My first guns (home defense advice)
 

I am considering purchasing my first guns.

After research this is what I came up with:

A Smith & Wesson .357 with a 6 inch barrel, and chrome plating.
And
A Remington 870 Express Home Defense Special shotgun.

I was wondering what people thought of my choice and if you could offer any alternatives. I am not opposed to automatics.

The 870 is a great first shotgun. It's easily and cheaply customizable, and quite reliable. Outfit it with a tactical flashlight and you'll be able to see whatever you're protecting against, and can also blind an intruder to give you a little bit of extra time to react and assess the situation (pump the gun, blind him, and he might surrender if he knows he's about to be shot, and definitely if he's unarmed.)

If you tell us a bit about your home's layout and surroundings (number of floors, property sise, etc.) we can give you better advice on what kind of setup would work best.

The most common recommendation I've heard is the 870 Police model with a Surefire tactical forend on the front. I would suggest you check out website such as www.thehighroad.org and www.thefiringline.com for more info.

I would suggest not buying anything until you've taken the proper safety and home defense courses. The NRA offers several of them that are extremely useful, and will put you in the proper mindset. You'll want to consider where you're located, what happens if a round goes through your wall, and other things.

Given what I've researched, I would personally go with a Remington 870 Police Model with the Surfire forend, and a 1911 loaded with MagSafe rounds by the bedstand. Both would be used extensively in practice so that I would be comfortable using them first.

The 357/38 is a decent first gun purchase and can fill many roles exceedingly well. I don't think you could go wrong with it in a modern sidearm. As far as brand name goes I can't reccomend the Ruger GP100's more highly. They are very strong solid and accurate weapons. I'd recommend going stainless. Smith and Wesson long ago burned their bridges with me with their political posturing. Their revolvers are decently made but have had a reputation of shooting loose. If you plan on handloading at all or using alot of high pressure / performance rounds I'd go with the Ruger for sure.

Guns?
 

First I'd seriously consider whether you want to use a gun to protect yourself in your home. I've been around guns and hunted half my life, i'm very comfortable around guns, but I wouldn't ever want to get into a position where I would have to use one in my home. I'd be way to worried about what would happen if the person you thought had broken in was actually your son/daughter sneaking back in after partying :| . We don't even keep guns in our house for that reason.

Well that fun point aside... :p

I'd definently second what DelayedReaction said.. if your going to get a gun for home protection put a surefire or some VERY BRIGHT light on it. It will not only blind the intruders when at midnight it suddenly becomes as bright as day but it will allow you to be sure of what your shooting at.

I couldn't say it any better then that :P

12 Guage Pump, 3 rounds. Put some goose shot in there and not only are the intruders not going to walk away, but you don't have to worry about shooting throught the walls or taking out the neighbour's front windows across the street.

http://brd3.chosun.com/bemil/files/B...20shorty-2.jpg

what ^Blistex^ says...

12 gauge pump....the original manstopper.
can't be beat for Home Protection.

Good research. A nice 357 revolver is about the best you can come up with as pistols go. Make sure you handle a 4" version too. It might have better balance for you, and might be quicker to point.

The 870 is a great choice too, but after you cut your first target in half with one, you might be reconsidering your pistol purchase. I just picked up a 870 youth Express in 20ga for the wife and home defense (21" barrel). I have no doubts that I could do some serious hurt with that thing. #3 buckshot and I will be getting a 8 round over all mag extension, boom boom dead.

Don't worry about the gun's finish. Chrome or poly coat or what not. If you take care of it with some good CLP or gun oil, the thing will last forever. After all, your night stand is not the same as a swampy jungle.

Blistex

I hope that one ain't your's. That barrel is a little shorter than 18"

So? You can get permits for them.

True. I did not think of that.

Do yourself a favor and get that Remington 870, you will never regret that decision. The .357 you mentioned would be a great pistol to have, but for a home defense, you have to have the shotgun. Also, if you are considering buying a pistol for carry, I advise you go with a much shorter barrel. I have a titanium .357 taurus with a 2 inch barrel. It is a very small, light revolver that holds 7 shots and fits in my pocket without too much bulge. I bought the taurus because it was about $200 cheaper than a similar Smith model, if money is no issue for you, get a Smith if you like. Either way, get a shorter barrel if you plan on carrying.

How controllable is that? I've heard a lot of people indicate that shorter barrels are extremely hard to control, and I can't imagine something chambered for .357 would be a pleasure. (I'm not trying to troll; I'm sincerely curious).

I think he means point, instead of recover from recoil.

That shotgun looks like it would hurt to shoot.

Nah, the Serbu Super-shorty is surprisingly fun to shoot.

One thing that you have to remember with handguns like the .357 or the .44 mag is that they can penetrate an intruder and still have enough juice to go into the next room. Also If you miss with one you can put it into the neighbours house. Be sure to use the home defense fragmentation ammo that won't go through drywall.

p.s. here is a short video you might want to check out!

http://www.serbu.com/SS1.MPG

The streaming sorta sucks so just <right click> and "save as".

Great choice for the shotgun and great choice for thr revolver, though I would suggest a little less pipe on it. I own a 6" for target shooting, and it shoots right well, but it points slow.

The other thing to remember is that the revolver is just not that great an option for home defense. As I've heard it well said before, a handgun exists to allow you to fight your way to where your long gun is stored. If you are at home, you arer where your long gun is stored. In other words, get the training you need and then get the shotgun. Shooit. A lot. Get good and used to it. Then buy that revolver if you feel like it, not because you think you need one for home defense.