Like any tool, different guns can be suited for different purposes.
So, if you are looking for a home defense gun, what should you buy?
There are a lot of great firearms on the market.
What is the best affordable home defense pistol? The author makes a good case for the Springfield XD Mod.3 being a great choice.
For the money, I think the Springfield XD Mod.3 is a great choice for home defense.
Let me explain why.
Why Choose a Pistol?
Choosing a gun for self defense is incredibly personal. The XD Mod.3, shown above, is an excellent choice for home defense and other forms of personal protection.
Home defense is different from personal protection outside the home.
Shotguns, rifles and handguns are all excellent choices depending on your needs.
A handgun allows you to move easily through a house and only requires a single hand to use.
The author found that the Springfield Armory XD Mod.3 is an excellent choice for home defense use. It is affordable, reliable and equipped with many of the features people are typically looking for.
you might do these things while carrying a long gun, but it is much easier with a pistol.
A good handgun makes a lot of sense as it can serve in both home defense and CCW roles.
And if cost is a concern, handguns tend to be less expensive than rifles.
The affordability of the XD Mod.3 means you will have plenty of money left over for ammunition and training classes.
Combining these factors brings me to the conclusion that a pistol is the better choice for many people.
But which pistol is the best choice?
XD Mod.3 for Home Defense
Im a bit of a sucker for utilitarian firearms.
Accuracy is excellent with the XD Mod.3. If you plan on using one for home defense, measure the longest distance between points in your home and train so that you can reliably make hits at that range if needed.
Guns that are built well and run reliably are far more interesting to me than fancy scrollwork and inlay.
Function over form, I suppose.
In my younger years, I shot guns and appreciated their place in society.
In addition to home defense, the Springfield Armory XD Mod.3 is an excellent choice for general self-defense.
Yet, my real entrance into the firearms community was through law enforcement, with the hobby following later.
I trained for serious use long before I enjoyed the sport.
My reasoning is based primarily on three clear reasons: reliability, affordability and features.
Springfield Armory uses a reliable plate system for mounting red dot sights to the Springfield XD Mod.3 semi-automatic pistol.
Without it, youre flirting with disaster.
They are typically fast and more violent than many people can comprehend.
The Springfield Armory XD line is a proven handgun series.
Up front, the XD Mod.3 has an accessory rail for mounting a white light. A light is an important accessory for a defensive pistol.
It is this heritage from which the XD Mod.3 springs.
Ireviewed the Springfield XD Mod.3last fall.
It simply runs with no issues whatsoever.
I am confident that the gun will perform should I ever call on it to protect my family.
Beyond the initial price of the gun is the cost to feed it.
Chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, the ammunition is inexpensive in comparison to other self-defense calibers.
Hands down, the 9mm is the most common centerfire cartridge for handguns.
This means that everyone makes ammo for it, and that competition helps to keep prices down.
Compare prices on 9mm vs. 45 ACP.
Are there cheaper guns?
But none, in my opinion, that offer the same reliability.
And certainly, none with the features Springfield Armory packed into this pistol.
Red dot ready pistols are common, but not at this price point.
Plates are inexpensive and available for virtually any pistol optic you could find.
Old-school purists might not like having a red dot optic on a pistol.
Im an iron sights shooter back to the .38 Spl.
revolver I learned to shoot with nearly 40 years ago.
Nevertheless, I think red dots are a significant improvement to a defensive pistol.
The XD Mod.3 ensures that pistol price will not be the prohibiting factor if you want to run one.
If you are not running a red dot, no worries.
Springfield Armory uses a steel-protected fiber optic front sight paired with a low-glare steel rear sight.
The fiber optic front sight offers a bright aiming point across a spectrum of lighting conditions.
Steel not plastic also ensures the sights will stand up to regular use for years to come.
An accessory rail is also a standard feature.
I think a home defense gun should have a white light mounted to it.
Springfield Armory upgraded the trigger on the XD Mod.3 and uses a flat-faced trigger.
Ive always liked the feel of the standard XD pistols pull.
With the flat trigger, I like it even more.
It has a consistent feel that lends itself to accurate shooting even during rapid fire.
As a husband and dad, I get it.
A pistol makes a lot of sense for a lot of people in the home defense role.
For a top-quality pistol that remains affordable, I see the Springfield XD Mod.3 as the clear winner.
It is completely reliable, easy to shoot and is incredibly affordable.
You have to do your own research and make your own choices.
Find the pistol that works best for your needs.
However, I strongly encourage you to consider the XD Mod.3.
I think its a strong contender at any price, and likely the best value by a significant margin.
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