Why would you choose a handgun over long gun for home defense?

[thorium]

I'm interested in your reasoning. I'm sure there are (limited) scenarios where a handgun might be better, but do you agree 90% of the time a long gun is the better choice for HOME defense?

I've got a pictorial of my new Mossberg 590A1 Mariner + Eotech Fore-end Light + Shotlock in the Shotgun forum... so I'm sure I'm biased, but come on, apply some common sense!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=959746

[db42]

If you have children, a handgun would allow you to wrangle the kid with one hand and fire with the other. They're also "just plain easier" to operate in close quarters.

The handgun vs long gun debate is completely subjective.
If your home house is laid out one way, a pistol is better. If it's laid out another way, a shotgun is better. Laid out another way, a rifle is better.

[tbc]

I have a kid.

[whipkiller]

Handgun in the nightstand should get me to the closet to grab the 870 out of the safe if need be.

[71MUSTY]

Handgun is much more flexible given the close quarters and sharp corners inside the house. Now If I were protecting the house from an outside threat (zombies) I'd switch to my carbine.

[357magnum]

Think about discharging a firearm in your house, shotgun will be loud but a handgun will make you deaf.
Something most people never think about.

[Fozzie TheBear]

Compromise?......


Image borrowed from fellow CGer post

[davidb]

carbine>handgun in almost every scenario i can think of in my household

the only time i leave just a handgun bedside is when im just too tired after work to get the AR out of the safe which is very rare

[scott_kart]

Portability and concealable, used to protect me and mine, until we can get to the long guns.

[davidb]

Think about discharging a firearm in your house, shotgun will be loud but a handgun will make you deaf.
Something most people never think about.

im sure most do take this into consideration, and then realize its not a very important factor

my and my family's safety trump my hearing everytime

[Malaprop14]

Think about discharging a firearm in your house, shotgun will be loud but a handgun will make you deaf.
Something most people never think about.

Uh, what? My 12 ga is WAY louder than all of my pistols, and that's just with 2-3/4. I've definitely thought of that already and would say to that - better to be deaf and alive.

My answer is you should have BOTH for home defense. Pistol is my goto because it is easier to handle and maneuver in close quarters by far. Not sure what you mean by common sense? Both offer different uses and each has their own benefits. Personally, I've switched to a pistol caliber carbine as my secondary HD firearm and the shotgun and 1911 are on standby. There was an article in G&A not too long ago and it said everyone can have their own preference, but their top recommendation was a handgun, preferably a pistol for capacity.

[Mossy Man]

Maneuverability, one handed operation, small spaces, i have children.

[GW]

A handgun will fulfill the 1st rule of gunfighting i.e. Have a gun but I will always prefer a shotgun or rifle over a handgun for my home defense.

[elSquid]

The j-frame in the pocket beats the shotgun locked in the bedroom closet upstairs...

-- Michael

[TMB 1]

Shotgun or carbine if enough time to get to it otherwise handgun.