Home defense is something we should all be aware of in this day and age. No matter where you live, there’s always the possibility that someone will pick your home to burgle or threaten. But if you have a great handgun for home defense, you can protect you and your family and make any would-be thief think twice about breaking the back window in the middle of the night.
Let’s break down our top 5 handguns for home defense in 2020. These are choice pistols thanks to their size, accuracy, grip texture, or cartridge type.
Glock 19
Ah, the G19! It’s a staple self-defense handgun for several reasons. For starters, it comes with the proprietary Glock durability that all these pistols enjoy. Make sure to clean it from time to time, and you’ll have a consistent handgun that works for up to a decade without giving you serious trouble. This is also great if you want to practice your shot and become a master at self-defense shooting – you can stick with the same trusty sidearm for a long time.
The Glock 19 is also relatively small, at least compared to many other 9 mm pistols. You can find dedicated compact models that are perfect for concealed carry. Thus, it’s good for those with smaller or larger hands alike. Most models come with textured grips and sights by default, though your G19’s generation will determine the specifics.
Perhaps most importantly, the G19 comes with a special trigger safety system. This prevents you from accidentally firing a shot when you’re nervous and can save you a lot of paperwork if a home invasion goes poorly. Still, it’s a responsive gun and quite accurate when you get some practice in. It's arguably the best handgun for beginners out of every pistol on the market – pair your Glock 19 with a great holster and some time at the range, and you’ll be set.
Sig Sauer P320
The Sig Sauer P320 is pretty similar to the G 19 overall, but it’s a solid alternative thanks to its grip texture and several other features. It’s very close to the duty pistols used by Army personnel, and it features an extended slide and magazine release. All of these make it very easy to use, even in the dark, or if you have to fumble for your gun upon waking up to the sounds of an intrusion.
As mentioned, the weapon features a textured grip that will help you keep a hold of it even if your hand starts to shake. A lower rail system on the bottom will let you fit a flashlight or laser to the pistol; this could be an ideal attachment want better visibility in the dark or to ensure perfect accuracy against an attacker in the night.
We offer several Sig P320 holster options – take your pick of over the waistband or under the waistband holsters depending on your preferences.
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
The S & W M&P M2.0 is a little larger than the G19 and is actually used by military and police personnel all the time. It’s chambered in 9 mm by default, and 9 mm rounds are fantastic self-defense cartridges thanks to their stopping power and accuracy.
The M2.0 has a particularly aggressive texturing on the grip along with a modifiable back strap that allows you to change the size of the grip if you have a larger or smaller hand. This also makes it difficult to drop in a tense situation.
It comes with a lower rail so you can add attachments if you desire. The trigger is incredibly crisp and comes with a similar safety mechanism as the G19. The downside is that its size means you need a good holster to go along with it. Fitting it under your pillow or in your bedside table might be tough. Fortunately, there are lots of excellent holsters to go with.
Sig Sauer P226
The Sig Sauer P226 again trends toward the larger side of the scale, but that’s partially because it’s the service weapon relied upon by the U.S. Navy SEALs. That’s right – it’s a monster in the right hands and is chambered in 9 mm. It can hold up to 15 rounds in the magazine, plus an additional in the chamber, so you don’t have to worry about running out of ammunition when fighting off an attacker.
The pistol's larger size makes it perfect for combining with a below the barrel attachment like a flashlight or laser. The extended slide release and magazine release buttons make it easy to handle, even in the dark. The trigger is particularly snappy but requires significant pressure to pull.
By far, this is a great handgun for home defense if you have larger hands and want something with plenty of power and accuracy. Consider it as a handgun if you want to protect your property along with the interior of your home, as it can work for larger ranges than some of the others we’ve mentioned. Don’t forget a great holster to go with it!
Smith & Wesson 642
The Smith & Wesson 642 is a perfect handgun for home defense if you have a smaller palm size or if you’re just partial to snub-nosed revolvers. These are ideal civilian pistols since they are easy to use and extremely easy to conceal, either in your pocket or in your bedside drawer. You can also fit them in a number of excellent holsters, unlike many other revolvers these days.
The 642 is chambered in .38 special: common ammunition that’s still accurate enough for close-quarters home defense. This diminutive cannon is reliable and consistent. There’s no need to worry about jams here. The small size is also suitable for close-quarters combat in a way that larger guns simply can’t match.
Ultimately, it's easy to clean and maintain, and it's a weapon that’s perfect for those with a mind for home defense. It's ideal if you don't want to get into all the bells and whistles of modern pistols.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, any of these handguns will be perfect choices for home defense. Be sure to combine them with a great concealed carry holster and you’ll be able to take them with you out in public to protect you and your family even when you’re far from home.