Guest post from The Bushido Boy Scout:
A few years ago I set out to assemble my ultimate home protection pistol, a gun that would be designed to fulfill its very specific role and concede almost nothing to any other consideration. Not a carry gun, even though it could be carried, not a target gun even though it is very accurate, but a specialized tool that can help me protect my family when things go bump in the night.
First of all, and I know this goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway - the number one consideration for any firearm (of any type) that might be used for self defense is reliability. (It is also the number two and three consideration) Here is where it can often times be worth paying a little more to get the best quality firearm you can afford. A quality no frills pistol with zero bells and whistles attached that goes bang when you need it to is worth 100 times more than an unreliable piece of junk with all of the extras slapped onto it. Don’t ever skimp on basic reliability and build quality.
For my home defense pistol I decided, after weighing the options, to go with a Sig Sauer P226 9mm in stainless steel. Why this particular firearm? First of all, I have owned a number of Sigs over the years and have never experienced even the slightest whiff of a problem with any of them after thousands of rounds down range. It is very comforting to know that you can rely on the firearm you are working with and this gun is no exception. Again, Sig Sauers can be relatively expensive but sometimes you do get what you pay for.
I chose a traditional double-action pistol with an exposed hammer for the same reason many others (including police and the military) do: because it is very simple. Just pull the trigger to fire. No safeties to fumble with or hair trigger single actions to worry about. Is it cocked? Look at the hammer and you can tell instantly what state the firearm is in.
I chose the stainless version of the P226 precisely because it weighs 25% more that the alloy version. Combined with the 9mm caliber there is virtually no recoil to speak of, which makes the gun easier to control and shoot accurately. The extra weight is definitely a detriment to concealed carry where lighter is always better, but then again, I wasn’t looking for a carry gun.
The 9mm caliber is less powerful than most of the other pistols I own, but it does have a few advantages. First of all, the lighter recoil makes it easier for a less experienced shooter (or even an experienced shooter in an emergency state, where fine motor skills are out the window) to use in an emergency, without excessive muzzle flip and muzzle blast. The 9mm round can also limit penetration in case you miss your target. You really don’t want errant rounds poking holes in the neighbor’s house next door, no matter how much their dogs bark at night.
Another advantage of the 9mm over bulkier rounds is capacity. Sig Sauer makes 20 round magazines for the 9mm 226 which virtually eliminate the need for a tactical reload in a self defense situation. The 20 round magazines poke about an inch and a half out of the bottom of the gun’s grip which, again, would be a nightmare to try and carry concealed but is of no concern in this application.
Apart from the basic gun I added accessories to it that I felt would be tactically advantageous in an attempt to put the odds as firmly as possible in my favor. Don’t forget, in a classic home invasion scenario you are already behind the curve as the situation evolves. You were probably sound asleep when your home was broken in to, you may still be groggy as you try to assess the situation and you need all the advantages you can get just to catch up with the felon in your living room.
I’ve always felt that any serious self defense pistol should be equipped with night sights and I ordered my Sig so equipped. Night sights are probably the most dependable, lowest tech thing you can add to any pistol to make it more effective when you are most likely to need it, in a low light setting.
To supplement the night sights I added a set of Crimson Trace laser grips to the pistol. It takes about 2 minutes to swap the factory grips for the Crimson Trace units and they do nothing to affect how the pistol handles or functions. The Crimson Trace grips work very well as a sighting aid: they are probably about the fastest way (as are any laser sights) to aim any pistol accurately, and speed is always an important factor in a self defense firearm. The grips can also serve a secondary role, that of deterrence. I don’t think there is anyone alive today who doesn’t know what that little red dot on their chest represents. And that gentle reminder might be all you need to have your uninvited guest reconsider his course of action in a hurry, without resorting to gunfire.
Finally, it is extremely important to be able to see exactly what is going on in order to properly assess the situation you find yourself in. You could simply turn on the lights, but that serves not only to illuminate the intruder, but yourself as well. I would much rather stand behind a “wall of light” that I control, which serves to not only illuminate any threats but possibly temporarily blind and disorient them as well, if the light source is bright enough. It this capacity I would recommend a tactical light that generates a minimum of 60 lumens of light, more if possible. You could try holding a tactical flashlight and your firearm at the same time, but again, that requires not only a high level of training but also a degree of coordination and fine motor skills that can be difficult to find when your heart is pumping, the adrenaline is flowing and you’re still half asleep. A much simpler and more fool-proof option is a pistol mounted light.
When I ordered my new Sig I made sure that it came from the factory with an integral light rail on the dust cover under the barrel. To that I attached first a Surefire X-200 LED light and, more recently, the upgraded Surefire X-300 LED light. With a blinding 110 lumens of light in a very compact package, the lightweight, durable and reliable X-300 light is probably my favorite tactical light out of the 15 or so that I own from various manufacturers. It is a truly awesome light that I can highly recommend without hesitation.
So there you have it, for what its worth, my idea of the “perfect” home defense pistol for the nightstand (or in a quick-open pistol safe if you have kids!).
It might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect solution but maybe I’ve given you a few ideas you can incorporate into your own self protection firearm.
What do you think? What would your ultimate home defense pistol look like? We’ll talk about home defense shotguns and carbines at a later date. Until then, stay safe!
-The Bushido Boy Scout
30 responses so far ↓
1 Hokiemagnum // Apr 14, 2009 at 7:01 am
Nice post!
I choose a XD9m as my nightstand gun. The capacity, flush mount mag, ergonomics, and it’s general pointability fit my tastes and shooting style well. I don’t own a single laser on my spread of handguns - though I used to. I don’t feel that in a high stress moment I can rely on my not-so-steady-holy-shit-what’s-going-on-where-are-my-kids hands placing focus on an bouncing rogue red dot sweeping across the room. Center mass shots are tough enough under stress. Add a 3am head fog and blasting away at whatever is blackened out by a blooming red dot doesn’t peak my interest in the least. Try it. It’s amazing how ridiculously bright a crimson trace grip is at 3am. Now during the day, dusk, or dawn - I feel totally different about visible lasers. To each their own. I still think they’re novelties when stacked up to proper training. Same goes for night sights…though I wouldn’t own a defensive handgun without them.
By my limited practice, range time, and defense courses, I think the shooter is better off with an unobstructed field of view, a clear head, practiced stance, and all contrast should involve ambient lighting.
I think the best solution for lighting is LED night lights in key locations.
From my bed - I can see shadows in the stairwell, hallway, and bed room. If coming down the stairs, I can see shadows from either side. You can’t get up the staircase without casting a shadow. LED’s are dull enough to keep your night peaceful, but are bright enough to provide the best white light shadow contrast possible. Again, to each their own.
Great post! Viva la 9mm!
2 westy // Apr 14, 2009 at 8:03 am
what type of ammo are you using? A standard 9mm will penetrate 2 or 3 rooms worth of drywall. As I have children in the house I use a 12G w/ #4 bird. At close distance it will knock the crap out of someone but only penetrates 1 sheet of drywall.
3 Bitmap // Apr 14, 2009 at 8:55 am
My “home defense pistol” is my daily carry gun - a scandium framed S&W. It is light enough to carry all day and all night. I take it off when I get between the sheets and pick it up when I wake in the morning. It is light enough to ride in the pocket of the “lounging pants” I wear as pajamas without pulling them down to my ankles.
The only advantage of a handgun is that it is handy. It isn’t very handy if it is on the nightstand in the other room. I think of the handgun as a short term solution intended to give me time to get my rifle so I don’t put a lot of emphasis on it beyond reliability, decent sights, decent trigger, and reasonable power. My dogs and my alarm system will hopefully give me enough warning to get the rifle without ever having to use the handgun.
With any caliber you can pick low penetration rounds, but standard hollowpoint ammo in a 9mm will go through a lot of drywall, as will most handgun rounds, including the ones I use. That is a compromise, like everything else.
4 FlowerMan // Apr 14, 2009 at 10:30 am
It is with odious regret that i see the cult of the metal penis has flourished in my absence. But I will breifly purvey my thoughts on home defense.
Spring has springed and the People of the flower are now planting their cucumbers for the harvest
Let me illuminate my message of defense to you. last year we had a break-in at our home in Seattle. it was three in the morning and acrid smoke was still in the air from our Mens Night party. most of us men still slept soundly in the glory ouf our nakedness. all the women were at a wicca class near mount shasta.
Suddenly two armed men came into the candle lit room demanding all we had. This is how we handled it;
PetuniaMan, a burly unemployed truck driver, stood up and told these would-be villains a simple truth. “You can have all we have. But all we have is love.”
From darkened corners the Mens Group emerged, naked and fearless before these two violent men. The robbers soon found themselves surrounded by twenty sweaty bearding men chanting, “All we have is love.”
One robber replied, “Never mind, we don’t want nothing after all.”
But we would not let them leave without the enlightening arousal of man love, so i told them we insisted they take the material thing that we hold most dear…our vegetables. Well, it was cucumber season, and I joined the group and started a new chant.”
“You will take our cucumbers.” Soon we were packed in a sweaty circle of humanity around these two men, chanting, ” YOU WILL TAKE OUR CUCUMBERS.”
I am sure that these men have never felt so much love and good feelings in their life, because they dropped their guns and began clinging to each other and sobbing. I went in to prepare a meal of hummus, but soon fell asleep. As i dozed off, the two men were screaming. They must have had what the psychiatrists call a breakthrough.
Release your arousal and abandon your guns.
On a seperate note, FlowerWoman has left the fold. A trucker offered her some vienna sausage and a chance to live in hotel rooms last week and she abandoned me.
The People of thE Petunia are now seeking jobs running these new FEMA camps that are supposedly being erected. We think it will be a great place to share our arousal with those afflicted by tragedies. Hope to see you there.
FlowerMan
5 joe // Apr 14, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I do not care if rounds hit the neighbors home . I have what goes through 8 sheets of drywall . I create more decibels with mine . I have what puts fear into those that hear it . 357 magnum with cor bon loads .
6 Jerry // Apr 15, 2009 at 11:00 am
That is a great side arm. I carried a P226 9mm years ago on duty. I gave it to my daughter and now it’s on her nightstand. Only it’s it’s not SS and the only after market thing on it is pacmayr grips.
7 3rdman // Apr 15, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Joe you need to care. What started out as being a justified shooting may become a civil nightmare and criminal matter if you hit an innocent neighbor.
8 SurvivalTopics.com // Apr 15, 2009 at 4:45 pm
The toughest talk often comes from whimpering fools.
Be that as it may, besides shotgun and handgun within easy reach, my tomahawk stays right on the stand beside the bed. I feel that of all the close quarters weapons that I could deploy in seconds should someone burst through the bedroom door, the hawk is the fastest. No safety, no chambering a round.
9 3rdman // Apr 15, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Damn I think I rather take a bullet than be hacked by a tomahawk. That just sounds painful!!!!
10 sirlancelot // Apr 16, 2009 at 6:12 am
i kinda like the cucumber idea.
think once the local lowlifes found out one of their own was surrounded and forced to “take” a cucumber , break ins would drop WAY off
20 round mag for the Sig ?
Sweet !
11 ROXRAN // Apr 17, 2009 at 8:12 am
Why not the new P226 Blackwater Tactical?…(next on my list.)
12 ginzu // Apr 17, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I have placed an asortment of blade-knife’s in
various places,(hidden places). Only I know where
they are. If in danger,….will use.
13 theotherryan // Apr 18, 2009 at 12:33 am
The gun in the nightstand has varied over time. Right now it is a Glock 19, bone stock. I would like to put night nights and a tac light on it. Also toying with loading up one of my 33 rd mags but really if I need more than 15 I am SOL.
A Glock 22 lived in my nightstand for a long time and I would not hesitate to have it do so again.
14 3rdman // Apr 18, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Remember children when deciding on having a night stand gun. I do not keep a firearm within arms reach. Mine is far enough away that when I’m awaken during the night it will allow me to become better aware of what is going on by the time I reach it. When you wake suddenly at night you have no deep preception and a small child standing next to the the bed can look 6 feet tall to you. Many parents have killed their children or spouse by accident because they grabbed a gun and fired while they were still half aspleep. Something to think about. Also make sure you have a good tac light on the pistol and know how to use it in conjunction with the pistol. We must have good target identification before we shoot, because there are no redos once that trigger is pulled!!!!
Also TOR can you post a picture of those “night nights” when get them. Love to see a set. haha just messing with you.
http://3rdman-peacekeeper.blogspot.com/
15 3rdman // Apr 18, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Sorry should say “no depth preception”
16 Jerry // Apr 18, 2009 at 7:19 pm
3rdman is right concerning leaving a firearm within reach at night. I have to sit up and reach way over to grab and then unhoster the Glock 21 on my nightstand.
I have a friend who told me he keeps a cocked and locked 1911A1 under his pillow! Bad idea as he has nightmares from his army days. One day he could have a bad one and unconsciously squeeze off a round into his wife’s head.
17 Millerized // Apr 19, 2009 at 6:37 am
Uh, am I the only one that see’s that the light doesn’t fit on the gun? Maybe it’s the morning without coffee, but the light is too long for the rail, and because of that the light is canted in both pictures.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ll check again after coffee.
(oh, and pointing a light at someone also means you’re pointing the gun at them, something to think about when your wife/kid or a cop walks in front of your flashlight. YMMV)
18 3rdman // Apr 19, 2009 at 8:22 am
Millerized,
Thet idea of having a light on a pistol is just for the reason you stated. We want to Id friend or Foe as quickly as possible. Also you do not have to point the pistol directly at someone to use the light for Id, but it is not a bad idea to have a secondary light that is not attached to a weapon. Law Enforcement officers who carry light mounthed pistol are normally required by their departments to carry a secondary light on their belt for not deadly force situations. The light going past the pistol is not a problem, because it will prevent you from getting back lighting off the frame of the pistol, like you do with rifle mounted lights. They also make holster for these setup, but the pistol almost looks like a P229 with how far the light goes past the frame.
19 Millerized // Apr 19, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Too long as it won’t set correctly, as it most likely (by looking at it anyway) won’t seat (fit on/in the detent on the rail. Doesn’t matter if it sticks out the front, I’m with you on that, but it’s too long not on the front, but on the back.
Flashlights cause a person to look at the center of the projected light, not on it’s fringes. If you revert to your training in a stressful situation, you’ll be pointing the firearm mounted light directly at someone. Remember Coopers Rules? Rule #2 reminds us to “Never let your muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.” If you’re using a weapons mounted flashlight, you’re at best bending this, if not breaking it. Best train without a weapon mounted light, using either the FBI (chest hold) or other normally taught method (hands together)
http://www.ies-usa.com/images/range_pro/sys_lowlight.jpg A flick of the wrist brings your firearm into a usable position.
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/articles/lom/0501/low_light_threat_management.html if you want a better look at the reasoning behind not using a weapons mounted light.
20 3rdman // Apr 19, 2009 at 9:55 pm
The tactics your talking about are being taught in conjunction with the tactics for light mounted pistols not in place of them. The biggest mistake some law enforcement officer make is thinking there is no room for improvement. Look how hard it was for some law enforcement officers to give up their revolver and go to the pistol. The old heads refuse to switch over to the pistol, because they said they were not reliable and prone to jamming. Now 20 years later good luck finding a revolver being carried by a street level officer. The same will be the case with the resistance to the lights for pistols. I think in 10 years or maybe less you will be hard pressed to find an officer not using a light on their pistol. The United States military discovered how important it was to have lights mounted weapons in Iraq. There is a reason why every major SWAT team in the U.S. including the FBIs have lights mounted on their pistols and rifles, because it gives them a tactical advantage over taking their support hand off their weapon so they can use their light.
21 Brad in FL // Apr 21, 2009 at 8:11 am
I work in Law Enforcement and carry an insight M-3 on my glock daily. I also carry a surefire on my duty belt for searching. I am kind of old school, I don’t like the LED light. I know this will cause a totally different argument! LOL Be safe everyone.
22 3rdman // Apr 21, 2009 at 8:48 am
Brad,
How you carry is becoming the norm in LE. You have a good combination there. Have you checked out the Surefire G2 LED yet for belt carry. You may just like this one.
23 Bushido Boy Scout // Apr 21, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Millerized,
Thank you for your input. I know the light looks a little crooked in the pics but that has everything to do with the camera angle and not how it actually sits on the gun. And yes, the light does lock very securely onto the light rail even though it projects well beyond the muzzle of the firearm. More importantly, you and 3rdman both make another, extremely valid point about using a secondary light source to investigate any “bumps in the night” so you aren’t unnecessarily pointing a firearm all around your house. That is exactly why I pictured the pistol along side my most powerful flashlight, which would be my primary means of locating any possible intruder. The firearm mounted light is there if it becomes necessary to engage a target. You make good points about effectively utilizing a hand held light to aim a pistol in a low light situation, and that might be necessary in an emergency, but believe me it is about 1,000% easier to use a firearm mounted light effectively, especially under stress. If necessary, I would discard (drop) the flashlight and use a two handed hold in conjunction with the mounted light to engage.
24 Brad in FL // Apr 21, 2009 at 8:24 pm
3rdman, I like the 6P on my belt, I actually have a G2 LED next to my bed. I just want to say that if you have a light on your gun, practice, practice, practice and don’t practice turning on the light with your trigger finger!
25 online gun shop // Apr 22, 2009 at 1:45 am
owning a gun for self defense makes sense to me, specially nowadays that the world is not safe from terrorism and attacks.
owning a gun can save your life and protect your family at the time when you needed to.
we should always take into account gun safety and handling to keep others around us protected and safe.
26 3rdman // Apr 24, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Hear you Brad. I carry a Gladius on my belt. Have a G2 LED on my patrol rifle. GTL10 on my 22 and carry a SL20XP LED also. Never can have to many lights. haha
27 Валерия // May 27, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Огромное человеческое спасибо за информацию!
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29 Jonathan P. // Aug 20, 2009 at 8:04 pm
First things first. While the light can illuminate what you want it to, it also gives your position away. You are always lit up. A 9 mm definately penetrates more than a shotgun. This is why shotguns are used more for home defense than hanguns. A .45 would be a better choice because it is bulkier and slower so it will penetrate less. A pistol is not the ideal choice because it is harder to shoot in a stressful situation. One more reason to use a shotgun in stead of a pistol. It is not good to leave a semi automatic pistol loaded because the magizine spring can be worn out. This also wears the trigger out. The slide can be difficult to operate for women with weak hands. For these reasons, I would recommend a pump shotgun for home defense. It is simple to operate, easy to aim, and just enough penetration without too much.
30 vin // Oct 28, 2009 at 2:30 am
You all mentioned the nightstand is where your gun sits at night? Are you worried about kids (I have two toddlers) tampering and playing with the gun.
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