John Wayne
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2007
- Messages
- 1,133
I'm looking to buy a pistol-caliber carbine for use as a primary self-defense weapon. I've already got a CZ 550 in .270 Winchester and a Ruger 10/22 to cover my hunting needs, but I'd like to have something to keep in my apartment and/or car for self defense. I've considered several platforms, options, and calibers, but I never seem to make any progress.
I like the idea of rifle performance (who doesn't?), but I'm concerned about rounds penetrating walls. A compact shotgun also appeals to me, but I think the carbine would be more portable and would allow for faster reloads, if necessary. Also, it would be faster to load if it needed to be carried or stored unloaded. I am a broke college student, so this tends to limit my options as well (i.e. no 10mm HK MP5
)
The platforms I'm considering are:
Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm or .40 S&W
Hi-Point carbine in 9mm or .40 S&W
Marlin Camp Carbine (if I can find one), 9mm or .45 ACP
Marlin lever-action carbine in .44 Mag or .357 mag
I'm really liking the Kel-Tec, especially since it is much more portable. I am 20 years old, and as such able to vote, join the military, and serve in a jury but not allowed a portable means of defending myself. I like the idea of being able to take the Sub 2000 backpacking or camping, since I can't carry a handgun. I just wonder if I will really gain that much ballistic advantage over a pistol, being as it is a straight blowback action. Wouldn't +P or +P+ loads just slam the bolt back faster instead of pushing the bullet at a higher velocity?
The Marlin lever-actions are very appealing as they offer much better velocity and the option to use magnum rounds. Both caliber options would also offer downloaded rounds (.38 and .44 special, respectively) for practice or increased magazine capacity. I also like the idea of being able to use the .44 as a brush gun for short/medium range hunting deer, and having a gun that feels like a gun rather than a plastic-encased tube with a pistol grip. They do, however, sacrifice a great deal of portability when compared to the Kel-Tec and even a 9mm Europellet is better than a .44 when the magnum is sitting at home.
The High Point is, well, cheap. That's about all it's got going for it, since mag capacity is the same as the lever-actions (10 rounds, IIRC).
In summary, it's got to be reliable, easily portable, and have rounds available that will stop two-legged vermin without over-penetrating (factory loads, as I don't have reloading equipment).
Any ideas? Anything I've overlooked?
I like the idea of rifle performance (who doesn't?), but I'm concerned about rounds penetrating walls. A compact shotgun also appeals to me, but I think the carbine would be more portable and would allow for faster reloads, if necessary. Also, it would be faster to load if it needed to be carried or stored unloaded. I am a broke college student, so this tends to limit my options as well (i.e. no 10mm HK MP5
)The platforms I'm considering are:
Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm or .40 S&W
Hi-Point carbine in 9mm or .40 S&W
Marlin Camp Carbine (if I can find one), 9mm or .45 ACP
Marlin lever-action carbine in .44 Mag or .357 mag
I'm really liking the Kel-Tec, especially since it is much more portable. I am 20 years old, and as such able to vote, join the military, and serve in a jury but not allowed a portable means of defending myself. I like the idea of being able to take the Sub 2000 backpacking or camping, since I can't carry a handgun. I just wonder if I will really gain that much ballistic advantage over a pistol, being as it is a straight blowback action. Wouldn't +P or +P+ loads just slam the bolt back faster instead of pushing the bullet at a higher velocity?
The Marlin lever-actions are very appealing as they offer much better velocity and the option to use magnum rounds. Both caliber options would also offer downloaded rounds (.38 and .44 special, respectively) for practice or increased magazine capacity. I also like the idea of being able to use the .44 as a brush gun for short/medium range hunting deer, and having a gun that feels like a gun rather than a plastic-encased tube with a pistol grip. They do, however, sacrifice a great deal of portability when compared to the Kel-Tec and even a 9mm Europellet is better than a .44 when the magnum is sitting at home.
The High Point is, well, cheap. That's about all it's got going for it, since mag capacity is the same as the lever-actions (10 rounds, IIRC).
In summary, it's got to be reliable, easily portable, and have rounds available that will stop two-legged vermin without over-penetrating (factory loads, as I don't have reloading equipment).
Any ideas? Anything I've overlooked?
