My circumstances are there:
I’m an old guy and I live alone with a small dog, who sleeps in my bed with me.
Years ago, for self defense, I bought a Maverick 88. 12 gauge with an 18 1/2 inch barrel. I have it loaded with 00 shells right next to my bed. Slide the safety off and I’m ready to fire.
But it’s in the bedroom, and if someone breaks in during the day, it’s out of reach for me in every other room in the house.
So, I want a handgun that I can have with me all the time. (Well, I don’t think I’ll take it into the bathroom while I shower, because the moisture would be bad for it.)
The reason I have the 12 gauge with 00 shells is because I want to be able to kill any intruder I see in the house. I want to be able to kill any intruder I see in the house with a handgun, also.
A few years ago, I visited a friend who has a 40 acre ranch and he has several handguns. The one I liked most was an old .38. I have no idea of the make or manufacturer. But I shot it well and was comfortable doing so.
Now, go. What models of handguns should I look at?
Should be: My circumstances are these:
Your shotgun is adequate.
For a handgun we can probably give you a better choice if we knew some things.
Do you have arthritis in your hands? How much can you afford to spend? How large are your hands?
Want a nice .38 revolver?A S&W model 15 or 19 might be right for you.Smooth actions,accurate and reliable.Plus you can use .357 in the model 19.
Check out the Ruger SP-101 revolver in stainless steel. It’s a bit overbuilt, but the weight helps tame recoil - and bathroom humidity won’t damage it.
Look at Ruger GP 100 .357
Beautiful and easy.
Shoot .38 and “Snake Shot.”
Get another shotty, but a “short” shotty, and use #4, 5, or 6 shells to tag the perp with at least a couple bb’s on the first shot, then finish with subsequent shots.
“...kill any intruder...”
Some places it’s not legal to shoot to kill, it’s only legal to shoot to stop an unlawful act. If stopping the unlawful act results in the death of the actor, well, things happen.
If a statement that you intend to “shoot to kill” can be attached to your real name, that could be used against you in court if it gets that far.
If you want to stop someone from doing an unlawful act, two to the chest and one to the head will usually suffice.