Handgun to beat

[velillen]

Just out of curiosity for home defense do you all still recommend semi-auto's? if so why? And i mean over a revolver more than anything.

I have a S&W .357 mag revolver and have it for home defense and range shooting. only real reason that is my gun of choice is the fact i got it for free from my dad. But for ease of use in need it to fire situations doesnt seem like you could go any more simpler. Simply unholster it (its only real for of a safety) and pull trigger. Sure its only 6 shots but frankly if the guy stays after hearing a shot from it then im probably running for the door anyways (which i'd do even if i hit him lol).

Gotten to be a pretty good shot with it at the ~20 feet range. Can fire all 6 rounds into a 3"x3" square. Figure thats dman good enough for home defense lol.

But im also looking at picking up a new gun so been an interesting thread to follow!

 

[etrigan420]

Just out of curiosity for home defense do you all still recommend semi-auto's? if so why? And i mean over a revolver more than anything.

I have a S&W .357 mag revolver and have it for home defense and range shooting. only real reason that is my gun of choice is the fact i got it for free from my dad. But for ease of use in need it to fire situations doesnt seem like you could go any more simpler. Simply unholster it (its only real for of a safety) and pull trigger. Sure its only 6 shots but frankly if the guy stays after hearing a shot from it then im probably running for the door anyways (which i'd do even if i hit him lol).

Gotten to be a pretty good shot with it at the ~20 feet range. Can fire all 6 rounds into a 3"x3" square. Figure thats dman good enough for home defense lol.

But im also looking at picking up a new gun so been an interesting thread to follow!

You have a bad ass gun *more* than suitable for home defense, especially if you've already gotten a feel for that long ass trigger pull.

My mom wants to give me her 686 snubbie and buy a semi-auto for home defense...and while part of me (a large part) wants that sweet ass, wrist punishing .357 magnum, I find myself more inclined to push her to load it with .38's and get her ass out to the range.

We can argue caliber vs. capacity all day, but the simple fact is...gun is fine.

EDIT: Clarity.

 

[rudeguy]

Just out of curiosity for home defense do you all still recommend semi-auto's? if so why? And i mean over a revolver more than anything.

I have a S&W .357 mag revolver and have it for home defense and range shooting. only real reason that is my gun of choice is the fact i got it for free from my dad. But for ease of use in need it to fire situations doesnt seem like you could go any more simpler. Simply unholster it (its only real for of a safety) and pull trigger. Sure its only 6 shots but frankly if the guy stays after hearing a shot from it then im probably running for the door anyways (which i'd do even if i hit him lol).

Gotten to be a pretty good shot with it at the ~20 feet range. Can fire all 6 rounds into a 3"x3" square. Figure thats dman good enough for home defense lol.

But im also looking at picking up a new gun so been an interesting thread to follow!

There is nothing wrong with a revolver. They have stood the test of time with very little change. That should say a lot. A nice 357 like yours or a snub nosed 38 special would be great for home defense.

I'm comfortable with semi auto, so that's what I talk about. I shot a 44 mag revolver once and damn near shot my foot off because the trigger took so little pressure to engage. I was young and hadn't learned trigger finger discipline yet. Scared the piss out of me.

I'm sure Boomhower or one of the guys with more experience with different types of guns can add an intelligent answer to your question.

 

[irishScott]

Just out of curiosity for home defense do you all still recommend semi-auto's? if so why? And i mean over a revolver more than anything.

I have a S&W .357 mag revolver and have it for home defense and range shooting. only real reason that is my gun of choice is the fact i got it for free from my dad. But for ease of use in need it to fire situations doesnt seem like you could go any more simpler. Simply unholster it (its only real for of a safety) and pull trigger. Sure its only 6 shots but frankly if the guy stays after hearing a shot from it then im probably running for the door anyways (which i'd do even if i hit him lol).

Gotten to be a pretty good shot with it at the ~20 feet range. Can fire all 6 rounds into a 3"x3" square. Figure thats dman good enough for home defense lol.

But im also looking at picking up a new gun so been an interesting thread to follow!

It's simply better in most cases. Higher magazine capacity for the same price or cheaper than a revolver. Whether you'll ever need that capacity is another question, but if you can pay $400 for 6 shots, and $400 for 10+, why not take the 10+? A revolver is adequate, but for my money I want more than adequate. Plus in the highly unlikely even I'll need more than 6 rounds, it's there.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just out of curiosity for home defense do you all still recommend semi-auto's? if so why? And i mean over a revolver more than anything.

I have a S&W .357 mag revolver and have it for home defense and range shooting. only real reason that is my gun of choice is the fact i got it for free from my dad. But for ease of use in need it to fire situations doesnt seem like you could go any more simpler. Simply unholster it (its only real for of a safety) and pull trigger. Sure its only 6 shots but frankly if the guy stays after hearing a shot from it then im probably running for the door anyways (which i'd do even if i hit him lol).

Gotten to be a pretty good shot with it at the ~20 feet range. Can fire all 6 rounds into a 3"x3" square. Figure thats dman good enough for home defense lol.

But im also looking at picking up a new gun so been an interesting thread to follow!

Can't beat a revolver for a reliable home defense gun. No safeties to fumble with, easy to load and unload (get some speedloaders and practice with them), and they are very very reliable.

Some of my semi-autos only hold 7-8 rounds and Smith & Wesson makes a 7 shot .357 magnum revolver so the advantages of a semi-auto really are almost nil at that point.

I love Smith & Wesson revolvers. I've owned a few but currently only own 1, a model 629 with an 8" barrel and Hogue grip.

 

[irishScott]

Can't beat a revolver for a reliable home defense gun. No safeties to fumble with, easy to load and unload (get some speedloaders and practice with them), and they are very very reliable.

Some of my semi-autos only hold 7-8 rounds and Smith & Wesson makes a 7 shot .357 magnum revolver so the advantages of a semi-auto really are almost nil at that point.

I love Smith & Wesson revolvers. I've owned a few but currently only own 1, a model 629 with an 8" barrel and Hogue grip.

I can all but guarantee I can load an auto faster than you can load a revolver, speed loaders or no. Many autos also have no manual safeties.

Also, here's an 8 round .357: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57783_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

MSRP: $1,289.00


Let's compare that to a comparable auto: http://us.glock.com/products/model/g31

15 rounds of .357 SIG with optional extended magazines, greater variety of accessories, and easier trigger.

MSRP: $750




Like I said, a revolver is adequate for home defense, but there's a reason police departments and militaries world-wide have largely stopped using them. They're simply based on outdated designs with only a negligible reliability advantage to show for it. Any revolver I ever buy will, given the choice, be a range toy first and foremost. Now if you're one of those weird people who can shoot a revolver better than an auto, by all means use one.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can all but guarantee I can load an auto faster than you can load a revolver, speed loaders or no. Many autos also have no manual safeties.

Also, here's an 8 round .357: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57783_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

MSRP: $1,289.00


Let's compare that to a comparable auto: http://us.glock.com/products/model/g31

15 rounds of .357 SIG with optional extended magazines, greater variety of accessories, and easier trigger.

MSRP: $750




Like I said, a revolver is adequate for home defense, but there's a reason police departments and militaries world-wide have largely stopped using them. They're simply based on outdated designs with only a negligible reliability advantage to show for it. Any revolver I ever buy will, given the choice, be a range toy first and foremost. Now if you're one of those weird people who can shoot a revolver better than an auto, by all means use one.

Blah, blah, blah, I guarantee you I don't care. If it takes more than 6 shots I'm doing something wrong...

 

[rudeguy]

Blah, blah, blah, I guarantee you I don't care. If it takes more than 6 shots I'm doing something wrong...

when was the last time you saw less than 7 zombies in a group?

 

[irishScott]

Blah, blah, blah, I guarantee you I don't care. If it takes more than 6 shots I'm doing something wrong...

*shrug*

More capability for less money, or less capability for more money. Like asking if you'd prefer an SUV for the price of a Camry or a Camry for the price of an SUV. Sure if you're not doing anything SUV-worthy it doesn't really matter, but I guess it's your money.

And actually, in the middle of the night with my aiming shot half to hell and potentially 2-3 burglars, I may very well need more than 6 shots. Now granted I have no reason to fear robbery, but it's a hypothetical that isn't unheard of.

 

[JulesMaximus]

*shrug*

More capability for less money, or less capability for more money. Like asking if you'd prefer an SUV for the price of a Camry or a Camry for the price of an SUV. Sure if you're not doing anything SUV-worthy it doesn't really matter, but I guess it's your money.

And actually, in the middle of the night with my aiming shot half to hell and potentially 2-3 burglars, I may very well need more than 6 shots. Now granted I have no reason to fear robbery, but it's a hypothetical that isn't unheard of.

I've managed to live 44 years without ever encountering 1 burglar let alone 2-3 burglars. The gun I generally keep ready for home defense in my house is the .44 magnum revolver, the Glock 17 is locked in the safe.

I'm not worried about it.

Revolvers are great for home defense. Nothing wrong with them at all.

I don't own an SUV either.

 

[JulesMaximus]

when was the last time you saw less than 7 zombies in a group?

I prefer to use an axe for zombies. Gunshots tend to draw in more zombies.

 

[irishScott]

I've managed to live 44 years without ever encountering 1 burglar let alone 2-3 burglars. The gun I generally keep ready for home defense in my house is the .44 magnum revolver, the Glock 17 is locked in the safe.

I'm not worried about it.

Revolvers are great for home defense. Nothing wrong with them at all.

I don't own an SUV either.

Meh, what can I say? I like icing on my cake, nitpick grammar and formatting on technical reports, and cut/strip my wires so they lay as flat as possible on the breadboard. A revolver will do the job, but it won't do the best job, especially for the money; that's all I'm saying.

 

[Ns1]

when was the last time you saw less than 7 zombies in a group?

As long as they don't camp the respawn OP will be fine.

 

[velillen]

You have a bad ass gun *more* than suitable for home defense, especially if you've already gotten a feel for that long ass trigger pull.

My mom wants to give me her 686 snubbie and buy a semi-auto for home defense...and while part of me (a large part) wants that sweet ass, wrist punishing .357 magnum, I find myself more inclined to push her to load it with .38's and get her ass out to the range.

We can argue caliber vs. capacity all day, but the simple fact is...gun is fine.

EDIT: Clarity.

Mine is a S&W 19-3 (date of man is 1967). Still fires perfectly. Even have the original box

I do know the feeling of the wrist pounding. Put ~150 rounds through it yesterday and my wrist was sore this morning a bit. Its always fun to go from 357mags to shooting 38s. Feels like a lil plunker at that point

Will say I've shot my brothers 45 and my dad's 40's plenty of times. I just like the 19-3 better for me. Biggest reason.....Im left handed and it sucks ass getting hit in the face by shells

But anyways looks like i brought up a topic of debate that i didnt really mean to. Was more just curious why people prefered one of the other strictly for home defense. Looks like some like bigger magazines while others like the reliability and ease of a revolver.

And on that note time to go look at which semi auto i want since i want something lighter to mix into the range shooting instead of just the heavy ass 19-3

 

[rudeguy]

Mine is a S&W 19-3 (date of man is 1967). Still fires perfectly. Even have the original box

I do know the feeling of the wrist pounding. Put ~150 rounds through it yesterday and my wrist was sore this morning a bit. Its always fun to go from 357mags to shooting 38s. Feels like a lil plunker at that point

Will say I've shot my brothers 45 and my dad's 40's plenty of times. I just like the 19-3 better for me. Biggest reason.....Im left handed and it sucks ass getting hit in the face by shells

But anyways looks like i brought up a topic of debate that i didnt really mean to. Was more just curious why people prefered one of the other strictly for home defense. Looks like some like bigger magazines while others like the reliability and ease of a revolver.

And on that note time to go look at which semi auto i want since i want something lighter to mix into the range shooting instead of just the heavy ass 19-3

You should check out the Springfield XD. I hear those are nice.

 

[velillen]

You should check out the Springfield XD. I hear those are nice.

added it to my list! pretty sure the range i go to had one to demo. Not a bad deal either $9 bucks to rent any of their same caliber guns or 15 for any in the case (which is like 40 guns). just gotta buy ammo. That with 15 bucks for the lane and it applies all day so cant go wrong

 

[xBiffx]

Love my XD-40 service and XD-40 sub compact. The XD-9 seems like its the same except mag capacity. Would be a solid piece. I hated the XD-m line. Overpriced garbage IMO. The standard XD line is very good competition to the Glock line. I just don't think Glocks are worth the added price.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Meh, what can I say? I like icing on my cake, nitpick grammar and formatting on technical reports, and cut/strip my wires so they lay as flat as possible on the breadboard. A revolver will do the job, but it won't do the best job, especially for the money; that's all I'm saying.

So far the job seems to be lying on a shelf. Can't see how your gun is any better than my gun in that regard.

My wires are routed in the wall or under the base molding, my cake is iced, and I pride myself on my grammar.

I maintain that a revolver is an excellent home defense gun and I would add that it is an excellent first gun too.

 

[rudeguy]

A revolver as a first gun is fine.
An auto is fine
A fully auto ar would be good too

I'm just not sure how the revolver vs auto debate came up in a Peyton Manning thread..

 

[arcenite]

I've held exactly one revolver and did not like it in the least... 'seemed' too bulky for me.

 

[dmoney1980]

A friend of mine purchased a SIG P226 TAC in December. We shot it at the range - nice weight, felt great, and a nice kick. He got the 40, but you can get a 9 too.

 

[arcenite]

A friend of mine purchased a SIG P226 TAC in December. We shot it at the range - nice weight, felt great, and a nice kick. He got the 40, but you can get a 9 too.

Honestly I like the .40 and so did my wife when we shot it. But the caliber debate seems silly to me when 9mm hp will do for HD. So I'm trying to stick to my ... guns.

Sorry for the pun.

 

[TallBill]

Honestly I like the .40 and so did my wife when we shot it. But the caliber debate seems silly to me when 9mm hp will do for HD. So I'm trying to stick to my ... guns.

Sorry for the pun.

I heart my p226 and p220.. haven't shot them in over a year Only downfall to city living.

 

[irishScott]

So far the job seems to be lying on a shelf. Can't see how your gun is any better than my gun in that regard.

My wires are routed in the wall or under the base molding, my cake is iced, and I pride myself on my grammar.

I maintain that a revolver is an excellent home defense gun and I would add that it is an excellent first gun too.

Don't be like that. If the job was just lying on the shelf, then I'd recommend a used book to get the most for your money. The job is lying on the shelf for immediate access in case of dire need. If I ever need to reach for a handgun in dire need, I want the superior all-around capability of an auto. If I lived in a hurricane zone I'd be ready for a cat 5, even if one hadn't hit in decades. If you're satisfied only being prepared for a cat 4, so be it.

 

[schneiderguy]

I just don't think Glocks are worth the added price.

They are.