a handgun is only for when you can't get to a long gun for self defense.

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cajun47

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imo. i see too many people with high dollar handguns(which are great) as their primary sd weapon. whats really the effective range of a handgun in the heat of a gun fight for the average person here(goes to the range, has a ccw, ect.) i have two loaded mossberg 500s in the house and one in the vehicle. the only reason i don't try to ccw a shotgun in a box of roses is because in louisiana its for handguns only.

i made this topic cause i watched that disgusting youtube video of a cop with a handgun getting killed by that crazy old man with a rifle(m1 carbine i think). some cops around here have a shotgun mounted by the dashboard for a quick draw and a rifle in the trunk.
 
I wish that I could use a shotgun or powerful rifle for home defense, but due to my pacemaker and it's inherent recoil sensitivity, I am stuck with using my M&P 40 for home defense as well as self defense :(.
 
cajun47, I can keep all rounds on target at all distances in my house. At 1 shot per second, I can keep a full mag in a 8 inch circle at 25y. There are times when a handgun is better for SD, there are other times when it is the worst thing you can have. To say that a handgun is only to allow you to get to your rifle... well it discounts extremely tight quarters with blind corners... issues with over penetration... etc.
 
It's also about skill here.

Even being in the Army, Navy and the Air Force (all in once short career, too!) I am still utterly lousy with rifles. I hate shooting them, except for some very few examples and I simply can't hit things with them.

I do think I'd probably be more lethal with a shotgun and a handgun than just a rifle.
 
handguns are the self defense weapon of choice because they're easy to carry and conceal. for the vast majority of self defense encounters, a handgun will more than suffice assuming its wielded competently.

Basic common sense tells us that its impractical to carry a long arm everywhere, even if they are demonstrably easier to handle and more capable at longer range.
 
handguns are both effective and accurate at ranges that surpass expectations of many who are just not that familiar with what they can do

a key question, I think, that colors the argument, is what constitutes DEFENSE range.. for many of us that is less than 25 yards and far more likely <25 feet.
if range exceeds your capability with handgun accuracy, maybe it is not defense range

Clearly, the rifle is the better weapon for offense
much of what LE is sometimes obliged to do is "obligatory offense", but I am not so obliged
the shotgun is more intimidating, but harder to handle quickly in tight spots, and difficult to shoot well with one hand

on the other hand, if the BGs are considerate enough to provide advance notice and ETA, a rifle in hand with handgun for backup is well considered
(but keep your head down if you can)
 
imo. i see too many people with high dollar handguns(which are great) as their primary sd weapon. whats really the effective range of a handgun in the heat of a gun fight for the average person here(goes to the range, has a ccw, ect.) i have two loaded mossberg 500s in the house and one in the vehicle. the only reason i don't try to ccw a shotgun in a box of roses is because in louisiana its for handguns only.
Click to expand...

Guess you don't mind drawing attention to youself with the shotgun in the vehicle. If you hide it in the vehicle from passer-bys in parking lots and so forth, chances are the gun will not be available for self defense.

I venture to say that any "self defense" encounter that exceeds 30 feet would probably be questioned intently as to whether your life was endangered.

I can see walking up to a potential client's door toting a shotgun.... and actually expecting them to answer their door or choose me to do a job for them??? Same goes with bill collecting..... that would probably cause me to get shot because their life was in danger, not mine.

But to each his own, that is what makes the world go around. :D
 
As a civilian (meaning not considering my military deployments), in the unlikely event I'll ever be called upon to use a handgun for self defense, I'm confident that it will be able to do the task (15 rounds of .40 caliber). However, that being said, I also always have a 12 gauge handy because it, admittedly, would do the job better.
 
Yet another thread on this.
How "long range" is inside you house? 10ft? 20ft? A long gun is a lousy choice. My 16" AR carbine is loud outside at the range with hearing protection. Inside without any it will sound like a plane crash. A handgun affords you an extra hand--very valuable when you need the other one to hold a light, grab a child, fend off an attacker, etc.
Shotguns are great from 6' to about 25 ft. With most personal protection incidents occuring within 5 feet that makes them less than ideal. Rifles are great from about 10' on. But, as mentioned, anyone shooting someone at 50 yards will be hard pressed to say he was in imminent fear of death or severe bodily harm at that range. Not that it couldn't happen, but so rare as to be negligible.
 
Uh, yeah. People use handguns for SD due to practicality based on size ...that's kind of why they were invented in the first place. Also as mentioned, SD range is going to be 25 feet or less unless you like court rooms and jail cells.

Handguns have their place, long guns have there place. Keep the rifles at home.

Here in CT, all LEOs have at least a shotgun in the car, if not an additional AR15 in the trunk.
 
A hand gun is for fighting your way to the rifle you shouldn't have left at home. :rolleyes:

I've never been a fan of that expression. Too Hollywood-esque for me.

If you are in a SD shooting, it is going to be in-your-face, violent, and over real quick. You won't be slinging rounds at the hordes with your .45 while you're running to your AR. LEOs and military members might be exceptions, but it's not a likely scenario for civilians.
 
Well, I can imagine open carrying an AR-15 might deter some people from accosting you.

Trying to mug etc, some may understand that there is no way you could get that thing off your shoulder and leveled at them by the time they knocked your ass out.

Personally, the only real option for SD/HD from an efficiency standpoint is a handgun.

That is the only weapon I feel like I could quickly and effectively bring to bear.


Also have to agree that if you are counting on the rifle's effective range your going toward the side of offense.

Do you have a 50 yard clear stretch in your house? A grand ballroom perhaps?

The rifle is your choice, if you feel comfortable with more power to you.

So, are you a Coonass or just cajun? :neener:
 
some may understand that there is no way you could get that thing off your shoulder and leveled at them by the time they knocked your ass out.
Click to expand...

and some may not----slung to 1st shot, my timer shows 1.0 +/-.1 second

no one was around to tell me 'you couldn't do it' when i practiced:what:

carried off shoulder with muzzle down the AR fits tight to my body and does
not restrict movement. yet for home defense i trust my BHP or 1911.
my daughter, literally not having the years of handgun experience i have,
relies on a pump 20 gauge.
 
I dont agree that that is always the case, long guns are impractical to conceal on a daily basis. I keep one handy but my primary weapon is a 1911, and it is the weapon I will grab and use in the event on an intruder in my house, the one I carry on my person, and in my truck. IN addition, the a shotgun is a little unweildy in my house, and I like having a free hand when using a handgun as well.
 
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If you are in a SD shooting, it is going to be in-your-face, violent, and over real quick. You won't be slinging rounds at the hordes with your .45 while you're running to your AR. LEOs and military members might be exceptions, but it's not a likely scenario for civilians.
Click to expand...

The saying, "A hand gun is for fighting your way to the rifle you shouldn't have left at home," is more for a SHTF scenario.

Woody
 
Warhawk83..... thank you for the kind comment. my technique does not go over well at range meets
cause the muzzle covers almost 170 degrees. I’m right handed so i am carrying on my off, left shoulder.
The gun butt is behind the left side of my head; muzzle is pointing a foot or so in front of
my left foot. When you want the gun, grab the underside of the fore stock with left hand and rotate
the gun such that the butt swings down and crosses the front of your body to finally mount at your
right shoulder. Your right arm should already be in position to operate the safety and trigger.

The sling, if adjusted beforehand, will fall naturally at/on the left elbow. Your left wrist and arm move,
the hand does not—so grab the fore stock where you want your hand to be at the time of firing. You are
starting with your body pointed at 2 o’clock to the target.

I have seen some hunters carry this way so as to protect the bbl from low hanging branches. Though they are not doing it
for speed of presentation, the tecnique is similar.
 
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I have children in the house. I don't think leaving my ar or shotgun propped up beside the bed or under it would be wise. Unfortunately, neither one fits in my nightstand safe so I keep a handgun there.

whats really the effective range of a handgun in the heat of a gun fight for the average person here(goes to the range, has a ccw, ect.) i have two loaded mossberg 500s in the house and one in the vehicle.
Click to expand...

I can guarantee that the effective range of my handgun is greater than that of a shotgun. I can legally carry a concealed handgun in NC. Even if I could carry any concealed weapon of my choice, a shotgun is large and heavy. I would need to dress in a manner that I don't care to in order to conceal even the shortest of shotguns. I'd rather have a small 45 on my hip than make a mad dash to my trunk for the 870 or the AR. All the experts seem to agree that you fight with what you have on you, and that a rifle trumps all.

I also have a fear (probably an irrational one) that if, heaven forbid I ever did get into a home defense situation that a family member would be somewhere between myself and the target, yet not in my line of fire. In that case, I'd prefer a rifle or a handgun so I can put the shot where it needs to go.
 
Handguns and Long Guns both have their uses; the former is not merely a poor substitute - or a backup plan - for the other.

thorn
 
I can guarantee that the effective range of my handgun is greater than that of a shotgun.
Click to expand...

If this is true you are one fine handgunner indeed sir. I have trouble with 50 yard center mass hits myself.
 
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