Looking for an ideal 9mm home defense pistol

CZfool68 said:
DA/SA Beretta’s are obsolete? 😂
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That "new" frame mounted safety 92 really gets me humming @ChickenHawk was flirting with me over lunch about it. I cannot afford it but dang does it sound great!

Tonyqt said:
I have the S&W Equalizer.
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How is the grip safety on that puppy? I know some of the 1911s without memory bumps individuals have issues depressing the grip safety under stressful draws. I've been very interested in it because it's shield plus size but has a light rail. Seems like a great deep concealment pistol.
 
Squanchy said:
That "new" frame mounted safety 92 really gets me humming @ChickenHawk was flirting with me over lunch about it. I cannot afford it but dang does it sound great!


How is the grip safety on that puppy? I know some of the 1911s without memory bumps individuals have issues depressing the grip safety under stressful draws. I've been very interested in it because it's shield plus size but has a light rail. Seems like a great deep concealment pistol.
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It is sweet. It is cheaper than their performance models, but the only difference I can find is that mine is single action only, and it doesn't have an adjustable trigger. For my lack of skill it is way smoother than I need. 18 and 17 round magazines, low recoil, and red dot capable is very nice. They send you a free optic plate of your choice when you send warranty paperwork in.

20230605_102314.jpg
 
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CZfool68 said:
langdontactical.com

92 Elite LTT with RDO Slide

It's our mission to provide the skills, knowledge and equipment to have confidence under duress. Custom gun work for Beretta, Glock, HK, Hellcat, & more.
langdontactical.com langdontactical.com
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Sportsman's Warehouse has this. Not LT, but good enough for home defense.

www.sportsmans.com

Beretta 92X RDO FR 9mm Luger 4.7in Black Bruniton Pistol – 18+1 Rounds

Beretta 92X RDO FR 9mm Luger 4.7in Black Bruniton Pistol – 18+1 Rounds - The new Beretta 92X RDO takes the proven reliability of the venerable 90 Series family to the next level. The 92X RDO aims for top performance ideal for competitive dynamic shooting and defensive purposes with a red-dot...
www.sportsmans.com www.sportsmans.com
 
Squanchy said:
Does it lack the adjustment for pull weight or over travel?
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As far as I can tell, yes. I am dumb though so I could be missing it. Not using a bottom of the barrel gun is still a new experience for me.
 
My bedside home defense firearm is a carbine. Ruger PCC 9mm, streamlight, fiberoptic sights, flash supressor, 27 rd magazine loaded with Speer Gold dots and a couple more magazines in the nightstand drawer.
 
I always like a carbine over a pistol, but inside a house solo I have zero clue which is better. Do the barrel lengths on a carbine hinder some things? Seems a pistol in small places may not be all bad. We’re not clearing rooms in Iraq. What do the experienced people say? My simpleton opinion is both. One for inside and one for noises on the property. But I am a virgin.
 
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Get Off My Lawn said:
For Truth In Advertising purposes, @Burt Gummer can we get a name change to BerettaRubber68 ? He's apparently abandoned CZ.
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Guilty as charged. I like guns with great triggers that don’t malfunction and can be used to beat someone if needed. Sue me.
 
@Luckbad one thing to consider, I got this info from a LEO on this forum. If it's used in self defense, LEO will most likely take it, they then engrave the case # onto the gun, and there's a chance you won't get it back, regardless of your innocence. I've decided to not use my Gucci guns for HD. If I use a can, I'll plan on removing that before calling 911.
 
fieldgrade said:
He’s fickle. Used to be 1911 something or other.
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I like nice guns, I can not lie. And sorry for using a different user name for different forums. Asshat. At least my avatar doesn‘t change based on my testosterone treatments And hormone cycles. That username was for the old forum. It’s been a few years. Grandpa.
 
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CZfool68 said:
I like nice guns, Imcannot lie. And sorry for using a different user name for different forums. Asshat. At least my avatar doesn‘t change based on my testosterone treatments And hormone cycles. That username was for the old forum. It’s been a few years. Grandpa.
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I haven’t whipped anybody’s ass since about 1975.

Probably can’t anymore.

But if I could, yours is next carpetbagger.
 
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I would recommend just trying some different pistols out and picking the one that you shoot and feels the best. There are so many manufacturers making quality guns nowadays that the list of things to avoid would be much shorter than the ones to check out. It’s a great time to be alive; guns, optics and lights are just getting better and better. So pick s reputable brand, try it, and if it works go for it.

Of your choices the M&P 2.0 would be my personal recommendation, but I would prob just get s standard one. I don’t really see the need for the “competition” model unless you’re actually looking to compete with it (in which case I would recommend a Canik). The standard model will serve the role of a HD gun just fine.
 
"Looking for an ideal 9mm home defense pistol"

OK, first off there IS NO IDEAL HOME DEFENSE PISTOL.

What there IS though, is a lot of OPINIONS about what constitutes an ideal 9mm home defense pistol.

What you need is something the fits your hand comfortably, that you can shoot well, that is reliable. That's about it.

What you don't need is a whole bunch of other stuff. Like what?

You don't need a custom gun. You don't need an optic. You don't need a rail. You don't need a laser. You don't need (fill in the blank). These aren't "needs", their "wants".

That said, there's nothing wrong with any of these things, per se. But you should only go above the actual "need" list if it's honestly going to provide you with a real (as opposed to perceived) benefit. And realize that some things can actually work against you, especially if you don't train with them. (A laser, for example...most people don't realize how much that laser is going to bounce around all over the place, especially in high stress situations.)

Keep in mind that what I find perfectly suitable may not be so suitable for someone else for any number of reasons.

And don't forget...anything you buy for this should be utilitarian as possible without a bunch of expensive BS, because if you ever do end up having to use it, that's likely to be the last time you see it for a long time. Why? Because in any investigation of a shooting, the firearms involved will be collected as evidence...and as evidence, nobody is going to be cleaning and oiling them for the weeks, months, or years that it's being kept as evidence.

So...what do you like? That's as good a place to start as any.

If you have a budget of $2,000, that's enough to get you any number of quality handguns for well under $1,000 which will leave you with more than $1,000 for ammunition to run through your gun.
 
RetiredUSNChief said:
You don't need an optic. You don't need a rail.
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The creepers come out at night as they say so I would say an optic which works better than anything else in the dark is wise. A rail in which you can mount a light for the same reason is mandatory.
RetiredUSNChief said:
And don't forget...anything you buy for this should be utilitarian as possible without a bunch of expensive BS, because if you ever do end up having to use it, that's likely to be the last time you see it for a long time. Why? Because in any investigation of a shooting, the firearms involved will be collected as evidence...and as evidence, nobody is going to be cleaning and oiling them for the weeks, months, or years that it's being kept as evidence.
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I do not understand this logic at all. Buy something cheap because if you use it you may loose it? This makes absolutely no sense to me. If you indeed have to use it the value it gives far outweighs the cost. You can compare the price of valuables stolen vs the value of the firearm but how much do you value harm (physical and/or mental) on you and your family? Image the worse thing that has ever happened to you in your life, illness, accident, loss of a loved one. Now imagine if you could pay $2,000 for that to never happen. Would you pay it? Of course you would.
I am not advocating for spending $5,000 for a custom pistol by any means. But spend enough to get quality and reliability.
 
@RetiredUSNChief

I have to disagree with you on one thing - a light is a necessity. Yes, you can use a handheld light, and should have one, but finding and identifying targets with both hands controlling the pistol is a huge advantage.

As for optics, up to the shooter. Some like them better, some like irons. I shoot both competitively, but I prefer a dot for defense. With irons that are usable through the optic, just in case the dot isn’t working. Personal preference of course but there is a reason that optics are faster than irons in USPSA, 2/3-gun, steel challenge, etc… Why wouldn’t I want that extra edge when my life is on the line? It does take some work to be better with a dot.
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
I do not understand this logic at all. Buy something cheap because if you use it you may loose it? This makes absolutely no sense to me. If you indeed have to use it the value it gives far outweighs the cost. You can compare the price of valuables stolen vs the value of the firearm but how much do you value harm (physical and/or mental) on you and your family? Image the worse thing that has ever happened to you in your life, illness, accident, loss of a loved one. Now imagine if you could pay $2,000 for that to never happen. Would you pay it? Of course you would.
I am not advocating for spending $5,000 for a custom pistol by any means. But spend enough to get quality and reliability.
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You can get a very reliable weapon for $500, it won’t do a better job for the extra $1,500.
See post 55
 
Get Off My Lawn said:
You can get a very reliable weapon for $500, it won’t do a better job for the extra $1,500.
See post 55
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I was not commenting on the price point but the philosophy behind it.
I once too had the mindset of “carrying something cheap in the car” until I realized it was stupid to have all this great hardware in a safe at home that would be useless. I smartened up and replaced the S&W model 10 with a G19. I have since smartened up again and now do not leave anything in the car, it is always on my person.

Note: I still have a vault in the car to lock it up if I have to leave it for any reason.
 
Luckbad said:
I ordered the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Competitor. I'll probably also get a CZ SP-01 Tactical when a good opportunity arises. The S&W looks so cool I couldn't resist owning one. Hopefully it's operationally reliable as well.
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I have several S and W ‘s. When the competitors came out, I bought one. Put the red dot on it (co-witnesses nicely!) and shot it so well, I went back to Fuquay Gun and bought another one! Hope you like yours as much!
 
What does your wife shoot well? My wife shoots the VP9 well. She's lax on keeping up with training at the range, but she does dry fire a little at home. As such, her nightstand gun is a VP9. So by default my bedside gun is a VP9. We can share mags and swap pistols without missing a beat.
 
CZfool68 said:
If you’re gonna get me this your week. Pile on. But after that it may get tougher ya geezer.
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Don’t worry. It was just the Riesling talking.

Yes. I was drinking white wine last night.
 
@Pops Fuquay Gun didn't have a Competitor over the weekend so I ended up ordering one from BattleHawk Armory. I'm strongly considering also grabbing a CZ SP-01 Tactical that they have on GunBroker to pick up today though...
 
keepcalmandcarryon said:
The creepers come out at night as they say so I would say an optic which works better than anything else in the dark is wise. A rail in which you can mount a light for the same reason is mandatory.
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In any encounter during hours of darkness, a light pointed at me would immediately becomes an obvious and convenient target. But it is certainly convenient to hang a light below your gun's barrel, which is aligned with your head.
 
gc70 said:
In any encounter during hours of darkness, a light pointed at me would immediately becomes an obvious and convenient target. But it is certainly convenient to hang a light below your gun's barrel, which is aligned with your head.
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Fourth rule of gun safety “be sure of your target and what is behind it”. Hard to do when you you can’t see what you intend to shoot.
I suppose you could go with the 80’s approach of holding a flashlight out to the side but this tactic is passé. First most people don’t shoot one handed or even practice it occasionally. Secondly you give up a considerable amount of control of the firearm in the event of a struggle. Third reflected light will likely be enough to illuminate you.
 
Glock 17 with TLR7 light and an extra mag. I don't see the purpose of optics in a gun most likely in use at near bellybutton ranges. Its just another complication.

That is one bright light though, I tell you!
 
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Literally (almost) any modern pistol is fine. If you like CZ and want to stay CZ centric, buy a SP01 and send it to CGW/Prinary machine for milling, or just get a S2 OR.

If you want a M&P, buy a M&P. It honestly doesn't really matter. Most pistols are great nowadays.

What really matters is getting out and shooting it once it's in, and making sure your wife can operate it as well.

another thing to consider is whether or not you have kids? If not, why not be stationary with a long gun? If yes, also consider adding a quality handheld light to the bedside (CD/Modlite/etc) in addition to a wml as a HD upgrade.
 
Serious question: would you need a light since your night vision should be primed if you're awakened in the middle of the night? I'm not anti weapon light as I have one.
 
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ChickenHawk said:
Serious question: would you need a light since your night vision should be primed if you're awakened in the middle of the night? I'm not anti weapon light as I have one.
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there's a lot of stories out there of people smoking their children, cousins, etc... really really tragic stuff.

Not to mention a high output light will utterly blind someone at night, just another benefit.

But yeah IMO every single defensive firearm that isn't a pocket rocket gets a light of some sort, + I carry a good handheld and leave it on the nightstand at night.
 
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ChickenHawk said:
Serious question: would you need a light since your night vision should be primed if you're awakened in the middle of the night? I'm not anti weapon light as I have one.
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I'm going to tell you about a situation I had once.
I used to live suburban Chicago. I had a large (for suburbs) end lot on the corner of two streets. That resulted in my having like 150 feet of sidewalk along the side of my house. I used that sidewalk to take out the dog at night and just walked her along our property so if she pooped I could leave it there until morning to pick up.
There was a park for the kids across the street and behind the homes there. A paved path went from the street to the park. It was quite dark. My subdivision was "fancy" and only used gas lamps for night light so there was some light, but not a lot...about the same as a clear night with full moon. The teens used to like to park along side my house on the street and then go do drugs, screw, etc at the park.

So the dog needs to go out at 2 a.m. I leash her up and head out to get her business done. I didn't take my gun. I had a flashlight but it wasn't very good for any distance. It was just good enough to see what the dog might pickup from the grass. I doubt it was even a LED light.

A group of teens ambles up out of the park, walking slow and quietly giggling like they're stoned. They come onto the same sidewalk I'm on and notice me and get quiet. My dog panics when they just stand there a minute, she's busy trying to get behind me and pulling away. One of the teens reaches into a pocket inside his jacket and pulls out something. He raises his arm and points it straight at me/my general direction. And holds it there.

Now I'm thinking I may have just bought the farm for nothing. I'm cursing my self for not having my gun and a better light. And proper shoes on. It looks absolutely like I'm about to get smoked. An the penlight I had with me wasn't going to accomplish anything relative to giving me more information.

Then the lights flash on one the cars parked further up the block behind me. Dude was pointing his car remote down the block to unlock his car. One of the stoners trots over and gets a jacket out of the car and they walk back down to the park.

I should have had a better light. I should have had my gun, but not without the better light. In the conditions I was in it would have been EASY to shoot that kid based upon the perceived threat. I was 50/50 on his presence being a threat given time of night when I should be encountering nobody out there.

So now all the flashlights in the house are tactical lights among other changes that experience taught me. Night vision simply wasn't enough to tell me if this was a threat or not.
 
For those who seem to take umbrage about my post, there is a difference between a NEED and a WANT.

You NEED what I listed.

You WANT other stuff.

There is not necessarily anything wrong with the other stuff, but you have to realistically evaluate its relative benefits and then TRAIN with it.

When buying a gun for self defense, the first concern is that the gun itself is going to function when you need it. And to be able to use it effectively, the gun itself has to suit your physical parameters well.

If you have big hand, then a small frame gun probably isn't suitable for you...and vice versa.

If you have a rail mounted flashlight and the batteries are dead, can you still use the gun? Yes.

If you have a rail mounted flashlight and the gun chokes on whatever ammo you feed it, can you still use the gun? No. (Unless, of course, your foe is Superman because you can throw it at him and he'll duck.)

Same for that other stuff I mentioned. Do you NEED a custom gun? No. But would an extended, or perhaps an ambidextrous, manual safety be a good modification? Certainly.

There are ups and downs to everything. Evaluate them and chose wisely, understanding the difference between a want and a need.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I'm going to tell you about a situation I had once.
I used to live suburban Chicago. I had a large (for suburbs) end lot on the corner of two streets. That resulted in my having like 150 feet of sidewalk along the side of my house. I used that sidewalk to take out the dog at night and just walked her along our property so if she pooped I could leave it there until morning to pick up.
There was a park for the kids across the street and behind the homes there. A paved path went from the street to the park. It was quite dark. My subdivision was "fancy" and only used gas lamps for night light so there was some light, but not a lot...about the same as a clear night with full moon. The teens used to like to park along side my house on the street and then go do drugs, screw, etc at the park.

So the dog needs to go out at 2 a.m. I leash her up and head out to get her business done. I didn't take my gun. I had a flashlight but it wasn't very good for any distance. It was just good enough to see what the dog might pickup from the grass. I doubt it was even a LED light.

A group of teens ambles up out of the park, walking slow and quietly giggling like they're stoned. They come onto the same sidewalk I'm on and notice me and get quiet. My dog panics when they just stand there a minute, she's busy trying to get behind me and pulling away. One of the teens reaches into a pocket inside his jacket and pulls out something. He raises his arm and points it straight at me/my general direction. And holds it there.

Now I'm thinking I may have just bought the farm for nothing. I'm cursing my self for not having my gun and a better light. And proper shoes on. It looks absolutely like I'm about to get smoked. An the penlight I had with me wasn't going to accomplish anything relative to giving me more information.

Then the lights flash on one the cars parked further up the block behind me. Dude was pointing his car remote down the block to unlock his car. One of the stoners trots over and gets a jacket out of the car and they walk back down to the park.

I should have had a better light. I should have had my gun, but not without the better light. In the conditions I was in it would have been EASY to shoot that kid based upon the perceived threat. I was 50/50 on his presence being a threat given time of night when I should be encountering nobody out there.

So now all the flashlights in the house are tactical lights among other changes that experience taught me. Night vision simply wasn't enough to tell me if this was a threat or not.
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That sucks,but is different than me inside of my house when I know where my wife and tiny humans are. Family knows better than to enter my house unannounced, and if anyone else is coming up my stairs in the middle of the night they're going to have issues. Most home invasions of course happen early in the morning when most people are at work.
 
ChickenHawk said:
That sucks,but is different than me inside of my house when I know where my wife and tiny humans are. Family knows better than to enter my house unannounced, and if anyone else is coming up my stairs in the middle of the night they're going to have issues. Most home invasions of course happen early in the morning when most people are at work.
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I hear you. It is different. Kind of like the time my wife trotted out into the dark hallway after we heard a way too loud bump in the night. I was armed, again no light. I whisper yelled after her and she didn't stop. I ended up waiting in our room for her to either scream or come back and say there's raccoons in the trash cans.
She got sent to class after that adventure. I couldn't tell her anything because I'm the dumb husband. My bigger failure was not having the right light with the gun.
 
Timfoilhat said:
I hear you. It is different. Kind of like the time my wife trotted out into the dark hallway after we heard a way too loud bump in the night. I was armed, again no light. I whisper yelled after her and she didn't stop. I ended up waiting in our room for her to either scream or come back and say there's raccoons in the trash cans.
She got sent to class after that adventure. I couldn't tell her anything because I'm the dumb husband. My bigger failure was not having the right light with the gun.
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You're wife is braver than mine. Lol. Mine just hunkers down and asks me what it was.
 
I really should get a good tactical flashlight or two. I keep lights on all of my convenient-to-access firearms, but everything is in a safe because I don't want a kid having easy access.
 
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