[axxe55]

what most of these guys have said is straight to the point. everybody's home and situation are different. are you single, married, or with children in the home? do you live in an apartment, house in the suburbs, or a rural setting? are you better with a pistol or a shotgun? is your home one story, two story, open floor plan or lots of doors and walls? keep asking questions until you feel you can make the decision as to what gun is right for you and your situation. then when you have made that decision, practice, practice then practice some more. a lot of people buy a gun for sd/hd, then just put in the nightstand or put in the corner and that's as far as they ever go. take it to the range on a regular basis and practice with it then go home and clean/oil it. proper maintanence and cleaning are important too.

[Thadeuce]

Originally Posted by Firearm007

I have my .380 in my drawer and my 9mm on my nightstand ready to duel wield if need be. Don't underestimate the .380 round it was invented and used as a self defense round for a reason ::::just that::::: I hate when people say "nothing less than a 9mm" that makes me wonder about individuals in our real world

Dual wield? So you are more accurate with a gun in each hand than with a gun held by both? And as far as the .380 goes, who needs concealment for a HD weapon? A .380 is great for carry because of it's small size but why would you need that at home?

[therewolf]

Originally Posted by Firearm007

I have my .380 in my drawer and my 9mm on my nightstand ready to duel wield if need be. Don't underestimate the .380 round it was invented and used as a self defense round for a reason ::::just that::::: I hate when people say "nothing less than a 9mm" that makes me wonder about individuals in our real world

I would not want to be shot with a .380, or even a lowly .22...

...as stated previously, if it's working for you, nothing could be a

better endorsement. IMO, 9mm is only marginally better than a

.380, and the only reason I don't have .380s is because I try to

avoid getting calibers with confusing ammo sizes, and the.380

ammo would be too easy to confuse with 9mm.

[Papa_Woody]

The scattergun ( IMO ) has to stand as the best option simply for it's simple theory, availability, and vast number of options.

Personally I keep several of both on hand. But back when I lived alone many states away, before I was 21 and in a state that was not handgun friendly, my 870 was it. Still leans against the bed, accompanied by many more, and will probably be the first one I grab

[AIKIJUTSU]

I keep a .45 acp in bed with me, and a 12 guage standing in the corner of the room next to my bed. If I wake up and the perp is already in my bedroom the .45 is best. If I hear him before he gets that close to me it'll be the shotgun, but the .45 (a Taurus PT-145 w/3.3" bbl) will be in my pocket. If I had plenty buck$ my defense would be to have my ceiling rigged with a set of concealed bullet-proof bell jars about 7' high and 4' in diameter. When the perp came in thru a window or a door, the automagic alarm system would quickly drop the appropriate bell(s) jar over him(them) and seal it to the floor. Then the associated vacuum pump would start up and pump all the air out of the bell jar(s). When it was finished, a putty knife would come out an scrape the perp(s) off the inside of the bell jar. But since I don't have that kinda buck$ I'll just have to make do with a .45 and a 12-ga.

[Papa_Woody]

That's a very intricate booby trap...