Originally Posted by lolvtec
Even among the gun enthusiasts posting in this thread there is a bit of bad information.. for instance, spread out of a 18.5" 12ga shotgun barrel shooting buckshot down the longest hallway in your home is going to be about as large as your fist.
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Well a fist is better than a dime and you won't over penetrate.
Bottom line Danny is you need to find the gun that's right for you and your wife. As said before, the main thing you need to do is put a few guns in your hand and hers. Come up with what you feel is best for you and her. After that it's range time to get accurate with it. Run scenarios where you have to grab the gun quickly and fire one shot. See where you're at. Try it again and again. Just like anything it takes practice. To me, this is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Hopefully you'll never have to use it but if you do you need to make sure you are both ready.
Different people will have different views on what works best for them and they are probably not wrong, but it might not be what is best for you. Personally I believe a shotgun is the best home defense weapon. 2nd to a 22 magnum. I can get to it quickly and while you do still have to aim you're more likely to hit something with a shotgun than a pistol under less than optimal conditions. Also a significantly less chance of hitting or killing someone you don't want to.
I made a little personal pros and cons list for different weapons. I've fired all the weapons I list here. Most multiple times. I'm sure people can nit pick this and more power to them. This is my opinion on these weapons.
22 Magnum Auto Highly recommended as a home defense pistol.
Pros:
Small and light
Accurate
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children
Can hold up to 31 rounds. Big pro...lots of bullets means more of a chance to hit your target without having to reload and reset.
Little/No recoil. Makes it more accurate for less experienced shooters
Not likely to over penetrate
Quiet gun
Easy and fast reloads
Cons:
Smallest round
Not a lot of stopping power (however it seems to be once a target it hit they tend to stop coming)
PITA to clean
380 Auto SubCompact My choice for carry. My wife can put all rounds on target pretty quickly.
Pros:
Small and light
Small recoil but smaller/lighter gun means more kick
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children. It fits in my pocket
380 is good round with plenty of stopping power
Easy to operate however they can jam and can be a problem resetting for an inexperienced operate.
Easy and fast reload
Cons:
Small round
More of a chance of over penetration
Most sub compacts only hold 6 rounds
Less accurate than a large frame pistol
Mild recoil
Long trigger pull (no safety or "trigger safety") can cause you to pull too hard and go off target
Can jam
PITA to clean
9 auto Most popular pistol. Great overall gun.
Pros:
Large frame 9mm are very accurate
Powerful round
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children
Easy to operate
Quick trigger pull. Less likely to pull shot to one side.
Most can hold 17-18 but can hold more
Easy and fast reloads
Cons:
Small round
Very quick round. Can easily over penetrate.
Can jam. Inexperienced user can have difficultly resetting.
PITA to clean
40/45 Auto Two different guns but I think the pro/cons are the same.
Pros:
Large round
Very good stopping power. One and done.
Most hold 16-18 rounds for large frame. I think 9-10 for smaller frame.
Quick trigger
Accurate. More so in larger frames.
Easy and fast reloads
Cons:
Mild/Large Recoil
Can easily over penetrate
Smaller guns have smaller round count
Loud. Can be deafening in small room.
PITA to clean
44 Magnum Auto
Pros:
Very accurate
Very powerful stopping power. One and done.
8 Rounds but can hold more. Only need one.
Has some weight to it which generally helps with feel and accuracy.
Cons:
Weight. Can be too heavy for inexperienced user.
Larger gun. Harder to conceal.
Easily over penetrate
Mild/Large recoil
Very loud. In a small room it would be deafening.
.38 Revolver
Pros:
Small and light
Easy to conceal from small children
Easy to clean
Mild recoil
Easiest type of gun to use. Doesn't mean you're a good shot with it though.
Good round
Will never jam
Cons:
Long and usually hard trigger pull. Causes inaccuracy issues.
Most only carry 5-7 rounds.
Can over penetrate
Slow reload
357 Magnum Revolver
Pros:
Very accurate
Can hold either 357 or .38 round
Can hold "snake shot" round for more spread and less penetration
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Can not jam
Cons:
Large gun. Harder to conceal.
7 Rounds
357 or .38 round can over penetrate
Slow reload
Very loud
Shotguns
20g Shotgun
Pros:
Great stopping power
With short barrel plenty of spread in short distance
Mild Recoil. I can one hand shoot with accuracy quickly.
Autos/pump can hold 5-7 rounds
Can use multiple types of rounds
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Autos can throw shells very quickly
Not likely to over penetrate unless using large buck shot or slugs
Cons:
Bulky and nearly impossible to hide away
Loud
Very slow reload
12g Shotgun
Pros:
Great stopping power
With a short barrel plenty of spread in short distance
Holds 7 shells
Can use multiple types of rounds
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Autos can throw shells very quickly
Not likely to over penetrate unless using large buck shot or slugs
Cons:
Large Recoil with pistol grip. Mild/large with stock
Bulky and nearly impossible to hide away
Very slow reload
Very loud
I hope this helps and isn't too redundant.
Let's go shoot some.