Top 10 Handguns For Home Defense

Today’s Top 10 addresses a commonly asked question in the firearms community. What handgun should I buy for home defense? Certainly a loaded question, pun intended, there are many reliable and solid-performing handguns on the market to suit every type of shooter. From those with more experience who have earned their parking spot at the range to casual plinkers who understand their duty to themselves and their families, it is a good time to be alive and take advantage of all the advancements in firearms technology and design.

You’ll catch some patterns in my picks, and that’s okay. I plan on explaining those. Some of you are likely to disagree with my list, and that’s great too, but only if you leave your suggestions in the comments for all to benefit from. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

#10 – FN 509 Tactical

The FN 509 Tactical is a solid 9mm to kick things off. I prefer home defense guns equipped with an accessory rail for mounting a light, a valuable feature for obtaining positive ID in home defense scenarios that tend to occur in the dark. A sudden bright light can also be disorienting to anyone it’s pointed at, an advantage when catching an intruder off-guard. Of course, most handguns feature such a rail, so what sets this one apart?

The FN 509 Tactical comes well equipped, complementing the pistol’s optics cut with suppressor height iron sights. If you plan on running an optic like many do these days, visible backup sights through the optic window add peace of mind. The 509 Tactical also comes with a threaded barrel, a feature I’ll pair with a lightweight and configurable Rugged Obsidian 9, a suppressor with performance your eardrums will thank you for. Whether you pick up your 509 Tactical in black or FDE, our friends at Silencer Shop have you covered with an Obsidian to match, because everyone knows you’ve got to look good too.

The Walther PDP is such a great handgun that I wanted it higher on my list, but we have quite a few formidable firearms to get through. The PDP series has always stood out to me due to its excellent ergonomics and very nice trigger.

All the guns on this list offer accuracy and reliability, but the Walther is a real pleasure to shoot, translating well for beginners and experienced shooters. The PDP Pro SD features adjustable iron sights and an optics cut slide. If you have to swap magazines, and I hope you never do in a home defense situation, the oversized magwell on the PDP Pro SD makes it easy to do with your eyes closed, but keep them open, both of them. This full-size handgun features an aggressive grip texture and puts a little weight in your grip, soaking up recoil and providing a very manageable shooting experience.

I chose another threaded barrel model because I suppress almost everything. You would too with tinnitus in both ears. Don’t let it get that far. A CGS MOD-9 is a durable and lightweight suppressor with impressive sound reduction that will balance well on the PDP Pro SD. The advanced piston assembly reduces first-round pop, and like any great suppressor on the market, you can find it available now at Silencer Shop.

While the .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson 686 Plus goes against the grain on this list with no suppressor options, accessory rail, optics mount, or interchangeable magazines, I couldn’t have a top 10 handgun list without a revolver, for good reason.

Revolvers eliminate having to worry about a floppy grip causing the action to short-stroke, a feature perfectly suited for those with less experience. This is one we keep at the bedside, particularly for my fiance who will limp wrist any automatic into a malfunction, and the .357 Magnum suits her as she’s not the type to ask twice.

Another departure from previous selections is that the 686 Plus is not striker-fired, but that isn’t as important to me as having a consistent trigger pull round after round, which the double-action Smith & Wesson does quite nicely. The 686 Plus also holds one more round than usual, making this 7-shooter a solid choice for home defense.

#7 – SIG P320 X5 Legion

Have you ever held a SIG P320 X5 Legion with its tungsten-infused grip module? You know where I’m going with this. The tasteful weight added to this handgun gives it great balance while absorbing recoil very efficiently, a combination that makes the P320 X5 Legion one of the best shooting pistols on the market.

The P320 X5 Legion skeletonized trigger feels great, and a 30% reduction in trigger weight is modest but noticeable. Everything else on this 9mm is exactly where it should be for the modern shooter, with Dawson Precision Adjustable sights, the option to mount an optic and a light, and a factory oversized magwell.

I’d consider swapping to a threaded barrel because I’d love to mate the P320 X5 Legion to a SIG MOD-X9. This highly modular 3D-printed titanium suppressor weighs only 8 ounces in its full, 7.5”, configuration, allowing you to maintain a well-balanced firearm that won’t damage your hearing. The SIG MOD-X9 is available now at Silencer Shop.

CZ knocked the P-10 series out of the park, providing a premium firearm at a budget price. Its low bore axis and high grip make recoil management excellent and the trigger leaves little to be desired. While a base P-10 has an MSRP of $399, the P-10 F OR SR goes for $499 with the added benefits of being optics-ready, equipped with suppressor height sights, and having a threaded barrel from the factory. In addition, the CZ P-10 F OR SR ships with a pair of 21-round magazines. That’s right, 21+1 with CZ reliability and accuracy, all the features you could ask for, and stunningly affordable.

Take the money you save and suppress this pistol, finishing the package and protecting your hearing with a Gemtech Lunar 9, a versatile and easy-to-maintain suppressor with two configurations ranging from a full 7” to a compact 4.7”. The Lunar 9 provides solid sound reduction, weighs only 10 ounces in its long configuration, and is available now at Silencer Shop.

The SIG P365-XMACRO COMP is a versatile choice for those looking to use one handgun for home defense and concealed carry. The slim design of the P365 series makes it comfortable and easy to handle, especially with smaller hands. The XMACRO COMP in particular counters typically snappy subcompact recoil with effective compensation integrated into the slide. But what about capacity? Working their magic, SIG mustered 17+1 rounds into this striker-fired 9mm, which is impressive when you see how much thinner this pistol truly is.

The SIG P365-XMACRO COMP is a pleasure to shoot and makes #5 on my list even though it doesn’t make much sense to suppress. As with any comped gun, this one will be relatively loud, so keep your ear protection handy.

#4 – Staccato P

Staccato 2011’s have been approved by more than 1,600 law enforcement agencies, including elite SWAT units. The Staccato P is a more advanced option for shooters with the experience and discipline to manage the short single-action trigger. These guns are fast and very accurate, with performance so smooth it’s like cheating.

Let’s face it, this one will cost you more than $2000, perhaps considerably more depending on how you configure your Staccato P. That’s right, you can configure yours just how you like it on Staccato’s website, including optics packages, tactical lights, and threaded barrels.

Once you’ve ordered your shiny new 2011, head to Silencer Shop and pick up a Dead Air Mojave-9, combining advanced engineering with innovative 3D-printed construction for lightweight, excellent performance, and modularity. The Mojave-9 can be configured long for maximum suppression at 7.64” and 9.6 ounces, or short for compact maneuverability at 5.89” and 8.2 ounces.

https://www.silencershop.com/dead-air-mojave-9.html

This was tough because I wanted a .45 on the list and my heart screams for a 1911. With home defense in mind, however, the features of the FN 545 Tactical make it difficult to deny this fully loaded striker-fired 45ACP the #3 spot.

The FN 545 Tactical is relatively new, however, it follows a pattern in FN’s handgun lineup that makes sense. Out of the box, the 545 Tactical comes equipped with suppressor height sights, to compliment pretty much any optic on the market thanks to FN’s included mounting plates. Of course, the 545 Tactical comes with a forward accessory rail for lights and lasers, and a threaded barrel which you know I’ll put to use.

The FN 545 Tactical also provides capacity in a way you don’t see with most 45s, shipping with a 15-round magazine and an 18-round magazine. If the thought of 18+1 45ACP on the nightstand puts a smile on your face, as it does mine, perhaps this is one you should take a closer look at.

For sound performance, modularity, and durability, I’m going with the Rugged Obsidian on this FN also, the 45 version. Silencer Shop has these in black and FDE to match your FN 545 Tactical.

I recently had the opportunity to review a Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Full Size Metal Carry Comp. Since we’re at #2, you can guess that I liked the M&P, especially with the metal frame. You’d be well served with all the same ergonomics, excellent grip texture, and great trigger right out of the box, but I’d swap the compensated version for this threaded barrel model.

Like most of my selections, the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Metal With Threaded Barrel is striker-fired, optics-ready, and equipped with suppressor height sights from the factory. The M&P series is a proven platform adopted by law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters across the country, enough so that magazine and parts availability is second to none… Almost.

I’d take the SilencerCo Omega 9K for a spin on the M&P M2.0. Weighing only 7.3 ounces and just 4.56” long, this suppressor punches above its weight class, combining sound reduction, balance, and maneuverability. You can have it all, and you can get it right now at Silencer Shop.

Anyone who knows me understands I’m an “old faithful” type of guy, so Glock takes the #1 spot. I was conflicted on the model because they are all similar, so take your pick. Glock has a distinct heritage and reputation built over 40 years, giving it a somewhat unfair advantage as time is not something you can make up, and what better way is there to judge a platform than by its record over time?

For those who see this choice as a broken record, I will confess that there are features from other guns on this list that I do like better than on the Glock, however, as an overall home defense option, where trust and track record perform for all the marbles, this humble firearm is undeniable, earning the #1 spot on many lists, including mine.

At home, I choose a Glock 47 equipped with a Glock threaded barrel, a Holosun SCS MOS green dot, a Surefire X300, and a Gemtech Lunar 45. Loaded with Federal 147gr HST, this isn’t the fanciest setup I’ve owned, but it’s the one I won’t do without. While my Gemtech is technically a .45 caliber suppressor, it has been versatile across platforms, and I like having the option to use it in short and long configurations. You can order your Gemtech Lunar 45 through Silencershop

Conclusion

I love everything innovative and exciting in the firearm industry. Watching manufacturers and product lines develop over the years is one of my favorite aspects of the job, aside from shooting copious amounts of ammunition. In the end, much of a top 10 list is subjective, but it’s fun to talk about. How you pick yours may differ from my criteria, and I’m always curious about your reasons and lists, so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

TFB is proud to partner with Silencer Shop as our preferred vendor for all of your NFA needs. Whether you are searching for a new suppressor, SBR, or trust, Silencer Shop is here to provide a seamless and fast service for your next NFA purchase. Head over to www.silencershop.com to begin your NFA journey.