Posted on Feb 5, 2016
Which handgun would you recommend to someone with little or no firearms training or experience, for home protection?
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Let's eliminate the obvious. He has already been presented with the pros and cons of firearm ownership and the various arguments over the 2nd Amendment, and made his informed choice to purchase and keep a firearm for home defense. Of course I recommended that he obtain professional training in the proper maintenance and safe handling of whatever he purchases.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
Firearms and Guns
Firearms Sales
Home Defense
Concealed Carry
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 160
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New gun buyer for home defense? Handgun? A .38 Special snub-nosed revolver would my first advice. Big enough to be effective and simple enough to learn is a couple of short sessions. Immediate action drill is pulling the trigger again. Model depends on how much he wants to spend. On the cheaper side, a Charter Arms or Taurus. Doesn't care to drop some cash, a Ruger or S&W. If he isn't hung up about concealable, my other suggestions would be a shotgun. My choice is a pump, but even a double barrel can be a real deterrent.
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As a retired Police Firearms training Officer I wouldn’t recommend any firearm at this time. I would recommend going to the Indoor ranges and working with the on sight Firearms Instructor and have the instructor work with the person with several different firearms to find a match. Safety and Security
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A firearm in untrained hands is just as deadly to the owner as it is to any threat to said owner. That being said....
One of the best home defense with little training weapons is a pump action shotgun. It is easy to load, function, and fire. A 20 gauge has plenty of stopping power, even with birdshot, and is not as likely to over penetrate. The ammunition can be from small birdshot, to buckshot, or slugs.
Once again though, there is no firearm made that requires no training to own and use safely.
One of the best home defense with little training weapons is a pump action shotgun. It is easy to load, function, and fire. A 20 gauge has plenty of stopping power, even with birdshot, and is not as likely to over penetrate. The ammunition can be from small birdshot, to buckshot, or slugs.
Once again though, there is no firearm made that requires no training to own and use safely.
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Actually the choice is relatively simple for either an less experienced person who has had little firearms training, and for someone who is experienced but is suddenly awoken and faced with an intruder. In this case my choice is, and remains a revolver with a 2" barrel chambered in 38/357. My wife is very comfortable with this weapon and it is sufficiently accurate to put two round into the chest of an intruder at 10-15 feet. It's a bit of a handful when loaded with 357, but 38 Special hollow points are a potent man-stoping alternative. A small framed revolver is easily reached from a shelf 7 feet up. Our grandchildren have been shown this weapon and taught to never touch it. However, they have no idea where is is stored, therefore their curiosity index is next to nil. They have also been told if they find a gun to: stop, leave the area, and tell an adult. We are both experienced shooters with a variety of autoloader in 22 RF, 9mm, 40 Cal, 45 ACP, as well as a variety of revolvers in 357, 44 Mag all safely tucked away in a gun safe. All, of course except for our little J-Framed S&W.
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