Handgun vs. Long Gun Question

[Top_Gunn]

A couple of the amicus briefs in DC v. Heller say, without citing anything in support, that handguns are easier for people with little upper-body strength to use than long guns. This doesn't seem right to me. I can see many advantages, and some disadvantages, to handguns over shotguns or rifles for home defense, and I know that issue has been discussed here a lot. But I haven't seen anything on the particular matter of upper-body strength. I'd think that the usual difficulties of handguns would be amplified for people who are particularly weak, and I know some small women who can't shoot double-action revolvers but who have no trouble with light rifles.

What do others think?

 

[ColinthePilot]

I agree. Rifles are much easier to control than handguns. I've seen women with strong upper body strength (one in particular rows crew for a well known college team) shoot a full size .45 and almost whack themselves in the face with it.

 

[General Geoff]

My personal experience has been that long guns are typically easier to wield effectively than handguns. Handguns have the uninformed-appeal of being small, lightweight, and unobtrusive. But in your own home (where concealment is unneeded), a long gun is king.

 

[doubleg]

Thats horse pucky, its the training not the person.

 

[bumm]

I see no problem with handguns and lack of upper body strength. The point I'd more often like to see made with hoplophobes is that the LACK of power is one of the best attributes of a handgun for home defense.
Marty

 

[JKimball]

Makes sense to me. Handguns are lighter. But you have a good point with double action trigger pull, not to mention racking the slide of a semi-auto, which can be difficult for some.

I'm starting to see the sense in those youth size 20 gauge break open single shots that sm has recommended for HD for some.

 

[TAB]

the other side of that is a long gun is easier to take away from someone then a hand gun is. For example in my house there is 3 90 degree corners in the hallway, they are about 2 ft apart. A long litterly won't fit going around the corner mounted. So for my house the use of a long gun is a bad thing.

 

[jkingrph]

define long gun! I have a Marliin guide gun that would be ok. My Swiss 1911 ar Swedis 96 at about 5+ feet ea would not be good in close quarters, nor would a Marlin cowboy or Win 1886 with 26" barrels. I prefere a handgun for that situation, and will use it until I can get to my rifle or shottie and will retain it at that time. Two guns could be better than one.

Only you can determine what is best for your conditions and situations. Learn to use what "you" think best for your conditions and do not worry about what others think or say!!

 

[Timthinker]

I agree with Jkingrph that each person must decide what best meets his/her particular needs. That said, I think that making an informed decision requires people to examine the advantages and disadvantages of each firearm type. Centerfire rifles such as the .223 offer greater power than the average handgun without the problem of "excessive" penetration. Shotguns such as the Remington 870 provide power and performance at less cost than new rifles or new handguns. And finally, handguns offer the virtue of compactness. This is but a very brief overview of a complex issue that has been discussed at length on various threads. Again, I suggest that people use our search feature to research this topic and make their decision after reviewing the evidence. Doing this is taking the high road.


Timthinker

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Yeah that is a friggin joke...While yes, somebody that is really weak could carry around a handgun easier, no way could they control fire easier with low(er) powered handgun apposed to a much higher powered rifle.

 

[george29]

I knew it would be taken out of context. It WAS about the Second, now with all the chefs it will take years to sort out.

 

[strat81]

Handgun vs. long gun must really be looked at on a case by case basis:
-Lacking the hand and arm strength to rack a semi-auto slide
-Lacking the hand and finger strength to fire a DA revolver
-Lacking the dexterity to cock a DA/SA revolver or handgun
-Lacking the arm strength to hold up a long gun
-Lacking the wrist strength to hold a handgun steady and on target
-Lacking the hand and arm strength to literally hold onto any firearm after it has been fired
-Lacking the sensation in fingers to competently operate all controls of the weapon, including the trigger
-Lacking the eyesight to competently use the weapon's sights
-Lacking the finger dexterity to load a magazine or cylinder
-Lacking the strength to handle the recoil of any weapon

The weapon is not a good choice if it cannot be loaded, aimed, and fired successfully more than once. I have family members that have severe arthritis in their hands. Bad enough the holding a pen or toothbrush can be difficult, if not painful. They also lack hand strength (i.e., weak grip). A semi-auto pistol would not by a good choice. They also have small hands, making trigger reach on many revolvers a poor choice. IMO, a Mini-14 might be a good choice for this person, assuming they can charge the magazine.

 

[doc2rn]

Guys most people who have upper body strength issues stick to .22 lr in a handgun or a .38. Why? you might ask, you can cock it by pushing it against the arm of a chair, table, couch, whatever. Your body weight does the work, and triggers are adjustable. For a prime example recently discussed here look at the case of the 90 yo grandma who shot the officers who raided her home in Atlanta.
Pistols are
1) Lighter
2) Less recoil
3) Easier to charge
4) Easier to hold on target
5) Able to be fired from the hip at close range
6) Easier to conceal
Yes a pistol makes a better self defense weapon than a rifle in a CQC situation.

 

[Snapping Twig]

A shotgun is good for HD, but in my house, even the shortest shotgun is too long.

I'm satisfied with a 1911 and to be honest, they don't kick worth a damn, that's why they are so popular for SD - fast follow up shots and all that.

Either way, no one should consider themselves protected until they have had adequate training and familiarization with whatever weapon they choose.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Without seeing the actual references in context it seems more than risky to speculate.

Nevertheless I've known quite a few people who lack the ability to hold a long gun steady but can use a handgun well. Among them are several elderly people.

I think it's always a mistake to make sweeping generalizations about what other people can do because there usually are many exceptions.

 

[foghornl]

What is best depends entirely upon the individual and their situation. "TAB" mentioned his home contains several very tight corners that make a long gun impratctical FOR HIM.

Now for me, since my HomeLand Security shotgun has the 18-1/2" barrel, I can make the tight corners in MY home....not so when I has the 28" barrel on it. Plus, the US Rifle Cal .30 M1 is waaaay too long for 'house clearing'

 

[Titan6]

A couple of the amicus briefs in DC v. Heller say, without citing anything in support, that handguns are easier for people with little upper-body strength to use than long guns.

The first line sums it up does it not? However to be fair, some hand guns are easier to control than some long guns if you have less upper body strength.