Hi everyone, apologies if this gets asked often, but my husband and I are looking for advice on a reliable home defense handgun.
We’re both fairly new to firearms—we’ve taken a basic handgun class and will be having a private lesson next week. We’d like to rent some handguns during the lesson to figure out what works best for both of us. Any recommendations on models we should try?
For home defense, go for a full-sized handgun. Some great options:
If you’re open to something slightly larger, check out a pistol-caliber carbine like the Extar EP9. It’s compact but offers stability similar to a rifle, which is great for accuracy.
@Bailey
Thanks! I think a Glock 17 Gen 5 might be in my future.
Blake said:
@Bailey
Thanks! I think a Glock 17 Gen 5 might be in my future.
Great choice! Just make sure to hold a few different options at the gun store to see what feels most comfortable in your hand. Glock grips can be more angled than others, which some people love and others don’t.
For home defense, stick with a full-sized handgun—not a compact or subcompact. They’re easier to handle, have less recoil, and hold more rounds.
Here are some excellent options:
Each of these is reliable and beginner-friendly. Try to rent them and see what feels best for you.
@Zadie
I own all four of these, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. My personal favorite for home defense is the Glock 17—it’s simple, reliable, and easy to operate under stress.
@Zadie
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll definitely look into these.
Handguns are great, but they require regular practice to be truly effective in high-stress situations. If you’re open to alternatives, I recommend a carbine, like:
Carbines are easier to handle and have better accuracy compared to handguns. Equip one with a red dot sight and flashlight, and you’ve got a fantastic home defense weapon.
Be prepared for the possibility that you and your husband might prefer different guns. If you can, budget for two handguns so you both have something you’re comfortable and confident with. Sharing one could create issues in a high-stress situation.
Full-sized polymer, striker-fired handguns in 9mm are a great place to start.
Stick to full-sized or compact (not subcompact) handguns. Good options to consider:
Rent a few and see which one fits you both best. Avoid long guns for now since they’re harder to maneuver inside a house during a home invasion scenario.
@Merritt
Why striker-fired guns? Hammer-fired options, like the Beretta 92, are also excellent and offer additional safety features.
Consider the Walther PDP with a 5" barrel. It’s a fantastic option for home defense—great accuracy and easy to use.
Look into the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ. It’s specifically designed to be easy to load, rack, and shoot. Comes in 9mm, which is great for home defense.
If possible, buy a gun for each of you. It’s better for both of you to be armed than to rely on just one gun. Stick to major brands like Glock, CZ, and Sig Sauer. Hammer-fired guns like the Sig P226 or CZ 75BD are also great options.
If you’re only looking for a home defense weapon, consider a 20-gauge pump-action shotgun instead of a handgun. It’s more effective and easier to use in high-stress scenarios.
My favorite 9mm handguns are the CZ P-09 and Canik TP9SF. Both are reliable and have great triggers. If you’re open to carbines, check out the Hi-Point 9mm—it’s surprisingly accurate and fun to shoot.
Glock 19, Sig P320 X Carry, or the P365 X Macro are all solid choices. Try them out during your lesson and see what feels best. If you’re in Louisville, KY, Range USA has a great selection of rental guns.
@Jai
Yes, that’s where we’re taking our lesson next week!