Posted on 08/11/2010 5:10:45 AM PDT by marktwain
Capt. John Raguso keeps threatening to send us a review of Kel Tecs smokin SUB-2000 9mm carbine. Today, Hi-Point Carbines drops the news that their long awaited .45 ACP rifle is ready to rock and roll. These handgun-caliber carbine may be gaining favor over the venerable 12-gauge as the weapon of choice for hom defense. And for good reason. In fact, here are four. . .
1. Less recoil than a shotgun
While home defense shotguns put an awful lot of lead downrange with a single trigger squeeze, shooters pay the price with a big ole wallop to their shoulder. Thats no big thing for big people whore comfortable with firearms (who may, in fact, like the kick). And in the heat of battle, who cares? But if a gun is formidable to fire (i.e. painful), its owners are FAR less likely to practice. If they dont, they will not be confident and accurate.
Even in .45 ACP, handgun-caliber carbines have minimal recoil, relatively speaking. The lower recoil makes the rifles far more attractive to women, teens and (lets be honest here) small-framed men. They can also put a lot of lead downrange. BONUS! Quick mag changes are easier than reloading a shotgun.
2. Quieter than a shotgun
The state prohibitions against silencers really piss me off. (Somebody was watching way too many spy movies.) Meanwhile, shotguns are ridiculously, enormously loud. While a handgun caliber carbine will make plenty of noise, a shooter stands a chance of being able to hear something after firingwhich could save their life. Comparing the two firearms genres, handgun caliber rifles will definitely reduce a shooters chances of permanent, perhaps even catastrophic hearing loss.
3. Better than a handgun
Sos a shotgun. But again, there are plenty of people who find shotguns intimidating. In that sense, handgun caliber carbines hit the sweet spot. Thanks to the carbines longer sight radius, theyre easier to aim than a handgun, And more intimidating (i.e. visible)
Handgun caliber carbines increase bullet speed and, thus, penetration. Hi-Point says their .45 ACPs longer barrel increases velocity figures between 80-200 FPS (feet per second) over a like-chambered handgun.
4. Less expensive
To my way of thinking, a semi-automatic weapon is the best home defense shotgun. A good one costs the thick end of a grand. This Hi-Point .45 ACP Carbine costs $330. The SUB-2000 goes for $409.
I love shotguns. But the handgun caliber carbines may be better for more people. The market will speak.
Specifications for Hi-Point .45 ACP Carbine:
Price: $330 MSRP Finish: Special high-durability black powder coat Stock: Black molded polymer-(with standard upper and lower Picatinny rails). Barrel length: 171/2-inches Overall length: 33-inches Weight: 71/2-pounds. Magazine capacity: 9-rounds. Sight: Adjustable front post and adjustable rear (ghost ring) Warranty: Lifetime on parts and labor that follows the gun. Manufacturer: Hi-Point of Mansfield Ohio-every part is made in the U.S.A. Factory affordable options are available: Folding grip, laser, scope sight, etc.
Solar?
The old Marlin Camp .45 (which I really wish I’d bought) used standard Colt mags. Does this do you know? If it does I may just have to pick one up.
Good point....Old Painless’ conclusions are good but as a rule of thumb the statement stands. OP has pontificated about this numerous times on ARFCom as it has been a topic of interest.
I would agree and I own a 9 mil Hi-Point but you can't beat it for the price, lifetime warranty, and it's made in America.
That thing is pretty. It’s not Saiga. Who makes it?
I really wish I'd picked one of those up when I had the chance.
grab barrel - if you are going to watch an intruder approach to arms reach without firing, do not get a gun
Mess - if you are more concerned with decorations or drywall than the occupants, do not get a gun
Give away position - Shotguns come in semiauto as well.
That is how you talk on CB radio. /s LOL
To post #18
I like it a lot!
“...The old Marlin Camp .45 (which I really wish Id bought) used standard Colt mags...”
On GunBroker those old Camp Rifles in good condition fetch steep prices.
I know of no tactical training schools that teach you to rack the shotgun to scare the bad guy. It might work, but it also might get you or a family member killed.
Near Spray indoors? No way!
I would rather replace drywall and hardwood floors.
Not to mention you are likely to be incapacitated yourself in a closed room.
I have some from my time in Alaska. Having that in my Truck cab while driving scares the heck out of me.
Heh....thats a real clean shoot. If a suspect exsanguinates or you debride him of several lbs of flesh, expect a $10k cleaning bill from a bio-cleanup specialists.
That be the Judge from Taurus
Good post, Hacklehead.
The old saying “I’d rather by tried by 12 than carried by 6” misses the middle ground: attempt to scare the BG away.
In a home evasion, the homeowner’s goal is, of course, to avoid being killed by the BG (the “carried by 6” outcome).
But if your mental state is to immediately default to a macho violent response (the “tried by 12” option) be prepared for:
- Aggressive questioning by the police. Say the wrong thing the wrong way, and perhaps (depending on the state you live in) you’ll face charges. Even if you’re cleared, say goodbye to your life savings.
- A possible lawsuit from the victim’s family. Again, even if you’re cleared, say goodbye to your life savings.
- Harassment from the victim’s family. Depending on how crazy the victim’s brothers/cousins/friends are, you may end up looking over your shoulder for years to come.
- Nightmares. That may not happen to you. But it happens to plenty of highly trained infantrymen who have had to take another’s life.
Are these possibilities worth risking? Yes!, if the alternative is your death or the death of your family.
There are many situations where conditions demand an immediate and violent defensive measure. In those cases, trying to scare the BG away is foolish and may well get you killed.
But to skip right over attempts to scare him away WHEN CONDITIONS ALLOW is almost as foolish.
My SUB 2K cost me $219 three years back so deals can be found. Original owner ran 1 box of 50 rds and traded it back for something else. It compliments my G17 nicely.
Okay - I have a pretty good vocabulary - but had to look that one up.
Exactly
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