Combat Rifle vs. Pistol - Does it matter?

T

Texas Rifleman

New member
This is going to be a weird thread and it doesn't really fit well anywhere else. It may spark some craziness. The question is this: What's more practical to buy these days, a combat rifle or pistol? Let me state a few points that I picked from other people's posts on the web and play devils advocate before a discussion begins;

1.) In reailty, which of the two are you going to be more likely to use in a defense situation?
2.) If (I think this is most people) you don't drive to and from work with a combat rifle in your vehicle, that's ready to defend you in case America goes into complete anarchy, what's the point?
3.) So you just got your AR or AK and you love to plink with it (which is awesome). Do you ever think you're going to need to use it as a defense weapon?
4.) Using it as a defense weapon in the home, combat rifles are overkill considering a shotgun or pistol would be better suited.
5.) Handguns are great, but they aren't enough if something "bad" happens.
6.) I can't see the point in owning an ***removed assault*** weapon. Why would I need one? (*they were referring to an AR)
7.) If riots break out like they did in Los Angeles you'll need more than a pistol.
8.) If the government becomes tyranical don't you want to be prepared?
 
Depends on what you want to use it for?

Personal protection for the home, use a shotgun.
Protection while out and about, use a pistol.
Protection from ?????, use an SUR??

Why not all of the 'three guns'? :confused:
 
I'm not normally a big fan of the Bushido (and I think their morals stank to hell) however they did come up with some good ideas.

Their short sword (Wakizashi) was mainly for indoor use and their "always there" piece. The Katana (and bigger stuff) was for full-on combat you knew was coming, or a friggin' battlefield.

The equivelent today is that we should have an "always on us" basic defense handgun first and foremost. Best case we use that to fight our way to a rifle but in most circumstances, esp. out in public, that's not going to happen.

So in my mind, a handgun (and perhaps a 22LR "trainer gun" to go with it due to today's ammo and even components prices) and the skills to use it make the most sense first. Once you're at a point where you've either got a CCW permit or are otherwise able to CCW daily, you now have your "Wakizashi equivelent", always carried the same way every day.

And you expand from there.

You can even make a case for expanding that to two handguns. One small but potent enough (a decent 38 snubbie capable of and loaded with good +Ps would be one example) always carried the same way 24/7, and then strap on a more serious handgun when you feel the need.

The 24/7 gun is still always "first at bat".

In the case of a snubbie wheelgun, that makes good sense as a lot of problems *start* at very close range (basically ambushes of one sort or another) and a DA snubbie comes into play quickly and has advantages at "grapple range". It can't go out of battery on muzzle contact and there's very little barrel for the goblin to grab. Once you fight clear of the initial ambush or run the snub dry, transition to something more serious you strapped on because it's a bad neighborhood or whatever: 1911, Glock, mid-size wheelgun, whatever you're into.

Some people carry a mousegun 24/7 as the "first at bat" gun, a Keltec 32/380 or Ruger LCP or an NAA Black Widow in 22Mag or similar class, and set that up front pocket carry as a "surprise, Mr. Mugger!" gun. With something more serious (from the aforementioned snubby on up) as the secondary strapped on "when you feel the need".

Gunfights really suck when you don't have a gun. So step one is, get a gun and carry setup you can use 24/7.

My $.02...
 
reality

In reailty, which of the two are you going to be more likely to use in a defense situation?
Click to expand...
In reality, you aren't going to use either. Most, maybe all, of the bad things that people worry about are never going to happen.
Insurance is comforting, though, isn't it?
Get a pistol. Easier to carry. Cheaper to feed. More sensible indoors.
Pete
 
If I HAD to pick just one of the three, I would go with a handgun... The only reason being that I can take it almost anywhere and nobody gots ta know bout it :)

Since I wasn't forced to choose just one, I made the decision a whole lot easier and eventually acquired one (or two) of each. I started with one hangun and then came a semi-auto rifle, then another rifle, more handguns, one more black rifle... and just recently picked up a HD shotgun. I'm not sure why I waited so long to get a shotgun?? Oh well, pick your flavor!
 
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I agree,

your first choice should be the best and most effective handgun you can comfortably carry all the time.
 
I agree with Mr. March that first you need one or two handguns. After that, I think the shotgun would come next for most of us. That's because you specifically refer to "combat rifle." In many rural areas, rifles are a handy tool for pest control, hunting, etc. Sometimes a rifle can double as a "tool" and a "combat rifle." But, if you strictly are referring to "combat rifles" for that purpose, then this would be third on my list of gun types simply because there is less likely for there to be a need for one and it's specific niche it feels.

However, I certainly do think everyone should have some type of "combat rifle" even it is that old .30-30 lever action. I'm also guessing that there's a fair number of folks out there that do carry a rifle in the car or truck on a regular basis. I also think that we might be forewarned of needing a "combat rifle" in certain circumstances. For example, I live in a medium sized city. There was some racial unrest a few years ago that saw incidents off and on for a few days. A fellow I know had to drive through the most troubled area to drive his mother to and from work. He stuck a rifle in his auto in addition to the handgun he normally carried.
 
Good stuff. Just so eveyone knows, I own all three too (to some degree). I'm just asking a philisophical question, I guess. I like the discussion.
 
I will likely never need any of them. A pistol or revolver is best for all around SD. Shotgun for the home. Give me an AR if I know there is going to be a fight, but then, I will be headed the other way. So an AR type is not for that. But they are fun to shoot with at the gravel pit. And the idea that someone doesn't want me to have it makes it more desirable, doesn't it?:rolleyes:
 
Which one?

Well, I look at it like this, in order of importance and availability.

First: Quality handun of your choice
second: Quality shotgun
Third: Quality rifle

In the end, why not get all three and a lot of ammo just to be on the safe side.....
 
Maybe this is off topic but in this argument I feel like I should list my WROL set up as soon as I get my pouches:

1. 5.11 Tactical Plate Carrier
2. Ruger Mini-14
3. Three extra 30 rounders
4. Can of OC spray (Non lethal is always better)
5.S&W M&P3B Knife
6. Medical Pouch
7. Paracord,Duct Tape
8. A Glock 21 as soon as I can get one.

On the pistol v rifle arguement it just a tool set like anything else Don't shoot unless you absolutely need too. I don't think anyone wants too shoot anyone in cold blood. The equivelent of selecting the right screw driver so as not to scratch the threadings
 
1) Probably the handgun, as it's a lot more maneuverable and portable.
2) Agree.
3) Maybe. Sometimes I leave my Saiga next to the bed at night.
4) Not always.
5) True.
6) Whatever.
7) True.
8) Something I'd rather not think about.

The AK/AR platform is easier to use than a pump shotgun and holds a lot more 'firepower'. The only other shotgun I'd consider getting for HD would be a Saiga with 10rd mag.
 
Jim March wrote:
I'm not normally a big fan of the Bushido (and I think their morals stank to hell) however they did come up with some good ideas.

Their short sword (Wakizashi) was mainly for indoor use and their "always there" piece. The Katana (and bigger stuff) was for full-on combat you knew was coming, or a friggin' battlefield.
Click to expand...

Bushido is a code of conduct which originated from the samurai class of warriors of feudal Japan...not a group of persons.

As for the "morals" and conduct that the samurai practiced, judge not those whom you do not fully understand.
 
I almost always have my old 30-30 in the backseat of my pickup.

But it's not for self defense. I figure for 9 months out of the year a good stick will protect me. During tourist season of course, I always carry an RPG launcher and a good supply of grenades.
 
I have as many guns, if not more then most. But I'm a realist. I'm not gonna pack a rifle or shotgun 24/7. Even at home. But I do carry a pistol in my pocket always.

Yeap not likely will I ever need it on two legged critters. I do live in the country and it not only is likely but highly likely I run across rattlers around the house, not only is it possilbe, but it happens. I'm not gonna run to the house and hunt up a rifle or a shotgun when I can dispatch them with my pistol. Even shot one under my steps last fall. I have grandkids running all over and grandkids and rattlers dont co-exist. Is there better snake getters, yeap, but they aint in my pocket, with me 24/7.

In the rear case a bad guy shows up, I dont set in my chair with a rifle while reading, computing, or watching TV, But my pistol is still in my targer.

Having said all that, I do keep a loaded 223 bolt gun hanging on the wall to dispatch the 4 legged critters that have desires for my chickens. Normally they set on the hillside out of range of my pistols.

We can all rant and rave about whats best, but we must take reality into consideration. Reality isnt carrying a shotgun or rifle 24/7.
 
Submachinegun. It's pistol caliber and has a stock like a rifle! Best of both worlds!

Seriously, pistols are for shooting at conversational distances. Rifles are for everything past that.
 
Practical to buy? What you can afford, AFTER you meet the basics

The first rule is "have a gun". Doesn't matter so much what, as long as you have something that works. There are multitudes of accounts of people driving off (and sometimes killing) attackers with very "unsuitable" guns. From children to the advanced elderly, lives and property has been saved by having some kind of gun, and being able to get to it, and use it. A bolt action .22 rifle is better than no gun. People have been attacked in their homes, and overpowered, getting free long enough to get to that old target rifle or shotgun, or pistol in the closet, or the bedroom, load it, and drive off the bad guys.

Doesn't always end well, but without some kind of gun, it almost never ends well.

Col Jeff Cooper, a recognised, if somewhat controversial expert (RIP) believed the purpose of a sidearm was to be on hand to deter sudden unexpected violence. If you are expecting violence, you use a rifle.

I question the use of the word "combat" in the original post. Words have meaning, and specific uses. The OP uses the words "combat rifle or pistol", and then goes on to discuss "defense" as the primary point. Combat and defense are two distinctly different things, only being similar in that weapons are used.

As to getting a rifle, I think you should. I feel it is the moral responsibility of every good citizen to have at least one rifle suitable for militia use. Get what you want, or get what you can afford, or don't get one at all, its your choice. This is still a (mostly) free country. But you ought to have one on your list. Not at the top, simply because a handgun is more useful for defense inside the home. But once you have a handgun, then consider a good rifle.

Shotguns are wonderful things, and their large bore size (20ga and up) makes them very effective at short ranges. However, since the law does not allow shotguns the size of handguns, for home defense they have the same drawbacks as rifles, saving only the concerns about excessive penetration.

If you are resticted to only one gun, due to your legal or financial situation, the shotgun is a good compromise for home defense. It avoids the legal issues of handguns in some jurisdictions, is powerful, and effective when used properly. It lacks the long range and accuracy of the rifle, and the compactness and portability of the handgun, but there is no free lunch, sorry.

Long guns are easier to learn to use effectively than handguns, and are more likely to be used effectively by people who are not highly trained. If you have someone in your household in this category (wife, children, etc.) and there is even a remote possibility that they may need to use a gun, a long gun is better for them. A short shotgun, or a pistol caliber carbine is a very potent inside the house, stand 'em off while waiting on the police, tool.
 
This discussion recently came up between a friend of mine who has money, and myself...who does not have much money.

I am all for handguns. I just got a very good used S&W Model 10 for $279. It is affordable and can be carried/used in the home, car, or while on foot. I feel as good with .38+p ammo as with anything else. I prefer a revolver to a semi-auto.

While it would be nice to have a rifle (besides my .22) it would really just sit in a corner, as I cannot afford the ammo to go shoot it for recreation. All of my recreational shooting is done with .22's, and my .38 is my defense gun. In a real pinch I have my .22 rifle and pistol as additional defense guns.
 
Personal opinion:

First purchase in most cases should be the handgun, . . . big enough caliber to do self defense, . . . small enough to carry CCW.

Second purchase should be some kind of multiple round shotgun, . . . pump being the most common.

Third purchase should be the rifle, . . . minimum caliber .223, . . . 7.62 x 39 if you aren't picky, . . . 7.62 x 51 if you are picky, . . . .338 Lapua if you married one of them rich conservative chicks.

Then go back and accessorize as needed. It worked for me for 40+years.

Just my $.02.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
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