I came to the conclusion today...
- Thread starter primalmu
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wford
Member
I don't find shooting handguns at the same piece of paper necessarily fun or productive. I find moving with the gun and shooting at different targets is fun, and exposes weaknesses in technique not found if you're just punching paper.
Tony50ae
Member
For me I think handguns and rifles rank the same for me, followed by shotguns. But the great thing about guns is that you don't have to like them all. You can pick a platform and have fun with just that. No one says you have to like them all. Out of fourteen guns I own, only one is a shotgun. A pump at that. The rest are rifles and handguns cause that is what I prefer. I own the shotgun though cause I like all guns and wanted to own at least one shotgun. And I do enjoy shooting it from time to time.
B!ngoFuelUSN
Member
I learned to shoot .22lr single action bolt rifles at the age of 9. And it's the feeling I had then, a zen-like calm, excellent vision (no longer), complete and dedicated focus along with hearing my heart, lung and trigger in sync that I recall and always want to recreate when I shoot a rifle. It was a very natural thing even back then and I was a good shooter from the first day with rifles.
I have not been able to achieve that sense with a handgun - either semi-auto or revolver. Ever. Maybe it never will but at least what i know is that it doesn't come as naturally. But it's high on my priorities to improve in so I really think I need some coached training and then just a lot more shooting. It doesn't help that some meds I've had to take for the last year or so gave me shaky hands which affect the pistol far more than the rifle, so I've curtailed shooting of both since then. But that is ending and its time to get back to it.
I really like the design and sense of a quality handgun 'machine' (like a P7M13 or a Performance Center V-Comp) and there is pleasure in just holding it in ones hands. But when I can't shoot it well, I feel like a fraud and that must change.
Finally, I can't blame the guns. Or at least shouldn't. I have a pretty large selection of quality brands and models from known high to mid-end vendors, both semi and revolver. I've got no one to blame but myself.
B
I have not been able to achieve that sense with a handgun - either semi-auto or revolver. Ever. Maybe it never will but at least what i know is that it doesn't come as naturally. But it's high on my priorities to improve in so I really think I need some coached training and then just a lot more shooting. It doesn't help that some meds I've had to take for the last year or so gave me shaky hands which affect the pistol far more than the rifle, so I've curtailed shooting of both since then. But that is ending and its time to get back to it.
I really like the design and sense of a quality handgun 'machine' (like a P7M13 or a Performance Center V-Comp) and there is pleasure in just holding it in ones hands. But when I can't shoot it well, I feel like a fraud and that must change.
Finally, I can't blame the guns. Or at least shouldn't. I have a pretty large selection of quality brands and models from known high to mid-end vendors, both semi and revolver. I've got no one to blame but myself.
B
cat_IT_guy
Member
Im a long gun guy, too. I like shotgun games. I like rifles to "reach out and touch something". Pistols, I do not enjoy shooting them the same as I do long guns, but much of that, Im afraid to admit, is because they are much more challenging to shoot for me (read: need more practice, maybe even a lesson or 2).
Sav .250
Member
What ever your pleasure, load it up and fire away. 
AKElroy
Member
I find cactus to be a plentiful, available at every distance, nice, reactive target. It is useful for verifying zero of a hunting rig, and rapid fire drills for pistols. I have an endless supply of it, and it is very affordable.
Sunday my son and I were walking up pigs, I took two shots on the biggest running boar yet seen on our place and missed clean. I paced off 100 steps to a particular cactus to verify my zero, and presto -- immediately verified that I am a lousy shot on moving game. The rifle was sighted in just right.
That afternoon, I ran my P226 until it glowed on the cactus around camp. Endless fun.
Sunday my son and I were walking up pigs, I took two shots on the biggest running boar yet seen on our place and missed clean. I paced off 100 steps to a particular cactus to verify my zero, and presto -- immediately verified that I am a lousy shot on moving game. The rifle was sighted in just right.
That afternoon, I ran my P226 until it glowed on the cactus around camp. Endless fun.
bangswitch
Member
I enjoy the challenge each type of firearm provides. I shoot pistols to improve my handling for concealed carry and personal protection, and as long as I'm consistently hitting center mass at 20 yards, the 10X is of no matter to me. Now, rifles, I enjoy the precision that goes with being able to cut a half-dollar-sized hole in the target at a couple hundred yards (a goal I am still working on, BTW). For now keeping them in an eight inch circle tickles me to death. And shotgunning is becoming a true addiction. Tracking that 4" piece of plaster and watching it disappear in a puff of smoke when you get a direct hit feels great. When you get several like that, or a round of 20+ hits, is pure Nirvanna.
mbopp
Member
A few years back I broke my wrist and had it reset and pinned. It doesn't have the downward flex to wrap it around a rifle or shotgun stock anymore, but handguns are just fine.
20 yards is probably quite a bit farther than a defensive handgun use will be. Once you have/as long as you maintain sufficient accuracy...speed.
bangswitch
Member
20 yards is probably quite a bit farther than a defensive handgun use will be. Once you have/as long as you maintain sufficient accuracy...speed.
Twenty yards is what I practice; if I'm consistently hitting center mass at that distance, then anything less is a given. And I shoot from the draw, not picking it up from a table. IDPA has shots that exceed 20 yards in some stages.
GBExpat
Member
Currently I enjoy shooting longuns and handguns. I haven't had occasion to touch-off a shotgun round in years as I phased out of hunting long ago ... I was a Bird Man, reeeeeally enjoyed bringing down dove flying by fast & trickin'.
Like most here, I suspect, I got my start early on longguns (.22RF, usually) and shotguns (my 1st was my Dad's .410 boxmag boltgun).
While I was reloading for Dad's .357 shortly after starting to reload of the K98k Bringback my grandfather gave me (and bought my first handgun, a NIB 4" Blue 150-series Ruger Security Six shortly after I turned 21), I didn't get serious about handguns until I got my first Carry Permit in '75.
Don't giveup on handguns, primalmu ... over time our attitudes change on many things.
Like most here, I suspect, I got my start early on longguns (.22RF, usually) and shotguns (my 1st was my Dad's .410 boxmag boltgun).
While I was reloading for Dad's .357 shortly after starting to reload of the K98k Bringback my grandfather gave me (and bought my first handgun, a NIB 4" Blue 150-series Ruger Security Six shortly after I turned 21), I didn't get serious about handguns until I got my first Carry Permit in '75.
Don't giveup on handguns, primalmu ... over time our attitudes change on many things.
That's all fine and good, I'm just pointing out...speed of (accurate) fire is a critical aspect to defensive shooting. Time is extremely important.
tark
Member
I'm a handgun and rifle guy, not so much shotguns. I know shotguns are the most versatile of the three, but I primarily study and collect weapons of war, and shotguns weren't as prominent in the history of warfare.
Candyman87
Member
I spend more time with pistols. I spend more energy with rifles. I spend more time talking with shotguns.
Pistols: I shoot about once every week or two at the indoor range 20 minutes from my house. I'll go and shoot two or three hundred rounds of reloaded 9 and .380. I'll bring 3-4 pistols each time.
Rifles: I swore up and down I was a pistol guy, but there's nothing like putting 20 rounds downrange from a bolt gun. I slow down, I concentrate, I pay attention to my breathing. I focus on my fundamentals. Even when I bring my pistols to the range, my Ruger 10/22 comes with me. Nice being able to pop off a few hundred rounds for about $15.
Shotguns: When I'm shotgunning it's more social. Sporting clays, trap, skeet, I don't care. As long as I've got good company (and I'm winning!)
There's a time and a place. Pistols are my comfort zone, but that means I don't concentrate as much as I should. Rifles are my escape... laying prone for a half hour sending 20 rounds downrange... that's my zen.
But I'm also a history guy. Pistols and rifles fascinate me because they've won wars and changed the world. Not as much with shotguns.
Pistols: I shoot about once every week or two at the indoor range 20 minutes from my house. I'll go and shoot two or three hundred rounds of reloaded 9 and .380. I'll bring 3-4 pistols each time.
Rifles: I swore up and down I was a pistol guy, but there's nothing like putting 20 rounds downrange from a bolt gun. I slow down, I concentrate, I pay attention to my breathing. I focus on my fundamentals. Even when I bring my pistols to the range, my Ruger 10/22 comes with me. Nice being able to pop off a few hundred rounds for about $15.
Shotguns: When I'm shotgunning it's more social. Sporting clays, trap, skeet, I don't care. As long as I've got good company (and I'm winning!)
There's a time and a place. Pistols are my comfort zone, but that means I don't concentrate as much as I should. Rifles are my escape... laying prone for a half hour sending 20 rounds downrange... that's my zen.
But I'm also a history guy. Pistols and rifles fascinate me because they've won wars and changed the world. Not as much with shotguns.
Ignition Override
Member
There are small tactical handgun ranges at the club (MSSA, near Memphis)where an armed shooter goes from cover to cover.
The only catch is that a participant must shoot a gun in 9mm Luger, or mre powerful. Why not allow a .380? Is this pretty common in casual club situations?
My only carry gun is the Sig 232, and the other pair consists of the Sauer 38H and Mauser Hsc, both in .32 Auto.
If I won't be allowed to participate, even with the .380, then so be it. Am storing a friend's Beretta in 9mm, but training with my personal handgun would be much more realistic and effective.
The only catch is that a participant must shoot a gun in 9mm Luger, or mre powerful. Why not allow a .380? Is this pretty common in casual club situations?
My only carry gun is the Sig 232, and the other pair consists of the Sauer 38H and Mauser Hsc, both in .32 Auto.
If I won't be allowed to participate, even with the .380, then so be it. Am storing a friend's Beretta in 9mm, but training with my personal handgun would be much more realistic and effective.
Simon_Edmondson
Member
Getting a handgun here in Australia isn't impossible, its just a bit of a pain in the rump. I have been a rifle guy since I was 11starting with 10m Olympic air rifle. I moved around an awful lot in my adult life and lived in countries that either prohibited firearms or it was more trouble. Than it was worth to persue.
I finally got permanent resident status in Aus (I'm a Limey) got my long gun licence and went a bit mad, accruing approx a new firearm a month for about a year and a half. In that haul are some lovely Sako's and a nice Beretta shotgun. For a few years now I have been trying to drum up the motivation to add a handgun to my license, but everytime I have spare cash it goes on rifles, so I am the same as the OP, I just love rifle (The shotgun has been used about 6 times in a few years, i live on a farm and bought an automatic clay thrower,, but still can't be bothered to shoot it!)
I finally got permanent resident status in Aus (I'm a Limey) got my long gun licence and went a bit mad, accruing approx a new firearm a month for about a year and a half. In that haul are some lovely Sako's and a nice Beretta shotgun. For a few years now I have been trying to drum up the motivation to add a handgun to my license, but everytime I have spare cash it goes on rifles, so I am the same as the OP, I just love rifle (The shotgun has been used about 6 times in a few years, i live on a farm and bought an automatic clay thrower,, but still can't be bothered to shoot it!)
USAF_Vet
Member
I prefer rifles and shotguns over handguns, but carry for SD so still shoot handguns. I shoot handguns to stay proficient with them for defense, but I shoot rifles and shotguns for fun and sport (which also can translate to defense).
Sheepdog1968
Member
I usually get the biggest fun factor from a shotgun. Now, I suspect if I owned a single action cowboy revolver my grin would increase as well.
ljnowell
Member
I'm the exact opposite. While I appreciate a fine rifle, and even enjoy shooting them, I much prefer to shoot a handgun. I compete with handguns, especially revolvers, and because of that handguns are all I shoot.
Hey Primalmu, I'm sorta like you....sorta. I know far more about long guns than pistols. My friends come to me for advice about rifles and shotguns. I grew up with long guns and never owned a pistol until a few years ago. But, now I own 4 pistols and have plans to buy one or two more this year. i have immense curiosity about guns in general and enjoy watching pistol competitions at my shooting range. I have a concealed carry permit and frequently look for the best carry options. My rifle range recently constructed some new pistol ranges because that is the direction most of our membership wants to go. All that said though, my long guns are my preference.....just shot 2 last season squirrels on Monday and am going to the sporting clay range today if the wind and cold will allow.
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