Semiauto vs. revolver for home defense - Interesting day at the range, and a question

[alfsauve]

With a J-frame and the tip of your thumb directly next to barrel cylinder Gap???
I think you would do that only once.

No. Geometry, at least for me, works out that my thumb is not near the blast. Even with my model 60 no problem. Haven't shot the Lemon Squeezer in a long while, but it's a one handed gun anyway.

Here's the bigger question. If you shoot revolvers with weak thumb on top of the grip, behind the hammer, how long before you grab a semi-auto and do the same thing?
A consistent grip insures that I don't get stung by either type of gun. Even my single shot (when I had one) was gripped with both thumbs parallel and forward (not one on top the other).

 

[Rexster]

Well, first, I must ask: Why a J-Frame for home defense? Why not the K- or L-Frame? (Rhetorical question; I am not requesting an answer.)

A go-to defensive handgun should fit, in my opinion. A J-Frame is too little for me, unless I put over-sized grips on it, which makes it a medium-sized weapon, about the size of some serious firearms that provide more options. We have J-Frames, in our household, with “boot grips,” which suit the two adult females’ hands, but my sleeping sleeping area is where I keep a Benelli M2 shotgun, a Ruger GP100 with the original-Eighties-pattern square-but grip, and a Glock G17 with a Surefire X300 light on the rail. The other loaded handgun, likely to be on or about my person is an S&W K-Frame Model 64 snub revolver, or, at minimum, a Ruger SP101. My skinny fingers can get a proper three-finger grip on an SP101.

The Benelli M2 was one of my duty shotguns, while I was LEO-ing. I used the GP100’s longer-barreled older brother, as a duty handgun. (My personally-owned duty GP100 is in my avatar image, to the left of this narrative. Notice that it fits my hand.) The Glock G17 was one of my duty pistols, while LEO-ing. A home-defense firearm need not be small.

I am out of time, so may comment on thumb positions, in a separate post.

 

[Elkins45]

I personally wouldn't. A modern auto will hold 2-3x the amount of ammunition, and have a rail on which to mount a light- this may be a serious game changer, based on the fact that darkness covers the planet about 50% of the time, with a disproportionate frequency of crime happening during these periods of darkness. . Also, it will be inherently more acurate. Modern autos like Glock, S&W M&P, and similar pistols are boringly reliable. How "decent" an area is or has been becomes totally irrelevant at that moment when that "outlier" incident happens. My $ says the LE folks who patrol the decent area carry modern autos to use in the unlikely event that decency suddenly takes a vacation, and those autos likely have a mounted light.

I‘m curious as to how autos are inherently more accurate? My experience is mostly the opposite.

 

[fastbolt]

Just one of many perennial questions revolving around the choice of defensive handguns kept in the home.

Since I grew up learning to use the same 1-handed master grip for all handguns, it doesn't matter to me if I'm holding a SA, DA or DAO revolver, or any of the TDA, DAO(ish) or SA pistols I've owned/been issued and used throughout the decades. Lots of memory-inducing trigger time done in training, qual and practice range sessions, especially since I served as a firearms trainer. Yes, my 1911's cause my thumb to sweep a safety (and my grip to establish firm placement against the grip safety, regardless of whether or not it has a 'memory bump').

I owned and used a number of snub revolvers as a young cop, and then several years before I retired I experienced a renewed interest in them, especially the lightweight models. That required a lot of range time to dust off my old service revolver skills, but it also made me realize how much I liked using DA revolvers for working purpose, including the small ones.

I try to make sure every range session I schedule includes 1 or more of my J's, whether it's for renewal qual, LEOSA qual or just to run some old practice drills.

Yes, whenever I've been carrying 1 of my J's as a retirement weapon for some day/night, it often gets the nighttime duty.

Now, on the other hand, the very attributes that make the little J's so appealing for CCW/Off-duty also tend to make them harder to shoot, especially for the average shooter. In earlier years it was often said that in practical terms, the little snubs were really more guns for 'expert' shooters, because of the greater familiarity and skills needed to run them hard, rapidly, controllably and accurately. Probably not for everyone, meaning those folks who aren't willing to learn how to 'fight' with them. Likely better for those folks to rely upon a larger revolver or pistol for their practical shooting needs.

Then old drill of shooting 5rds @ 5yds into a 5-inch group in no more than 5 seconds, both 1 & 2-handed, was thought by some folks to be a good 'cold' test of a shooter's skill with a snub. No warm up, just right off the bat as the first thing at a range session. I came to think of it as a good starting point to evaluate skillset development. The goal was to eventually consistently do the drill in 2 seconds. One of the other senior range instructors saw me running a younger instructor through the drill one day, and wandered over to try it. He was also from the service revolver days, but had only recently started to get back into revolvers. He was curious if his revolver skills were still available for the demands of the light J's. I loaded the M&P 340 with the +P loads I was using and timed him for the drill. He nailed the drill right on the 2sec mark, shooting 2-handed @ 5yds and producing a tight, small fist-sized group. He smiled and wandered off.

Different strokes, though. Everyone's got to realistically evaluate their own skills, experience and needs and make their own choices.

 

[FL-NC]

I‘m curious as to how autos are inherently more accurate? My experience is mostly the opposite.

The OP specified a J frame revolver. To the best of my knowledge, that is a 5 shot DA revolver with a 2" barrel and fixed sights (blade front/ U-notch rear). I specified modern autos like the various Glocks and M&P types. In the interest of tactical speed and safety, I believe "best practices" when employing a revolver is still to fire in the DA mode, VS cocking the hammer in the SA mode (if that is even an option on the specific revolver in question).

 

[JohnKSa]

I‘m curious as to how autos are inherently more accurate? My experience is mostly the opposite.

It would be hard to do enough testing to get a really definitive answer. Fortunately, "inherent accuracy" tends to be largely moot in a self-defense encounter since it's not that often a person can adopt a shooting position and take the time required to demonstrate the actual accuracy of the firearm. Most of the time it comes down to "practical accuracy", that is, how accurately can the gun be shot when time is critical and the situation is less than ideal--perhaps even shooting one-handed or left-handed. In situations like that, the tendency of an autopistol to recoil less and the generally lighter shot-to-shot trigger pull of autopistols usually gives them a bit of an edge.

 

[.38 Special]

I spent the last few decades shooting all handguns with my right thumb against the frame and my left thumb on top of my right. This worked fine. I recently have been attending a school where they insist that I ditch that "old fashioned" technique and instead use the currently fashionable "thumbs forward". This also has worked fine for all handguns - although it doesn't offer any advantage at all, as far as I can tell.

I do find that even after intensive training, I sometimes revert back to my old habits, at least under stress and/or maximum speed. This gets me chastised by the trainers, and I have gotten fond of pointing out that it has no effect whatsoever on my speed or accuracy. More to the point, I usually don't even notice which grip I am using, and now consider it pretty unimportant.

Finally, while I carry a J frame every day, I consider it a severe compromise. I do not rely on it for home defense, and don't see why I ever would, at least as long as 12 gauge shells continue to be made.

 

[trackskippy]

I was one of those who was drug into the thumbs forward grip kicking and screaming until I quit bitching about things and actually made the effort to learn and actually use it.

Now, if I try and go back to using the "thumb over thumb" grip Id used in the past (which was the latest and greatest of the time too, I might add), its instantly noticeable why its no longer the current "fad".

360° "meat on metal" contact really does make a major difference in control of the gun, auto, or revolver too.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The uncle who taught me to use a handgun made me practice with both hands equally. When I complained he said, “And what are you going to do if you break your arm or a finger, fall out of the stand or something and have to shoot to save your life? An angry pig isn’t going to stop because you have a gun, you have to hit it and kill it.” Over the years I’ve gravitated to the left hand as my right hand has suffered from fatigue and arthritis. Good thing I trained for both. Old uncle Charlie was right. RIP.

 

[upptick]

Hello – I had an interesting experience at the range yesterday, and as a result, I would like some opinions from THR.

To set the stage for my question: I currently keep a J-frame revolver at home for my home defense gun. I live in a decent neighborhood with low crime, so under the circumstances, it fits the bill.

I chose a revolver at home for the following reasons:
1) It’s repeatable and reliable: If a round fails to go off, I simply pull the trigger again to chamber a new round.
2) It’s low maintenance: It can sit in its assigned place for 10 or 15 years, and I still have confidence that it will work when needed.
3) There’s nothing to think about in a stressful situation (is it loaded, is a round already chambered, etc.) Just point and shoot.
4) The heavier DA trigger pull provides some insurance against an accidental discharge while both under stress and possibly half asleep, depending on the situation.
5) A J-frame fits well in its assigned place.

All my other guns are semiautos (EDC, competition, etc.) I do have a K-frame and L-frame, but I use them only for range toys.

Now here is the rub and the source of my question:

I routinely cycle through my defensive weapons at least once a year, to ensure both functionality and familiarity. Yesterday I went to the range to shoot my J-frame, and when I picked it up for the first time, I was confused on how to hold it. My muscle memory is used to the semi-auto hold (both thumbs forward on frame, right thumb over left thumb, etc.) That of course doesn’t work well with a revolver, so I had to think for a minute and adjust my hold.

That got me to thinking and wondering: In a stressful home situation, when reaching for my revolver, it might take me a few seconds to get the right grip on it, delaying any action I might want to take. Not good, and a source of concern to me.

Now my question: Do you think I should go “all in” on semiautos for my defensive purposes, including home, so that I have one grip to use for everything instinctively? I’d save the revolvers for range toys, but otherwise I would be using the same handgun grip for EDC, competition, and home use. That enables my muscle memory to be consistent and avoids any possible confusion in a stressful situation.

I’m not considering any type of rifle or shotgun in this question, so no need to recommend them. It’s strictly between semiauto and revolver in the home. I have another semiauto I can put into my home defense rotation, so this decision won't cost me anything either way.

Any thoughts one way or the other? I realize there is no "right" answer; just looking for some perspectives to help me make a decision.

Thanks

I understand the dilemma -- i.e. whether it's a good idea to mix auto-loaders with revolvers for one's defensive firearms -- but from a different perspective. Personally, I think the J-frame (or Ruger LCR) is ideal for daily pocket carry. As a private citizen, the only time I would think about using my firearm would be if I or someone very close to me was being directly and immediately threatened and the purpose for drawing (and maybe but necessarily discharging) the firearm would be to break contact and certainly not anything like a cop's duty to close on and subdue the threat. In other words, it's highly unlikely that I would need more rounds than the J-frame's 5 shot cylinder and I personally just don't see how I would ever need a high capacity auto-loader with a couple of spare magazines for my trip to CostCo on Saturday afternoon. Moreover, the convenience of dropping the J-frame with a pocket holster into my pocket insures that I will virtually always be armed whereas carrying a bigger, heavier gun and having to strap on a belt holster means there are times when I might consider not bothering with the inconvenience. All this doesn't mean that I would HAVE to use the J-frame for my nightstand gun. For that, I might want something like an eight-shot K frame which, along with a small flashlight, is perfectly suited for investigating bumps in the night and in some respects is BETTER suited than an autoloader with an attached light since you won't have to point your gun at someone just to see who it is. So, if you like revolvers and think it's important to standardize your firearms, I don't think you're giving up anything by sticking with them over autoloaders for strictly defensive purposes.

Having said all that, I also pocket carry a Sig P365 (with a manual safety) and sometimes carry a larger autoloader inside the waistband, depending on the day's agenda....

 

[jstert]

gunsrfun1 described why my home defense firearm is a taurus 856, 6-shot, 38sp revolver. i really don’t get the nonnegotiable essentials of the absolutely perfect tactical two-handed grip, shooting for accuracy indoors at 25yds, defending myself from a husband and wife trying to kill each other in their own house down the street, fending off a platoon of ms13 gangbanger home invaders. i need a free hand to open doors, turn on lights, grip stair railings. my maximum indoor distance is maybe 4yds. i’m uninvolved in someone else’s domestic troubles. i don’t engage in activities, habits, vices that might entice home invaders. before the 856 my only firearm for 27 years in some sketchy places was a taurus 85, one round less, and my family was protected.

gunsrfun1, respectfully, don’t worry about which thumb overlocks the other in gripping your handgun. practice some with your favorite revolver with a variety of sometimes imperfect one- and two-handed grips, and sleep well.

 

[JTHunter]

Fortunately, the choices available to me are diverse. There are 4 pistols in .22 Mag., .25 ACP, .32, and .380. There are also 4 revolvers, 1 is a .22LR/Mag, a .32-20, a .38 Special, and a .357. Because of its "book value" and hard to find ammo, the .32-20 is neither loaded nor used. It is the only gun that isn't loaded. The .38 is in a draweer next to the bed and the .357 is in its holster hanging from the gunrack next to the bed. (No kids, widower, so no reason or need to "secure" my guns.)
I like both types but for different reasons. The .32 & .380 only have 7 + 1 rounds, the .22 Mag pistol has 30, the .38 has 5 and the .357 has 6.
Then there is the AK with a 40 round magazine on the aforementioned gunrack.

 

[MutinousDoug]

I would suggest that Gunsrfun1 obtain 5 snap caps and practice dryfiring his J-frame 15-30 times 2-3 days a week while concentrating focus on the (miniscule) front sight.
I started shooting the Service Revolver EIC course last year which requires a one handed grip and the Rapid stage is shot at 25 yards; 5 shots in 10 seconds (2 stages). With a little practice (1-2 months), you can keep the front sight on the target and between the rear sight notch throughout each trigger pull. I don't try to stage the trigger so that I can break the shot right when the sear releases; I pull as fast and smoothly as I can while focusing on the front sight/target.
Of course, in live fire I'll have to deal with recoil and aim recovery but in this drill my goal is to keep the sights aligned through trigger pull and hammer fall in the allotted time of about 2 seconds/shot.
I practice this routine with a 2" Model 15 and shoot the match with a 4" Model 66.
If it ever starts to cool off down here in Phoenix I'll spend more time in front of a target.
The Model 66 is my wife's gun kept by the bed along side my automatic.

 

[Buzznrose]

Good points Hartkopf, and that was my thinking as well. Also, all good comments from the rest of you.

Sounds like the general consensus is that the semiauto is the better way to go, which is how I was leaning anyway, based on my experience. I just wanted to get some other opinions in case I was missing something obvious.

So it looks like I'll be parking the J-frame for awhile.

Thanks again to all.

I wouldn’t “park it”…I’d get it to the range every now and then and exercise it.

It’s a good gun to keep in one’s pocket or stashed away somewhere handy at the house. Shoot it enough to stay competent.

 

[golden]

GUNSFFUN1,

My suggestion is to change guns. I keep a S&W model 15 with a 4 inch barrel as a back up to my usual house, either my duty issue GLOCK 19 or a BERETTA 92 or 96. I have been carrying semi-autoes for 30 years, but my first issue gun and my private purchase carry gun were revolvers.

I have carried J-frame size guns for many years as concealed carry and car guns, but would not choose one for a home defense gun.
The small size works against you unless you have small hands. Also, perceived recoil is greater, sometimes much greater if you are using the standard wooden grips and you have 5 as opposed to 6 shots. It makes a great concealable gun, but in every other way, you are getting less gun and less controllability.
If you have or can rent or borrow a mid size gun like a K-frame with rubber grips like HOGUE or PACHMAYR, try the same load ;you use for home defense at the range side by side. Shoot a 20 shot drill, 6 rounds, two at a time (double tap) at 10 yards on a silhouette target, 6 shots at 7 yards with 1 to the chest followed by 1 to the head (a failure to stop or hostage drill) and then the remaining 8 rounds fired 4 shots with the strong hand only and then 4 with the weak hand.

For me, the results were really noticeable. The 6 shot, 4 inch barreled S&W model 15 shot much tighter groups than the J-frame. I have owned, S&W, CHARTER ARMS (5 & 6 shot models), TAURUS and COLT. The bigger gun always wins.
If you are not going to conceal carry this J-frame, then I would go with a bigger, more contronable gun.

My wife, who is petite found the J-frame nearly uncontrollable, but loves the S&W EZ .380ACP pistol which is much more controllable for her. She can also shoot the BERETTA 92X Compact, but finds she does better with the EZ.

Jim

 

[md7]

I’d suggest a service sized semi auto of reputable make, in a commonly used service caliber. And reloads.

 

[cfullgraf]

For home defense, a compact gun is not a good choice. Ammunition capacity is limited and concealment is not an issue.

I’d choose a mid to full size revolver or a mid to full size semi- auto. Which ever you shoot better. The semi-autos generally will have more capacity but if you shoot revolvers better than semi-autos, a hit with a revolver trumps a miss from a semi-auto.

 

[jrmiddleton425]

Hello – I had an interesting experience at the range yesterday, and as a result, I would like some opinions from THR.

To set the stage for my question: I currently keep a J-frame revolver at home for my home defense gun. I live in a decent neighborhood with low crime, so under the circumstances, it fits the bill.

3) There’s nothing to think about in a stressful situation (is it loaded, is a round already chambered, etc.) Just point and shoot.

Yesterday I went to the range to shoot my J-frame, and when I picked it up for the first time, I was confused on how to hold it. My muscle memory is used to the semi-auto hold (both thumbs forward on frame, right thumb over left thumb, etc.) That of course doesn’t work well with a revolver, so I had to think for a minute and adjust my hold.

That got me to thinking and wondering: In a stressful home situation, when reaching for my revolver, it might take me a few seconds to get the right grip on it, delaying any action I might want to take. Not good, and a source of concern to me.

Number 3 appears to have been disproven, doesn't it?

 

[JoeHenry]

Not a thing wrong with a J frame. They are dependable and easy to operate. My friends and I (in our earlier days) have cleared the plate rack at 25 yards with a J frame. And besides, in your home you are not looking at 25 yards. I love revolvers and shot NRA action pistol for over ten years with a S&W 686. I do keep my thumbs down, weak hand thumb on top of my strong side thumb. Old school I guess but I find this grip to work with any of my semi autos, even a 1911. I like a revolver or a double action auto in a static situation such as a night stand. I currently have a Beretta (de-cocker only) as my night stand gun. The double action first shot is like a double action revolver and this I know very well. This Beretta 92X compact is as easy to operate as any piece I have. Shoot your revolver more and thumbs down will become second nature.

 

[mavracer]

Now my question: Do you think I should go “all in” on semiautos for my defensive purposes, including home, so that I have one grip to use for everything instinctively? I’d save the revolvers for range toys, but otherwise I would be using the same handgun grip for EDC, competition, and home use. That enables my muscle memory to be consistent and avoids any possible confusion in a stressful situation.

I would.
if you're not going to train with a revolver enough so that both grip techniques are second nature, in a stressful situation you will revert to training and muscle memory.

I see the same thing with pump vs semi shotguns.

 

[eharri3]

I am not sure I understand the relationship between the operating mechanism/capacity of the gun and the crime rate in the neighborhood.

Everything I store for HD is semiauto. My revolvers are range toys. I may slip my J frame in an IWB or belly band in scenarios where it's so critical that what I carry is tiny and light that I'll sacrifice capacity, such as going to the gym or for a run. I also mostly practice my trigger pulls in DA on revolvers because they make it hard to be smooth. Otherwise they are unloaded in their pouches in the safe. Those 5-6 rounds will go astonishingly fast if more than one person breaks in. I am not one of these people who thinks he needs enough spare magazines for every HD gun to take out a platoon but at the same time I want more than 5 or 6 of .38.

 

[Riomouse911]

I am not sure I understand the relationship between the operating mechanism/capacity of the gun and the crime rate in the neighborhood.

Everything I store for HD is semiauto. My revolvers are range toys. I may slip my J frame in an IWB or belly band in scenarios where it's so critical that what I carry is tiny and light that I'll sacrifice capacity, such as going to the gym or for a run. I also mostly practice my trigger pulls in DA on revolvers because they make it hard to be smooth. Otherwise they are unloaded in their pouches in the safe. Those 5-6 rounds will go astonishingly fast if more than one person breaks in. I am not one of these people who thinks he needs enough spare magazines for every HD gun to take out a platoon but at the same time I want more than 5 or 6 of .38.

I hear you. I am looking over at this CGW-equipped CZ 75 SP-01 on my nightstand right now, thinking that as much as I love my herd revolvers, for HD there is no way I would give up the 18 147 gr HST rounds in it for 5-6-7 in a revolver of similar (or even greater) cartridge capabilities.



YMMV.

Stay safe.

 

[LiveLife]

I live in a decent neighborhood with low crime ...

That's the wrong mindset ... criminals are likely to think "decent neighborhood" may have better stuff than "bad neighborhood"

So let's say you go off-road only once or twice a year instead of every month. Should you not carry a full size spare (Semi-auto) over temporary doughnut spare (Revolver) regardless how often you go off-road where there is no cellphone service? Frequency of crime should not dictate less than desirable response firearm as you can get a flat tire (Crime) whether you go off-road once or twice a year (Decent neighborhood) compared to every month (Bad neighborhood).

In a stressful home situation, when reaching for my revolver, it might take me a few seconds to get the right grip on it, delaying any action I might want to take. Not good, and a source of concern to me.

Do you think I should go “all in” on semiautos for my defensive purposes, including home, so that I have one grip to use for everything instinctively? ... That enables my muscle memory to be consistent and avoids any possible confusion in a stressful situation

Let's go back to the off-road analogy.

"Holes on target speak volumes" ... Missed shots don't count.

Should you bring an "off-road" jack like Farm Jack that is better suited for off-road use requiring higher lift range (Hitting your target) or smaller factory scissor jack meant for "on-road" use that may not work off-road (Missing your target)? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-60-in-3-Ton-Farm-Jack-TR6502B/100595205

there is significant evidence that sustaining proficiency in anything - anything at all - requires currency of practice. It’s quite obvious then, regular, structured practice with any firearm to be deployed in defense is necessary.

My Army drill sergeant and defensive shooting instructor (Who taught PD/SD SWAT teams) both told me, "We fight like we train" and defensive shooting instructor who was also USPSA RSO suggested that we test our "real world" shooting skills by running USPSA stage mock ups with our carry/defensive firearms.

So instead of my match 1911 with 2.5 lb trigger job, I brought my Glock 22 and Makarov 380Auto to run the same USPSA match stage. Surprise ... Surprise. While I did fine with Glock 22, I hardly hit center of mass/"A" zone with the Makarov. Defensive instructor asked me how competing with 1911 will help if I am using Glock 22 for defensive use? "If you really want to improve your real life shooting skills, you need to compete with Glock 22"

Soon afterwards, I switched my USPSA match gun to two Glock 22s and replaced Makarov 380Auto with Glock 23/27 for same manual of arms and magazine interchange option (Carry spare G22 magazines and practice shooting with longer magazines).

Those 5-6 rounds will go astonishingly fast if more than one person breaks in ... I want more than 5 or 6 of .38.

Words from a "realist".

And to all those who believe 5 shot snub nose revolver, tiny 380Auto and micro-compact 9mm is all you need (Let's not even discuss reduction in muzzle velocity), seriously consider running USPSA match stage or similar stage mock up and see if you can hit COM under "real world" stressful shooting conditions and try to do fast/effective magazine/speed loader reload.

I helped out with USPSA stage designer who also shot IDPA and setup match stages and when we did all-day match practice days, we hosted "Bring your other/defensive guns" day so we could run practice stages that copied previous month's stages. Over the years, I got to run practice stages with 40+ factory fullsize/compact pistol models and there's a good reason why I stayed with Glock 17/19/26 then Glock 22/23/27 for retirement with 40-9mm conversion barrels/Advantage Arms 22LR slide kit for G22 to use with close range point shooting drills ... Same manual of arms/trigger practice to actually hit whatever I need to hit ... very fast ... even with eyes closed point shooting (Both wife and I can hit anything size of copy paper target anywhere inside the house ... fast).

 

[eharri3]

Also something to think about, we live in a decent suburb near a high crime city and the city's problems are spreading outward. Violent repeat offenders from the city who get the revolving door treatment are venturing further out to cause trouble. I think part of the reason is everybody in the city is buying guns now to fend off car jacking and home invasions and some of the predators are hoping to meet less armed resistance further out.

 

[JB111]

I say choose whatever you like, are comfortable with and can operate proficiently.

I have several guns that are in my carry rotation and am proficient with them all but as for home defense, I keep a Ruger GP100 w/ 6'' barrel within arms reach at all times and also wear it when I am outside doing activities on my property. I train with it often, target shoot often and I keep it loaded with the same ammo that I train with. That is one of the biggest mistakes I see and hear of people doing with their carry/home defense gun. When they practice, they will load it with whatever cheap fmj they can get their hands on but then load it with the "good stuff" when carrying for defense. Different ammo will have different points of impact and cause different amounts of recoil. Not good in a bad situation. Doing so with range guns is perfectly fine, but carry guns, use the same ammo regardless of shooting situation. As for which type of gun is best for home defense/carry, that is all up to the individual. I say why limit oneself, shoot multiple types of guns enough to become proficient with them all, that way you will acclimate quickly when switching.