I want to share my opinion on this matter and get some of yours. There is no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious.

For my home defense weapon I have chosen a S&W 5 shot detective special chambered in .38 Special. I have it loaded with+PFederal Hydra shocks. It's located in a easy accessible lock box that my wife and I can get into but the kids can't.

Now for my reason why......

There are many other calibers and platforms that had I been a single man I would choose. BUT I'm not and I must think about what my wife can shoot and shoot well.

While she can shoot any caliber she tends to shoot much better withthe smallerones, less recoil and she is very accurate. Also the simpledesign on a double action revolver is hard to beat. In most panic situations for those who do not have the time to practice often, like my wife, it's a natural almost programed response to......pick up a gun, pointandsqueezethe trigger. No safety to worry about, no cocking, no jamming and it's just about as safe,simple and full proofas a pistol can get. Remember odds are this is going to happen in the middle of the night so most people are coming out of a deep sleep and things can happen fast.

She has shot this pistol often and is confident with it.The grips fit her hand perfect and she is extremely accurate with it.While she practices with .38SPL rounds she probably won't even realize the added+P recoil if the situation (God forbid) should ever arise that she would have to protect herself or the kids. There is less of a chance for an accidental discharge as the double action trigger has a deliberate pull.

I know there are better choices for home protection and I'm sure my XD45 would be in the box if I was single, but I'm not and she doesn't like to shoot the .45 or anything in the larger calibers.


What do you folks use and is there anyone else in the house that might need to use it too?