Everyday Carry Handguns (EDC) vs. Home Defense Handguns
Key Takeaways
SHIT THAT WORKS!
EDC (Every Day Carry) vs. Home Defense Guns
45ACP - Ruger 1911
45ACP - Custom Competition
9mm - Sig Sauer Model P226
44SPL - Smith & Wesson Model 296
38SPL/357 Mag. - Smith & Wesson J Frame
32H&R - Smith & Wesson Lipsey’s Ultra Carry
9mm - Sig Sauer Model P938
9mm - Sig Sauer Model P365
380ACP - Browning Black Label
Transcript
Hey folks, we're in our Idaho office again, as you can probably see, and today I want to talk about the difference between EDC (Everyday Carry) handguns and home defense guns. An EDC handgun is something you carry with you every day, while a home defense gun is something you leave at home unless you use your EDC gun for both purposes.
For everyday carry, I prefer small handguns, especially in the summer. In the winter, with bulkier coats, I might carry a larger pistol. This is a Sig P938, a 9mm—it's very small, comfortable, and I often forget it’s even on me. Sometimes, I just toss it in my back pocket when heading to town, though other times I'll strap it on properly. The key factors for any EDC gun are how well it fits your hand, how much you've practiced with it, and whether it's functioning properly. Practice is critical.
I carry hollow point ammo for the first shot or two, and all my guns are always loaded. I don't believe in "empty" guns, as many negligent accidents happen with so-called unloaded guns. Small holsters are useful, and I recommend carrying a spare magazine, which can easily slip into a pocket.
There are advantages to semi-autos over small revolvers. Semi-autos reload faster and hold more ammo. My Sig P365, for example, holds 11 rounds, while a small revolver only holds five or six. That said, revolvers are great for firing from inside a coat pocket, as a semi-auto’s slide might get caught and jam. Revolvers, especially those without exposed hammers, are much more reliable in such situations.
When it comes to home defense, bigger guns are easier to shoot because their mass helps with recoil. You'll notice that many of mine have flashlights and lasers on them. For example, my home defense Sig Sauer holds 16 rounds, and I keep it on my nightstand with four spare loaded magazines. I also prefer flat-nosed, solid ammo for home defense, as it can penetrate through obstacles like furniture, walls, or doors, unlike expanding hollow points.
You can use an EDC gun for home defense and vice versa, but bigger home defense guns are harder to conceal. I have many guns in my home, most of which are Glocks with flashlights. Proper ammunition, like Buffalo Bore ammo, ensures I never feel undergunned, even with a 9mm or .380.
For women's EDC, my wife had wrist surgery and can’t handle larger calibers. After a lot of testing, she settled on Browning Black Label 380s. These are lightweight, 1911-style pistols that fit her needs perfectly. With Buffalo Bore Full Metal Jacket ammo, they’re powerful enough for defense, and women often have the advantage of carrying larger guns in purses rather than on their hips.
Handguns are versatile—they allow you to carry one in one hand while using the other hand to open doors or fend off attackers. A long gun may be better in certain situations, but a handgun is more portable and easier to maneuver in tight spaces. If someone grabs the barrel of a long gun, it’s easier for them to control, but a handgun offers more mobility.
I’ve been using handguns since I was 14, and I’ve defended my family more than once. We live in a society where being prepared is necessary. As much as I believe in turning the other cheek in some situations, that doesn't apply when defending innocent lives. When dealing with dangerous predators, the only option is to stop the threat.
Thanks for tuning in. I hope this gave you some good ideas. Next, we’ll talk about home defense rifles. Thanks for your time.
