Hey everyone,

I’m in the process of buying my first handgun for home defense.
What are some things you would recommend I purchase to complement the gun in terms of maintenance, storage, and other must-haves or even nice-to-haves?

Already on my list is a carrying case, fire-proof safe, dummy rounds for dry-fire practice, and a good pair of ear plugs for the range. Not sure if I should throw in a speed-loader with that or not. I feel like I’m missing some stuff, hence this post.

For the future, I plan to build the gun out. I have already decided on purchasing an optics-ready pistol, so I can throw a red-dot on it down the line, and also a light.

Looking forward to your responses, cheers!

    • november@iusearchlinux.fyiOP
      71·
      9 months ago

      If I’m being real, I just want a reason to shoot and go to the range 😂 Although you’re right on some points, having a gun doesn’t necessarily make you feel safer, its a liability if anything.

    • DABDA@lemmy.world
      71·
      9 months ago

      Home defense is a close quarters encounter a gun is a range weapon

      They are planning on using a pistol for home defense, not a scoped rifle. Most defensive encounters with a pistol are likely not going to be at great distances to begin with, and even if someone was expertly trained in unarmed combat if the option exists to not have to get close that would still be preferable. It’s also harder to retreat while grappling with an intruder than being able to engage from across a room.

      Truly the best defense hand gun is a 4in DAO 38 special

      • Unless the shooter isn’t compatible with that platform [recoil management? weight? size?] - humans come in many shapes and have differing needs
      • Unless there’s the possibility of multiple attackers

      A revolver is more reliable, needs less cleaning

      For a self/home defense gun you shouldn’t slack on cleaning regardless of its type. But also the vast majority of modern striker fired pistols are exceptionally reliable and generally don’t need any/excessive cleaning.

      Red dots, lights, lasers, ect are pretty useless.

      If you train to use them under pressure and they demonstrably help with getting on target they aren’t useless. A light in particular can be very helpful if you might have trouble identifying your target (see also: don’t shoot your loved ones). It’s certainly easy to overdo it, and ideally you don’t want to rely on additional accessories, but still far from “useless”.

      much more likely to shoot a loved one

      While it’s possible that’s true (a lot of gun use stats can be tricky to accurately measure), do you even know if this poster lives with or even around other people?

      Learning unarmed combat is safer and likely to serve you better.

      No reason not to learn unarmed combat if you’re able and willing - it can only help. I don’t think it’s always going to be safer in every life or death situation though. Suppose a person lives alone in an area with a cartel known for doing home invasions with a group - in that scenario they’re probably going to be killed if using a pistol (or rifle, or shotgun etc.) but they will definitely be killed with just their fists.

    • FireTower@lemmy.world
      21·
      9 months ago

      Home defense is a close quarters encounter a gun is a range weapon.

      Ranged self defense weapons are decidedly better as they don’t require you to be in range of a threat to utilize them. Be that a firearm or even just pepper spray.

        • FireTower@lemmy.world
          4·
          9 months ago

          Yes I am. I don’t think the circumstances behind that are directly applicable as it is focused on drawing from a holster (rather than a low/high ready) which isn’t applicable in most home defense scenarios.

          In a hypothetical where someone has attempted a break in on my residence while I’m inside I’ve probably realized before they know where I am.

        • ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com
          1·
          9 months ago

          The Tueller principle states that they can get you within 21ft…if you don’t move. It is taught to military and police officers not to say “so you may as well not even have these guns we’re giving you,” rather to say “move laterally as you draw if possible.” Often accompanied by phrases like “move off ‘the X’” (“the X” referring to the spot you’re standing while the encounter/your draw starts.)

          Furthermore even then I’d rather be able to shoot from a thumb pectoral index and use my left as a leveraging arm if need be than be in an entangled fight over whatever contact weapon he brought, and that’s assuming I’m lucky enough that the violent intruder doesn’t have a gun of his own, which is frankly a bold assumption. Also assumes he’s alone and didn’t bring the typical 2-4 friends.

          Feel free to make your own choices regarding self defense, by all means, but you fundamentally misunderstand the Tueller principle.