revolver or automatic

[rdking647]

for home defense which would you prefer? the revolver seems simplier,and so less likely to malfunction when you need it most...
so which would you prefer? a 38 special revolver or a 9m glock

[liberal N proud]

1. By all means - Automatic

Make sure you kill em or at least get every last stinking one of them intruders.

[ileus]

9. Just because it's a semi-auto doesn't mean you'll get them all. but it does help even the odds...

[TheWraith]

77. Even better reason for an automatic: they're safer.

You can store an automatic with a full magazine and an empty chamber; that way there is no possible chance of it going off unintentionally, even if you pulled the trigger. It's easily accessible and quick to bring to full readiness while still being completely safe and inert for storage. Work the slide, and you're good to go.

The same is NOT the case with a revolver; either you leave it empty, which is pointless for a home defense weapon, or you have a round in proximity to the firing pin at all times. That greatly increases the odds of an accident.

[YllwFvr]

79. or you can leave one round out of the cylinder

So if it was pulled somehow by accident nothing would happen. If its needed squeeze the trigger twice. Not saying its The right way, just how it could be done. I like the 357 magnum for home. When I'm out or on duty a 9mm automatic

[We_Have_A_Problem]

85. Same can be said of a revolver

Full cylinder - no possible chance of it going off by itself. If i pull the trigger, I expect it to go bang.

[SteveM]

87. My revolver doesn't work like the one you cited...

I leave it fully loaded and it is safe because it uses an "action bar" which allows the hammer to contact the firing pin only through a thick piece of steel which moves into place when operating the firearm. Put another way, it won't fire when dropped or banged on by an outside force. Just point and pull.

[gejohnston]

95. do you have

single action revolvers (other than the Ruger New Models)?

[leveymg]

2. Low-yield nuclear device. Don't take chances the intruder might survive.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. I was going to suggest flamethrower, but you trumped me. nt

[ileus]

13. flamethrower could damage more property than just your attacker.

could pose potential hazards to people and property close by. I recommend a common firearm for the safety of others.

[RaleighNCDUer]

19. That's why you have insurance, properly overinflated. nt

[ileus]

14. You do realize a nuke will hurt and damage unintended targets right?

I recommend a common firearm for you personal safety device.

[leveymg]

15. So can a f-cking pistol. Duh.

[ileus]

18. Hard to destroy all of DC with a pistol. Easy to disable an attacker with a PSD like a pistol.

[leveymg]

21. Missed again. Secure your weapon, return unused ammunition.

[ileus]

22. Looks like some shoulder/abdomen hits...the upper right shot may have missed the neck.

While those aren't in the boiler room they should stop the attack.

[leveymg]

25. Should've used the nuke.

[PavePusher]

27. So you need more practice. What's your point? n/t

[leveymg]

28. I'm not the one doing the shooting.

You missed the point, as well. Clear the range.

[PavePusher]

35. Sorry, I should have used the sarcasm smiley. Didn't think it would be neccesary.

Still getting caffeinated...

[spin]

37. If I'm the one doing the shooting, the target would look very different ...

At 21 feet I'm willing to bet I can put five rounds into a group that I can cover with my hand and is in the bullseye in less than 5 seconds on a bad day. Not bragging, just the facts. Of course, I have been shooting handguns for 40 years.

And I am far from an expert. Watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=JbC5mEc6ipE

edited for typo

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

46. self delete (n/t)

[GreenStormCloud]

40. Need to spend more range time, and get laser sights. N/T

[SteveM]

88. It will also disrupt your career choices and reduce your 401K. nt

[PavePusher]

26. Warning or tempting...? heh... n/t

[leveymg]

33. Irony.

[Remmah2]

4. Shotgun.

IBTL

[Name removed]

5. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[krispos42]

6. Automatic

Because I can have a light attached to it. One hand on the gun/light, one hand free to turn doorknobs, manipulate light switches, and/or carry a large knife.


Also, because Connecticut isn't as insane as most of her neighbors, I can have a gun with 3x the capacity of a revolver, eliminated the need to carry, and fumble with, reloads.


:shrug:


If I had a non-gun-nut wife in the house, I'd get her a double-action revolver.

[ileus]

7. I was looking at Glock 23's yesterday.

If you're going with a revolver get a 4" 357 since it's for Home defense.

If you're going with a semi-auto it's tough to bet a glock...even though I bought a S&W M&P as my first poly pistol.

Below is a list of pistols I looked at yesterday for my "new" Home defense and hunting/hiking carry pistol. I don't have a 40 S&W so I want one as my next pistol.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Sig 229....grip is way too big, I can hardly reach the decocker lever.




Glock 23.....I loved the way it feels and it's a glock.




FN's FNX40.....I really liked this pistol, SA/DA cocked and locked, decocker it has it all...Except the innards are plastic, I don't mind poly guns but the trigger linking parts and safety are plastic??? what's up with that?





CZ....nice pistol but it's a CZ I just don't know.




Ruger SR40...nice and slim profile, I love the safety. but it's still a ruger...it's also 300 bucks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've looked at each of these 40's. I really wanted a metal framed pistol but the Sig's grip is just too large, and the CZ well it's a CZ.

[PavePusher]

29. I've heard very few complaints about CZ firearms.

No info on that particular Ruger.

[Euromutt]

81. CZs have been known to suffer premature slide lock

It can be remedied with judicious polishing of the slide stop, and possibly more powerful aftermarket springs, but I definitely know my CZ85 hasn't fed a full magazine without at least two failures to feed lately.

I tried out a rental Ruger SR9 at the range once. Perfectly adequate gun, no malfunctions, but the safety rubbed my thumb knuckle raw and I just didn't like it for that reason. Much like Glocks, I'm sure the Ruger SR9/40-series works fine for quite a lot of people, just not for me.

[RSillsbee]

44. I have carried a CZ 75B for 4 years no complaints

CZ is a very well made pistol, of the selection you listed I'd buy the CZ hands down

Edit for a very weird typo

[krispos42]

48. Try a Springfield Armory XDm

The original XD was made for the 9mm. The XDm was made for the .40.

A guy at the range let me try out his XD for 5 rounds... it felt molded to my hand, and the shot placement was dead on.

:shrug:

FN also make the same sort of pistol but more rugged.

[ileus]

51. XD's are the only ones I haven't looked at yet.

[krispos42]

52. I tried one after putting a couple of boxes of ammo through a 1911 .45...

...and a Beretta 92.

It felt like heaven.

[ileus]

55. I shot a friends sub or subcompact XD 40 about a year ago.

It was a pretty good feeling and shooting pistol.

[burf]

56. I heard the Springfield Armory was coming out with the

XDM 5.25 and then saw a video over at ammoland.com with Rob Leatham. I was thinking of either a Glock or a Sig, but decided to try the 5.25. It is the sweetest shooting pistol I have fired since I shot a Gold Cup a long time ago.

ileus, consider yourself warned. You pull the trigger, you will have to have the 5.25 :).

[rl6214]

66. I've got an x45, awesome weapon

I would highly recommend the xd'x

[oneshooter]

82. Glocks don't hang right for me, and the SIG 220 just feels better

And is all metal. Prefer 45cal but the 357SIG is a damn fine stopper and very controllable with 124gr JHP's.

Pistols are steel
Holsters are leather

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[NYC_SKP]

8. Autos jam, bullets travel far and don't always stop a person. Pump action shotgun.

Aim is less critical, the lethal range is much less, it stops a bad person no matter what.

Extended magazine 12 ga pump action with BB size shot, more or less.

:patriot:

[PavePusher]

30. "Aim is less critical", absolutely untrue.

And bird shot is not at all optimal for S/D except at very close ranges.

[spin]

34. Vist the site called "The Box of Truth" to see how well a shotgun works for self defense ...

http://theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

[one-eyed fat man]

54. You are going to upset many local "experts."

This one quote goes against so much folklore and movie mayhem

Once again, please notice the size of the entrance spreads....2 1/2" to 3 1/2". Therefore, anyone that says, "With a shotgun, you don't even have to aim. Just point it in the general area of the bad guy, and you can't miss", does not know what they are talking about.

You can very easily miss with a shotgun. You must aim to hit your target.

[spin]

59. Many "experts" get their knowledge from movies ...

I've had people tell me that with a 12 gauge shotgun cut to the legal minimum, you can walk into your hallway and fire from your hip and as long as the shotgun is pointed in the general direction of the attacker and the shot pellets will hit him. It doesn't matter if he is in the center of the hallway or off to one side.

A shotgun is definitely a very deadly weapon at close range when loaded with the right ammo. It is also a somewhat awkward weapon to use in close quarters and it is easier to disarm an individual with a shotgun then with a snub nosed revolver.

I have a 12 gauge coach gun with twin 20" side by side barrels. If I ever chose to use it in a home defense situation, I will find cover and wait for the intruder to come to me. Perhaps in my bedroom behind my bed with the shotgun pointed toward the door. If the intruder breaks the door down, I have time to be absolutely certain that he has no legitimate reason to be in my house.

[one-eyed fat man]

60. Unrealistic expectations

based on movie mayhem is a problem with green troops in combat for the first time. It and poor marksmanship account for much of the "I had to empty the magazine before the guy went down." You examine the body and you find a couple hits, either of which would have eventually proven fatal, but the target didn't fly back like in the movies, may have even been trying to continue the fight until they eventually succumbed. You point out that of the magazine they fired, 20 some rounds missed and reinforce the idea that it is impossible to miss fast enough to win.

As fewer recruits grow up hunting, especially deer sized game and larger. more and more arrive with only the notions of weapons effects portrayed in movies and TV.

[spin]

61. Sad but true. (n/t)

[bvar22]

71. Last season Mythbusters examined that myth.

They fired various weapons with maximum allowable loads at hanging 200 pound Pig carcass through the rib cage.
Even 12ga. slugs and Buck Shot barely moved the hanging carcass.

It IS simple physics.
For every action, there IS an equal & opposite reaction.
The shooter WILL absorb MORE of and impact from the kick of the weapon than the target.

[krispos42]

91. What makes the person you're shooting fly all over the place...

...is them falling! If they're moving, the impact of the bullet is sharp enough to throw off their stride and they stumble if they're running in or walking. Remember, if it's unexpected, a slight bump can really fuck up your stride... like when you are walking on an uneven sidewalk and your toe catches the end of a slab that's maybe a quarter-inch higher than you think it is.


And if you're just standing, your instinctive flinching when you're hit very hard can send you to your knees, too. It's momentum.

Momentum of a .45 auto is 230 grains x 835 ft/s = 192,050 grain-ft/s of momentum

Momentum of a baseball is 2,200 grains x 87 ft/s (59 mph) = 192,050 grain-ft/s of momentum as well.

If I whacked my dad with a baseball moving at 60 mph, it wouldn't throw him across the room, but he would flinch in pain... then throw ME across the room!

[rrneck]

94. Focused energy is the difference.

A shotgun butt won't cut a wound channel through your shoulder.

[ileus]

62. I've seen my wife miss hanging skeet (on limbs) from 10 yards with my 28 ga.

[socialindependocrat]

10. Seriously....

Some people like the revolver because it is simple and trustworthy.
A .357 will allow you to shoot .357 and .38s
One concern .357 can go thru a body and hit an object behind the target
You can keep a speed loader for fast reloads

I have a Daewoo 40cal that I have used for competition and have never had a misfire.
It's inexpensive
It's got more power than the .38 or 9mm
I've found it very dependable
Also, it is double action/single action which means the hammer does not need to be cocked in order to fire - you can pull the trigger and it will cock and fire on the first round and will re-cock automatically for each following round.
It will hold 13 rounds

[DWC]

11. CZ-82 auto as a back up

to my 12 gage pump.

Semper Fi,

[postulater]

12. Muzzle loader.

[ileus]

17. Kind of slow on reloads...good for criminals in wheelchairs maybe.

[oneshooter]

93. Yea, but you can hide in the smoke, and don't forget the fires that the blast caused!

[doc03]

16. A 12 gauge shotgun. n/t

[rrneck]

20. I prefer anything based on a 1911 in .45

unless recoil is an issue. A big bullet makes a big hole. If the pistol won't do it, the Remington 870 with 00 buckshot will.

Whatever gun feels best in your hand is very important. If you're not familiar with them go to a range and rent a few.

[gravity556]

23. G19 all the way.

Of course it's backed up by an AR15. Shitbag crooks out here have started doing the body armor thing. Fortunately, M855 > soft vests.

[ileus]

24. G19 great choice also..and the AR is a great item to have around.

[Peregrine]

31. Glock 19 and glock 39

the 39 is a subcompact .45.

[ileus]

38. I've shot and really like the 36....

but I have a compact 45 already....even if it is a pt145. ;(

[gravity556]

36. Indeed-pistols are pistols, rifles are rifles.

And for the love of pete, make sure your weapons have lights on them. Learn to use them in low light. Practice clearing jams, practice cover and retreat, and practice putting rounds on target.

[spin]

32. .38 special revolver ...

or DAO (double action only) semi-auto.

In an emergency use the KISS principle(Keep it Simple, Stupid). With a revolver and most DAO semi-autos, you pull the trigger and the weapon makes a loud noise. There is no safety to forget to thumb off. The trigger pull is long and heavy and helps to eliminate an accidental discharge caused by a light trigger pull coupled with your adrenaline flow in an real life and death encounter. (Note: if you use a revolver for self defense learn to shoot double action. Cocking the revolver reduces the weight of the trigger pull to a level where adrenaline might cause you to fire accidentally. Of course, you should keep your finger off the trigger until you are sure that you face a lethal threat, and you should never point the muzzle of the firearm at anything that you do not want to destroy.)

.38 special because firing a .357 mag in a house without hearing protection might cause permanent hearing damage. With proper ammo, the .38 special will stop an attacker reliably.

An alternative is a .45 acp revolver for home defense. Once again you have the advantage of simplicity but with the .45 acp you have a round known for stopping power. It is a large weapon (possible too large for people with small hands) and the weight helps to reduce recoil. The fact that the ammo can be loaded into full moon clips means that the weapon can be reloaded faster than using a speed loader to reload the typical revolver. S&W makes such a revolver.


S&W Model 625

A shotgun is also an excellent home defense weapon IF you are willing to find cover and wait for the attacker to come to you. In a home environment a shotgun is an awkward firearm to clear a house with and offers an attacker a better opportunity to grab the barrel of the weapon and disarm you.

Waiting for your attacker behind cover is always a good idea. For example, assume you are in your bedroom and your bedroom door is locked. You hear noises that indicate that an intruder is in your home. Call the police on your cell phone and take cover behind your bed with your weapon of choice aimed in a safe direction but toward your bedroom door. If the intruder breaks the door down and makes entry, you have time to be absolutely certain that he is not a person who should be in your home before you shoot.

There are situations where it might be necessary for you to check out your home. Playing Wyatt Earp is a bad idea as an intruder may hear you coming, take cover and ambush you.

I live in a very large home which once was a hotel. A fairly large number of people are in and out of this home at all hours of the day and night as we often have roomers. There have been times when I have heard a truly suspicious noise and staying in my bedroom means that I might be leaving my family at risk. I drop my .38 snub nosed revolver in my shorts pocket and wander out of my bedroom to check the situation out. My hand is in my pocket on the revolver. Fortunately so far on the occasions where I have done this, the noise was innocent. I encounter an individual who has the right to be in my home and all he sees is an old guy with a limp and his hand in his pocket. I get a glass of water and return to my bedroom. The incident ends far more peacefully than if I had left my bedroom with a large handgun in my hand or a shotgun. I have no desire to scare the shit out of someone who is just an innocent visitor.

[GreenStormCloud]

39. .45 Auto, SIG-Sauer P220 w/ Crimson Trace Laser. N/T

[oneshooter]

64. Same, but with night sights and no laser. Loving Wife has her Commander 45

and we both have longarms. Me a AR with 20rds of 50gr JHP and 30 od green tip on the stock, her a Hi-Point 995 with a ten round mag and 2 mote on the stock. Federal 145gr +p ammo.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[burf]

41. I am partial to semi auto

I have a Taurus 809 in 9mm. It is less expensive than say a Glock or a Sig, but works well. 4 inch barrel, 17 round magazine. All controls are ambidextrous so it fit both right and left hand shooters. It also has a double strike capability where if you have a round in the chamber, pull the trigger and it does not go off, you can pull the trigger again to fire. Sometimes the cartridge will fire on the second attempt.

I also have a Springfield Armory XDM 5.25 in 9mm. I only recently purchased it and have only fired it once. This will be rectified as soon as all my winter firewood is cut. The 5.25 is simply great to shoot, more accurate and presents a better sight radius because of the longer barrel length. It is quite a bit more expensive than the Taurus, but as I said, it is a heck of a weapon.

A couple of recommendations. Go to a reputable guns shop to get information. If they treat you like you are a dummy cause you ask questions, go somewhere else. Whatever type weapon you choose, the number one thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. When you are in a serious situation, if you don't know how the weapon operates, its a bad time to try and figure it out. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[RSillsbee]

42. Ultimately they are the same gun

Assuming the revolver has no active safety you point and shoot.

[Starboard Tack]

43. Depends what kind of invasion you're anticipating.

A good roach spray should suffice for most.

[Lurks Often]

58. In a just world you would be held legally liable

for providing such lousy advice.

[Straw Man]

68. Have you given up on flare guns?

Or is that your back-up?

[SteveM]

89. That's why I let spiders and geckos roam freely in my house. nt

[RSillsbee]

45. Trunk Monkey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM9HsyZpREk

[Uncle Omar]

70. Yes to the Trunk Monkey

A good option

[RSillsbee]

75. For your enjoyment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCUBxgdKZ_Y

More trunk monkey

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

47. Semiauto AK... VERY reliable & 30 RIFLE rounds

I keep a Glock 19 (9mm) and AK next to the bed at night.

[PETRUS]

49. Are those my only choices?

Why not a 12 gauge loaded with #4 buck?

[krispos42]

53. Taurus Judge/ S&W Governor: .410 shotshell loaded with #4 buck

or whatever. ;-)

[bvar22]

50. I prefer a 357 revolver...

..for hiking in bear country and 2nd choice for home defense.

I want something LOUD, that requires no thinking, has no safety,
that can be reached & used with one hand, either hand, without cocking,
while in the grasp if necessary,
...just start cranking the trigger.

Primary Home Defense is the Pump 12ga,
but I don't want to carry that while hiking.

[spin]

65. Be aware that if you use .357 ammo indoors without ear protection ...

you may suffer permanent hearing damage and the muzzle flash from the weapon could result in temporary vision impairment.

Of course, you could make a good argument that it's far better to suffer some after effects such as a ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) and successfully stop an attack as opposed to being seriously injured or ending up in a graveyard.

I like a .38+p for indoor self defense as it is almost as effective as a .357 magnum at close range, may not over penetrate and it will cause a little less damage to my hearing.

A quick and fair article on the subject can be viewed at:
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/357_self-defense.htm

[SteveM]

90. My Ruger Service Six .357 has an "action bar" which allows complete loading...

without the danger of a cartridge firing because of dropping the gun on its hammer. Does yours have this device? I believe that most revolver manufacturers have been making this type of safety device for decades, now.

[Lurks Often]

57. Provide more information

You have not provided enough detail for a good answer:
Do you live in a house or condo/apartment?
Do you have children in the house or visiting regularly?
Do you have any physical impairments that might impact you're ability to use a specific gun (rotator cuff injuries, arthritis in the hands, etc)?
How much time do you plan to spend practicing?
Will you be the only person likely to use the firearm?

All of these questions are important.

Absent knowing the answers, my response is to skip the handgun for home defense and go with a good 12 gauge pump. The Mossberg 500 & the Remington 870 are both reputable shotguns for home defense.
Federal Personal Defense in #4 Buck is a good choice for a house.

If you live in an apartment then MY personal choice would be something that holds a BB or BBB sized shot to reduce the chances of shooting through a wall. It should be effective inside of 30 feet which is really the longest distance you are likely to face in apartment. If distances are likely to be more then 30 feet then go with the #4 Buck

The reason for the shotgun is the under high degrees of stress, most people shoot a shotgun or rifle better then a handgun.

[gejohnston]

63. compromise?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webley-Fosbery_Automatic_Revolver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mateba_Autorevolver

Why not a
.44 special? .38 super? five-seven? OK, they are unusual. Personally, I always liked the .38 super.

[Hoyt]

67. I would consider which one is least likely to wound you or your family. Buy that one if you gotta.

Then, I'd lock it away. And for pete's sake, don't carry it in public.

Good luck.

[Straw Man]

73. A nerf gun should fit the bill.

And yes, by all means, lock it up.

[jeepnstein]

83. Get both!

Someone had to say it.

[Uncle Omar]

69. Depends where you live and your level of training.

All in all the best home defence for a new gun owner is a pump 12GA shot gun.

[ileus]

72. If you buy something like a glock 23, you can also use it as a concealed carry weapon.

[aikoaiko]

74. I still recommend revolvers for true novices who are not likely to practice at the range.

For home defense a S&W/Ruger .38/357 with a 4 inch barrel can be had inexpensively or a S&W 627 performance center revolver if you have the cash. I want the later.

But if you can get to the range once a month (or more) and shoot 50 rounds each time, then a Glock 19 in 9mm is great all-around pistol. With quality 124 gr jacketed hollow points, you can get effective terminal ballistics.

[Francis Marion]

76. Consider the user.

A 38 revolver affords middle-of-the-spectrum punch and simplicity of use by persons of small body size, is somewhat slow to reload compared to an automatic.

The 9mm requires more range time to achieve proficiency, provides more shots, comparable punch, faster reloading.

But if you're reloading during (not after) a home defense situation, things are getting bad.

Ease of use: 38 revolver wins in my view.
-No safety to manipulate.
-Intuitive method of function.
-Upper body strength and hand grip strength requirements are less than for a Glock. Age, gender, body size, mental temperament (willingness to learn how to use the firearm proficiently) are all relevant.

Terminal performance: I wouldn't want to get shot with either one. Have no facts to offer here. Ammunition can be chosen for its intended purpose- self defense- to inflict maximum damage on an attacker.

So this home defense weapon should be chosen considering user body and mindset parameters (age, size, physical strength, willingness to practice, et al.) The user should spend adequate time and money to achieve and maintain proficiency with the chosen weapon.

That said, a law enforcement friend, when asked, said that he uses a 12 guage shotgun for home defense. Why? Because that weapon delivers a massive wound into the cardiopulmonary system of an attacker, depriving them of blood circulation, and therefore consciousness, fast. Unlike Hollywood, where people drop lifeless the instant they're struck by a bullet, in the real world even mortally wounded criminals may have several seconds, minutes, or hours worth of access to full strength and consciousness within which period they remain a threat to you. They will not magically drop when shot, necessarily.

For a person of any body size or age, a 38 can be a good choice.

For a person of suitable body strength, willing to learn how to use it, the Glock or 38 are viable.

caveat: 2" barrel concealed carry 38s can be very unpleasant to shoot and a person may be disinclined to practice. 4" barrels are more comfortable to shoot than 2" models. So try things out before buying- range rentals, borrowing from friends, etc.

Seek formal instruction in the home defense use of the chosen pistol.

[tortoise1956]

78. If you decide on a handgun,

then I would recommend a revolver. The chances of a malfunction that would prevent being able to fire are pretty much nonexistent, whereas with a wheelgun if a round doesn't fire you merely pull the trigger again. The only advantage that a semi-auto gives you is an increase in ammunition, and if you need more than 6 shots(or 5, depending on what you buy), then you are in a world of hurt.

I keep a 12-gauge Mossberg pump shotgun sitting by the nightstand, for two reasons. First, the odds of completely missing an intruder within 15 feet is very low. Second, the sound of a shotgun being racked is very recognizable. I would be willing to bet that merely chambering a shell would put the fear of God in the average criminal, and might even cause them to rethink their course of action.

If the revolver is chambered for .357, use that instead of .38 special. That will give you a hefty increase in firepower. I would take the Glock and trade it in for a Springfield XD .40, or maybe a baseball bat...

[YllwFvr]

80. wierd things can happen

That could leave you wanting. I saw a video of an officer in a shoot out. He got the perp five times center of mass with a 357 magnum. The perp shot the offer once with a 22.

Cop died, hit under the arm and in the aorta. The perp lived. Rare? Oh yeah. It was shocking. The bad guy is lying on the ground and fairly immobile at maybe 10 feet when the cop shot him. The cop was hit in motion as he cleared the vehicle to get cover.
I choose a 357 myself at home. But I can't imagine qualifying with it so for work I carry a glock 17.

[We_Have_A_Problem]

84. If i have to choose one for home defense....

I'll go with the revolver. It is simpler to use. Cannot jam. Misfires are fixed by pulling the trigger again. No safety to be concerned with.

[montanto]

86. Prefer semi-autos, but I don't care for the Glock.

I keep a 1911 and a magazine of Win silvertips handy. I used to keep my 4" S/W 586 combat magnum on standby, but I like that I can keep the magazine out of the 1911 and still feel like its ready in second. I don't have kids, and none come around, so that isn't an issue, I just don't like loaded guns in the house. Glocks are fine weapons, but they just don't feel right to me. Sticking to the choice presented I'd go with the .38.

[benEzra]

92. I prefer a semiauto, but neither is a bad choice.

Some revolvers are more powerful than comparable sized semiautos (e.g., .357) but they are also some of the loudest of all firearms and the muzzle blast/flash is severe, and many have very low capacities. On the other hand, they tend to be quite accurate and are among the simplest of all firearms to use, and the fact that they are so easily to verify as loaded/unloaded makes them very good choices for beginning shooters.

As far as reliability, the reliability difference compared to modern locking-breech semiautos in good condition is often exaggerated; revolvers can and do fail to fire, and many revolvers will stop functioning after the sixth shot with 100% certainty.

Since in a defense-of-home scenario you are generally going to be limited to the rounds actually in the gun for both defense and reserve, my own preference is something with decent reserve capacity, and I'll gladly trade a little less power and/or a little more complexity for that reserve.

Here's my current choice, an older Smith & Wesson Model 5906 9mm. It is considerably less powerful than (say) a .357, but it holds 18 rounds and is very reliable.



Having said that, I'd love to own something like a S&W 686 in .357. :)

[Kennah]

96. Any gun will do, if you will do.