full sized pistols, but loved the same damn gun I gave to my ex. Apparently I can’t own that type of gun without giving one away to all the women in my life first. To nearly all men, full size, compact, subcompact, shotgun, AR, whatever it makes little to no difference because we can wield any and all with relative ease. This is even true to many women who aren’t frail wisps of women where a strong breeze can knock them over. However, with smaller framed women who have small hands and also have to defend themselves. shotguns are just not plausible, full sized are too big and bulky, and revolvers tend to be too heavy and “clunky” also. So if you have a self defense pistol on hand for NOT ONLY you but your better half, then you need to consider making sure it can be an effective tool for either of you to use. Personally, I got tired of my current wife arguing all the problems she’d have rolling over to my side to grab the gun if she needed it so I put in another gun vault on her side and put her gun in it. Problem solved. The only time we had to pull them, we heard glass break and in the span of a heart beat, we were both armed and racing to the kids’ rooms. We collected both kids, brought them back to the master and called police while I was watching the hall and checking my surveillance cameras. Cops arrived within 12 min and I provided the video of the thief breaking the window of my kitchen door and trying to come in but heard me (as I was trying to make it known) “Honey, You got your gun? Good I got mine now gets the kids and I’ll shoot anyone I see.” Don’t know if they ever caught him but it doesn’t matter as my wife and I both feel better with OUR choice of firearms for self defense.

Kudos to Mr. Jenkins for acknowledging right off the bat that any such list will get contentious.
Not to be contentious, just adding my two cents, I would combine the first and last guns – get a Glock in 9mm. Pick the model that suits you best. Ergonomics matter, so pick the one that fits you.
The .357 magnum is my first pick for a home defense handgun. It’s what I keep by my bed. Decades of use show it to be the number one manstopper with 125 grain JHP bullets.
For those who have already pointed it out, the deadliest firearm at close range is a 12 gauge shotgun. Load it up with #8 shotshells and it will blow a hole through an intruder at close range, but not go through three walls, your car, and into your neighbors house.
I also agree that an M4 sized AR also makes an excellent home defense weapon. Rifles have a lot more power than handguns. But as handguns goes, I think this list is as good as it gets.

I’m an old ex-cop and we all trained with revolvers, the wisdom being that they were easy with which to become proficient. Also, when the hammer was down they were relatively safe and when cocked were dangerous as hell. In the 70’s and 80’s most PD armorers didn’t trust the reliability of autos. Even though I now have more than my share of pistols in 9mm and 45acp, revolvers still make my knees knock and have several S&W’s in 44mag and 357mag, including the 4″ 686+ (7rds). Great choice for home defense!!

I would replace the M9 with a Glock 17 or 19 and I’d remove the 1911completely. I used them with them during my military years (before they were replaced by the M9) and I loathed the recoil. As such, I think that the average person is likely to miss their target (at 3 am in the dark), and shoot through the wall, killing a neighbor. I would add the Ruger GP100 .357 because you can’t beat the reliability and simplicity of a revolver . A Mossburg Maverick 88 12 gauge is also a good and very affordable option, IF you need a AR-15 type weapon for home defense, you must live either in a very remote or very bad neighborhood:-)

I always enjoy these articles, but for me, unless I happen to have my EDC on, my “home defense” firearm could vary widely depending on what room I happened to be in at the time. You could catch a blast from a 12-gauge, a volley of .223, or you might encounter a large man advancing on your position firing an M1 Garand. What is the spirit of the bayonet? Haha!

I have all 5. Like them all. My personal favorites to shoot are the 1911 and the FNX with a can.

I personally like handguns that offer 45 and 410 shot, etc the Judge, the governor.

“The newer Gen4 versions also include an accessory rail to attach a laser, light or laser/light combo.”

Gen 3 called. It wants its rail back.

#lameassarticle

WHat? No Governor on the list???

I carry a Glock 22 .40 cal… best gun I ever had!