Home Carry? Pistol choice?

[jordanvraptor]

I live in a cul de sac with 360 degrees of neighbor housing. My consideration of penetration through building materials is a factor in choosing a pistol for carrying while inside my home. In the unlikely event of a burglar/home invasion scenario, I must consider stopping power, accuracy, magazine capacity, penetration, size, and comfort wearing the pistol. This thought experiment balances all these factors against each other. In acquiring data for said experiment, I weighed five pistols that were loaded with defensive ammo. The lightest and most comfortable to wear while sitting on the couch goes to the Sig P230 but it has only 8 rounds. The heaviest is the Beretta and has 19 rounds of 9mm Liberty Civil Defense ammo to limit penetration. The largest but still fairly light is the Five Seven with 21 rounds of less than awesome stopping power and its very loud. The Glock and the Defender are equally uncomfortable and the Glock's .45 rounds would be the most likely to penetrate into another house. Lighter ammo could lessen this factor but it still is limited to 11 rounds. I have a smaller Ruger LCP but I would not trust it to make a hostage rescue shot at 21 feet so it was not seriously considered for this thought experiment. Multiple assailants would favor the Five Seven or Beretta vs the comfort of the smaller, pistols. I'm currently carrying the Sig P230 just to get a feel for it and I ordered some Underwood +P ammo for it to boost its stopping power.

Thoughts?

Sig P230

• jordanvraptor
• Mar 2, 2026

Colt Defender 9mm

• jordanvraptor
• Mar 2, 2026

Glock 30S

• jordanvraptor
• Mar 2, 2026

FN Five Seven

• jordanvraptor
• Mar 2, 2026

Beretta M9

• jordanvraptor
• Mar 2, 2026

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[Barfly]

I carry a J-frame S&W with .38 spl +p 85% of the time. Otherwise, I love my CZ 75 compact PCR with standard 124gr 9mm fmj. For me, its cause I practice with them the most, vs considering things like penetrating building materials, etc.

 

[1911Fanatic]

Dang OP, those are some sweet handguns. I really like your 5.7 and that Sig!

Currently I have a recently acquired old Smith and Wesson SW 40F on bedside duty with Federal Punch 180gr JHP in it. I have three of them that I picked up really cheap, all in near mint shape. That was my first pistol that I ever bought for myself.

It will be replaced by my SW40V as soon as I can take it out and yes fire it.

My Colt 1911 is too expensive for any kind of serious duty application where one might wind up having to lose it after using it. It;s mainly a range/BBQ gun lol. That one of yours is Sweet!

 

[Tlock]

2 things I personally dont consider when defending my home and kids......1) my hearing. 2) not getting my gun back, I dont care if its a $5,000 gun.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

…

Thoughts?

My thoughts are I'm not really into "thought experiments".

 

[Stomper]

G43X with Hornady Critcal Defense.

 

[Twodogs]

I'm carrying my H&K VP9 with hot hand loaded sig V crowns 124 gr.

 

[Koda]

I have a smaller Ruger LCP but I would not trust it to make a hostage rescue shot at 21 feet so it was not seriously considered for this thought experiment. Multiple assailants would favor the Five Seven or Beretta vs the comfort of the smaller, pistols. I'm currently carrying the Sig P230 just to get a feel for it and I ordered some Underwood +P ammo for it to boost its stopping power.

Thoughts?

Has Oregon City really got that bad?

Hostage shots and multiple assailants? If those are truly a risk then the choice is easy, pick the gun you shoot the best regardless of comfort. And dont use +p for faster followup shots.

 

[Tlock]

Has Oregon City really got that bad?

Hostage shots and multiple assailants? If those are truly a risk then the choice is easy, pick the gun you shoot the best regardless of comfort. And dont use +p for faster followup shots.

OC is the new ghetto it sounds like

 

[Medic!]

My Butler handles all the security. And he carries a SP5k under his tailcoat.

 

[jordanvraptor]

I did say it was an unlikely event, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it….

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

I did say it was an unlikely event, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it….

Remember that lighter weight bullets such as the 50grain 9mm Liberty Civil Defense have a lower point of impact that may make hostage shots unreliable.

 

[nammac]

You really have to weight the pros and cons for yourself and make the right choice for your particular situation.

I personally carry a S&W 642 with 135 gr Gold Dots for .38 Special +P firepower. I figure that'll get me to the safe, and better choices, AR, Sig M11, G19 all loaded and half a dial twist from being available.

 

[bradsteen]

Has Oregon City really got that bad?

Hostage shots and multiple assailants? If those are truly a risk then the choice is easy, pick the gun you shoot the best regardless of comfort. And dont use +p for faster followup shots.

Hostage shots might be an extreme scenario, but the average home invasion involves multiple assailants (2-5, IIRC). More crooks = easier to subdue occupants, able to take more loot, etc. If you're preparing to deal with one threat, not much of a stretch to prepare for more.

 

[TTSX]

It's not about what's best but what you'll actually carry. And work with that.

 

[Alexx1401]

When I am home relaxing I normally will still keep an old KT 32 in pocket of sweat pants. Since its safe (for me) to carry with no holster I can forget its even there. Between the dogs and motion detectors really don't need it anymore as no way for someone to get close to the house and me not know. More out of habit anymore I guess.

 

[1911Fanatic]

2 things I personally dont consider when defending my home and kids......1) my hearing. 2) not getting my gun back, I dont care if its a $5,000 gun.

That;s the great thing about having more than one gun, is you get to decide how and when to use them. My Colt is not just expensive, it was a gift and will be a family heirloom.

I have other 1911's that are just as good, and more suitable to the task as they are fixed sights, with night sights, and not a delicate adjustable target sight. And they cost considerably less.

The Colt 1911 I have just isn;t as suited to be used as a weapon. I mean I would if it was the only gun available to me at the time. But, most of my guns are tools, it;s just that one that is not.

I have 200 dollar guns that make better duty/defensive weapons. Also, a high point stuffed in a tube sock makes a great weapon if you need to be ultra quiet. Thwap!

 

[arthurclarke]

This is tough given your options.

The G30 in 45 has alot of good home defense low penetration options. I wouldnt discount it yet. Also its a compact so you would carry it more often. And it has a light option so you would be able to testify that you were able to positively i.d. targets.

The only problem for me would be finding a reputable holster to carry the G30 with light with aiwb. I stick with Tenicor but they dont have this combo available. I am not familiar with these other holster companies that say they offer a holster for a G30 with light with aiwb.

Probably going to have to use a custom kydex holster for this G30 light aiwb combo. I have had bad experiences with them. Bad belt clips, hardware coming loose, kydex sheets coming apart causing a loose handgun, bad retention.

 

[1911Fanatic]

The Colt Defender would be good. +P ammo would likely overcome the loss of velocity with such a short barrel and ensure less penetration and earlier expansion/energy dump. I always load +P in a 4.25 barrel or less with the 45.

HST, Gold Dot should be good. I would avoid Critical Duty as it isn't as reliable expander. It's more for penetrating barriers.

 

[TTSX]

The Colt Defender would be good. +P ammo would likely overcome the loss of velocity with such a short barrel and ensure less penetration and earlier expansion/energy dump. I always load +P in a 4.25 barrel or less with the 45.

HST, Gold Dot should be good. I would avoid Critical Duty as it isn't as reliable expander. It's more for penetrating barriers.

Watch Paul Harrell's video about .45 and expansion. Less than 5" barrels should not get 230 grain at all and +p doesn't necessarily mean much, especially if you don't have the runway to take advantage of it. 185 is the best .45 hollow point weight.