10 Best Home Defense Handgun (2023)
Finding the best home defense handgun is mostly preference. The best handgun for self defense is the one you are most comfortable shooting. How do you feel comfortable shooting a handgun? Practice, practice practice.
What things should you consider when buying a handgun? Concealed carry, caliber, safety, and most importantly comfort. Everyone has an opinion on Glock, Sig, 1911, or Beretta, but the most important thing is that you have your own personal opinion.
Choosing a handgun is only the first step. The most important thing is practice. Having a gun is more dangerous than not, if you don’t use it properly. Practice, practice, practice.
What to look for when choosing the best home defense handgun.
Concealed Carry
Is this gun going to be strictly for home defense or are you going to be carrying it every day? Are you going to be hiking with this gun or is it going to be just for fun at the range? A handgun is a tool, and it fulfills a very specific role. So deciding on what handgun to get depends 100% on the intended use.
A gun that you use for concealed carry may be the best choice for home defense, or you may want something with a safety switch, or something a little bigger.
If you are getting your first handgun, I would recommend getting something that can be used for both home defense and concealed carry. This gives you options, in case you train enough to feel comfortable carrying.
Caliber
This can be a touchy subject. My dad and uncle are die hard .45 ACP fans. They always said, “Is a bigger hole a problem for you?” And for the most part I agree with them.
But that isn’t always the case. For instance, in home defense, you want to make sure that the round you are shooting isn’t too big that it is going to cause excess damage through walls.
Also if you are hiking in Alaska, a 9mm might not cut it. It is very situationally dependent.
I have a lot of 9mm and 45 ACP ammo. I always think in terms of zombie apocalypse. But if I have handguns in too many different calibers, how am I going to haul ammo for 3-5 different guns. Consolidating gun calibers is a nice way to make sure that you can always have a stockpile of ammo.
Safety
To safety or not to safety that is the question. Safety switches used to be standard on most firearms. However, as emergency responders and military personnel vocalized their need for quicker rates of fire, traditional safety switches have become optional.
This does not mean that guns like Glocks do not have any safety mechanisms. In fact, a Glock has its own “Safe Action System” that is comprised of three separate safety mechanisms.
It is important that you become familiar with safety systems and understand how they operate so you can remain safe but also engage your target quickly. This only comes through practice, practice, practice.
When looking at different safety mechanisms, think about intended use. For home defense, it may make sense to have a traditional safety switch, but concealed carry not.
Comfort
Comfort is the most important thing when determining “what is the best handgun”. For the most part, there is no “best” gun. Each gun serves a specific purpose and gun manufactures go out of their way to deliver an extraordinarily reliable product. So what is the biggest difference then? Comfort.
When it comes to comfort, everyone is different. For instance, my wife and I have different handguns that we like. She has much smaller hands than I do, and so the grip on one gun may not fit the same for her. Check out this guide for best concealed carry guns for women.
If you are uncomfortable shooting your handgun, it will result in a non-natural shooting patterns or habits that can affect you in high pressure situations. Not only that, but if the gun is uncomfortable to shoot, you will not be as likely to practice.
The most important factor in self defense is practice. You can have the fanciest gun in the world, but if you don’t practice with it, you are at a tactical disadvantage. Practice, practice, practice. So make sure you find a comfortable gun based on your hand size, grip, and recoil, and get to the range as often as you can.
What is the best home defense handgun?
Here are my top picks for the best home defense handgun.
- Sig Sauer P365 (Editors Choice)
- Glock 19 (Best Overall)
- Taurus G3 (Best Budget)
- Sig Sauer P320 X Compact (Best Concealed Carry)
- Smith & Wesson 642 (Best Revolver)
- Ruger Mark IV (Best .22)
- Smith & Wesson 629 (Best Alaskan)
- Springfield Armory (Best 1911)
- Kimber R7 Mako (Micro 9mm)
- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield (Runner Up)
Sig Sauer P365 (Editors Choice)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 5.8″
Safety : No / Yes
Capacity : 10+1 or 12+1 or 15+1
Weight : 17.76 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
NRA 2019 Handgun of the Year. The P365 took the handgun world by storm in 2018 when it came out, and it has started a trend for micro 9mm handguns that are more comfortable to concealed carry.
The biggest concern when shooting a smaller handgun is feel and control. As guns get shorter and smaller, the recoil and on-target control gets harder. However, the P365 deals with this problem with a more comfortable grip. The grip is big enough (especially with an extended magazine) for a full two handed grip. The recoil is still more intense than a full size Sig or Glock 19, but the grip makes it manageable and still fun to shoot.
As far as stock triggers go, the P365 has a great trigger with a very distinct break and reset. It has a great feel and is predictable when shooting. This is most important because in a home defense situation, dependability and predictability can make the difference.
My Take
Im a smaller guy, and I have small hands. I like the weight and size of the P365 for not only myself but also for my wife. In a true home defense situation it is important that everyone in your house is trained and ready to use the tools at their disposal. I feel like the P365 is a good fit for myself and my wife. Not all pistols have a good feel for both people in the home, but somehow this handgun manages to feel good for both me and my wife, which is a huge plus.
Glock 19 (Best Overall)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 7.28″
Safety : No
Capacity : 15+1
Weight : 23.63 oz
Made in : USA & Austria
Overview
Glocks are simple. They are the choice of law enforcement and military because it is durable and reliable. Glocks were the original performance polymer pistol in the United States.
The new Gen 5 grip was changed to not have any finger grooves. This was designed to be a more universal fit; however, Glocks are very modular and you can change up your grip at any time.
My Take
I grew up hating Glocks. My dad hated them because they were just crude and ugly, and I never felt comfortable shooting one. That being said, the Glock 19 is one of the most popular handguns in the USA for a reason. It is reliable and did I mention extra reliable? The Glock 19 is great for anyone because it is so modular, but it does feel a little crude out of the box. The trigger takes some getting used to. Make sure you practice and make it your own.
Taurus G3 (Best Budget)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 7.3″
Safety : Yes
Capacity : 15+1 or 17+1
Weight : 24.83 oz
Made in : USA & Brazil
Overview
Taurus has made a solid option for people who are shopping on a budget. This is a mid size handgun, but the grip feels like a full size grip.
It does come with a 15 and 17 round magazine. However, the quality of construction for these magazines is a little flimsy compared to Sig or Glock. You get what you pay for.
Although there may be minor quality issues and some wiggle room in the “non-essential” parts of the gun. The overall performance of the gun is great. Taurus has managed to deliver a reliable experience for a fraction of the price.
My Take
I always have a hard time recommending budget option because personally I would just spend the extra $300 and get the gun I want. But if you are on a budget and don’t want to spend more than $300, this is the most reliable option. When thinking about home defense, reliability comes only second to practice. So the Taurus G3 is a good option. However, it is not as much fun to shoot and it is not as smooth as some of the other options on this list.
Sig Sauer P320 X Compact (Best Concealed Carry)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 7.0″
Safety : No
Capacity : 10+1 or 15+1
Weight : 25.3 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
The grip on this gun feels a lot like a 1911 grip. This allows you to get a little higher up on the gun and have a more natural grip angle. If you are used to shooting 1911, this could be a good option when thinking about transitioning to lightweight concealed.
It does come standard with an optics mounting plate, but it does not fit all sights. So if you are looking for something a little more modular out of the box, this may not be the best fit.
My Take
If you like the P365 but want something a little bigger and more modular, the P320 X Compact is for you. The addition of the Picatinny rail system below the barrel gives you the option for easy light or laser attachments. It really just comes down to size and feel.
Smith & Wesson 66 (Best Revolver)
Specs
Caliber : .357 Magnum
Length : 7.8″
Safety : Manual Hammer Action
Capacity : 6
Weight : 33.5 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
The Smith & Wesson 66 is also known as the “Combat Magnum” because it was the original carry pistol for many law enforcement. Although more and more people are moving towards smaller/lighter polymer pistols, the 66 has stood the test of time as still one of the more common self defense pistols in America.
For those who enjoy a revolver or are looking for something for just home defense, the 66 has been a solid choice for generations. The rubber grip is a great tactical addition to this gun, giving you a little more comfort from the recoil as well as added grip.
The 66 comes in both a standard and short barreled option.
My Take
Personally I have never been a big revolver fanboy. If I am thinking tactically, I just don’t see the appeal of only having 6 rounds, and the reloading process being a little more technical and time intensive. If I am in a life and death situation, I want quick, easy, and reliable. However, there are people who prefer a revolver, and Smith & Wesson is the gold standard for revolvers.
Ruger Mark IV (Best .22)
Specs
Caliber : .22 LR
Length : 9.0″
Safety : Yes
Capacity : 10+1
Weight : 28.20 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
This gun is just asking for upgrades. The tactical version of this gun comes with multiple picatinny rail options as well as a threaded barrel. This gives you the ability to add a red dot, suppressor, light, or laser with ease.
One thing that really stands out with the Ruger Mark IV is that it feels like a real gun. Many of the other .22 LR handguns try to be ultra lightweight, but at 28.20 oz the Mark IV is just as heavy as most handguns on this list.
My Take
Have you ever shot a .22 LR pistol with a suppressor? If not, put it on your bucket list. It is so quiet. Like movie suppressor quiet. It is a great gun to have for fun as well as small game hunting. I also feel like it is the perfect gun to teach hand gun safety to newer gun enthusiast because the recoil is almost non existent and they can get comfortable holding a gun.
However, for self defense situations, I do not think that it pack enough of a punch. If I am in a life or death situation, I want to know that I am going to be able to put someone down. However, I do not have the confidence in the .22 LR round to do that.
Smith & Wesson 629 (Best Alaskan)
Specs
Caliber : .44 Magnum
Length : 9.63″
Safety : Manual Hammer Action
Capacity : 6
Weight : 41.5 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
This is a big gun. But a big threat needs a big gun.
This gun is heavy, so for every day carry, it is more than twice as heavy as the P365. Holding it outstretched for prolonged periods of time can be hard. Which makes aiming this gun a little difficult.
The recoil on this gun is pretty intense, but not as bad as you may think. For such a large round, the grip and angle of the gun do a very good job of mitigating as much recoil as possible. That being said, it is still a lot.
My Take
When hiking around in Alaska (and in other places) you might run into a bear. Bears are a lot bigger and denser than humans and take a bigger round to protect yourself. Growing up we always called it the hand cannon, but a .44 Magnum will get the job done when being charged by a grizzly on the Kenai. I will say, this is not a fun gun to shoot. I have small hands and I hate taking it to the range, but in a life or death situation, it’s the right tool for the job.
Springfield Armory (Best 1911)
Specs
Caliber : .45 ACP
Length : 8.6″
Safety : Yes
Capacity : 7+1
Weight : 37.0 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
A .45 ACP round is a big round. But the 1911 handles it with ease. The recoil on such a large round is pretty comparable to the smaller polymer based 9mm.
This gun is a lot to conceal. It is significantly heavier and a bit longer than most modern concealed handguns. My dad would tell me that’s a “me” problem, but nonetheless, it makes things more difficult.
However, the dual safety system with the grip safety and safety switch is a great combo making this gun a great home defense gun. Not only is it good for home defense, but it is also just fun to shoot. I shoot this gun every time I go to the range and it is reliable and gets complements anywhere I go.
My Take
No handgun is more fun to shoot than a 1911. I grew up with 1911s and it was the first gun I ever purchased for myself. Not only is it a pretty gun and fun to shoot, but it typically comes chambered in .45 ACP. I really like this round because of the stopping power along with the relatively low recoil. It is still fun to shoot, but makes a big hole. I have got more complements on my 1911 than any other handgun I own.
Kimber R7 Mako (Best Micro 9mm)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 6.2″
Safety : No
Capacity : 11+1 or 13+1
Weight : 19.5 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
Some trends come and go, but the micro 9mm trend looks like it is here to stay. Kimber does have some small models but the R7 Mako is their competitor to the P365.
It has a great feel and is covered in grip. Personally, I do not love the way that it looks with all the rough grip, but that has nothing to do with the tactical functionality.
The ejection port on the Kimber is different from the other guns on this list because it is not cut all the way up and over the slide. This was done on purpose to help any mounted sights from getting dirty, and to reduce the amount of dirt in the slide and barrel.
My Take
The “micro” handgun options are starting to gain popularity. This handgun for me falls in the same category as the P365 as far as size goes, and has some of the same benefits. For usability between spouses or for anyone with smaller hands, the grip and size of this gun are great, without much increase in recoil.
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact (Runner Up)
Specs
Caliber : 9mm
Length : 6.8″
Safety : No / Yes
Capacity : 15+1
Weight : 25.9 oz
Made in : USA
Overview
The great advantage of the M&P and SIG M17 thumb safeties is that, unlike the 1911s, the slides can be pulled back or racked in order to remove a round while the safety is still engaged. This gives you an extra layer of safety because you can clear the gun without disengaging safety.
The grip and feel of the gun is very similar to the Glock 19, but the overall aesthetics and increased safety mechanisms make it a different experience.
My Take
Want a Glock 19 without it being a Glock 19. Then the M2.0 Compact is for you. This gun feels and operates very similar to a Glock 19, with some minor cosmetic improvements. The S&W is a prettier gun, and has a more natural pistol grip angle. However, it is very similar in overall feel to the Glock 19 and is a great alternative.
What is the best Home Defense Handgun?
Well, there is no one-size-fits-all handgun. It is completely dependent on your intended use and comfort in your hand. My recommendation is seeing if you have any friends or family with guns that you can go to the range and try out. Or even just hold and dry fire a couple times to get used to the grip and trigger.
Once you find a gun, thats just the beginning. Now put in the work to be proficient and safe.
