[piytar]

Home defense? You 9mm is OK. Get Hornady Critical Defense or XTP rounds for it, and you are good to go.

That said, if you don’t have a 12 guage shotgun, get one. Preferably a pump. The sound of a shell being chambered will make most thugs wet themselves and run (have been there). If they don’t, it’s the ultimate close quarters home defense weapon.

If you already have a 12 guage, I’ll defer to other Freepers re handgun choice. (My preferred is a .357 magnum wheel gun, but you stated that wheel guns are out.)

[smokingfrog]

10mm is probably overkill, but sure sounds like a lot of fun.
Uncle Ted seems to like his 10.

I like the Glock 23.

[Krankor]

I prefer the ED-209 for home protection.

[USNBandit]

If you are looking to carry concealed, I liked the baby Glocks. I've tried several other guns, but that was the easiest to conceal, decent capacity, very reliable.

I've always felt that the .45 has more of a push type recoil and the .40 is more of a slap type recoil. Both are manageable for most shooters with reasonable hand strength.

I am in federal law enforcement now and carry an HK P2000 SK as a concealed gun. It's okay, but the Glock was smaller. We have also had problems with corrosion on the HK since some of our agents are on the water a lot.

[Rashputin]

I had and practiced with a Browning for years but needed something a bit smaller. I got an H&K USP Compact in .40 and practicing with it was a very easy transition from my Browning. I didn't have to get used to a new feel or something. At any rate, I'm very pleased with my H&K and got a full size USP as well to carry as my sidearm when I go hunting. The full size USP is a change from the Browning, but the Compact didn't seem to be, go figure.

You need to go somewhere and try out several different things if you can. What you got used to and transitioning to something new is the biggest thing. I have friends who had a hard time getting used to something new and others who tried a half dozen different things before they could shed the handgun they first got used to. So, everyone has an opinion but what fits you is the most important thing.

Regards

[HushTX]

I know jack about firearms. At least right now. In theory, BCT will change that. ;-)

Still, I want to get something for my wife, so maybe some FReepers can chime in as to what is a good option for a 4’10 woman with small hands. My brother has given some great advice, but I enjoy talking to people about this stuff.

Heck, if anyone that reads this is in the DFW area, I’d like to get to know you folks as I want some shooting buddies for my wife to go with while I am away.

Cheers!

[shibumi]

I recommend baby steps. Try this one next:

[count-your-change]

Colt 50 cal. revolver.

[60Gunner]

Others here may laugh, but I like my Bersa Thunder .380 for close personal protection. It's accurate (I can nail a small bullseye in the black at 30 feet one-handed with it), it's ridiculously easy to maintain, and my Corbon DPX rounds can penetrate 14 inches into ballistic gelatin and mushroom quite nicely, thank you. Plus I can pack it and nobody will ever know it.

It's like a friend of mine (who happens to be a firearms expert with my local PD) says: "Spreading is nice, but it's all about penetration, baby."

Should anyone here discount my fondness for the larger caliber, I used to swing both the M-60 and M1911, and would have married them both if the Army (and polygamy laws, I guess) had let me.

[chuckles]

For home protection, I use a Colt Combat Commander in .45. I just don't like a Glock and I like large lead. A .40 would be good, I suppose, but why not just go on the the .45? If I was a Cop on duty, I would look at the Sig .357 or the 10mm. Flatter shooting with good knock down. As it is, I use 185 grn or 200 grn HP in my .45 when I target shoot at any distance. Shooting down a hallway in a house, the 230HP is like throwing a sinker into someones chest.

Longer barrels are always better than short unless you are trying to conceal it. Conceal Carry almost demands a short barrel. If it's something in the nightstand drawer, I would go with longer for the sight radius and heft.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I see you already have a shotgun,,,

Mossberg ?,,,

I bought a Model 88 a while back,,,8 shot(2 3/4”)

It holds about $40.00 worth of Flechettes,,,
(www.rareammo.com)

Can't beat that up close with a tommygun!,,,

I guess I'm like many folks around here,,,

1911 all the way,,,

A pocket full of mag’s and your good to go...

[Quiller]

For home defense? A handgun more robust than a 9mm? Not necessary, so your desire for a heavier caliber goes beyond home defense — carry? Competition? Esthetics? Which of those is the primary motivation should drive your decision.
That being said, a home defense handgun is notoriously under-maintained and poorly secured (not saying you in particular, just the public in general). So honesty in consideration of those two factors should weigh in your choice.
A home defense handgun is most commonly used in a crisis situation, not a deliberate response. So something you (or your spouse / kid / partner can grab and use safely, effectively, and reliably should be the next thought. When the adrenaline’s pumping, a single-action trigger can be a dangerous thing.
Finally, try to find something that is comfortable to shoot and points naturally for you. To be competent with it means practice, and if it is uncomfortable to shoot, or it makes you look like Barney at the range, you are not going to practice. And pointing naturally (pick a target, close your eyes, bring the pistol up to where you think the pistol is aiming at it, then open your eyes — how far off is it?) is a good thing in a darkened home regardless of what sights you have on it.
But for one of the other considerations, you have other factors to work out. Esthetics? In the eye of the beholder, and you want to show it off. Competition? Depends on the sport. Carry? Weight, location, access, comfort level.
Good luck with your shopping.

[Joe Boucher]

Kimber 1911 .45 with built in laser.
Put some hollow point teflon tipped bullets in her and knock down a bear.

[FlGoldwingGuy]

I think a shotgun is a very good idea. Before my TRAGIC boating accident where the boat tipped over..and everything was deep sixed..I had a Saiga 12 semi auto 12 gauge. It did lack that outstanding sound of shotgun being racked. However it threw lots of lead at the zombie that came in the door..very quickly! (Phew..I kept everything in the past tense.)

Flgoldwingguy

[imjimbo]

Rethink your decision regarding revolvers. NO handgun is safer or more dependable. Double action is the way to go. Many calibers to choose from. .38 Special should be the minimum for human targets. Hope this helps, and that you never need the gun, but are always prepared if you do-!

[Tainan]

If you have a Browning Hi-Power, the HP, you already have one of the finest defensive handguns made. In functioning, natural 'point-ability' (ergonomics) and ease of operation under stress it sits at the top of the pile, along with the venerable Colt Model 1911 and its clones.
It was was designed by John M. Browning and that says about everything you need to know to calm your fears or worries about its use.
My preferred 'serious social use' ammunition for the HP was Federal 9BP. I don't even know if its still around. But there have been later cartridge offerings that should fill whatever need you might have.
Personally, I prefer the .45 acp, I like the Combat Commander, it has the shorter barrel you mention, and also a sportified Officers model. But if you already have a HP, you have no need to worry - They work.

Shot placement is everything - Practice Practice Practice...its fun also!

[Blueflag]

You’ve received a lot of good advice.

I prefer a large .45 semi — my Sig P220 fits my hand perfectly. And with a ProMag magazine in it, It’ll hold 9 rounds. Plenty for home defense. Plus I keep an extra mag with the pistol in the bio-metric gun safe bolted to the bed.

MY thought is that you should get a .45 with the right self defense rounds in it. But more importantly get the .45 you’ll take to the range a lot and become both confident and competent in its use. Shoot enough so that you have reliable, dependable combat accuracy at 12 - 25 feet. In other words you hit your 12” aim point circles with two or three shot groups at the fastest pace you can maintain accuracy. The practice at the range with a variety of rental guns will help you get a feel for which gun is right for you.

Also, get the tritium or other glowing sights (or pop for the built-in flashlight/laser) and practice taking aim in your darkened home at likely defense points. Just so you know what’s it’s like to “aim” at what you can’t really see - and what you won’t really have time to get a good sight picture on before you HAVE to make the choice to fire (or not).

[Eye of Unk]

For close quarter living areas like where you have neighbors I would suggest .45 or .40 frangibles.

Where I live in rural Alaska where two and four footed vermin wear heavy winter coats its a maxed out 10mm Glock for me.

[bmwcyle]

Good home defense is quick access to a gun. That usually takes more than one gun place around the house.

[Jim Noble]

Here's my theory about home defense:

The most important thing is consistently hitting the target while scared shitless.

It is not "stopping power", it has nothing to do with ballistic gelatin or watermelons on youtube.

If you miss, you're probably going to get killed, perhaps with your own gun.

Taking that into account, try a number of different loads at the range, if you can arrange a session where you are placed under stress, so much the better.

There's a reason more bad guys die from 9mm rounds than any other - find out what it is before you quit it.