Shotgun, rifle, or pistol - which would you choose?

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

rc601962

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
68
If you were challenged to a duel today; distance of 5 yards; starting from low ready. You may pick from a pistol, a shotgun, an AR, or an AK. Your choice of sighting systems and ammo for each. What do you pick?

My interest in this question is related to picking the optimum weapon (from a wound ballistics only standpoint) for a home defense scenario against one or more bad guys. As an example, a situation where a rash of home invasions are taking place in your neighborhood.

It is not for an end of the world, SHTF, or Katrina scenario. If a Katrina situation happens where I might need to engage a bad guy outside my house. I am also not worried about legal issues, penetration issues, or anything else not related to the task at hand of this imaginary duel.

For me - shotgun.

Reason - I need to stop him from immediately returning fire. At this distance, immediate incapacitation is the number one factor determining whether I survive the theoretical engagement. A rifle, shotgun, and handgun will all fail to stop him from returning fire. However, on average, a shotgun will fail the least often under these circumstances.
 
I'd say a large caliber pistol. If we're talking starting from low ready, I think I'd be able to twist a pistol into shooting position faster than a shotgun due to the fact that it'll be lighter. If we're talking a duel from the ready and aimed position then it's shotgun hands down.
 
I vaguely recall the story of a "gentleman" with the reputation of challenging people he knew he could beat easily to pointless duels; he either humiliated people into backing down or apologizing when they had really done him no offense, or he defeated men hopelessly outclassed by him. Finally he challenged an old man who felt he had nothing to lose, so the old man had the choice of weapons: musket, with buckshot, at five paces. The old man wrote a letter to his daughter that he was sacrificing himself to rid the community of a dishonorable scourge. Both men showed up at the appointed time, neither backed down and both died.
 
If choosing a weapon for a duel, and assuming the other guy will be equally armed, I would choose a smoothbore pistol commonly known as a BB gun. At 15 feet, there's a high likelihood you're gonna get shot with whatever you choose, so minimizing terminal effects is important to me.

For your real purpose--home invasion defense--I'd choose an AR15. Since organized home invaders have been know to use body armor and attack in large numbers, the AR15's capacity and ability to penetrate armor are BIG advantages.
 
5 yards?

It's EASY to hip-shoot a shotgun at 5 yards; at least it is for me. COM no problem.

But I'm with minutemen1776. Nerf guns would be my choice. It's easy for the other guy, too. And I'm not into dueling.
 
For your real purpose--home invasion defense--I'd choose an AR15. Since organized home invaders have been know to use body armor and attack in large numbers, the AR15's capacity and ability to penetrate armor are BIG advantages.
Click to expand...

:scrutiny:

Show me one documented instance in our country in the last half century where a group of heavily armed, armor clad and organized attackers invaded a home in which the residents were not engaged in illicit ativities involving large amounts of money.

I'm not arguing that the AR isn't a good HD weapon, and my Armalite M-15 carbine is close at hand. But a strike force coming through my door at O-dark-thirty to steal my television is pretty far down the list of possible HD scenario's I've imagined using it in.

Now, as for facing off with someone at such close range, given the choice, I'll take a SxS loaded with 00 or #1 buck, and pull both triggers at the same time.
 
Show me one documented instance in our country in the last half century where a group of heavily armed, armor clad and organized attackers invaded a home in which the residents were not engaged in illicit ativities involving large amounts of money
Click to expand...

Ruby Ridge

Now, as for facing off with someone at such close range, given the choice, I'll take a SxS loaded with 00 or #1 buck, and pull both triggers at the same time.
Click to expand...

My choice also, although I'd go for the semi-instantaneous double shot.
 
When was the last time there was an actual duel fought in the USA? You can refuse to duel btw.

Duels are meant to show the character of the individual through martial strength & prowess.

Shotguns wouldn't be an option from a historical standpoint.

If this is another "what would you use" self defense question, then call it that.
 
Ruby Ridge
Click to expand...

I knew this or Waco would be used as an "example". While I agree that the government agencies acted criminally in both cases, I think this is quite a stretch. And, while there was alot wrong with the Fed's case and actions, Weaver was involved with some unscrupulous folks and did make and transfer short barreled shotguns.
 
Side by Side with buckshot.

Howdy!
A light side by side with buck is gonna do BIG damage in a hurry.
I know there are trained folks who can get rounds off very quickly with various pistols, but an average person is probably more likely to hit what he's looking at with a snap shot from the sxs than anything else.
If it was me looking into those barrels, I would be starting negotiation proceedings,,,,,in a great big hurry!!
Thanks for your time.
 
I posted this question because it really clarifies, in my opinion, the key issue in a home defense scenario.

Unless you hit the central nervous system (brain/upper spinal cord), a bad guy will be able to stay in the fight long enough to kill you back (until he bleeds out). Expect a bad guy to keep firing for 5-10 seconds with a non-nervous system hit. This means, at extreme close distance where it is easiest to make hits, both people will be shot and possibly die if one person is not instantly incapacitated.

No weapon can guaranty instantaneous incapacitation. However, most of us instinctively know that the odds of this are highest with a 1+ ounce load from a scattergun compared to a handgun or rifle. They will all fail. The shotgun will fail less often.

The dueling scenario just allows you to see this more clearly.
 
MachIVshooter said:
I knew this or Waco would be used as an "example". While I agree that the government agencies acted criminally in both cases, I think this is quite a stretch. And, while there was alot wrong with the Fed's case and actions, Weaver was involved with some unscrupulous folks and did make and transfer short barreled shotguns.
Click to expand...
Agreed, I just couldn’t resist you tossed up a softball I had to hit it ;)
 
A duel? When the other guy turns to walk 5 paces I'm gonna run the heck away and call the police. How dreadful!
Al
 
AR-10 .308 WIN Rifle, 20Rds

No need to shoot anybody twice with one of those...unless you suck LOL

I cheated...I know
 
Show me one documented instance in our country in the last half century where a group of heavily armed, armor clad and organized attackers invaded a home in which the residents were not engaged in illicit ativities involving large amounts of money.
Click to expand...

Here's one from three months ago. Five to six men, clad in black, wearing body armor, and armed with handguns and rifles, possibly AKs. No mention of illicit activity or large sums of money being involved, and I can't just assume that either.

MachIV, I'm not pulling this stuff from my backside. Google is your friend. There are other examples, especially around Arizona for some reason.

I think my honor has been offended. I challenge you to a duel! :)

http://www.ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=1257143
 
Given all the recent bull$hit in Mexico, I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with that. They tend to send large mobs of guys(remember Scarface and the "Hitsquads") so that fits the M.O..

Funny thing is, those guys from mexico think that having a GUN (GASP!!!) is a big deal LOL!!!(Mexico has HORRIBLE gun restrictions, hence, trouble) This is America bro, we ALL got guns, and most of us have 10 of 'em and (nowadays) 2,000,000,000 rounds of ammo too...who are they kidding!?!?

God bless America!
 
Last edited:
this thread is the reason why I have my Makarov in a spare holster velcroed to bed post, my Coach 12 ga Mag leaned by the nite lite and my Marlin Camp .45acp with 10 rd mag hanging on wall hook near the door. I'll grab the SXS and tuck the pistol into my trouser band. if I have to go outside I take the carbine.
 
The dueling scenario just allows you to see this more clearly.
Click to expand...

It doesn't, it just moves a standard "what would you use" posting to the realm of fantasy.

Why don't you look up duels while you are at it. There are actually written rules for dueling and involves a "Second" who provides back-up and who is allowed to shoot the other Duelist if there is any cheating or breaking of the rules.
 
The force on force training indoors that I have done usually ends up with both parties recognizing and firing on each other simultaneously.

The guy that incapacitates his opponent the quickest will have a chance at living.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

R
  • Locked
Shotgun vs. Carbine for home defense - I get it now!
2 3 4 5
Replies
109
Views
11K
Art Eatman
A
M
  • Locked
Shotgun vs carbine/rifle for defense
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
dvcrsn
D
O
  • Locked
Shotgun pistol for HD?
Replies
13
Views
701
Titan6
T
J
  • Locked
How to choose a shotgun?
Replies
9
Views
694
Virginian
V
D
  • Locked
When Shotguns Are Used Like Rifles 101...
2
Replies
44
Views
10K
Dave McCracken
D
Back
Top