We get it; sifting through reviews of home defense shotguns, rifles, and pistols is overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to spend your money.
Luckily, you’ve got us! The Pew Pew Tactical team joined forces to recommend the best home defense guns we’ve reviewed, used, and owned. We’ll also recommend a few other things you might not have considered yet, like ammo, flashlights, safes, and suppressors.
By the end, you’ll have a good idea of what type of gun is best for you and what accessories you might want to add.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best CCW
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Best Full-Size Pistol
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Best State-Compliant Pistol
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Best Pump-Action Shotgun
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Best Semi-Auto Shotgun
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Best Value AR-15
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Best Premium AR-15
Table of Contents
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Home Defense Gun Comparison Chart
| Category | Caliber | Action | Capacity | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Price | |
| Glock 19 Gen5 | Pistol | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 15+1 | 4″ | 7.4″ | 24 oz | $539 |
| Walther PDP | Pistol | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 18+1 | 4.5″ | 8″ | 25 oz | $599 |
| Springfield 1911 Operator AOS | Pistol | .45 ACP | Semi-automatic, single action | 8+1 | 4.25″, 5″ | 7.9″, 8.6″ | 31 oz, 42 oz | $1,055 |
| Mossberg 590A1 | Shotgun | 12ga | Pump-action | 5+1, 6+1, 8+1 | 14″, 18.5″, 20″ | 36.1″ 39.5″ 41″ | 6.75 lbs, 7 lbs, 7.25 lbs | $547 |
| Beretta 1301 | Shotgun | 12ga | Semi-automatic, gas-operated | 7+1 | 18.5″ | 37.8″ | 6.4 lbs | $1,375 |
| PSA AR-15 Pistol | AR-15 | 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK | Semi-automatic, direct impingement | 30+1 | 6″ – 12″ | N/A | N/A | $459 |
| Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 | AR-15 | 5.56 NATO | Semi-automatic, direct impingement | 30+1 | 16″ | 32.25″ – 36″ | 6.2 lbs | $1,827 |
How We Tested the Best Home Defense Guns
The Pew Pew Tactical team brings decades of experience from self-defense, competition, the military, and law enforcement. After tens of thousands of rounds and countless hours at the range, we came up with a list of our top picks.
Every handgun we test undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards.
Every review rifle involves 500 rounds of practice ammo and heavier match-grade ammo at 50 and 100 yards with a 5-25x scope (unless otherwise noted). We require all AR-15s to be tested with at least 3 magazines to assess compatibility, and we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all guns.
For guns we have reviews on, we’ve linked those so you can read more.
Best Home Defense Guns
1. Glock 19 Gen 5 – Best CCW
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Gold standard of reliability
- 15-round magazines
- Limitless aftermarket support
Cons
- Underwhelming trigger and sights
- Controversial ergonomics
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-automatic, striker fire
- Capacity: 15+1
- Barrel Length: 4″
- Overall Length: 7.3″
- Weight: 23 oz
Our go-to pick and the gold standard for reliability is the Glock 19. If you want one reasonably-priced gun for concealed carry and home defense, this is it.
This pistol’s track record speaks for itself. It’s small enough to carry concealed, big enough to shoot accurately, capable of holding 15-round magazines, and practically indestructible.
It’s been around with minimal changes for decades, so the aftermarket support for the Glock 19 is massive. If there’s anything you want to change (cough cough, trigger) you can do it yourself for a reasonable price.
You can add a pistol light of your choosing, and MOS models let you mount a red dot, too. If that’s important to you, just make sure you buy the Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS and the right adapter plate for the optic you prefer.
The Glock 19 feeds everything from training rounds to high-dollar defensive loads without a hiccup. It’s not too shabby with a suppressor, either.
There’s more to say about this legendary pistol, so check out our full Glock 19 review to make sure you don’t miss anything.
2. Walther PDP Full Size 4.5 – Best Full-Size Pistol
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Best striker-fired trigger
- Optic ready
- Great ergonomics
- Very reliable
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Semi-automatic, striker fire
- Capacity: 18+1
- Barrel Length: 4.5″
- Overall Length: 8″
- Weight: 25 oz
We’ve praised the Walther PDP before and we’ll do it again. This is one incredible pistol, complete with the best striker-fire trigger on the market.
The Walther PDP hasn’t been around nearly as long as the Glock 19 or Glock 17, but it’s established a rock-solid reputation for reliability.
It’s inherently accurate, and that gets a boost from the crisp trigger and excellent ergonomics. You even get three backstop inserts to match your hand size.
Walther offers compact and full-size frames made from either polymer or steel. Barrels range from 3.5 inches to 5.2-inches with a threaded muzzle. Our pick for home defense is a full-size PDP with the 4.5-inch barrel. It gets you 18+1 capacity and a manageable slide length. Stick to the more affordable polymer frame unless you have lots of extra cash to spend on the (admittedly delightful) steel frame.
Aftermarket support for the PDP is ramping up, so you’ll have mo problem finding lights, optics, holsters, and upgraded components.
We have a ton of experience with this pistol in all its configurations. Check out our long-term Walther PDP review with over 10,000 rounds downrange, and take a peek at some of the Best Walther PDP Upgrades we’ve tested!
3. Springfield Armory 1911 Operator AOS – Best State-Compliant Pistol
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Specs
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Action: Semi-automatic, single action
- Capacity: 8+1
- Barrel Length: 4.25″, 5″
- Overall Length: 7.9″, 8.6″
- Weight: 31 oz, 42 oz
Hold on, am I recommending a century-old design for home defense in 2025? Maybe. Let’s give the Springfield Armory 1911 Operator AOS a chance.
We typically prefer 9mm over .45 ACP because we can fit way more rounds in a magazine, and defensive 9mm ammunition packs plenty of power.
Some states limit magazine capacity, though, which cancels out that advantage. If we’re going to be capped at 10 rounds, we want those rounds to be as powerful as possible.
Springfield’s 1911 Operator AOS puts the power of eight .45 ACP hollow-points in your hand. It can also accept a weapon light and a red dot, which keeps it relevant as a fighting pistol.
Of course, you’ll also get a steel frame and one of the nicest handgun triggers ever designed. It’s heavy, which makes recoil no big deal.
The Operator series fits nicely between Springfield’s more cost-effective Garrison series and top-shelf TRP series. When it comes to home defense, it’s the Goldilocks of the bunch.
Want to learn more about the 1911? Take a look at our guide to the Best 1911 Pistols!
4. Mossberg 590A1 – Best Pump-Action Shotgun
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Built like a tank
- Reliable pump action
- 8+1 capacity
Cons
- Heavy
- Takes longer to reload
Specs
- Gauge: 12ga
- Action: Pump-action
- Capacity: 5+1, 6+1, 8+1
- Barrel Length: 14″, 18.5″, 20″
- Overall Length: 36.1″ 39.5″ 41″
- Weight: 6.75 lbs, 7 lbs, 7.25 lbs
Our favorite pump-action shotgun is the Mossberg 590A1.
It’s built like a tank and with optional 8+1 capacity, you’ve got firepower to match.
Recoil is harsh compared to rifles or pistols but nothing gets more lead downrange in a single shot than a shotgun.
As long as you properly stroke the pump-action of the 590A1 it will keep on chugging. These take some practice to master but they’re supremely reliable. We’ve never had a malfunction with ours and the value is good for a firearm.
See our Mossberg 590A1 review for more.
5. Beretta 1301 – Best Semi-Auto Shotgun
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Reliable, fast cycling
- Soft recoil
- Optic-ready
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
- Gauge: 12ga
- Action: Semi-automatic, gas-operated
- Capacity: 7+1
- Barrel Length: 18.5″
- Overall Length: 37.8″
- Weight: 6.4 lbs
As much as people love pump-action shotguns (and that’s a lot), autoloaders like the Beretta 1301 are better for home defense.
The 1301 is Beretta’s top-of-the-line combat shotgun and it’s what we recommend if you have the money to buy one. As much as we dig the more affordable A300 Ultima Patrol, its big brother is just too fast and smooth to leave off this list.
The 1301 is relatively light but it still soaks up enough recoil to make rapid strings of fire surprisingly manageable.
The advanced gas system runs super fast, so you’ll never find yourself waiting for it to cycle between shots. The ergonomics are great and you can ad an optic to the Picatinny rail if you don’t like using the iron sights.
Our test unit (which we liked so much we ended up buying it) has eaten every type of ammo we’ve fed it.
See it in action in our Beretta 1301 review!
6. Palmetto State Armory AR-15 Pistols – Best Value AR-15
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Affordable
- 30-round magazines
- Low recoil
- Beginner-friendly
Cons
- Ammo choice is important for home defense
Specs
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK
- Action: Semi-automatic, direct impingement
- Capacity: 30+1
- Barrel Length: 6″ – 12″
- Overall Length: N/A
- Weight: N/A
Need an entry-level AR that will always go boom? We’re big fans of Palmetto State Armory AR-15 pistols for home defense.
Palmetto State Armory’s in-house AR-15s are super affordable and they get the job done.
Like other AR-15 variants, they offer 30+1 capacity, good ergonomics, and endless room for customization. If you want to upgrade your trigger or bolt carrier group later on, you absolutely can.
Compared to an AR-15 carbine (think 16-inch barrel and a buttstock), an AR pistol is far more maneuverable in close quarters. Throw a red dot on it and you’re in business.
Sure, you’ll give up some muzzle velocity and accuracy at longer ranges, but those aren’t big sacrifices in the confines of your home.
Check out our full Palmetto State Armory AR-15 review for all the details!
7. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 – Best Premium AR-15
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Super reliable & well-built
- Very accurate
- Easy to add accessories
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Action: Semi-automatic, direct impingement
- Capacity: 30+1
- Barrel Length: 16″
- Overall Length: 32.25″ – 36″
- Weight: 6.2 lbs
Looking for a more premium AR-15? Allow us to introduce the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7.
This AR-15 has everything you need in a home defense rifle, and it can hone your marksmanship skills by training at longer ranges, too.
People love the DDM4 series because these rifles are reliable, accurate, and not too heavy. They aren’t cheap but, then again, there isn’t much to upgrade.
Give it a red dot, upgrade to an LPVO, or kick it old school with iron sights. This thing can do it all.
If you’re still curious, head over to our full DDM4 V7 review.
How to Pick the Best Home Defense Gun
You’ve seen our recommendations, but how do you pick just one? Let’s figure out some of the reasons you’d choose a shotgun, rifle, or pistol instead of something else.
Home Defense Pistol Pros & Cons
If you’ve read up on the Pew Pew Tactical crew’s personal home defense guns, you know we’re big fans of pistols. Why is that?
For starters, they’re small enough to maneuver around tight corners a lot easier than long guns. With one hand free, you can lock doors, use the phone, and silently direct family members to safety. Concealing them is easier, and that can be an advantage.
Modern pistols do well in terms of capacity, too. Even compact pistols typically have 15 or more rounds per magazine, and some of us have 20 or more on tap on our home defense setups. On top of that, reloads take no time at all with a pistol.
It’s also easy to add accessories that make your pistol way more effective. Check out which lights and optics we recommend to get the most out of your pistol.
The downside of using a pistol for home defense is power. Pistol rounds just can’t compete with rifle and shotgun loads. Whether you choose to shoot 9mm, .45 ACP, or something else, it’s important to use quality defensive ammunition. Save ball rounds for the range.
9mm Ammo in Stock
Home Defense Shotgun Pros & Cons
Shotguns might be a little overrated when it comes to home defense but they’re not obsolete by any means. You just have to understand their capabilities and limitations. Pattern your shotgun to make sure you understand its maximum effective range.
Shotguns send a lot of lead downrange with each shot. They are reliable and super affordable (you can pay less than $300 for a decent pump gun).
Some people argue that the familiar *ka-chunk* sound of racking a pump-action shotgun is the ultimate deterrent. There’s some merit to that, but it’s also a great way to give away your position and tell an intruder you probably only have seven or eight shots in the hopper.
On the flip side, shotguns are usually long and heavy. The Mossberg 500, which we’re big fans of, is 40 inches long and almost 8 pounds when loaded.
With great power comes great recoil, especially with a pump-action shotgun that doesn’t bleed off any power to run a gas system. Buckshot and slugs are also notorious for passing through walls, which can be a huge problem if you have family members or neighbors nearby.
Finally, shotguns suffer from limited capacity and slow reload times compared to modern carbines and pistols.
Shotgun Ammo in Stock
Home Defense Rifle Pros & Cons
For home defense, we’re talking about modern sporting rifles like the AR-15. This versatile platform isn’t just great for home defense, it’s what the police will be carrying when they respond to your 911 call.
The standard AR-15 magazine holds 30 rounds of 5.56 NATO, .223 Rem, or .300 BLK. They have minimal recoil, are easy to aim, and have user-friendly ergonomics.
Rail systems make it super easy to add lights and other accessories. With unlimited aftermarket support, you can customize your AR-15 or even build one from scratch!
Prices run the gamut, but there are plenty of great ARs that won’t break the bank. The same goes for accessories. Check out our AR-15 Ultimate Resource for all the info.
There are some drawbacks to this platform, though. Even an AR pistol is going to be longer and heavier than a handgun. Moving around indoors with one of these takes a lot of skill, so consider investing in a tactical carbine course if this is the home defense gun you choose.
5.56 and .223 Ammo in Stock
Home Defense Gun Safety
Regardless of which home defense gun you buy, you might want to lock it up with a gun safe. We’ve tested and reviewed a bunch of safes that you can access in a flash.
Quick-access pistol safes and long-gun safes make it possible to secure a firearm without letting a lengthy unlocking process get in the way.
In some states, this is a personal choice. In others, it might be required. Brush up on your state and local laws before throwing a home defense gun under the bed and calling it a day.
Shooting indoors is extremely loud and will almost certainly cause hearing damage, so it might be worth buying a suppressor (where they’re allowed).
Cans are a great safety upgrade but they’re also expensive, and knowing how to buy a suppressor is more complicated than buying one over the counter. If you have the means and patience, check out our guides to the Best 9mm & .45 ACP Suppressors and Best AR-15 Suppressors.
Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical
This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical Founder and CEO Eric Hung. In addition to everything he does here at PPT, Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA, 3-Gun, and NRL22 competitive shooter. He has researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear. He brings this expertise to this article, offering his perspective on home defense guns.
Editing and adding to this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.
Final Thoughts
That’s a lot of information to digest. Congratulations, you made it! You should be well on your way to improving your home defense plan now.
If you’re still undecided, that’s ok. We have even more helpful resources to offer.
Dive in and learn even more with our guides to the Best Home Defense Tactical Shotguns, Best Beginner Home Defense Pistols, and Best AR-15s!
What’s your living situation, and which type of firearm did you go with? Let us know in the comments. If you’ve made your choice, learn How To Stage Guns for Home Defense to make sure you get the most out of it.
LATEST UPDATES
- January 2025: Removed the Smith & Wesson 686+ and Palmetto State Armory AR-15 carbine. Added the Palmetto State Armory AR-15 pistol and Springfield Armory 1911 Operator. Updated supporting content.
- April 2024: Updated How We Test and added more hands-on experiences & information to each selection. Also removed some selections that were in the same category.
124 Leave a Reply
Personal defense or home defense take in a lot of variables. There are so many good choices but the real issue is the operator. Some of the firearms are high tech and require more than others. The less complicated firearm is the best under stress. For that reason my suggestion is a Ruger PC Carbine with the Magpul Back packer stock and a 27 round Pmag or a Glock 33 round stick mag with 147 grain hollow points ammo for 9mm. The rifle is short, is reliable, it's much lighter with the Magpul stock and comes in 40 or 9mm. The equation is Kiss, keep it simple stupid. Of course this is just one man's opinion and could apply to other PCCs. It's all personal unless you are a professional and even professionals fail under stress.
Why do you keep recommending the Mossberg 500 series shotguns as being reliable?
If you happen to drop one on its side with the chamber closed. Chances are that the elevator will come dislodged from the receiver and cause the gun to jam when you rack it.
Do a google search for "WATCH THIS if You Own a Mossberg 500,590, or 88"
There is a video of what happens.
I purchased a new one and during shipping this happened to it.
Love that you have the CZ 75 SP-01 on the first picture, but yet you don't include it in the article....why not? Double Action-Single Action is the safest weapon for a new shooter, but the least safest pistol is the Glock and that's your #1?
I think this is the article that finally gets me to unsubscribe from pew pew.
A through post. Then there is REALITY. A home invasion. HUM why are you not doing it as my book said you would? I have 357 mags in my gun. Would you mind coming back later? Suppressor? I would want to damage your hearing while my goal is to kill you. A big question is before you pull a gun, BEFORE-are you willing to use it. If, not do not pull a gun.
I have it but may I never need it. HUM, someone breaks into your home. We have the castle law. My understanding is you cannot use your gun unless he is a valid threat. Carrying out your TV, your silver is not a threat. They say call the police and leave the call opened. So there you are defending your life. Probably not wise to ask the criminal if he would rather be shot with a 45, a 38 special, or a 9mm.
Why no PCC on the list?
I like the Mossberg 590 Shockwave with a 14”barrel and birds head grip in 20 gauge. Low recoil, easy to manipulate. Good spread at 12 yards or less. Holds 5 2 3/4”. Shells.
An AR-15 might be a bit much for home defense. I would think that a 9MM PC Carbine would be more appropriate. You don't need long range for home defense unless you live out in the country. And 9MM ammo is abundantly available and cheaper than 5.56 or 2.23.
If you are worried about reloading speed for a shotgun, look at the Mossberg 590M or Rock Island Armory VRPA40.. Eject the empty mag and insert a new one. I like Mossberg for ease of safety control use by left or right handers.
Good article. Consider an AR short barrel rifle with suppressor. Or, the same in a bullpup configuration, but they are expensive. Lighter weight bullets, using hollow point, soft point, or plastic tipped varmint rounds, are best to prevent over penetration.
The article: too much information, much superfluous.
First of all, there are a number of considerations that should have been addressed.
The first is training, because without it, a home-invasion robbery is likely to turn very bad.
Best thing to do perhaps is to lock yourself and your family in a bedroom, get out your flashlight (first), firearm, and then your cellphone. Call 9-1-1 and tell them what is happening and where you are. This reduces the danger of shooting a family member — as they’re usually not prone to breaking down locked doors. Stay put until police arrive and clear the house: do NOT shoot through the door.
A shotgun is an excellent home defense weapon, but not one of the reasons appeared in the article. A long-barreled shotgun might give a burglar the opportunity to grab it when you go around a corner. Mossberg makes a “Shockwave” shotgun that is shorter than what Pew Pew recommended and is a better choice if you’re forced to go through the house to retrieve a child in a home during a defensive situation. If you have a pump shotgun, Surefire makes a dandy light as part of the fore-end (used to rack shells into the breech), very useful for identifying what you’re about to shoot. Forget using double-00 buck: #6 birdshot is much more effective in home defense and is much less likely to over-penetrate walls in a house; at 30’, #6 birdshot is a formidable way to stop an attack. One or two other benefits to using a shotgun: use small 2 1/2” shells (or smaller), or, use reduced-recoil shells — of #6 birdshot. You can also put a red dot on your shotgun for better aiming; and, something called a sidesaddle for holding 4 extra cartridges. One last thing: the sound of a shotgun having a round racked into the breech is usually a game-stopper. These reasons make the right shotgun ideal for home defense.
Using a pistol or rifle, use frangible rounds for home defense, as they’re much less likely to over-penetrate walls.
With all due respect, the S&W 686 and 686+ are bad choices: if you use .357 magnum, the round is much more likely to over-penetrate and not stop the attack: if .38 Special is used, you’re also not likely to stop the attack. As much as I like both revolvers (I own one of each), they wouldn’t be my first choice unless either was my only choice. I’ve never seen eith .38 Special or .357 Magnum in a frangible round, so you can’t use it for safety.
Most important of all, get training in how move through a house in a defensive situation from a competent instructor, with special emphasis on learning how to retain your firearm. Learn how to use a light without advertising your position. Get the firearm you think is best and frequently practice with it.
Would appreciate a proof read. Several errors on here.
Best AR bang for the buck? Can you review the Del-Ton Echo 316M?
Can you review the IWI Masada? I think it beats Glock and given what you get along with durability & reliability & crazy low price, it's the best. What do you think?
Liberty safes were nice until they gave the codes to the FBI, so much for securing your guns
Re: shotguns. I have a Winchester Model 1300 Stainless Marine Defender. Would appreciate a review and your opinion. Thanks.
I depend on Federal 12ga 2 3/4” 8 pellet -00 buck with flitecontrol wad. Low recoil (1145 fps). Shoots like a dream out of my Remington 870 with a tight pattern to 30 yards.
Beretta CX4 Storm, 30 rounds of 147gr 9mm HP's, small light, nimble and reliable. Sitting next to my 92FS same mags, just to mention something different, but yes, sitting ready in my bedroom every night.
I just managed to "do the math".. It seems to be common knowledge that 12 gauge 00 buckshot shells send 9 pellets the size of a .38 round downrange each time the trigger is pulled. Again, the common knowledge claims most shotguns carry 5 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber for a total of six.
Common AR-15 magazines hold 30 rounds, California and other states are limited to 10 rounds. Common revolvers hold 15 rounds.
So here's my version of the "magic math" why a shotgun makes sense as a self-defense weapon...
Six total rounds, launching nine .38 pellets per trigger pull... sounds like 54 total .38 pellets in relatively small patterns. More total projectiles than 2 AR-15 magazines (that are firing .223 rounds) in less trigger pulls making for less margin for error.
Pretty substantial for self-defense inside a 30 yard radius.
Plus there's the "Clack-clack-snap" signature sound of a pump...
Common revolvers hold 15 rounds? On what planet?
Since you’re doing the math, a 12-gauge shotgun shell of #6 birdshot has between 170-235 projectiles: at 30 feet, the spread of these will pretty much make a complete mess of anything that cloud of projectiles hits. The absorbed force of that shot is likely to knock an attacker down and make it VERY difficult for a small army of surgeons to repair if it impacts center-of-mass.
Prison interviews of felons with home invasion robbery experience cite dogs and shotguns as what they least want to face.
I would put the new Colt Pythons and King Cobras over the 686, despite the 7 round capacity of the 686+. S&W has been really slipping in recent years, check out The Yankee Marshall on YouTube, he did a video about it recently
I own the S&W 686 plus (7 shot). Quality slipping? I have no idea what that means. Mine is fine. Far as utube reviews realize they must say something. As far as Colt Python, they are 40% more money. Home invasion? Laws, guns. Castle law etc. As I understand it you cannot simply shoot someone for entering your home even if they are carrying out your TV etc. You need to fear for your safety-your LIFE. Hold on buddy, I need to load my gun and remove the trigger lock. Which caliber would you prefer I shoot you with? Oh and what brand do you prefer ammo and pistol? May we never need to but I am prepared.
Sorry but I much prefer my SIG 229 or my 365 to any Glocks I’ve held and fired for any significant number of rounds.
I do agree with your 2 pump shot guns but only at my cabin. In my option they’re Too long and too dangerous inside a city home
I have several styles of AR15’s but too long for a typical home interior
Just a thought
Why no one even mentioned the Beretta 92,15 shot mags one in and 15 behind is not a bad choice, also the ar15 300 blackout shooting the 110 grain hornady is a pretty good choice for home defense and if your worried about over penatration don't, that 110 grain pill will do its job and won't leave an exit hole, I no this for a fact I've taken enough critters with this load to no what that bullet does on flesh!!!! 556 green tip very bad choice for home defense!!!
You left out the 12 gauge #4 buckshot for home defense. Many SWAT teams, including the one I commanded, went to that round for entry teams years ago. Slightly more hit liklihood due to more pelllets and less unneeded wall penetration.
If you are under attack by the zombie apocalypse I would take a big 12 guage or an AR. But for a home invader coming at me I will rely on the best combat pistol of all time, the Sig Sauer P226 Navy with red dot attached. Ask a Seal.
The Sig Sauer P226, probably one of the best guns Sig ever made. I love mine.
I am a 22 year Marine combat veteran. The stupidity of writers that are allegedly "experts" regarding firearms, self-defense, and know it all regarding firearms is astounding. After my time as a Marine I served as a Deputy Sheriff, City Cop, and Prison Warden. Add to this, 27 years of Martial Arts training in various styles; as well as being born and raised in the South Bronx in NYC; and most of your experts are a laughingstock and far from experts at anything. If that wasn't enough, I am a certified NRA Law Enforcement Instructor with a handgun, Rifle and Shotgun. Individually I have trained 1,754 students, without incident within two states. I am subscribed to various gun magazines to stay up with the latest firearm developments. I pay little attention to what the experts say.
I'll take lots of sh** that never happened for $1000 Alex
Eric Hung didn’t present himself as an expert, so I know you aren’t talking about him. (Well written article, Eric.) All you did was criticize, so apparently you aren’t an expert either.
Yeah, I wasn't sure where Edgardo's comment was aimed, so-to-speak.
I'm not an expert, so I read a lot, and ask questions of people who have 'been there.'
the internet 'expert' Ed forgot to mention that he accidentally shot himself once upon a time.... so there's that
Care to enlighten us on the shortcomings in Mr. Hung's recommendations, Mr. Gierbolini?
What a total waste of a post. Are we supposed to be impressed? Start your own website, then, and give real "expert" advice. Talk is cheap, and empty criticism with no content even cheaper.
Whoa, clear a path everybody, here comes the big impressive NRA Instructor!
Got a question about your test set up for penetration on 2 3/4 .00 buck. Did you test with exterior walls of concrete block? My target area would be through a book case full of paperbacks then sheet rock, 2x4, sheet rock, across the interior of the garage and into concrete block. To my left would be a 2" thick solid wood door. Range about seven yards. How would the .00 do on that? Thanks
Most discussions of home defense miss a few points, 1, that overpenetration is always bad, which it is not. Blasting away where it can be is bad - knowing your lines of fire is important and certainly knowing what is behind you getting sprayed in lead would be too - like, your family. Theres a lot more to it than OMG I dont want to kill the neighbors kid then setting up your own to be killed.
You can prevent that by having enough gun - to stop the opponent no matter what he's hiding behind and at that point the firefight is over. There's no guarantee they will pick an underperforming or low penetration gun - you are better off defending to stop sooner than they stop you.
2 is that long guns will get you into some bad situations - which is why few in police or military use them. When corridors and hallways are 36" you don't bring a 30" + firearm, you go much shorter. This is why the XM177 became a Naval boarding and clearing firearm under their type numbering - at 26". An AR pistol or SBR does that job, 30 round magazine offers plenty of ammo, and if you are already familiar with it then there are less handling errors.
The Mossberg Shockwave does the same thing in la egal version of the old pistol grip Witness Protection shotgun - short and effective. Using 1 3/4" shells it holds ten and that provides more firepower than a blocked duck season three shooter. A short firearm is much more maneuverable in tight confines and can work getting around corners, under furniture etc where a longer field gun is at a disadvantage.
As for the penetration thing? Once inside the house, an intruder isn't a guessing game, if you move the family back to a bedroom behind good cover away from the line of fire, once they start banging on the door, do you want bullets to bounce off your side? Or do you need them to stop that attacker? Can't be done until it penetrates not only the door but them, too.
Don't let the interwebs warriors tell you different.
I got one of those Shockwaves. I'm gonna have to take a course to find out how to aim it without breaking my nose.
I purchased a Shockwave and first tried 12-ga slugs, my favorite load. Ugh.
I was advised to try #6 birdshot, 12-gauge, in 2 3/4” shells (reduced recoil) and 1 3/4” shells. More better.
If you want to learn about home defense, seek the advice of a professional. LOL, anyone who would take the advice of someone who writes random web articles is destine for failure. See a profession if you are serious about self defense and practice constantly.
Eric. I see from my reading in the gun articles and blogs that no matter what you opine there is always the critic that is almost personal in replies. "Why are you so stupid to always chose Glock, S&W, SIG, OR whatever". The are always prepared to take the other side. These people are called "trolls" in the political realm. They are naysayers in all endeavors. Most of us like and enjoy reading your efforts to broaden our experiences. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
My EDC is a Glock G30 my night time home defense choice Glock G21 with a 13+1 configuration and (at home) an AR15 in 300 blackout. no optics. Longest sight picture in my house is less than seven yards. I shoot (rapid fire) a fist sized group at this distance by pointing and shooting.
Why do you push that striker fired trash Glock when for less money you can have a higher quality more dependable pistol such as the IWI jericho enhanced. It has a real safety, second strike capability, interchangeable grip components allowing you to customize the grips and a built in rail for the gear junkies. For a little more money you can have an H&K P30. I am expecting you to start pushing Hi-Points next.
Hey Joel, there are plenty of great options for home defense guns. If the Jericho is it for you, then awesome! For others, they like the simplicity, price, and availability of Glock. We do our best to cater to a wide range of budgets and preferences but we can't include everything. Nevertheless, thanks for reading!
It seems that you didn't read the pros that I laid out in my post.
Don't feed the Glock trolls. They're just mad that Glock is by far the most widely used handgun in the Western world instead of their pet pistol. As if the manual safety is an advantage, lol. I guess they run trash ammo if they think the "second strike capability" is worth having to learn two different trigger pulls and an exposed hammer that can be fouled by debris
Not mentioned but important is cost and availability of ammo. Right now a constantly changing fact. I just bought a 686 plus. Ammo, none of the dealers around here have it in stock and if they do the price is out of sight the same is true for 380. Right now you/we can get 9mm and 22. Mail order? Yes, you can find all of it BUT, for a gun you will likely need to pay an FFL fee, shipping and tax on ammo you also face shipping charges. Of course that is all required but you pay the delivered to you price.
The 'best' gun for home defense if the ONE YOU HAVE!!.
I asked my USMC instructor what his favorite weapon was. “The one closest to me” was his response.
So the best is a shotgun then! A Bullpup shotgun.
update the info of these articles. Other wise they are a complete waste of time. The $729 revolvers are $930 and are never in stock.
Hey Bill. We get your frustration but it's incredibly tough for us to keep up with current pricing as it changes frequently. We do the best we can! Thanks for reading!
I personally own a Remington 870. When you were discussing the pros and cons of shotguns, your comparison was between the “standard style” of the pump or semi auto feeding long barrel shotgun. What about the bull pup style to move freer unconfined spaces?
Can we please stop with the glock "reliability" crap.. It's no more reliable than a Walther, or Smith and Wesson or even the g series Taurus.. Or any other striker fired pistol nowadays..
My choice is Pistol. Conditions are not optimal for long guns. I wouldn't mind having something like the Extar for HD, though. I love shotguns, but I wouldn't personally make one my primary for HD. Same for revolvers.
Anyone who lives in any sort of neighborhood or urban environment that is using anything other than a shotgun is asking for trouble. It's that simple. Your handgun/rifle round is going to go through 15 walls and end up in one of your neighbors cabinets 4 houses away. So, yeah, if you live in a city then there is only one choice, a shotgun. To argue against this very basic physics experiment is almost ridiculous.
Making blanket statement without considering those pesky physic's facts is almost ridiculous. Want to argue? First go get yourself some 2x4's, 1/2" drywall, some insulation, some plywood, an exterior coating like stucco, wood, or vinyl. Then build 2 walls, set them 50 yards apart (your 4 houses down) and shoot through them. Use something like Hornady 115 gr. Critical Defense or similar. Take a photo and post the results. Facts too much trouble or do you want to have real results to argue with?
This has to be one of the most uninformed comments i've read on this site in a while. The low mass in a 5.56 results in walls taking all the energy out of a round much faster than you can imagine. The homes where i live are wood frame construction, sheet rock, tar paper, plywood, chickenwire mesh, and stucco (inside to outside) and just about any location in my home where you'd put yourself while defending would result in a minimum of 3 walls to get through in order for a round to become a risk to a neighbor. I can pretty much guarantee that 00 buck would pose more risk to neighbors than my 5.56. Of course, it could be problematic if you skipped one out an open window, but that applies to any firearm.
Silly at best.
Kimber loaded with 220 grain plus P. I shoot more than most law enforcement. Wife has a smith 2.0. She’s trained. Going to ad a 45 acp carbine rated for plus P.
As a last resort, I like the two pistol approach. Strong hand holds a Sig P320, Romeo One, loaded with 9mm, Sig 124 gr. V-Crown JHP, one in the tube and 17/21 in the magazine. Don't make the "one in the tube" an issue. It's NOT in a "protect" situation. The weak hand holds a Tarus Judge loaded with .410 Winchster PDX1 with 3 brass plated cylinders followed by 12 plated BB's. Alternate between the weak hand and the strong hand until the threat is neutralized. These two weapons in fingerprint release gun safes in tactical locations around the house will offer the maximum speed of retrieval and protection for you and your loved ones. I understand this is a more expensive solution, but how much are you willing to spend to protect your loved ones? AND PRACTICE THE DRILL - LIVE FIRE AT THE RANGE AND DRY FIRE AT HOME. My wife who is an excellent shot, has her CCHP and has her own safes with a Walther PPS in each one. PREPARATION AND TRAINING FOR THE UNEXPECTED IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IN A SELF DEFENSE SCENARIO.
A topic I have researched thoroughly that has different solutions for different people’s circumstances. Here’s my quick breakdown to each solution: generic advice for all: shoot the gun you train most with and have skills you’re confident in. More detailed is as follows: if you don’t have kids in other rooms and live in a house not sharing walls with neighbors go with a shotgun, buckshot alternating with segmented slugs, high quality semiautomatic is preferable as adrenaline can cause you to short stroke the pump and create your own malfunction. If you have kids or other family members in other rooms go with AR15 with hollow points due to lack of over penetration. If we have a true SHTF situation and there is no more police go with AK47 with Russian steel core ammo to take care of gangs wearing body armor. last preference is pistol...inferior weapon best suited outside the home for ccw, if you don’t own a rifle or shotgun then it’s what you have got to use. A .22lr is better than nothing for deterrence at least and can be confidently handled by weaker shooters in the house. Do not clear your house, very foolish, retrieve family members from other rooms if you must back to your room but then hole up in your room and call police.
would like to see comparison of galil ace 7.62 pistol gen 1 to gen 2
Ok, heres the deal on firearms for home defense.
I've lived through a home invasion, there were four of them. I've investigated hundreds of home invasions over the years where the victim used a firearm to either stop or repel the bad guy(s).
Overall, the gun you start with is going to be the one you end with. So select that gun carefully.
Of the hundreds of home invasions I've investigated over the years I have only seen one case where the victim had time to swap weapons and that was only because the bad guys left after being initially repelled, but stayed outside the door, and then came back in a minute later - this time gave the victim time to swap weapons from a shotgun to an AR-15 with a 30 round magazine. He was able to use the increased capacity and firepower to stop the bad guys in their second attempt. The shotgun had gone dry.
During an encounter like this 90% of you, no matter how hard you trained, will not be able to reload a shot gun quickly enough against an aggressive bad guy unless you are an actual John Wick.
So must likely, the gun you start with is going to be the gun you have and end with so choose wisely.
USCCA states in its policy that if you loose a self-defense case, you are required to pay back USCCA what they spent to defend you. Other companies do not have this clause. Which insurance company do you recommend?
You need a no limits policy like, for example, CCW Safe.
USCCA has limits on defense costs. The average jury trial for self defense can easily exceed what USCCA will pay.
In addition to what I already posted - CCW Safe has no reimbursement and no recoupment no matter the outcome.
CCW Safe- I am not aware of this requirement from them, and their Civil Defense is much better (more). Yeah you don't get a Range Bag, and a chance to win a new gun, or a chance at a new Jeep like USCCA offers but who freakin cares ? I don't !, I want the coverage in this litigious society, however, None of these companies are "Insurance" companies, and you need to understand that EMPHATICALLY !!!!
Well I guess I've got all the bases covered then...I've got my 12.5" AR pistol in the living room along with my G19 on the bar and I am normally wearing my Hellcat which is my EDC pistol, plus I have my Mossberg 12GA in the bedroom along with my G19x on the nightstand next to the bed. I've got my 16" AR and the rest of my rifles tucked away, just in case things get really crazy...
Where do you live & when are you going out for an hour or so? It'll take me an hour just to carry off all your firearms, lol! I agree in keeping weapons in rooms I live in most & I look at the shotgun as my artillery. If the bad guys are still coming, and I made it to my safe room/bedroom, that's where I want my shotgun.
When I took the NRA Home Defense Course, we were asked to bring our preferred home defense handgun to the class. The instructor then went over each pistol for pros and cons. He liked the Springfield XD best because in the dark you need to know right away if that firearm 1) is loaded, and 2) has a round in the chamber. Of all 6 guns present (Springfield XD, HK, Glock, S&W, Sig), the Springfield Armory XD was the only one that had 2 ready indicators to tell in the dark if the firearm was ready to go. There is the hammer cocked indicator in the back of the slide, and the the loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide. Both are very obvious in the dark with just a feel of the finger. Something to consider when making a choice for home protection. YMMV
The gun safe in the bottom left of the picture has the worst back up lock. It can be picked with a paperclip, don’t believe me look up lockpick lawyer on YouTube
00 is .33 caliber, not .38. #0000 buck is .38. Most may not know the difference, or even care, but in the interests of credibility it is always better to provide accurate information.
You have your numbers wrong Mo. Go look them up again.
Purchased a Saint Blackout. Had jam issues - back to Springfield. While waiting for a new one I came across a Sig M400 5.56. Very nice and easy to use. Would be one go to with a 45 in my back pocket for backup!
Whatever weapon you shoot best is your defense weapon. Home invaders are wearing kevlar vests so... you must use the weapon you master in order to place your shot properly.
Caliber? Give a 45 RMJ.
Pistol? Without a doubt
Make? Glock 21
Mag load? 13, 2 extra mags
*Be sure you are going to shoot the intruder (s) or you will be eliminated with your own gun. Paper targets don’t shoot back.
Etc etc
A 9mm 16 inch PCC shooting a 115 grain JHP ( or Lehigh) bullet will penetrate IIIA armor.
I'm not quite on Keanu's level, but I've found that I'm better with shotguns than anything else, so that's my first line of defense.
Bonus: if you like the pistol-caliber AR/AR pistol vibe and don't care as much about fancy sights and other attachments, try a WW2-vintage .30 M1 carbine. Super light, super compact, modest recoil, limited overpenetration with HP rounds, has 30-round mags.
Wow. That was interesting reading and very helpful. Thanks much
flamethrower good?
i disagree with your input about revolvers. 'if you have a misfire just go to the next shot'. obviously you have never had the bullet of the misfire move forward just enough to hang up in the forcing cone. you are dead in the water and need tools. the cylinder cannot be opened or rotated.
Going even further with this line of thinking, why would you “go hunting” in your own home? If they steal the flatscreen who cares, insurance will buy you a new one. Home defense is about preserving your and your families safety/life. Sneaking around in the dark hunting is wreck less to your own well-being. Come down the hall towards the bedrooms, it’s game over and legitimately self-defense.
It's home defense the second they come into my home, uninvited, with bad intentions. I'm not asking them if they "only came for the flat screen" and certainly not waiting for their answer. I've been shot at. It's faster than you think and you better react smart & fast. There likely won't be time to get your son or daughter to your bedroom.
Interesting read though a bit short sighted. All things equal, a pistol puts a hole in you, a 5.56 through you and a shotgun sprays you on the wall behind you. A shotgun with simple mods can have less recoil than a 5.56. Try a VangComp barrel on the old Remington, you’ll be impressed. Couple the equipment with training and your putting more lead down range in fewer shots than a 9 MM or 5.56.
If you worry about shooting through walls, AR's are not the gun for you. Hell you may shoot through your neighbor's walls as well........My Remington with 00# will clear things up just fine.
Our testing, as well as many other's testings, show the exact opposite. 00 Buck penetrated far more than 5.56. [Study] Home Defense Overpenetration: Shotgun, Handgun, Rifle
You should really research that ..You couldn’t possibly be more incorrect. Due to the speed of a 55 grain full metal jacket or 69 Grain Hollow point from an A.R. 15 ...tends to break up in sheet rock. However buck shot from a shotgun will go through numerous walls. Don’t believe me,Look it up yourself, plenty of YouTube videos to support this
Hey Eric, Great works! May I ask, what’s that AR style semi-shotgun‘s name? Which one loaded with Mag.
I live in the Republic of Panama, and recently
the new government has lifted a stupid ban on the import, sale, transfer and carrying of weapons that lasted 10 years, although the justice system recognizes legitimate defense.
Another good news is that a little more than a month ago, the Congress passed a new law that criminally exempts the home defense, and states that it can be done "by whatever means," so we do not need insurance of any kind.
What is a problem here are the low commercial volume of the gun shops, taxes and speculation, which make the price of a gun up to 3 times that of the U.S. , for example, a CZ P07 is in the vecinity of $1,000.00 or more.
I like more info moving there
Eric
Nicely written article, well thought out and explained. Home defense has more flavors than Baskin Robbins and no two people can agree on just one flavor.
Who manufactures the suppressed shotgun in the cover picture of the article? I can't zoom in close enough to see the logo?
CMMG, I'm not sure if it is in production though -- we got to shoot it at TriggrCon 2018.
Yeah, I just love it. Someone threatens my family, myself, in my house with a deadly weapon, and I shoot them, I need insurance. What a joke. Is USSAC insurance available in California? California has the worse gun laws in the U.S. So, I am probably In need of self defense insurance. What options do I have? Oh by the way, enjoyed your article. I am not a beginner by any means, but very good advice for people who are.
AFAIK almost all of the major CCW insurance is available in California, you can take a look at our Best Concealed Carry Insurance article for a ton more info!
I think a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) pistol is the perfect choice for home protection. 9mm with some Glock mags - pin point precision, low recoil, and if you have the time - get a silencer to protect your ears. Winner.
Exactly. My go to home defense weapon is an AR pistol platform chambered in 9mm these days. You get the advantages of a pistol caliber (critical defense type ammunition, less concern for overpenetration, lower cost for training, etc.), the handling of a carbine, more choices for optics than a pistol, and it's more precise than a shotgun. You get the advantages of both a pistol and a carbine in one platform. I was surprised Eric didn't include these or PCCs into the mix.
Correction. I should have said that I was disappointed that PCCs didn't get more consideration than a sentence or two. On first read I didn't even catch that they were included at all.
I also just realized that while the article itself is dated in 2020, there are comments from 4 years ago attached to it. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate the options now that PCCs are more widely available to the general public from regular gun manufacturers these days.
Don't like the opening click on the Sentry Safe...would prefer silent operation...
It makes a helluva ka-thunk when it pops open also.
USCCA Self Defense insurance is no longer available in Washington State. Our Insurance Commissioner stopped that for now. Hopefully will change in the future. USCCA is working on that. Until that happens there are very limited options for this kind of insurance in Washington, unfortunately.
Unfortunately there's a few states where it's not longer available. I try to keep the review article up to date!
US Law Shield is available in WA State (from my research, they are the only one available for us in WA as of 11/30/2021). I just enrolled. It's because USCCA and others are not considered "insurance" -- so US Law Shield operates as an insurance company, and thus allowed.
Only one slight suggestion. Spell it out; nine .38 caliber balls of lead. I wasted my day trying to figure out 9.38 caliber.
Good rec...fixed!
Understandable mistake with the 3000 different calibers! I am afraid that your question will give some manufacturers the idea that “Hay, let’s come out with the new 9.38 round!!” 12-Gauge/.22LR/9mm/5.56(.233) all that I will ever get!
Any recommendations on a flashlight/laser combo for a s&w sd9ve?
I have a Streamlight TLR-1 on my SD9VE, fits well and works great - but it is just a light, no laser.
Hollow points don't matter one iota or do any better than ball when going through drywall or other hard barriers. Pistol caliber rounds and all useful shotgun shot bb's penetrate much further through walls than non-M855 5.56 rounds. Light, high speed .223/5.56 break apart and stop much quicker than common pistol and shotgun rounds. (demonstrated, proven, documented, repeated and easy to find) Rifles are easier to shoot more accurately than handguns. A shotgun's recoil greatly and adversely affects follow up shots. Shotguns are more unwieldy and stockless shotguns are almost useless novelty items, especially for novices. Weapon lights are not easily mounted to revolvers. Revolvers typically have much heavier, harder, longer trigger pulls, even in no stress situations than semi-autos. A revolver in single action condition during an unknown or a tense rapidly developing shoot/don't shoot situation is a horrible idea. Jams should not be an issue for any modern semi-auto firearm from a reputable manufacturer mated with modern ammo from a reputable manufacturer, especially when you have already tested that firearm/ammo combination as any sensible gun own would do.
Thanks. Getting my 1st gun. Think I'll like this.
Glad we could help...tons more stuff here too!
I alternate a .410 she’ll and a Long colt .45 so if one isn’t enough, the following chamber will definitely do the job. We can agree to disagree
I love how you've spelled this out and organized information.
Perhaps it is worth mentioning the conditions in which a pistol would jam rather than leaving it to be imagined by the reader to be random chance.
(1) when something interferes with the movement of the slide, such as someone grabbing the pistol, or someone holding it incorrectly (eg with thumb behind the slide.)
(2) when the barrel is pressed firmly against something, the slide may be pushed back a fraction of an inch, just enough to disconnect things internally so it won't fire properly.
(3) when you limp-wrist because of terrible grip and the gun doesn't have enough energy to cycle the next round in.
(4) low quality ammunition that may not be compatible with pistol or magazine (over time, too). For example, cheap lacquered steel cased rounds may 'stick' to the walls in the magazine after a year or two, causing the follower not to push up rounds as expected. (basically, it jams the magazine)
Anyway, keep up the good work.
How do you feel about a Taurus ‘Judge’ for Home defense.
I personally wouldn't use it...410 isn't that great for self-defense.
What are your reasons for not liking a .410?
I have owned a Taurus Judge w/4" barrel for several years and have killed several snakes with it around our place. I would not hesitate to use it for home defense when loaded with PDX1
2 1/2" shells. As a matter of fact it would be my grab and go firearm along with my 12ga. shotgun if an intruder were breaking in my home with us there.
thankyou for to share all these magnificent information, great for begginers like me.
You're so welcome, Brian!
I live in the mountains of western Washington. Lately there have been cougar and bobcat sightings close by. I have even seen cougar tracks in the snow 50 yards from my front door. I hike, bike and XC ski a lot in the surrounding foothills of Mt Rainier. While I always have several knives on me when I'm out and about, a knife fight with a 150 pound cougar seems like a no-win situation. So, what kind of pistol should I get for protection on my outdoor adventures?
You may want to consider something along the lines of a stainless steel or alloy revolver. I'm assuming that you are in an area with a fair degree of humidity; additionally, condensation will tend to form as you encounter temperature swings by simply coming indoors.
Perhaps a double-action, for fast follow-up shot capability, in .357mag and a 3" to 4" barrel would be reasonable to carry on a regular basis. Alloy to keep the weight down. Maybe a 5-shot to keep the width a touch slimmer ... Just make sure your gloved trigger finger is able to get into the trigger guard. And your gloves allow for a solid grip in general.
Depending on your carry solution, as you will be covering some distance on uneven terrain, you may also want to consider adding a lanyard. It sucks to have to backtrack for something you've dropped. :-)
You are mixing up the terms "handgun" and "pistol". Both revolvers and pistols are handguns. Other than that, good article.
Thanks! I tend to use them interchangeably but you are right.
For the technicality inclined: Pistols are handguns with only one chamber. Revolvers have multiple chambers.