Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Looking for home defense handgun

I'm 90 years old. I have various pistols stashed throughout my house and have a CCW with 3 specified on it. I always have one of those on me, favorite being an S&W 642 for pocket carry. The semi autos are all racked and ready to pull the trigger, except those with a safety. The 642 (38 sp.) is a dream to shoot. Can't see agonizing about which gun. They aren't that difficult to shoot, even with arthritis like I have, especially in the trigger finger. If he can shoot any gun, most any that pleases him should do.

I keep it simple. Ruger LCR .357 loaded with Critical Defense 38 + Hornady

A Simple single action Black Hawk in 44 Mag. wouldn't have an automatic as a home protection gun.

Phil

A sensible setup would be along the lines of a Glock 17, with tritium sights and a TLR-7 light.

You may want to spend some quality time with him to practice perimeter security, weapon acquisition time, threat determination, line-of-sight, bullet trajectory scenarios and SAFE dry firing exercises to avoid spouse and neighbor casualty potentials.

I would take him out with a Glock 19 and see how he does with it out to 2-10 yards. A 8" paper plate will tell all you need to know. See if he can manipulate the weapon, mag changes, both speed and tactical, malfunction clearances, etc. Then see how he does shooting it quickly.

A 9mm is easier to shoot then most other more "powerful" handgun cartridges. The bullets and available loads are vastly improved over the last 15 years. Ammo is cheaper and that may lead to more trigger time. Multiple hits in center mass are always called for. No one shot stops, save that for the movies and deer hunting. I also like the single stack 10 round Glock 48 and it may fit the hand better then a double stack. Get 6 quality magazines and mag carrier, holster, flash light and I keep a tourniquet in my night stand.

I have had a 3" S&W K frame .357 mag. for over 30 years and it shots wonderfully. Mostly I have fired +P .38 Special rounds through it. A good home defense weapon.

Often overlooked is your post shooting plan. It should not be neglected and one has to know what the laws says. Know what you will and won't say to responding officers and what attorney you will use. Some states still put a home owners right to defend them selves a priority. Other then Florida I can't think of another one on the East or West coast though. So check and see if your state has a "castle doctrine" & "stand your ground" law.

Good for him for wanting to be responsible for his own personal safety, I know I am.

Bingo,best old farts defensive handgun made.

I have a Glock 19 and a 4” Ruger Security Six... I’d find a used Security Six, or its new equivalent.

I keep one of my 1911's in my nightstand all the time. Typically have a scattergun in the closet too.

Smith and Wesson has relased the M&P 2.0 EZ in 9mm. I'm thinking about one of these for my youngest daughter's nursing school graduation present!

Elk Country

Glock 17, I really don't know why you would by anything else! Simple, rugged and reliable.

Best primary defense is having a dog in the house even a little Chihuahua. Otherwise an intruder can be standing over your bed before you even realize they are there leaving little chance of grabbing a gun. Then I don't want anything to worry about fumbling around with a magazine, chambering, or safety's.

Phil

I second getting a dog, just enough alarm so you can find your gun. Mine woke me at 2 AM this morning, it seems something was trying to get at my chickens!

Mine is a stainless single action Ruger Super Blackhawk with 7" barrel and loaded with hollow points.

Phil

Had a new shooter here today. She had never fired a pistol in her life. I brought out a 22 revolver, a S&W 686, a S&W 380EZ, and a S&W Bodyguard 380. After much shooting, she decided the S&W 380EZ was the one for her, though she did very well with the 686 and 38 Special wadcutters, shooting both single and double action. Turns out that she’s just one of those people that can shoot.

For an older fellow or a woman, that 380EZ has got to be the best choice in semi pistols. I would like to try the 9mm version of that pistol.

One of the first things you and I agree on, I can't hear [bleep] anymore but NOTHING moves at night in my house my dog doesn't hear reports immediately in a growl and bark that will wake the dead. MB

Don't believe in lights either. None outside or inside. Looking out from my darkened house, outside looks like daylight. pretty much the same inside, someone walks into a darkened house from outside is at a disadvantage.

Phil

Simply - whatever fits HIM !!!
Try a few.
A 380 he can shoot beats the heck out of a 45 he can't operate.

Single action revolver and no lights.

Brilliant. Have you ever shot anything at night with the combo?

Great advice, do a little googling to see reviews, most of the reviews are extremely good.