Self defense pistol recommendations.

[Moosecreek]

Check out the used market for a Ruger SP 101 357 or 38+P VERY reliable and sturdy revolver.. practice with it often and make it your own… Good luck

 

[Arcola]

43x is my everyday carry and does everything I need it to. That said, go handle several guns in the size you think you want, based on your needs. See what fits best, then research reliability, etc.

Smith M&P is also a strong contender. 9mm is the obvious choice for many, many reasons. Bullets matter more than cartridges. However, my wife carries a 22mag that holds 30 rounds and recoils absolutely zero. That may be one of the most fun guns I’ve ever shot.

To your point about not putting boxes and boxes of ammo through it: Buy something you’ll actually practice with. A gun that you’re not intimately familiar with is completely useless, especially in the stressful situations that necessitate its use. Both cartridges I’ve mentioned are cheap to practice with.

 

[Bigjay73]

My EDC is a Sheild Plus and I would ask a newer shooter to shoot a compact and a full size side by side. Compacts are quite a bit snappier than a full size pistol and can be uncomfortable and harder to shoot accurately until you solidify your grip.

 

[Bigjay73]

Check out the used market for a Ruger SP 101 357 or 38+P VERY reliable and sturdy revolver.. practice with it often and make it your own… Good luck

Makes doing dry fire exercises a heck of a lot easier as well!

 

[Blue Steel]

Also depends if you want a striker fired or hammer fired semi auto. Pros and cons to each, and other differences such as when reholstering a loaded striker fired pistol, versus reholstering a hammer fired one (when doing so, you can put your thumb on the hammer to ensure the trigger isnt catching on anything). Glocks are striker fired.

Some striker fired pistols have a manual safety, like certain variants of the the Sig P365 and S&W M&P Shield.

I’ve had both, along with Glocks and several other makes. For a subcompact pistol, the S&W Shield is solid. I have one in .45 (7 rounds, with manual safety) but not as easy to find a holster for it, as for a 9mm Shield. And in at least a few anecdotal youtube videos by an ex military guy who goes by the name Garand Thumb, the M&P did very well in mud and ice/extreme cold tests.

But a 7 shot, stainless 357 mag revolver would also be a great truck gun. And if you had to, putting a trigger guard lock on it would make it more secure than on a plastic semi auto (where if someone really wanted to, they could quickly cut the plastic trigger guard to remove the lock).

 

[cowboy]

Indeed. Pick the size that suits you.

Plus one that has a trigger to your liking.

 

[antelopedundee]

Is it still good advice to use factory loads instead of handloads when you're carrying?

 

[Dan O]

Is it still good advice to use factory loads instead of handloads when you're carrying?

Personally, I think it is. This is due to lawsuits involving use of force issues. Plus, they are reliable and a standard that reloads are based on to meet or exceed. The downside is the EDC ammo is sold in 20 packs and are pricey. So practice with reloads or cheaper ammo that is as close to your EDC ammo then sight in for EDC.

You will hear many different opinions on this but do what works for you and your family. A lawsuit can be your worst nightmare do your best to avoid it.

 

[Redmt]

I've loaded a considerable number of XTP in 9mm. They are a very effective bullet at a good range of FPS.

 

[Bigjay73]

Is it still good advice to use factory loads instead of handloads when you're carrying?

Its the safer bet legally. I'm not sure I could reload a defensive round better than a factory 124gr Speer Gold Dot

 

[noharleyyet]

Glock 19X Austria 9x19...do Recommend the light for things that go bump. Should you require more sophisticated usage a modified slide for dot sight mechanisms are available. Comes with grip shims...affordable.

https://flic.kr/p/2sKt9F3

 

[Bigjay73]

Light.....good call

 

[TOGIE]

Whatever is feels good and you shoot well. I ultimately found glocks fit the bill for me. Also have M&P.

Love my G43.

But still, literally the only thing matters if it’s comfy in your hands AND you shoot it well.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

I have zero experience with pistols, but feel I should probably invest in one since I am spending more than half the year on the road and often in very remote areas. At home I have firearms for self defense, but they are not convenient while I am on the road with limited space.

95% of the time it will be stored in the front seat of the pickup up or with me while in the slide in. I guess there may be limited times I will have it with me in the field, but not that important in my decision.

It's just me and a dog for the most part, so not concerned with other people in the tight area if situations require force.

Anyway, any suggestions? I just need something for "just in case" in a situation that will likely never occur. I won't be putting a boxes of ammo every month for enjoyment, just an emergency tool. Not looking for the most expensive, cool pistol on the market, just a dependable self defense weapon.

thanks for any thoughts.....

What firearms do you have at home for self defense?

 

[mtmiller]

What firearms do you have at home for self defense?

Shotguns

 

[220yotekiller]

Is it still good advice to use factory loads instead of handloads when you're carrying?

Always, the only time I carry hand loads is when I carry my 10 mm with hard cast bear loads.

 

[220yotekiller]

The only thing that I am not a fan of about Glocks is how thick they are.

 

[6mm Remington]

I had a Springfield Armory XD40 4" barrel and XD40 Sub-Compact 3" barrel. I sold the 4" and kept the sub-compact. It's slightly smaller and easier to conceal plus I actually shoot it better than the 4" SA pistol. I prefer the 40 S&W over the 9mm although there is nothing wrong with it. Both pistols have been completely reliable and go bang everytime you pull the trigger.

Springfield Armory makes some great pistols in my opinion and a couple more to check out would be the Echelon Model in 9mm.

 

[Blue Steel]

I've loaded a considerable number of XTP in 9mm. They are a very effective bullet at a good range of FPS.

I like the 45 acp 230 grain +p xtp as the xtps seem to have good penetration

124 gr +p xtp in 9mm good too

 

[Sheltowee]

If you want it to go bang every single time, Glock. A G43 with +2 Taran Tactical mag extension is my summer carry; G29 in 10mm my concealed carry for cooler weather or backcountry. Have also carried G19, G20, G30, G36, G42, maybe some others that I’m not remembering offhand. They just plain work.

Full disclosure though: as I sit here in a parking lot typing this waiting for my wife to get done at Sephora, I’m carrying a CZ P-01, a variant of the CZ-75. The Glock trigger pull (as well as most striker-fired handguns) require a little more learning than other options. Go with a proven DA/SA design if you want something closer to a traditional rifle trigger pull (on SA, at least). The CZ-75s and the Sig P22x series are longtime, proven performers.