One other thing to think about with full .357magnum loads is that in low light situations, out of a short barrel typical of a SD/HD handgun, the muzzle flash will be terrific.  It'll temporarily blind you.  Sheeh Its awesome even in the day time from a 3" barrel. Hehe

I knew there was something else, thanks for bringing this point up.  My HD revolver is a 2.75" barrel, and yeah, there's a heck of a flash during the day!  I think I'd .38 +P in the speed loaders.

I usually carry a steel S&W 340 Airweight and the flash thing bothered me.  I sorta solved it by mounting a laser sight on it.  I tested it out at 15 yards in a dimly lit range (where flash had bothered me before) by holding it about bottom-of-rib cage level with two hands and I printed a pretty good group with it, double-action (of course).

Using the sights, the flash is right there in front of your eyeballs

But the flash from down at that level didn't bother me at all, in fact I didn't even notice it.

Noise indoors without "ears?"  it's going to be loud.  I popped an Aquila sans poudre (without powder) round into some phone books in my living room once with a short-barreled auto  just to test the firing pin strength and it was loud.  I expected a little pop, but even without powder, the CRACK made my ears ring.



They're sorta like BB or CB caps, without powder, except in .22LR cases.

I guess the lesson there is no matter what you choose, the noise indoors will be loud.  As to whether there's actual hearing loss or not, I can't testify.  However, as someone said, I ain't going to stop to put in earplugs if there's a skunk in the house.

Terry, 230RN

Thanks for the additional comments guys... So beside the gun, seems there are a few other things to at minimum consider:

1. Over penetration due to bullet type and wall type (see other thread).  It's probably another  thread but planning for zones of fire and putting backstops in the house is probably just as important as deciding on the gun. God forbid hitting a neighbor or family member after a shot goes through an invader.

2. Lighting - affects how acclimated the eyes are to the dark and blindness from sudden flashes of gunfire. I've watched some training videos on youtube teaching that it's best to light up the room where an intruder could be and staying in the dark. So resisting the urge to open the light where you are and putting some motion detector lights in the possible intruder entry places might not be a bad suggestion.  Would having an intruder well lit help with reducing the blinding effects of gunfire?  Probably a good idea to have a high lumens flashlight and blinding the intruder with it if he/she is fiddling around in the dark.

3. Sound - oh well, what to do about this?  Earplugs next to the revolver?  I would probably rather hear well than muffle my hearing in a bad intruder situation.

By the way, Costco had a nice 2 pack AA battery motion activated LED lights for about $25.  Not sure if it's still there.

...........3. Sound - oh well, what to do about this?  Earplugs next to the revolver?  I would probably rather hear well than muffle my hearing in a bad intruder situation.

Screw the ear plugs.  Last thing you want to do is take the time to put earpro on when someone is trying to kill you.  Also depending what kind of earpro some guy might walk right up to you without you ever hearing him/them.

Screw the ear plugs.  Last thing you want to do is take the time to put earpro on when someone is trying to kill you.  Also depending what kind of earpro some guy might walk right up to you without you ever hearing him/them.

I too would bypass normal PPE.  That is the last thing you need to worry about in a situation.