Help Me Choose My Nightstand HD Weapon

[Mossy Man]

Due to my 1 year old son recently becoming ambulatory, I can no longer keep a long gun out for HD purposes. So this means the Mini-14, AR15, and Mossberg 590 are locked up in my large safe.

I do have a small nightstand safe that is easy to access, and I have the following options for use as my primary HD gun:

1. 9mm Ruger P89
2. .357 Ruger GP100 6"
3. .38sp +P S&W J-Frame 637
4. LAR Grizzly .45 Winchester Magnum (lol)

I am currently keeping my P89 out for HD purposes, because I have a few pre-ban high-capacity 15 round mags.

The LAR Grizzly isn't something I'd actually use, as I don't even have the right ammo (or any for that matter).

The question more becomes which is better?

A high-capacity 9MM with a DA/SA manual safety?

A large revolver with hot .38sp +P HD loads with ease of use and low-recoil?

or a snappy snubby?

Which would you choose and why?

[Mossy Man]

i also have a MKIII, but i didn't list it because, although its better than nothing, it's inferior to the other options for a defensive situation.

Notice that I mentioned using .38sp loads instead of .357 in the GP100, and the LAR Grizzly was just a joke.

my main question wasn't so much about cartridge, but operating system.

With a DA/SA manual safety, you have a ton more things to go wrong and a ton more things to actually have to do to go BANG

with the revolvers....its point and shoot.

[Ergo the Qualmed]

If you are most familiar with, and comfortable with, the P89, i'd stick with the familiar and trusted. Plus hi capacity is a bonus.

I don't know why anyone would use a snubby if they are able to do otherwise...

S&W 686+ 4" gives you 7 shots of .38 +P/.357 mag in a maneuverable, an yet quite stable package. Never shot the Ruger, so I cannot compare. But the 686s are nice.

I'd advise against anything overly powerful. Just for the sake of night vision, and being able to hit what you want to hit, several times.

I went the "Compact Austrian Polymer 9mm" route with a G19. Mainly because it (to me) combines the ease of use of a DA revolver, with more options regarding capacity etc. And you can hang a light off of it and work the whole shebang with one hand. Sans-reloading, I suppose. You may not be comfortable with the lack of an obvious external safety, but it does replicate a DA revolver IMO.

[Mossy Man]

I'm basically torn between the 9mm auto and the GP100 with .38special loads.

Pros of P89:
High rate of fire
High capacity
Higher damage potential

Cons of P89:
semi auto
manual safety


Pros of GP100 w/.38s:

ease of use
hard to make mistakes

cons of gp100:

big
follow up shots not as quick as the semi-auto
only 6 shots


i've shot the P89 the most, and am pretty proficient with it, but if any of the others are better choices its all the more reason to become more proficient with them.

[Press Check]

Due to my 1 year old son recently becoming ambulatory, I can no longer keep a long gun out for HD purposes. So this means the Mini-14, AR15, and Mossberg 590 are locked up in my large safe.

I do have a small nightstand safe that is easy to access, and I have the following options for use as my primary HD gun:

1. 9mm Ruger P89
2. .357 Ruger GP100 6"
3. .38sp +P S&W J-Frame 637
4. LAR Grizzly .45 Winchester Magnum (lol)

I am currently keeping my P89 out for HD purposes, because I have a few pre-ban high-capacity 15 round mags.

The LAR Grizzly isn't something I'd actually use, as I don't even have the right ammo (or any for that matter).

The question more becomes which is better?

A high-capacity 9MM with a DA/SA manual safety?

A large revolver with hot .38sp +P HD loads with ease of use and low-recoil?

or a snappy snubby?

Which would you choose and why?

Go fondle all of them, figure out which has the best ergonomics (feels best in your hand), and get that one. After you buy it, go train with it.

[Oceanbob]

I say a .22 handgun. You dont need a big bang for HD, because it will be close quarter battles if it hits the fan. I have family members that live upstairs and downstairs, so logically for me, using a .22 will do justice obviously I'll be using quality HD ammo.

i also have a MKIII, but i didn't list it because, although its better than nothing, it's inferior to the other options for a defensive situation.

with the revolvers....its point and shoot.

a .22 is not a good nightstand gun at all. By definition a nightstand gun is to fend off HOME INTRUDERS. Consider the possibility that anyone who breaks into your home at night knows people are inside; sometimes these people work in teams of 2 or more. A .22 would be a total waste of time.

I have a Ruger MK3 and we both know the hair trigger isn't good for nervous tactical defense....forgot about it....

Personally the Ruger with prebans is a good choice. A close second for me would be the GP-100 with some hot +P .38s.

Also, a Great LIGHT so you can see; an early warning system like a noisy dog and a second weapon in another part of the house.

Motion detectors outside that light up the house is another good idea.

[Mossy Man]

Go fondle all of them, figure out which has the best ergonomics (feels best in your hand), and get that one. After you buy it, go train with it.

i own them all

but mostly have shot the 9mm due to ammo costs

[shooting4life]

Revolver and a good flash light. It is all I need. I also keep two speed loaders and two speed strips available just cause.

[Baja Jones]

The key here is make up your mind and train until you can run the gun in your sleep, a distinct HD possibility you hopefully will never experience. If you already
have a gun you can run in your sleep that is the one.

[Press Check]

i own them all

but mostly have shot the 9mm due to ammo costs

Good grief, LOL. In that case, the P89.

[IrishPirate]

the one you're a better shot with....

[pwer lineman]

I thought that the p 89 only had a decock lever....


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[Mossy Man]

the one you're a better shot with....

that's all relative.

because with practice i can become a better shot with all of them (except the .45 winmag because ammo doesn't exist)

[Mossy Man]

I thought that the p 89 only had a decock lever....


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that's the P89DC

mine is technically a KP89

[Press Check]

By the way, I chose the P89 because I'd rather have 15 rounds of Hornady goodness at my disposal instead of 7 rounds of 45 Winmag, 6 rounds of .357, or 5 rounds of .38 Special.