Check out Box of Truth's recent post on the matter. In their typical fashion the BS is cut through using facts and real world experimentation/ analysis. Also they touch on a lot of myths.
Skipping to the conclusion for those who don't feel like reading: Rifles > Shotguns > Pistols.
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Fair enough, but I still like my semi-auto pistol (.45acp) for self protection, especially for when camping out in a vehicle. Where I camp (deep south Texas), there is a lot of illegal alien traffic. I often sleep in my vehicle (pick-up), reclined in one of front seats.
I keep the pistol in my lap, ready for instant use. ANY longarm in that situation (even pistol handled grip shotgun) would be difficult to use in such confined quarters.
Not that I've ever needed it, but it being that handy really helps my peace of mind.
Very specialized situation, but you adapt to what you have. Very good discussion at BOT - thanks for posting it.
I took a look at the referenced article and found that there is still plenty of BS in it. To start with the justification to use a long gun such as a shotgun is based a pure effectiveness. If you can't intimidate them with the sound not much survives a 12 gauge at 20 feet with buckshot. Not all shotguns need 00 buckshot, try number 4 buckshot for in a home, its still plenty effective and will cut down on over penetration. The other side about a shotgun not mentioned is intimidation of the owner, slight people will not fire them, hence they do no good at all since the owners are more afraid of the weapon than the intruder.
As for carbines like an AR-15, they work well in homes and apartments if you use a light weight hollow point round, even a 55 grain cheapy 223 round will find its way a lot farther than one is lead to believe. They are also much more complicated to operate and who has loaded magazines for their rifle sitting next to their bed under normal circumstances? As for taking away a log gun in close quarters it is much easier than one thinks and depends much on the scenario. If you are in a bedroom and are staying put in a fixed location, covering the doorway with a shotgun while you call 9-11 works great. If however you decide or need to move from that location such as to check out a noise or go to your children's room, if the barrel clears the doorway before you, away goes the long gun in one stroke. Training to move with a long gun takes consider time and effort to be done properly. Tactical teams use handguns indoors or tight situations for just such reasons. The military uses long guns when over penetration is not such a large concern.
Right or wrong in their conclusions, I have to throw the BS flag on how they reach them. I think they need to look at the whole picture and not just the tool itself. It’s kind of like a “what’s the best survival rifle?” or “9mm vs. .45?” contest. “Facts” and “Myths” with heavy qualifiers comes down to it’s another opinion.
And if they're looking for the "best," and what one is comfortable with is excluded, so should cost. Personally I think should be the other way around.
Next, "Fact – With proper training, a long gun is actually harder to take away from a shooter than a handgun." Sure, and with "proper training," you can shoot someone's eyes out with a pistol. With proper training, you could own intruders with a Blunderbuss. With proper training, you could use ninja stars and save your eardrums. Etc. You can justify a lot of things either way with that caveat.
Myth's 2, 3, and 5 seem contrived. I don't think what they call Myth 4 is one. What they're calling Myth 6 is generally true - usually a carbine round (5.56 or 7.62x39) will go further through walls than a pistol round.
Going with what you're most comfortable with, as long as it has sufficient firepower, is what I go with. Yeah that's another caveat, but just use commons sense. While I wouldn’t want to get hit by one, I wouldn't consider a .22 derringer sufficient due to the limited number of small shots, but sure as hell wouldn't want to face someone with a fully loaded PMR-30 who is really good with it, either (22 mag pistol with 30 shots).
If you don't have a good way to keep a rifle or shotgun in your bedroom or wherever, it's not the best for your situation. When I was single, I usually had a loaded SKS near the bed or someplace handy (while in the States anyway). Now I have kids and the closet is across the room. Loaded rifle/shotgun no longer the best solution – for me.
In the end, I guess it comes down to what 'works' for you. BTW, have you seen this device?
http://www.theusrac.com/personal-protection
Pretty slick. I always struggle with the 'readiness' condition of my home defense weapons, as I have small children in the house.
For a revolver, at least, it appears to be a viable solution for keeping a loaded gun close, since the trigger and chamber are immobilized by the lock (a pistl's mag might still be accessible).
Snoop-Diggity-DANG-Dawg
5:53, Pistols do rule in compact spaces. I would still want a long gun around though.
Bernie, Look at Box of Truth's other stuff. Penetration of functional defensive weapons is more comporable than you would think. The terminal ballistics don't really lie.
The people who do close quarters stuff in the most serious and violent settings use rifles. Penetration issues are dealt with via shot placement.
Suburban Survivalist, To me there is something to be said for having the information. I believe that the conclusion of this article is accurate. Now folks can always make choices because different factors weigh more importantly for them or due to what they like/ are used to. I believe the post discussed the benefits of shotguns being $200 or so.
I would not recommend a .22 for defensive purposes, period. They are very lethal but suck at actually stopping people. Sure it would probably work in a pinch but nobody is going to lay a hand on me if I am holding a shovel or a framing hammer either.
For long guns with kids there is a safe that is designed to hold one gun and is pretty comprable to the quick to open by the bed type of ones used for pistols.
Snoop, I have not heard of that.
Gotta love the armchair experts who have NOT done their own research - and have NOT posted it on their OWN website as proof.
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