“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-!”
This man speaks the truth. If you’re not going to extensively practice with the gun (clearing malfunctions etc) a revolver is the way to go. Simple to use under stress and if it doesn’t go bang all you have to do is pull the trigger again.
A couple of other comments...
1) Don’t get hung up on lasers. The primary benefit of a laser is to increase the profit margin of the manufacturer. I’m a big believer that it’s faster to bring the gun up and to acquire a proper sight picture than it is to search your background for a red dot while also tracking your attacker who will be moving fast. Keep the gun simple and your shooting technique as repetitive as possible.
2) Shotguns are great HD weapons. If you’re going to use one use 00 buck - not bird shot. Also, don’t buy into the “the sound of racking the pump will scare them away” comment. That’s bad tactical advice. If someone’s in your home you should assume that person means you harm and the last thing you want to do is give away your exact position.
3) If you do go with an auto pistol, the HiPower is an excellent gun from an ergonomic standpoint. My advice would be to send it to Cylinder and Slide for an action job to smooth out the trigger and a reliability job to minimize malfunctions. My advice would be the same for any 1911 - action job and reliability package. However, for autos I would recommend a Glock in 9mm (G17/34 for home or 19/26 if you want to carry concealed). They are cheap, simple to use, reliable, have a very low bore axis which minimizes muzzle flip, and have the same trigger pull -no DA/SA. I recommend 9mm because that’s what the platform was designed for and seems to function the best with.
Finally, caliber is not as important as shot placement. The minimum I would recommend is 9mm or 38SPC. Going up the ladder only increases one shot stop percentages by a point or two. So, you’re trading recoil management and faster follow-ups for ~94% (40SW) one shot stops versus ~90-92% (9mm). Shot placement is king.
Hope this helps.
Great post,,,
One of my teachers when I was young was Bill Jordan,,,
He only used a .357 magnum,,,wheel gun,,,
His book “No Second Place Winner” is a great read,,,
(if you can find a copy),,,