What Is the Best Handgun to Own for Protection

Crimes can happen randomly at any time and having a firearm can help you defend yourself against criminals. If you’re getting old you might not have as much strength or skill as you once had to defend yourself.

In that case, guns are your alternative option for self-defense. However, choosing what is the best handgun to own for protection can be hard. That’s why this article will discuss some of the best handguns you can use for self-defense.

What Is the Best Handgun to Own for Protection?

There are plenty of handguns you can choose that are great for your own protection. Handguns are great options for self-defense because they’re small and easy to carry around. However, some of the handguns outshine others when it comes to self-defense.

Heckler & Koch VP9

Heckler & Koch is a german gun manufacturing company that produces some of the best guns in the world. The VP9 is one of them and it packs a lot of features that are great for protection. The VP9 stands for “Volkspistole” which translates to “The People’s Pistol”.

In terms of looks, the VP9 is a stylish and sleek handgun. It has great ergonomic handling for ambidextrous controls. Which means it can fit comfortably on both the left and right hand.

Why The VP9 is Great for Protection

You’ll feel a slight bulge upon holding the VP9 which you squeeze inward to ready and cock the pistol for firing. This is an excellent safety feature to prepare the pistol for firing. The pistol can’t fire unless you perform the squeezing action.

The trigger action on the VP9 is light and short. This makes it easy to use especially for first-timers who just want guns for self-defense. Its ease of use makes it a great option for the best handgun to own for protection.

It also has great accuracy thanks to the fixed cold hammer-forged barrel with polygonal rifling. It has one of the best accuracies for a 9mm handgun. The unique gas retardation system design significantly reduces the recoil when you fire the handgun.

Handgun Highlights:

• Ergonomic, customized grip
• Excellent safety feature
• 3 changeable backstraps and 6 side panels
• Fits all hand sizes
• Ambidextrous use
• Excellent accuracy and reduced recoil
• Weighs in 1.66 lbs.
• 15+1 rounds

Glock 19

One of the most popular options for the best handgun to own for protection. The Glock 19 is a reliable handgun in almost any self-defense scenario. Even police officers carry this handgun and the Navy SEALs even have this model as their standard-issue handgun.

It’s compact and great for conceal carry. This striker-fired, semi-automatic pistol is a solid pick for self-defense since it doesn’t have an external hammer or manual safety meaning you can fire it just by pulling the trigger.

The Glock 19 comes with a modular Back Strap design which allows instant customization for gripping to adjust to the size of your shooting hand.

The Multi-Use Glock

The Glock 19 is one of the best versatile handguns you can use. It has great customizations like having a choice of magazine capacity (the standard comes with a 15-round magazine). Aside from protection, you can also use the Glock 19 for:

• Home Defense
• Self Defense
• Shooting Competition
• Range Exercises

The Glock 19 is popular with beginners and pro shooters since it’s really easy to maintain and shoot.

Handgun Highlights:

• 9mm Caliber
• Safe Action System
• Standard 15-round magazine capacity with the option to upgrade to 17 / 19 / 24 / 31 / 33

Ruger GP100

If stopping power is what you’re looking for in a handgun for protection, then the Ruger GP100 might interest you. You’ll appreciate the ease of use this revolver has to offer. Double-action revolvers are among the most comfortable in terms of firing.

The Ruger GP100 is a revolver that comes with solid steel sidewalls with no side plates. The frame widths increase with additional steel in certain parts. It’s great for beginners and veterans alike. It provides enhanced support to the 3-inch barrel of the Ruger GP100.

The medium-sized frame with a cushioned Hogue Monogrip rubber grip system which provides minimal shooter fatigue during repeated firing. 

Why the Ruger GP100 is Great for Protection

The main reason this gun is among the best handgun to own for protection is because of these 2 features:

• It contains a built-in transfer bar mechanism that provides security against any accidental discharge.
• You won’t need to buy any special tools if you want to clean, disassemble, or reassemble the Ruger GP100.

Because of its easy maintenance and a great safety feature, the Ruger GP100 is favored by most veteran gun owners.

Handgun Highlights:

• Safety feature prevents accidental discharge
• Easy to disassemble and assemble
• Easy to use and can rapid fire
• Compact handgun
• 6-round capacity
• Ramp front and integral rear sight

What Is the Best Glock for Home Protection?

As I’ve stated above, the Glock 19 is among the best handgun to own for protection. If I had to choose a runner-up, then it would be the Glock 17 which is almost similar to the Glock 19.

The Glock 17 has gone through various improvements and has stayed as one of the most reliable handguns to date. The Glock is a striker-fired weapon which means you don’t need to cock the hammer in order to fire it.

The Glock also has a 3 stages safety feature for safe use and storage. It also has factory-installed night sights. You can also mount lights and lasers thanks to the under-frame accessory rail. The Glock 17 has many available customizations so you can install various parts and accessories in it.

How Many Times per Year Are Guns Used for Self-Defense?

The National Rifle Association conducted a study in 2013 and found out that “firearms are used over 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances.”

Crimes do happen and they can occur randomly. While firearms were used for personal protection, it doesn’t mean that shots were targeted at someone.

The majority of the over 2 million times citizens used their guns were merely brandishing their gun or fired a warning shot to scare off would-be criminals. Less than 8% of the time do citizens kill or wound their attacker.

Conclusion

The VP9 is the best handgun you can own for protection followed by the Glock 19 and the Ruger GP100. These handguns have something in common, they are easy to use and maintain. They also have safety features that help out first-time gun owners.