What handgun for when you probably need a rifle but can't have one?

[DMK]

Assume for sake of this discussion, there is no legal way of concealing a long arm in a vehicle. However, with a CCW, you can carry any legal pistol you want in a vehicle, even multiple pistols.

Just pondering a thought for discussion: Let's you saw a need to carry a long arm (for one of the number of reasons we've discussed many times) but legally can't. For stopping power, long distance accuracy and longer effective range (let's say 100 yards), what handgun would you want to have?

Is a Contender a viable option?

How about optics? Scope, red dot?

[No Trespassing]

In handgun calibers I'd say the Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk w/scope. (.357, .44, .454)

You could get really ambitious and go for any of the large frame revo's chambered for rifle cartidges such as Magnum Research's BFR's.

It'd be a handfull but would do the trick I think.

[La Pistoletta]

For revolvers: .357Mag or .45LC.

For pistols: .357SIG or 10mm.

[P95Carry]

If I have some of my Hornady 300 grn ammo (.454) then this baby will help me out quite a bit .. certainly to 200 yds if required ..... beyond that .... nothing much will help a lot ...... unless the T/C Contender steps in but then we are small in cal at .223.... re what I am imagining... tho a 14" barrel is something of an advantage.

I'll take the 1650 fps 300 grain XTP and the 1800 or so ft lbs .... it'll be something of a rifle equalizer!!!

Probably pretty obvious from pic .. but Millet red dot ..... works rather well.!


http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/srh_454_02_s.jpg

[Scottmkiv]

If you don't actually have to conceal it, it seems like a contender or savage striker would be a good choice. You can get a decently long barrel and they come in normal rifle calibers. Capacity isn't that high though. The striker gives you a total of 3 rounds of 308. Of course, if you do have to conceal it you may want to look elsewhere.

[SpikeEVO]

http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2003-11-23/JEFF11_1069787823_OA93a.JPG

http://pictures.auctionarms.com/8699164645/ACF17BE.JPG

http://pictures.auctionarms.com/1096235925/DSC01102.JPG

scoped, and using some sort of rest to shoot from I would certainly not want to be in your sights at 100 yards, or heck, even 200, 300 or 400 yards either!!!

:D

[Ben Shepherd]

Easy choice for me. My 44mag SRH.

I shoot with it out to 150 yards all the time. Sighted for 0 at 75yds, the rainbow effect doesn't get too bad until I'm out past 150.

[Peter M. Eick]

If you need a rifle and are carrying a handgun, CCW that is, I hope you have a sig 210. It is quite accurate at 100 yrds and very reliable.

[jercamp45]

Handgun in the car w/o permit, as many pistols as you wanted concealed on your permit, BUT no rifles or shotguns loaded in the car!
Since there are not too many really large critters in Florida, a Colt Government model was in the car backing up my LW Officer's. I have shot the Govenment out to 100 yards(and more). It won't win any trophies at that distance, but it'll hit in the size of a human torso with mass and momentum.....
If I felt the need for more 'uumph', I think I'd get the Clarks conversion barrel for .460 Rowland for the Government, and perhaps experiment with the Optima or Docter red dot sight.
Of course, the hot loaded .44 mag, .45 Colt, or .454 would do as well; if not better, but somewhat harder to actually conceal.
Fortunately, I can throw an old beater M-S M44 in the trunk herabouts..beats a handgun of any caliber.
Jercamp45

[DMK]

It seems to me that shooting a pistol at such distances is pretty difficult already, even with a scope. Wouldn't you want to go with something light and quick like maybe a lightweight .357 or 10mm bullet through an 8"-12" barrel to avoid so much bullet drop?

Maybe I'm way off base, but I think I would want something that shot a lot flatter than a heavy 44Mag, 454 or 45 colt.

It also seems to me that this is an area that really belongs to the revolver since longer barrels are possible. OTOH, something in me quietly wonders what it would be like to shoot a CZ-52 with a scope mounted on it. :)

[Ben Shepherd]

As I posted before: You would be very suprised how flat the old 44 can shoot. Sighted for 75 yards with a standard 245 grain slug you're within about 4 inches from the muzzle clear out to 125 yards, and still around 600ft lbs. of energy. (rough esimate, as I don't have a ballistics chart in front of me at the moment.)

That, my friend, isn't too shabby for a handgun round.

[DMK]

I'm sorry Ben, I did notice your post. Impressive indeed! I guess I just have the big bullet = lotsa drop paradigm stuck in my head.

What grain bullet are you shooting out to those distances and what's the ballpark on the velocity out of the barrel?

I assume you're using a scope?

[SpikeEVO]

I agree, if a scoped AR15 pistol is too "radical" for serious consideration, then I would move on to scoped revolvers that fire flat shooting cartridges. A 6+ inch barreled .41 magnum revolver would be nice and not kick so hard - something like a S&W 657 w/ scope might top my list, but a similar barreled and scoped .357mag would work for me too, like maybe a scoped 7 shot S&W 686 or 8 shot S&W 627 or even a scoped stainless Python if 6 shots is enough. :D
http://pictures.auctionarms.com/9928001444/ACFF9F7.jpg
http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976318497-1.jpg

IF you could take the beating firing it, a scoped S&W 500 might be an "interesting" CCW piece for under seat car carry for long range use :D

[Ben Shepherd]

My muzzle velocity is around 1550fps, slug weight at 245. The ballistics are rough numbers out of my head, but they're real close.

Seriously, take a look at the ballistics chart in a loading manual, some of those magnums can reach out there a ways.

No scope usually. I win bets all the time breaking bottles or clay pigeons at 100 yards. At these distances the shooter is the difference, the cartridge is plenty capable if you do your part.

Done quite a bit past 200, but at that point and beyond you have to do the "howitzer hold-over."

I have nerve damage in my support arm, so rifles are tough for me. I've just improvised the best I can with me revolvers.

I do have one 41 redhawk that's freakishly accurate, tons of fun at longer distances.

[bluedot]

http://members.atlantic.net/~dwb400/444encore.jpg

http://members.atlantic.net/~dwb400/308WinSSP91.jpg

[DMK]

I have nerve damage in my support arm, so rifles are tough for me. I've just improvised the best I can with me revolvers. I'd say you've improvised quite well! It sounds like you can shoot long distance with a pistol better than some can shoot a rifle.

I understand what you are saying about practice and technique making more difference than gun or caliber. Talking about cool toys is much more fun though. :)

Thanks for the info.

[DMK]

Looking at those AR pistols and the Encore and Contenders in rifle calibers, I have to wonder: Which would be better for serious use with pistol barrel lengths, a rifle caliber or a pistol caliber? (disregarding handloads which opens up the world of options quite a bit)

Commercial Rifle ammo is usually optimized for at least a 16" barrel, some even longer. OTOH, pistol ammo is usually optimized for 4"-6" barrels.

I'd be concerned that with rifle ammo in a short barrel, you may not be getting enough velocity to allow the bullet to work effectively. Perhaps a traditional pistol caliber hunting load would be best, no?

[PO2Hammer]

I love my 10mm BUT,
A good revolver in .357 magnum can shoot a long way very accuratly.
I like to plink at the 200 yard berm with my hanguns just to see what they can do.
My Glock 20 does respectable work, but my Python can put most of them into an IDPA target at that range. Not every round of course, but most of them.
One of the old Contenders could probably do it as well. The new G-2's don't have that beautiful trigger.
A good .44 magnum would work too, but for me it's too much recoil to get that level of accuracy.

[ChristopherG]

If you want a rifle but have to settle for a handgun, I doubt the handgun you'll want is going to be a single shot. Sure, they have a (potential) advantage in accuracy and power, but if you find yourself wanting a rifle, I just think the chances are too good you're going to want it to be a repeater. And, the need for accuracy and power at distance mean that handgun is probably going to have a wheel.

Out of my collection, I'd take a 6"657 (.41 mag). With 210 JHPs moving 1350 fps, it's pretty flat out to a hundred yards, shootable at reasonable speed closer in than that, and reloadable in pretty decent times with HKS's. If I can count on the shots staying long, then a red-dot. If there's a good chance of moving targets in my immediate vicinity, iron sights.

[R.H. Lee]

How about this....
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/userimages/170231_large.jpg

400gr JSP 1675 fps 2500 ft/lbs
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/userimages/500_cal_compare.jpeg

[DMK]

Ooh, I like that RileyMc. I could even put one of those cool CQB tactical slings on it so that if things get nasty, I can let it drop to the side and go for my sidearm! (just kidding!) :D

I'm really starting to think that hot .357 would do the trick nicely here for a beginner long distance pistol shooter. It's very easy to shoot in such a big gun and comes in all kinds of flavors.

[grendelbane]

If you need 100 yard capability, then the simplest solution is a magnum wheelgun. I would opt for a .41 magnum, or a .357. (My 29 would be nice, but kicks more than is appropriate for a social wheelgun.)

My 10mm or .38 Super would be the choice in autos. At that range, my wheelguns will outshoot my autos, however.

My 610 would not be a bad choice either.

[Dr.Rob]

Dan Wesson .357 maximum with an 8 inch barrel.

Unless you were talking zombies attacking or something... then sign me up for a pistol sized AR. According to one dealer i know well a lot of cops bought those shorty pistol AR's after 9-11, because they were not allowed to carry a rifle in their car.

Know an ex-FBI guy who carried a .30 cal 'Enforcer' carbine for the same reason.

A .308 or similar wildcat Contender is indeed a long range weapon in the hands of a trained shooter.

[Brian Williams]

With what I got I would go with my 27-2 and my 165 gr LSWCGC handloads.

[one45auto]

If I needed 100-yard capability without a rifle, I'd choose a scoped .44 Magnum Ruger Super Redhawk. No question.

[Parker Dean]

I like how everyone ignores the CCW stipulation and suggests long barrel Super Redhawks with scopes and etc.

The DW was a good suggestion IMO, but it doesn't necessarily require an 8 inch barrel. My Model 15-2 had a four inch barrel and I amazed myself one day by hitting quite easily the 100yrd rifle targets with Remington 125gr SJHP's. No significant hold-over or windage and with iron sights. This gun would be on the upper limit of CCW in my opinion, but OTOH some people carry the larger N-frames so YMMV.

And if N-frames are in the mix then that opens up the 44 Mag. The cartridge has the capability of course but I've never had an N frame and so have no personal experience of it's accuracy in the shorter barrels at that range.

[grendelbane]

You mention the accuracy of short barrel N-frames at long range. Well, a lot of that depends on other factors. 10 years ago, if I had to make a pistol shot at 100 yards, I would probably have chosen a 6" N-frame. Today, with my eyesight, I would choose the 4". Obviously, the guns have not changed, but my eyes have.

I have a S&W model 13 that will keep its shots in 8 or 9" on a good day. This is a 4" K-frame, so a large frame and a longer barrel are not necessary for 100 yard accuracy. With a little luck, neither are adjustable sights.

Short barrel N-frames are CCW capable, if not always comfortable.

[ChristopherG]

I don't think the 'CCW stipulation' means, in the context of the original question, that it must be carried on the person. He just says that,

"with a CCW, you can carry any legal pistol you want in a vehicle, even multiple pistols."

I take it that DMK is here using 'CCW' colloquially to refer to the license that permits carry of a gun. In our state of NC, the license does not specify or limit what particular guns are covered by the license--and the question is about handguns that approximate rifle capabilities. Had he meant a gun he could pack, then his suggestion of a Contender would surely have been followed by a ;) , a :eek: , or perhaps even a :uhoh: So I'll stick with my 6" N-frame w/red dot.

[SpikeEVO]

a gun hidden under the seat IS a ccw in states without legal concealed car carry :D

I thought he said he could conceal multiple guns with his CCW too, ie a snubby .357 concealed on his person in a holster, and a pistol alternative to a rifle hidden under his driver's seat.

I still say that a scoped AR15 pistol with about a 10 inch barrel is da bomb... I have a .223 Contender with a 10" barrel, and it is deadly accurate and it certainly shoots flat even at 200 yards, so the velocity loss can't at the ridiculous level in that short of a barrel... Besides, the US military has shortened barrels on their old CAR "Commando" M16s, like 10.5 inches or something like that, as have the Isrealis with the Micro Galil... good enough for Uncle Sam, good enough for me :D

[ID_shooting]

I gotta go w/ the TC vote. My 14 in barrel kicks out a 240gr pill at 2000 FPS. Surprisinly flat.

We were out this weekend with the 300's bouncing milk jugs between 300 - 500 yds. I got a wild hair and tried it with my TC. Never did hit a jug at that range but came mighty darn close several times. I know if I put the scope back on and practiced, I could do it.

I might have to go buy a T/C encore in .308 or .243 if I get serious about long range pistols.

[DMK]

ChristopherG & SpikeEVO are correct. I was specifically referring to either vehicle or off body carry(perhaps in a discreet pouch, backpack or something similar). In my scenario, a 4" .357 could also be carried IWB.

However, you do make good points Parker Dean. Feel free to consider and suggest other options or scenarios. I threw this topic out for open discussion.

[Dr.Rob]

I haven't seen a barrel for Dan Wesson SuperMag under 6 inches.... I'd wager you'd lose a bit of oomf in the .357 Maximum from a too short barrel.

I have whacked bowling pins at 100 yards with it... not "offhand" but braced on a fence post. (Don't do it on the hood of your car the flame cutting spits enough to affect your paint.)

Would not hesitate to shoot an elk with it though.

[Dave Markowitz]

I'd choose my Smith & Wesson Model 625 in .45 ACP. It may not be the flattest shooting handgun round out there, but you have to try to make it shoot inaccurately.

I can just lob those big .45s in like a mortar. Fire mission! :evil:

[Kenneth Lew]

Broomhandle Mauser w/ stock in .30 caliber.

Kenneth Lew

[george_co]

No question for me, I can hit bowling pins, one handed, regularly enough to be competitive out to 80 yards using standard ammo. I can also hit a torso size target out to 240 yards 4 out of 6 times, two handed. The 41 will still have enough umph to hurt at that range.

Also, a 40 S&W has pretty good trajectary (sp) at 240 yds, and is quite accurate at 100 yds. However, at the longer range I wouldn't trust it to do much damage.

However, if you are engaging an adversary at 100 yards or greater, you would probably be able to get at and deploy a rifle that is legally cased. Specifically, the Kel Tec Sub gun in 40, 223 or the Beretta Storm. My carry rifle, if I decide I need to have one available, is a lever action Marlin in 41 Mag.

However, it is my opinion, that for a citizen in a defensive mode it will be an extremely rare situation where you will be justifiably engaging advesaries at 100 yards or greater. It will, in most cases, be extremely difficult to prove you were acting in self-defense and couldn't get away.

Now that I said that, I practice regularly at 100 yds., because you never know. And, you will be surprised how accurate you can get at 100 yards with just a little practice.

Please note that my opinions are usually worth less than you paid for them.

[Smaug]

http://user.mc.net/~jzorns/29_02.JPG

[RepublicanMan]

FN FiveSeveN, 5.7 X 28, looks like a baby rifle cartridge, extremely accurate, almost zero recoil and oh so sexy.

http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/guns_1100px/fn_hg_fiveseven.jpg

[cratz2]

Well, I've done a bit of shooting at 100 yards and have owned a couple guns that did surprisingly well at that distance including an EAA Witness Silver Team in 40 cal. Most of my best shooting at 50 to 100 yards has been with a 6" Dan Wesson 22 revolver.

But for consistantly shooting 100 yards or beyond, I'd probably go with this:

http://photos.imageevent.com/cratz2/guns/DCP_2513a.jpg

[Marshall]

I'm with RepublicanMan!

The FN FiveSeven is a great hangun for distance shooting. :)

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Even with the off-body restriction I'd go for this one.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[Johnny Guest]

The initial post stipulates that with CCW, one is legal with any sort of handgun. Toward the end of the post, though, DMK mentions a Contender, a piece I normally dont associate with concealed carry. ;) Perhaps he is thinking of carrying a couple of different handguns.

Well, If legal to do so, I WILL carry a concealed handgun, which in my mind restricts the size a bit. No mention is made of the weight burden, but I like to stay fairly light. Under these circumstances I'd want a four-inch .357, such as a model 19 or a Colt .357/Trooper, stoked with some fairly warm 158 loads.

For just a bit more weight, I could pack my .45 Colt Mountain Gun, which has some fairly serious throw weight. I have pet loads for these three revolvers, and I've shot all of 'em at 100 yards and beyond. Could I do a bit better with a 6" Model 29 or a 7-1/2" Super Blackhawk? Probably, but those wouldn't be nearly so portable or concealable.

My own choices - - - -

Best,
Johnny

[mainmech48]

I carry a pre-Taurus Rossi 92 carbine in .357 with a 16" barrel behind the seat of my Ranger in a rectangular soft case. Two MTM ammo wallets of 158 gr. HPs ride with it.

The whole package is about 36" long and weighs less than six lbs. With the Lyman 66A receiver sight and Marble's bead, I feel confident that I could make an assailant take a deep personal interest in keeping his head down out to 200 yds.

While perhaps not quite as inconspicuous as a similarly cased "handrifle" or large revolver, it works better for me.

[AirPower]

Desert Eagle!

[MrAcheson]

Dunno. I'm not really confident in a .357 being lethal out to 100 yards from a handgun. Hunters complain about the .357 leverguns loosing effectiveness by 50 to 100 and they are going to have a lot more muzzle velocity than a handgun.

If it was me I'd go with something in 10mm that has decent magazine capacity. Maybe a 10mm 1911 that has had a good accurizing treatment with a bunch of spare mags to go with it. Or you could carry a big bag with scoped hunting pistol in it.

[ChristopherG]

Okay, I'm gonna do this merely because I was finding the thread interesting, and posters seem to have stopped reading the initial question:

Assume for sake of this discussion, there is no legal way of concealing a long arm in a vehicle. However, with a CCW, you can carry any legal pistol you want in a vehicle, even multiple pistols.

Just pondering a thought for discussion: Let's you saw a need to carry a long arm (for one of the number of reasons we've discussed many times) but legally can't.

Long guns are out by definition, including short long guns.

Handguns of all varieties are in, and concealability on your person is of absolutely no importance; it will be concealed in a vehicle which is large enough to conceal a long gun, but cannot for legal reasons. So, accepting these hypothetical circumstances, can anyone improve on my 6" .41 mag 657?

[RonS]

Here you go, the original gun for people who don't have room for a rifle, the Gwinn Bushmaster aircrew survival weapon.


http://www.biggerhammer.net/armpistol/

[The_Antibubba]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned it, but if a concealable handgun is called for, the CZ52 is a good choice. The 7.62X25 round really moves!

[Sean Smith]

People should read the question. ;)

This is about an off-body-carry or in-car handgun that can be carried in the car because the person is a CCW holder. Not a gun to carry concealed on his person. Effective range has to be 100 yards.

Those critera rule out about half the answers given on objective grounds. :p

For a semi-auto I'd consider a 10mm longslide, ballistics would still be decent at 100 yards. Better answer is probably a .44 Magnum revolver with a 6" barrel and maybe optics.

[RonS]

I just thought of another, more practical option, a Savage Striker bolt action in .308, 7mm-308 or .243. I think they have a one or two shot magazine. With a good pistol scope and a sling that would serve to steady the hold that might be the most viable option for true long range accuracy and hitting power.

[DMK]

I think I found a few I might like at Taurus (http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=LF2):


Heres an 8 3/8" barrel, scope and eight rounds of .357.
http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_608SS8.jpg


This 12" with 6 rounds of 44 is pretty nice too.
http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_44SS12.jpg

Or perhaps 8 rounds of .30 carbine.
http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_218SS12.jpg

[Thefumegator]

How about a tangent-sight Hi Power?

I'm already familiar with the BHP, so I think that this would be the ticket for me.

wes

[DMK]

Has anyone asked why the need of such a handgun? Is this for defense? Against what? If all the enemy has is a handgun, and you are in or around your vehicle, all you really have to do is take cover behind the engine block. Why do people carry rifles in their cars/trucks? Various reasons. It's been discussed a lot here. You'll catch the next thread when it comes around in a few weeks.

Just sit tight, the neighbors are calling the cops, the cops are not after you, so the attacker has to flee, and sooner, rather than later, too. Of course, you are assuming that you are close to somewhere. How about if you are changing a flat tire, out on an open lonely road about 25 miles from the nearest nowhere? Can't even get a cell signal. There ain't nobody coming to your rescue.

[AsianDragonPower]

what about a taurus .500 magnum ?

or is it too heavy and too much recoil?

i agree on the 5.7

[foghornl]

OK, I'll Play...

A mid-length barrel Blackhawk (6-1/2" to 7-1/2") in .357/.41/.44/.45 would be my choice..

yeah, just try an IWB carry with one of those scoped Blackhawk Hunter models...

I had hit stuff @100Yds with my orginal .357 Blackhawk, and did poke some holes in things with my .44 SBH out a bit farther (125Yds), but I haven't done any of that in MANY years.

If I had to 'ding' things way off out yonder, probably choose some of the Garret or Buffalo Bore heavy-duty loads in .44 or .45

[Legionnaire]

Hmmm. I, too, am interested on what's to be found on the receiving end.

At a LFI class I put four of six rounds into the torso of an IPSC target from 100 yards using a Glock 23 with standard sights, once my spotter helped walk me in; first two missed as I was shooting OVER the target, over-estimating the drop at that range, and consequently holding too high initially. Held on the top of the head and the rest landed high in the torso. I wasn't the only one doing this with fairly standard semi-autos. We were all impressed by the accuracy of the guns we had at our disposal (which was the point of the exercise).

So back to the initial question, I think I'd favor a scoped Ruger SRH in .44 mag. From a supported position, it would go 100-150 yards fairly easily, maybe farther ... but I've never tried longer than 100 yards with any regularity.

Second choice, if CCW was a requirement, would be a S&W 1066 or 1006 in 10mm. Given the LFI exercise, I'm convinced one could learn to hit regularly at 100 yards with a 10mm.

But if you're looking to go way out beyond 100 yards, and/or need to hit something with the equivalent of a rifle round, I'd go with a scoped Encore in 7mm08.

Heck, since you can carry as many pistols in the car as you want to, why not all three? :D

(Dang! Didn't notice the resurrection ... and I usually do, too!)

[MCgunner]

If you need 100 yard capability, then the simplest solution is a magnum wheelgun. I would opt for a .41 magnum, or a .357. (My 29 would be nice, but kicks more than is appropriate for a social wheelgun.)

My Contender with the .30-30 12" compensated "hunter" barrel and 2x scope has 200 yard capability with my handloads using Nosler 150 grain boat tailed ballistic tips. Just put the cross hairs on the target to 200 yards with a 150 yard zero and you're within 3" plus or minus and delivering just under 1000 ft lbs at 200 yards, more than many magnum revolvers can muster at the muzzle. There are more powerful Contender and Encore calibers, too. The TC systems are the end all of rifle like handgun performance with switchable versatility. I know the Savage and other hand rifles are good, but I like the versatility of the Contender/Encore systems. My .30-30 shoots 1.5 MOA, too, that's 1 1/2 inch five shot groups at 100 yards. Beat THAT with a revolver. :rolleyes: I've seen 1 MOA contenders with judicious handloading and a higher power scope than my 2X. You can shoot a tick off a deer's butt with that sort of accuracy. :D

Now, I cannot imagine it being illegal to carry a long gun in your vehicle, being from Texas anyway. Heck, I've carried an AR15 on the gun rack loaded in plain sight! It's totally legal here. I mean, I'm not sure if you can walk down the sidewalk in downtown Houston with one, but in the vehicle, people don't even take notice it's so common here. It's sorta dumb to do all the time, someone will steal it if you leave your vehicle unattended, but it's not illegal. But, if you're where you cannot carry your gun in the vehicle, why can't you get an Encore carbine and break it down and store it in a case???? If it's illegal to carry your long arm in a vehicle, how the HECK are you supposed to get to your hunting land?????:rolleyes:

[Redneck with a 40]

I would also go with a 6" 44 mag, its effective out to 100 yards.

[115grfmj]

686+ 4" and....er....something hot in the 125gr jhp flavorhttp://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=25381&d=1118345409

[Black Majik]

Holy Post in 2004 Batman! :eek:

Way to dig up old, very old threads AsianDragonPower

[M2 Carbine]

Just pondering a thought for discussion: Let's you saw a need to carry a long arm (for one of the number of reasons we've discussed many times) but legally can't. For stopping power, long distance accuracy and longer effective range (let's say 100 yards), what handgun would you want to have?

Without a doubt, this one, Kel Tec PLR-16. ( I do use them for house and car guns)
For the heck of it one day I shot at the 15 yard TX concealed carry target, standing, two hands, 100 yards, 60+ rounds, as fast as I could get on target.
All hits, except three near misses over the right shoulder.:)

Resting, the gun will shoot sub 2 inch groups at 100 yards.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/KTPLRhand.jpg

This is the pistols all dressed up for duty around the place.
And, (in my case) a HD shooting of 40-50 yards is more probable than a close shot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/PLRCarbinesling.jpg

[akodo]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/170280_tripod_sm.jpg

www.smith-wesson.com (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=45918&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y)

that's what i would take.

[Wes Janson]

If I understand this correctly, the idea is that it must be legally a handgun, but beyond that size/weight are irrelevent. In that case, it seems to be the best choice would be something along the lines of a stockless rifle, such as the AR-15 and SU-16 pistols mentioned earlier. Put something like an EOTech on top, and a C-Mag, and you're pretty well equipped for most anything.

[MCgunner]

Hey, I've carried my contender in a shoulder holster with 2X 30mm scope concealed before. Of course, I was on the way to my deer stand. Stopped and bought a cup of coffee on the way back with the contender under my coat and no one was the wiser. :D

I find a snubby .38 is more accurate than most small handguns for concealed carry and it's amazing what you can do at long range with one, especially with a 3" barrel model. The SP101 in .357 strikes me as about the best TRUE concealment handgun as far as accuracy and power at long range go. Most folks who carry ain't that concerned with anything over 15 yards, but I like an accurate gun regardless of what will PROBABLY happen in a gun fight. My sub-compact 9 is pretty accurate, enough for 50 yard shooting, but my two .38 revolvers are more accurate, yet. The 3" gun shoots 2" groups at 25 yards no problem. The 2" gun is an inch over that and my Kel Tec 9 shoots about 3.5" at that range.

When I'm going outdoors, I'll carry one or the other snubby usually, but for self defense in a self defense situation, I prefer the 9.

[LanEvo`]

OK, let's look at handguns that are technically legal to own around here.


(a) Rifle replacement? T/C Encore:

http://www.eabco.com/images/encore01.gif


(b) Zombie holocaust? H&K SP89:

http://www.hkpro.com/sp89sg1.jpg

[ARTiger]

I'd take a S&W .460. It's made to shoot flat at 200-300 yards. 2000 FPS+ and will stop anything short of a charging rhino.

[Srigs]

Kel-tec PLR16 223 handgun! You can use it with your carry permit! :eek:

[Cromlech]

The answer that you seek depends on whether the firearm that you need is for long range and power, or short-medium range and capacity et cetera.

For power/range, and hard targets, something like this might be nice:
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/730/bfrlongcylqk8.jpg

For ammo capacity, rate of fire, and practicality (supressor/LAM :D):
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/451/mark23lasq4.jpg

[cookekdjr]

Without a doubt, this one, Kel Tec PLR-16
M2, you beat me to it. That baby rocks!
-David

[James T Thomas]

Perhaps for the CAS enthusiasts. Does anyone currently manufacture a "Buntline Special?"

[gandog56]

Ruger Superblackhawk .44 magnum.

[Seancass]

Does anyone currently manufacture a "Buntline Special?"

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/Buntline.tpl

uberti makes an 18 incher

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/WyattEarp.htm

and that may be exactly what you are looking for, from cimarron.

http://www.emf-company.com/1873-buntline-revolver.htm

never really heard of these guys, just a google response. price is great.

[GunNut]

I'll take the bigger of my handguns.:neener:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/stmcelroy/IMG_0122.jpg

[knoxx45]

I would have to say my Python.

[CornCod]

I don't own one, but one of those AK-47 pistols might do the trick.

[M2 Carbine]

CornCod
I don't own one, but one of those AK-47 pistols might do the trick.

Yes, it might.:D
And it doesn't give up but a couple hundred FPS with the 11 inch barrel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/AK75rdpistol.jpg

[RioShooter]

I always enjoy seeing 2 year old threads being revived. I missed them the first time around.