carbine vs rifle

[conhntr]

i currently am employing a g23 and a 870 (9+1 mag) for my personnel defense armaments. while i by no means fancy myself some kind of sniper; i think i am woefully limited in effective range with these two choices~~ 30-50yards MAX

so im looking for something that will extend my effective range to about 100-125 yards.
im not interested in optics or lasers just a simple; and minimum 3" at 100 accurate rifle or carbine. i have been looking at pistol caliber carbines (so i can keep my g23 ammo compatible) but the only one i have found that looks reliable and decently built is the beretta storm; however it wont take glock mags which is going to be a huge PIA.
would i be better off just manning up and getting a ruger mini- or a ak for the sub 750$ range

 

[asharris7]

Ar-15 Used.

 

[pdowg881]

What type of personal defense? What type of situation would have you taking shots a 125 yards defensively? Do you live in the country? Apertment? Other houses close by?

 

[proven]

with the right load and some practice the shotgun should get you to 75+. personally, i would stay away from pistol caliber carbines and go with used ar or ak. if price is that much of an issue find a nice sks.

 

[conhntr]

ya i was thinking the .40 just to make life easy; but i guess if i get a rifle it might as well have some power;

i really dont feel like going through alot of trouble with this; if i get a brand name ar-15 (bushmaster or dpms) will i have problems?


>>What type of situation would have you taking shots a 125 yards defensively?

who knows, a riot situation would come to mind.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

It seems like an M4 would meet your needs and your tactical interests.

Or you could get an AR15 and compete in high power rifle. Great way to improve your shooting and develp an addiction.

Or you could get an M1 Garand and turn "cover" into "concealment".

 

[eldon519]

You could probably find a CETME which would do the trick quite well.

 

[shadowalker]

I prefer a AR-15 but for that short of range a m1 carbine is another option. Low recoil, fairly affordable.

I've never shot one but Kel-Tec's Carbine got some good reviews and accepts AR-15 magazines and can be had for under $600.

Bushmaster and DPMS are both toward the lower end quality wise of AR-15's. For the same price point a base S&W M&P 15 or Stag would probably be better but if you don't shoot it much any of them may work fine for you.

 

[chris in va]

I have zero trouble hitting a bowling pin repeatedly at 100 yards with my HiPoint 9mm carbine FWIW...

 

[conhntr]

a friend of mine just got a cmp m-1 for under 600. cool gun to have, cheap, and seems to meet my req. any reason why not?

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

An AR15 carbine should round out your collection nicely.

 

[30 cal slob]

M4 carbine =

capable of head shots at 100 yards

capable of torso shots at 200 yards

 

[ArmedBear]

A pistol caliber carbine serves little purpose IMO.

I can make torso shots at 100 yards with a pistol, and the pistol has about the same ballistics as the carbine. What does the pistol-caliber carbine really get you, apart from a bigger gun? (.357, for example, gains a lot of velocity in a carbine barrel vs. a revolver, but the more efficient, tiny auto pistol cartridges don't have the extra powder to burn, so they gain little, ballistically).

As 30 cal says, an M4, with small rounds, yes, but actual rifle rounds, is a much better way to extend your effective range than a pistol-caliber carbine. Shoots flat as a pancake past 200 yards, too, so you can "set it and forget it" along with Ron Popiel.

...all of which is predicated on the assumption that you really do have a defensive need for a 125-yard shot...

Usually, past 10 yards, you're looking at the prison yard.

 

[PMVARGO]

How about a plain hunting rifle
in the 30-06 caliber that will do nice for you from 100 to 500 yards and i garintee it will keep a three inch groop sight it in 3 inches high at 100 yards
you will hit what you shoot at from 100 to 500

 

[rich636]

Unless riflemen are after you the 50yard max of the 870 should do the trick. Not saying a carbine/rifle can't be used for self defense, but long range and self defense don't typically go together. If you have distance then you should egress with your pistol/shotgun to a safer place, imho.

 

[conhntr]

fine; i want an OFFENSIVE rifle then.

nothing in the 2nd amendment says it can only be for self defense

 

[Kilgor]

fine; i want an OFFENSIVE rifle then.

nothing in the 2nd amendment says it can only be for self defense

SKS

AK-47

AR-15

Ruger Mini-14

KelTec SU series

Marlin or Winchester 30-30

M1 Garand

M1A

M1 carbine


Pistol caliber:

KelTec Sub2000

Berreta CX4

HiPoint

Marlin Camp carbine

Marlin or Winchester 1894


The search feature up top is your friend.

 

[briansmithwins]

I own and shoot stock ARs, AKs, and an Uzi.

I would never have bought the Uzi if I ddin't already have the AR and AK. Rifles, even firing intermitiate cartridges like 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39 just have too much of an advantage over anything pistol caliber.

1) You can get hits with iron sights out to the range where you can see a man wearing drab clothing with a rifle. My Uzi is capable of 4MOA groups, but after 200 yards the trajectory is crap.

2) Hits with rifle ammunition are devastating. You aren't limited to FMJ and any type of expanding bullet from a rifle to the torso will tend to cause DRT type injuries. Pistols calibers, don't kid yourself.

3) Overall cost effectiveness. Either an AR or AK has mags and spares that are cheap and easy to acquire. Pistol cal carbines, not so much. I have spares and plenty of mags for my Uzi, but sourcing them was not near as easy as the AR and AK.

For me the Uzi is a cool training toy. I use it for matches where rifle calibers aren't allowed. It's a chance to get trigger time with a long-gun that uses cheaper ammo, but it's the last long-gun I'd be grabbing if given any option at all. BSW

 

[conhntr]

im starting to consider a garand. 500$ from cmp, and a cool gun to have 2 boot. i think it would hold its own for my purposes against the ar-15, and i believe they have good iron sights as well

 

[rich636]

Hey buddy you said defensive weapon not me. Good luck with your search.

 

[J&J]

How about a lever action in 30/30, 357 mag or 44 mag? Good accuracy and killing power out to 100 yards minimum. Good ammo availability and somewhat inexpensive to shoot.

John

 

[Torrent71]

Rifle

Battle Rifle - The Ar15 platform is fine for routine work short distance work (granted you dont cave to shoot through cover), but a true rifleman's rifle comes in a .30 caliber flavor. See if you can pick up an M1A or M14 from FultonArmory.

 

[shiftyer1]

I am somewhat of a cheapskate and am on a tight budget. If you want a pistol caliber I would recommend hipoint. They are somewhat unrefined but are reliable and have EXCELLANT warranties. The carbines aren't as ugly as their handguns imho. I also like the lever action option, i'm in the market for a 30-30 as we speak but i'm also kinda old school.

 

[ccsniper]

the sks

 

[MrCleanOK]

I know you asked for a rifle recommendation, but the right slugs will let you reach out and touch something at 100yds if you've got the iron sights or optics to give you that ability. Much cheaper than a rifle if 100yds is as far as you want to go.

If you're really after a rifle, AR-15's a great choice but will be out of your price range for the time being. Lots of lever guns are sitting on shelves feeling unloved right now and many of them would fit your needs.