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Handguns: Not just for Self-Defense
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 7/10/2018 | N Perna

Posted on 07/10/2018 10:07:43 AM PDT by w1n1

SWAT officer gives his take on best offensive weapons, what makes them good, differences with defensive handguns.

The M1911A1 carried by U.S. troops from World War I up until the mid-1980s had some severe limitations. With a seven round magazine and fixed sights, the weapon lacked firepower and modularity.
Compare this to a modern handgun with a 15-round magazine, red dot optic, and rails for lights and lasers. You’ve come a long way, baby…The modern handgun opens up a whole new world of options in terms of what kinds of missions it can be used for. No longer limited to being a last-ditch weapon useful only at very close ranges, the modern handgun can take the fight to the enemy.

In certain situations, its compactness makes it superior to a long gun. Now, the mission and the user’s necessities define what role a handgun will play.
In modern times, how a handgun is carried, what type of handgun is carried, and its usage spells out what kind of handgun it is.
Handguns that are carried by military operators, SWAT cops and other tactical types will fall into two categories: defensive handguns and offensive handguns.

DEFENSIVE HANDGUNS ARE generally used for just that, self-defense. As previously mentioned, in the military they are carried by support troops who operate in less-hostile environments, as well as operators of crew-served weapons. They are there for when a primary weapon goes down and the handgun is the only option left.

OFFENSIVE HANDGUNS ARE used for actual tactical operations, such as building-clearing and close-quarters battle (CQB) scenarios. They are used in conjunction with heavier weapons such as assault rifles.
Operators will use handguns when clearing tight spaces such as ships or aircraft where their small size is optimal when compared to long guns. As a SWAT operator, I would often switch between my handgun and long gun during an operation. Read the rest of this Handguns not for Self-Defense here.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Military/Veterans; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: blogpimp; handguns; internetrambo; joke; mallninja; momsbasement; voiceofinexperience
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To: OKSooner

My SIL (USMC infantry) cleared buildings in Iraq. He never used a pistol.


21 posted on 07/10/2018 11:49:07 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools)
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To: backwoods-engineer

Thanks. Good to know


22 posted on 07/10/2018 11:51:24 AM PDT by Fester Chugabrew (Lock. Her. Up.)
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To: Bulwyf

to You Rifle....
That should not have been DROPPED!


23 posted on 07/10/2018 1:36:41 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY)
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To: OftheOhio

Buffalo Bore...
How much a box of 50?


24 posted on 07/10/2018 1:38:48 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY)
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To: Big Red Badger

To be fair, it’s sometimes hard to take it into every hole you crawl into, or outhouse lol.


25 posted on 07/10/2018 2:08:04 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Bulwyf

“A pistol is good to fight to your rifle.”

Exactly! I’ll take my Mini-14 with a folding stock and 30 round magazine any day over a pistol.


26 posted on 07/10/2018 4:18:05 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks (MAGA!)
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To: Big Red Badger

No clue, the box of 20 I pulled out says $32.99, I’m sure I didn’t pay that for them though, lol.


27 posted on 07/10/2018 4:19:20 PM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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To: w1n1

In response to the 1911 discussion, I would suggest reading the article. In context, it says:

“Ideally, an offensive handgun is going to be a large-frame gun like a M1911A1 (a modern one with adjustable sights and rails; not your grandpa’s war hammer), a full size Glock or Sig Sauer 320.”

In other words, he agrees with all normal people that the 1911 is one of the top options for offense (which is an application that few of us will use short of a second Civil War). I’ve updated my 1911 with adjustable tritium sights, so it’s closer to meeting his standards.


28 posted on 07/10/2018 6:25:56 PM PDT by Pollster1 ("Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed")
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To: Clint N. Suhks

I do prefer my m14, but I like those too. I wouldn’t turn you away in a time of need heh.


29 posted on 07/10/2018 6:50:17 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: OftheOhio

Thanks!
Buffalo Bore .38
for my Ruger!
I get a box.


30 posted on 07/10/2018 7:19:18 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (UNSCANABLE in an IDIOCRACY)
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To: Big Red Badger

The rounds are going for around $1.07 each from some sources. Here’s a video of the test. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvVNtKicux4


31 posted on 07/10/2018 7:31:57 PM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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To: Bulwyf

There is a reason your original is the model for the mini14, because it works...

It helped win Korea and viet nam.


32 posted on 07/10/2018 8:07:22 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks (MAGA!)
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To: Clint N. Suhks

Amen brother, and it’s not done yet.

I can double tap and fire as quick with rounds on target as anyone with an ar-15. The guys I shoot with are always amazed. Fast effective fire and actual stopping power heh.


33 posted on 07/10/2018 8:42:56 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Bulwyf

heh? Yah shur you betcha!

308 is too big at my age, my SCAR isn’t fun anymore.


34 posted on 07/10/2018 9:00:40 PM PDT by Clint N. Suhks (MAGA!)
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To: Clint N. Suhks

Setup correctly, you should have very little recoil.

Actually. Keep your eyes open for a 6.5 creedmoor semi auto. That round stomps the 308, and has very little recoil even without a nuzzle break.


35 posted on 07/11/2018 4:40:06 AM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Bulwyf

For close range out to 50 yards, the old school 44.magnum Ruger carbine has little equals. I had one with a modified hi profile thin blade front sight with an open peep rear. Anyone who picked it up could dance cards at 50 yards.


36 posted on 07/13/2018 4:46:39 PM PDT by OftheOhio (never could dance but always could kata - Romeo company)
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