The “What’s Best for Home Defense” Discussion ...
… officially ends on the 12th of Never.
Until then, let’s talk about going big, or going home. Or, going big when you are at home. Big, in this scenario, is not one, but two Smith & Wessons. The first S&W is the company’s M&P .45 ACP loaded with HPR Black Ops 150 gr. Open Tip Frangible ammo. The second S&W is a USB Rechargeable Flashlight. A formidable combination, these things will likely help put a quick end to most home defense scenarios. But they’ll also keep this “What’s Best” discussion going for — who knows? — maybe years.
The Gun
You can defend yourself in your home with your pocketable 6+1 .380, yes. But if you could shoot just as well, wouldn’t you rather a bit more firepower — say 10+1 of .45 ACP? This version of Smith & Wesson’s M&P .45 comes equipped with a 1911-style thumb safety, interchangeable back straps, and an overall weight of only 27.7 ounces despite being over 7.5 inches in length. Concealing it is a bit of a chore, but on the range, it’s accurate, reliable, and easy to shoot well. That makes it a good choice for a house gun.
The Ammo
HPR’s >Black Ops ammo in .45 ACP features a 150 gr. Open Tip Frangible bullet. These rounds launch at a velocity of 1113 FPS and, at 50 yards, lose only 71 FPS. Muzzle energy measures at 412 ft/lbs and drops to 362 ft/lbs at 50 yards. Upon impact, the bullet jacket and core separate, causing more damage. But the rounds fire with minimal recoil, allowing a shooter to get back on target quickly. Black Ops ammo comes in boxes of 20.
The Light
Powertech’s S&W branded rechargeable flashlight offers just about everything you’d expect in a tactical light — tough aluminum case, crenulated bezel, 800 lumens, and water resistant. And you can recharge it using a wall charger or by plugging it into a USB port. It’ll run for four hours (continuous use) and even survive a one meter drop. At six inches in length and over an inch in diameter it isn’t the smallest light available. But its size along with the diamond cut knurled surface allows for a fantastic grip and easy one-handed operation. Click the tail button to activate one of its four light settings: high, low, strobe, and momentary.
So there you go: the best home defense combination you can find.
Or perhaps there’s more discussion to be had on this?
