Home defense is one of those topics where 20 people will likely have 20 entirely differing opinions. Many conflicting with each other. My choice in a home defense firearm was based on my personal qualifications below. Please note this is not a debate. Nor is it a confirmed fact. It is simply my view and opinion based on my personal needs and abilities as well as the needs and abilities of my family. You and yours may and probably do differ. You're not wrong you just have different views, needs and abilities. Please do not email me telling me all about how wrong I am and what I should do differently. (i.e. like you)

In my mind there are a few qualifications that must be met for a firearm to be considered an effective home defense gun.

1. Stopping power. Not enough can be said on this subject. Many people think that the more rounds they have in the magazine, clip, cylinder, etcetera, the better. All the ammo in the world cant help if the assailant keeps coming. The .357 Magnum round has been tested on the battlefields of the streets of the United States time and time again. It has stopped the perpetrators in countless police encounters over and over. Why is the 9mm more common. Simple, cutbacks and money. Most cops will never see a single shootout therefore the considerably more expensive .357 rounds are just not cost effective. If I were ever to join a police force it would only be under the condition that I could choose my firearm. The .357 Magnum is a fine choice when considering stopping power. It simply gets the job done on the first hit.

2. Ease of use. When is your home most likely to be invaded? Assuming your talking about the perpetrator who is breaking in with a gun and intent on causing you and your family harm we are talking the night time when you're asleep. (Note: burglars intent on stealing your stuff usually break in during the day time when no one is home and often come unarmed.) So your half asleep, disoriented, panicked and in the dark when you reach for the firearm that may mean the difference between the life or death, maybe worse, for you and your family. Training day in and day out is extremely important but when the hammer falls you need to be sure 100% that the safety is not still on or if you remembered to chamber a round. The revolver has nothing to remember but point and pull. In a panic situation these valuable seconds could mean all the difference in the world.

3. Controllability. Many people state that a shotgun, pump action, is the best home defense firearm. I don't argue with that. It has two distinct advantages. One, the mere sound of chambering the round is often enough to send the perpetrator running and two, aim is somewhat less important. But, as stated above the chambering of the round may be the time waster that allows them to get the first shot off. Often the deciding factor in many a gun battle. More importantly is being capable of using a 12 gauge shotgun. (I won't sully this conversation with thoughts of lesser gauge shotguns) Anyone who has fired one, especially when not properly shouldering it and taking a firm stance, knows that they pack quite a kick. Quite simply my 5' 4" 105 lbs wife may get one shot off but will not likely be in a position to take a second if needed. This is to me a very dangerous situation. On the other hand she is quite capable of taking the first shot with the .357 Magnum and following up quite rapidly with a second, third and so on. Another point to be made here is that her hands are very small and mine are much larger. We needed a firearm that allowed both of us to have a firm controlled grip. The Smith and Wesson 65-5 met that need well. Which brings me to #4.

4. Accuracy. The merits of the 12 gauge not withstanding, there is another vital benefit of the .357 revolver. It is deadly accurate at close range in the hands of a practiced shooter. It has happened before and will happen again where a perpetrator takes a family member hostage, holding them as a shield and demands that the defender lower his/her firearm. In this unthinkable situation the shotgun is simply useless. Both my wife and I practice close range precision shooting with the .357 and could with composure and confidence stand firm and take the shot at an exposed part of a perpetrator if forced to. The accuracy of this firearm is limited and therefore we practice within the longest distance we could find ourselves shooting from. That is we measured the longest continuous distance within our house and practice within that distance on hostage simulating targets. The phrase practice makes perfect may not be strictly accurate but one can only hope it at least helps to bring you closer to perfection when/if the unfortunate time came to pass.

5. Reliability. This is not so much about the .357 in general as it is about the .357 I chose. Smith and Wesson have continuously produced fine reliable firearms throughout their long history. I do not want to find out at the wrong moment that a factory flaw causes a failure in my firearm at the moment I needed it most. Smith and Wesson has proven over the years that they are a company built on quality. Yes I could have bought a cheaper revolver from another company and in fact own a few for fun and personal enjoyment. But that's not what I'm discussing here. I'm discussing the very not fun or enjoyable moment when a firearm is to be used to defend your life and family. At that time I want to know that when I pull the trigger the firearm will fire. No exceptions. No failures. There are other companies that are on par with Smith and Wesson but I will venture an opinion there are none that surpass them in quality and reliability. If you choose a fire arm other than Smith and Wesson that's not a problem. Just make sure the company you choose has the same reputation for quality and reliability.

Summing up. For home defense my Smith and Wesson .357 revolver is effective, easy to use, controllable, accurate and reliable. All vitally important in the worst moments anyone could find themselves in. Here is to never having to find out if we are right or wrong. I hope you never do either.

Stay safe, and practice.