Which For Home Defense: Three Choices

**DontCome2MyHouse** · 07-18-12, 19:41

I'm trying to decide which would be best for home defense. The three choices are my Glock 19 Gen3, HK P30 LEM (9mm), or S&W 1911. There are pros and cons to each choice, but I would like some outside opinions. I'm sure I'm missing some points, but this is all I could think of right now.

I will be attaching a Streamlight TLR-2S (light/laser combo) and all three pistols have rails. The pistol will be kept in a biometric safe next to my bed and they will obviously be fully loaded for very long periods of time (possibly months). Right now all three are in a big safe in the basement and I'm using a shotgun for home defense in the biometric safe. I think a pistol should be in there too.

I'm kinda leaning towards the 1911. I'm currently using Chip McCormick Power Mags. Can 1911 mags be fully loaded for months like Glock mags without issues?

Glock 19 Gen3
Pros: reliability, mags are dependable and can be loaded down forever, simple controls
Cons: I've heard attaching a light to the rail can cause functioning problems, 9mm

S&W 1911
Pro: 45 ACP man-stopper, I can shoot it more accurately than the others, feels the best, best trigger ever
Cons: only holds 8 rounds, not the MOST reliable modern design (I haven't had problems...yet), manual safety, not sure how long I can store a fully loaded mag, 1911 not designed for hollow points (I haven't had problems yet)

HK P30 LEM 9mm
Pros: It's an HK

, reliable design, good mags, good controls, awesome grip feel
Cons: 9mm, not used to the LEM trigger yet, not sure if it has a history of problems with lights attached to the rail like the Glock.

**Kokopelli** · 07-18-12, 19:45

1911.. Just because that's what I'm most familiar with.. Ron

**pisc1024** · 07-18-12, 19:47

I have never heard of the 9mm Glocks having issues with an attached light, only the .40cals.

**DontCome2MyHouse** · 07-18-12, 19:50

Originally Posted by pisc1024

I have never heard of the 9mm Glocks having issues with an attached light, only the .40cals.

It was the Glock 22 most associated with the light malfunction, but that's only because law enforcement uses that model the most often. They are all made of the same material, so I don't see why it can't happen to the G19 as well.

**lunchbox** · 07-18-12, 19:53

Originally Posted by pisc1024

I have never heard of the 9mm Glocks having issues with an attached light, only the .40cals.

I thought only was 40's as well. No worries, I like the light in my hand vs light on my gun in home defence situation anyway.

**DocDorle** · 07-18-12, 19:54

Home defense isn't just about which gun. It's got to be where you need it when you need it. You might consider having multiple guns stashed in different places, like one near the front door one near the back door, one in the bedroom, one in the kitchen, etc. You can buy 4 or 5 G19s for the price of one high end 1911.

**DontCome2MyHouse** · 07-18-12, 19:56

Originally Posted by DocDorle

Home defense isn't just about which gun. It's got to be where you need it when you need it. You might consider having multiple guns stashed in different places, like one near the front door one near the back door, one in the bedroom, one in the kitchen, etc. You can buy 4 or 5 G19s for the price of one high end 1911.

I have two small kids in the house, so I want to keep them in a centralized safe place.

**DontCome2MyHouse** · 07-18-12, 19:58

Forgot to ask....how many rounds down range equal safe reliability? 200-300? I've shot all these WITHOUT the light attached. I need to test with the light attached.