My Home Gun

By Paul Rackley (RSS)

April 25, 2011

While some shooters have an all-around gun for both concealed-carry and home defense, I prefer to have separate handguns for specific purposes. While there is nothing wrong with having one gun for both—this ensures you know this handgun intimately—I favor my home-defense gun to be set up exactly how I want without having to attach or remove accessories when I arrive or leave home. This also allows me to secure my home-defense firearm in the same location at all time.

To eliminate the problem of having to manipulate a less familiar firearm in an intense situation, my home-defense handgun is of the same caliber and style as my concealed-carry gun. A while back, I explained what I carry on a daily basis. Now, I’m going to discuss my home-defense gun, since I recently finished setting it up.

The Home Gun
My home gun is a Colt 1991A1 in .45 ACP that I bought from a friend a few years back. At the time I purchased the gun, I was often competing in local International Defense Pistol Association matches and wanted a larger version of my carry gun in the same caliber for these matches. Later, I decided to set this gun up for home-defense with Crimson Trace LaserGrips, a SureFire MR07 Adapter Rail—since my Colt doesn’t have an accessory rail—and a BLACKHAWK! Night-Ops XIPHOS NT light.

This set-up has the same controls as my carry gun, as well as the same caliber. The laser is sighted for 25 yards, which simplifies shooting across a room under pressure, and the light is easy to operate and powerful enough to provide ample illumination in the dark while blinding any potential attacker. What do you have for home defense?

Tags:  blackhawk,  blackhawk night-ops xiphos nt,  blogs,  home gun,  my home-defense gun,  paul rackley,  rackattack,  self-defense gun for the home,  surefire,  surefire mr07 adapter rail,  weapons light

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19 Responses to My Home Gun

Karl wrote:
March 16, 2012

Glock 17 w/ TLR-1 in a key pad locked box.

KW wrote:
April 30, 2011

Mine is a Taurus 92 with light and a Mossberg 500 loaded old style with 00 buck & 1oz slug. Also a Double barreled hammer cowboy gun that works well.

Tom wrote:
April 29, 2011

I am basically a revolver person due to my years in law enforcement. I am also somewhat paranoid due to my years in overseas assignment. I have five .38 revolvers stowed in differnt locations in my home. Ialso have three loaded .22 revolvers in the house. Instead of the racking of a shotgun and intruder will hear an AK-47 being racked in my bedroom. I feel comfortably secure.

Jerry in AZ wrote:
April 28, 2011

Wow, what a question. Where do I start. Let’s see… The deterrent, 70 pounds of Rotwieller. Then: office, Kimber 1911; bedroom S&W mdl 27 on one side, mdl 15 on the other side of the bed and 30 Carbine in the closet; living room, S&W mdl 60 on one side, Winchester 1300 Defender on the other side; kitchen, Llama Micro-Max 380. I guess that does it. Oh, garage, KelTec P-11. Oh yeh, no kids in the house.

GCOM wrote:
April 28, 2011

Rem 870 (8-shot) w/ Knox stock (adjustable & pistol grip). Sight: EOTECH HWS. 00 and/or # 1 buck. Colt 1911A1 Govt (series 80) and Combat Commander both Cal 45 ACP. Crimson Trace on series 80. Various 185 HP (Super vel, Rem, Win, Core bon, ..) all work well. Separate flashlight (Surefire - 200 Lumens)

John wrote:
April 28, 2011

Remington 870 Marine with Recoiling copstock, folding wire butt. Winchester PDX1 1oz slug/3 OO Buck. H&K Compact .45 corbon. Excellent door locks.

Doug wrote:
April 28, 2011

Which floor? In the bedroom (2nd floor) a Mossberg 12ga pump with pistol grip for fast handling and an attached light. Like Mike, I am hoping that sound of racking a 12ga scares some sense into whoever might be the reciepent of the buckshot. In the basement a SIG 220 is handy. On the main floor I don't have a gun nearby but plenty of kitchen knives and access in 2 directions (depending on the attack) to the upstairs or downstairs.

Roger wrote:
April 27, 2011

XDM 40 S&W with Crimson Trace attached, using TAP Ammo, also Benelli Nova Tactical with extention tube that holds 7 plus 4 on the sling,00 buck. I am planning sometime in the future to pick up a 1911 however am having a heck of a time making up my mind as to what make and model to get, hopefully I can settle on one or two in the near future, I am not that familure with 1911, every manufacturer says theirs is the best but who really knows, need to make a decision soon though.

Bill wrote:
April 27, 2011

I have a Taurus Judge,loaded with .45 frangible bullets as I live on a cul-de-sac and don't intend to harm my neighbors. separate flashlight.

Pete wrote:
April 27, 2011

Smith & Wesson 627, the eight-shot N-frame .357 magnum. Because my wife might need to use it and no matter how much I explain automatics she can no more remember my explanations than I can remember which perfume she likes.

Tony wrote:
April 27, 2011

Glock 22 with a Glock light mounted on the rail .I agree with the "KISS" method especially when the adrenaline will already be flowing ..Keeping my family safe and secure will be my main motivation !

Dan wrote:
April 25, 2011

On my home firearm I have a light mounted to the accessory rail as well. I was curious if you had an opinion or any past posts on the pros and cons of having a light mounted on the firearm vs. carrying a flashlight in the other hand. Of course in police TV shows they always carry a separate light and cross the light to the opposite side of the weapon. I had a recent encounter (intoxicated man entered the back door of my home) and I was glad my home weapon (a Glock 19C with a light on the tactical slide and an internal laser) was ready to go. With the light I was able to temporarily blind the intruder while I visually checked if he had any weapons (cigarette in one hand, case of beer in the other) and then was able to call the police with my other hand. The light on the weapon made it easy for me to keep him illuminated, and to provide a full description (clothing, hair color, etc.) that I wouldn't have been able to do under normal lighting conditions at night. It's true... using my firearm as a flashlight has me pointing it at a lot of things around the house as I assess the situation, but my finger is off of the trigger and leaves my other hand open for other tasks if needed (phone, door knobs, etc.) I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Mike Taylor wrote:
April 25, 2011

I am a big believer that less is more. My simple home defense weapon is also a 1911 design, but no batteries were harmed in the making of my sound sleep. No lights, lasers or any of the gadgetry adorns my little pistol, just a stacked magazine of 230 Gr. Gold Dots and an understanding of where they fly at hallway ranges. At 3:00 in the morning I have no care for lighting or laser dots, just red/green on the trigger. Keep it simple, stupid. That is what I was taught by Chief Sparks, and that is my current situation. I do like the weapon of choice (Series 80 vs 70 aside), and the caliber works wonders on poor attitudes in close range, so we are at least reading from the same book. Then again, opinions and assholes have a lot in common... I am no different.

Bill wrote:
April 25, 2011

Iam more comfortabel with a pump shot gun for home defense. My reasoning is when the light or the laser comes on and the house is filled with the unmistakable sound of a shell being racked there won't be any need for gun fire. But if needed 00 buck is a proven fight stopper.

Scorpion wrote:
April 25, 2011

I have a similar setup yet different. Mine is a Glock 22 in .40 JHP, with a nice, can't think of the name of it off hand, but nice 250 lumen rail light/laser mounted on the factory glock rail. Tho i haven't had chance to sight in the laser yet, without the laser i'm very proficient at 20 yd, which is more then what i would need in this small house of mine.

SFCTucker wrote:
April 25, 2011

Our home defense iron is a Mossberg 590. I am a huge fan of the 1911, and I have one for carry and one for competition. I like the rig you have set up.

AP wrote:
April 25, 2011

H&K 45 with sure fire x400

Matt Smith wrote:
April 25, 2011

Mine is a Sig Sauer full size P250 in .45 ACP. I am waiting for Sig's rail-mounted laser/light to become available (always out of stock). Considering Sig Sauer's 19llC3 in .45 ACP for carrying. To me, a great caliber for both home and personal protection.

Mike wrote:
April 25, 2011

I have a Rem. 870 with a pistol grip and 20" Barrel, for the simple act of racking the slide puts more fear into an intruder than just about anything else, not to mention my 105lbs of German Shepherd who sleeps next to me and my wife.