Thinking of new handgun for home defense

View · by **LS3Miata** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:00 pm

If I had any guns in the house, I would purchase a few cheap used glocks for stash guns, so the more expensive 1911's that I don't own could be in the safe I don't own, because I have no need for one. The only drawback is, I might find I actually enjoy shooting the glocks that I would have bought to allow the 1911's I don't own to be in the safe I have no need for, since I don't own any firearms.

The above story is fictional and any reference to real people and firearms is purely coincidental :mrgreen:

View · by **tman** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:02 pm

bulletproof wrote:
jshuberg wrote:Finally, have a handheld light with your gun and extra mags. This is so you can identify the potential threat without pointing your gun at them, just in case it turns out to be an old drunk college buddy you forgot you gave a key to. Again, the only purpose of a light in a defensive encounter is so you can identify and target the threat.

Or a SWAT team, that will probably just shoot you anyways. If you don't know where all of your keys are you should change your locks.

Or....

Old Forge, NY -- A Rochester man staying in a motel in Old Forge shot and killed his son early this morning thinking his son was an intruder, state police said today.
Michael Leach, 59, an officer with the Parry Police Department in Wyoming County, called 911 at 12:51 a.m. from the Clark Beach Motel to say that he just shot someone he thought was an intruder, troopers said.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/rochester_man_shoots_and_kills.html

View · by **ronin069** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:30 pm

tman wrote:
bulletproof wrote:
jshuberg wrote:Finally, have a handheld light with your gun and extra mags. This is so you can identify the potential threat without pointing your gun at them, just in case it turns out to be an old drunk college buddy you forgot you gave a key to. Again, the only purpose of a light in a defensive encounter is so you can identify and target the threat.

Or a SWAT team, that will probably just shoot you anyways. If you don't know where all of your keys are you should change your locks.

Or....

Old Forge, NY -- A Rochester man staying in a motel in Old Forge shot and killed his son early this morning thinking his son was an intruder, state police said today.
Michael Leach, 59, an officer with the Parry Police Department in Wyoming County, called 911 at 12:51 a.m. from the Clark Beach Motel to say that he just shot someone he thought was an intruder, troopers said.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/rochester_man_shoots_and_kills.html

If ever there was a "good sport" award, you sir, would win hands down.

View · by **CraigJS** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:55 pm

Let me start by saying I've used CT grips on two pistols over the last 7 years, for carry, HD and sometimes at the range. I've NEVER had a failure in the lasers operation. I regularly change the batteries, aprox. every two years. Lasers are a great AID, and only an aid. I'm accurate with the irons, so NO the laser ISN'T my primary choice. BUT THEY HAVE THEIR USES! I've used them for HD alone and with a Tac light.
I sold the Tac light. (notice only sold the Tac light, still have the CTs) For HD I prefer my hand held Surefire 6P. Every thing and EVERYONE you light up with a Tac light, also has a gun pointed at them.. Friend or foe. At HD distances, (my case) a max of 25' I can point shoot a 6" or less (on a good day) group. Out of position shooting, lasers are hard to beat. Your G19 with laser is a super set up for HD. Add a hand held (get one with strobe feature) light.
Reliability, ANYTHING mechanical can mess up. This includes your pistol, ANY pistol. Laser, of course they can.
I had a P226 Sig, reliable sure, except I took it out of a pistol rug one day and the front blade was laying in the rug..

View · by **Ron Burgundy** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:04 pm

bstrawse wrote:
In my house, I use a fullsize firearm. For me, it's a Gen 4 Glock 17.
b

^^^^this

View · by **grousemaster** on Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:19 pm

Ron Burgundy wrote:
bstrawse wrote:
In my house, I use a fullsize firearm. For me, it's a Gen 4 Glock 17.
b

^^^^this

Any pistol is not a "full size firearm" in my book though

View · by **rugersol** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:40 am

grousemaster wrote:
Ron Burgundy wrote:
bstrawse wrote:
In my house, I use a fullsize firearm. For me, it's a Gen 4 Glock 17.
b

^^^^this

Any pistol is not a "full size firearm" in my book though

That's a very limited perspective! :mrgreen:

View · by **plblark** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:03 am

bstrawse wrote:I haven't shot a M&P in .40 - but I have handled and shot them in 9mm. I like them - nice gun.
b

Same here. I own a full size and a Pro with Apex internals. Love them.

View · by **Evo** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:29 pm

First can you not effectively conceal a g19 with a proper quality holster? If you are trying to conceal with a cheap and crappy Sherpa holster forget it ,do yourself a favor and get a better holster I find that I could carry a g19 in all sorts of occasions and clothes. Also I am not a large specimen.

I'll give my two cents since you posted wanting some feedback. Personally I would of just bought another g19 instead for a spare gun. I would of also stuck to the same caliber. There are many benefits to having two of the same carry gun. A few would be in case your carry gun goes down or confiscated, you could interchange your holster,mag and spare parts. Plus you have a gun that you know how to shoot, operate and proficient with . You did good with a gen3 g19.

**I just saw you said for home defense. Why do you want to use a pistol then?

A shotgun or rifle would be a much better choice. I would recommend more focus on the training part of things. I know I want to attend a good quality defensive shotgun class.

View · by **SavageSmoker** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:04 pm

Thx for the reply. The G19 is not a carry gun for me. I use a Smith and Wesson M&P .40 Shield with a Hidden Hybrid Holster I can wear IWB or OWB depending on what I am wearing if I use it as a CCW. I carry the 19 in a Blackhawk while at the range to give me an extra hand. I do own a 16ga Ithaca shotgun as well as an M&P 15-22 and Mossberg 702 (not the best for HD). The problem is, we have a 2yr old daughter and 6yr old son so keeping long gun "at the ready" in our bedroom is not an option. That would be why I specifically asked about handguns for home defense. It is the best option for my current situation. A gun safe under my bed with biometric lock will offer rapid access if needed while still preventing wondering hands of children from gaining access to the firearm. As I mentioned in my OP, I am liking the .40 cal platform at this point. The G19 isn't going away, my wife has a Shield in 9mm and she prefers that caliber. Again, just just wondering about a .40cal for HD purposes. I was so impressed with my Shield that an M&P .40 naturally made it on the list. I do like the compact size, but would not rule out a full size either. The second part of my question was about laser sites and TFO sights. I like the idea if tac lights as I have not considered this in the past...only a handheld small tac light, nothing mounted on a rail. Hope this clarifies my needs and were i am coming from.
Thx...Brian

View · by **CypressTrout** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:43 pm

Ok I would get a Gen 4 G23 with Truglo TFOs and mount a streamlight TLR w/laser case closed!

View · by **CypressTrout** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:18 pm

Here's a gen 3 and the guy is from MN not a bad price. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_7_88/1020705_FS___Glock_23_w_Night_Sights___MN_.html

(side not I was looking on GTalk and which had pictures and it is the "Homeland Defender" model.. wish I had the extra cash and I'd get it...)

View · by **TacticalGunny** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:57 pm

Your gen3 19 is perfect for a home defense gun...invest your $$ on rounds and range time, if you haven't already...buy a couple of extra mags and load em up with hp's...

M&P 9's are also fantastic weapons...I'll trust my life to either

View · by **SavageSmoker** on Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:45 am

Thanks everyone. Love all of the comments. Looks like this is a pretty Glock-friendly crowd, given the recommendations. That's okay as I have been a happy Glock owner for 10 years. However, I tend to look at things like features and hand feel rather then brand first. Prior to buying my Shield a couple of months ago I have not been handgun shopping, or even browsing, for years. I was amazed at the changes in features and ergonomics. If anyone owns or has experience shooting both glocks and the M&P series, I would love to know the differences. Pros, cons, etc. maybe I just need to get to Bills and see if I can shoot a few for comparison's sake? Thx

View · by **rugersol** on Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:14 am

SavageSmoker wrote:I tend to look at things like features and hand feel rather then brand first.

I've owned both ... no question, the M&P is far more comfortable! ... moreover, the thumb-safety (while it could be a bit bigger) can make all the difference in defensive/competitive shooting! (that said, I'm not sure if they make the Pro with one

)

Here's a couple things ya might consider! ... http://glockstore.com/pgroup_descrip/8_Grip+Enhancer/8022_Beavertail+Grip+for+Glock/ ... http://lmgtfy.com/?q=glock-knuckle ... why, after 4? "generations" they refuse to fix the two worst design flaws, I can't imagine?!

Some folks complain about "grip angle" too! ... I shot a lotta rounds through glocks ... and 1911's ... I have no clue what they're talkin' about! :roll:

I'd shoot the glock, M&P, XDM, SR9/40, PPQ, and Steyr M9/40 ... pick the one ya like the best! :cheers: