Defense choice - .223 or 40/45 cal

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

ChiBears

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2006
Messages
26
Location
IL
If you were to have your choice of defending yourself with an AR-15 (.223) or a 40 or 45 in a handgun similar to a Glock, XD, M&P, etc...which would you choose?
Which round would be more effective?

I have an AR-15 w/ an Eotech...and found myself wondering if I would want to grab that if I ever needed to defend the family.
I was getting ready to buy a Dan Wesson Pointman Seven in 10mm, but am going to use that as more of a "target" gun. And, wondered if I should buy something more "handy"...like a XD, M&P, etc. in caliber such as 45, instead?

Thanks for the replies in advance!
Sam
 
Well Sam, I'd take the AR (Bushmaster in my case) everytime. 30 rounds, easy to control and shoot accurately, more oomph when it comes to terminal ballistics. Plus, if needed, I can always deliver the all-feared 'butt-stroke to the jaw'.:cool:

Biker
 
I choose both, actually.

I have a Glock 22 that I sleep next too.

And a Bushmaster Modular Carbine about 10 feet away.

The Glock is used to get to the .223.

So I suppose the .223 is my ultimate choice.
 
Generally speaking, choose a rifle over a handgun unless the rifle is .22LR.

If it is AR15 vs .4x chambered handgun, I would choose AR15, unless it is some sort of unwieldy varminter or some such long-bbled variant.

An AR with a 16" M-4 config bbl or of lighter weight would win out over any handgun I own, for instance.
 
If I knew I was imminently entering a situation where a gun fight was likely, I'd take the rifle every time.
 
Ya know... If I thought that Biker was going to stroke his butt against my jaw, I'd think twice too.:D

All joking aside, it is always best to have both. If your longarm fails, you need to be able to do something other than go low tech with your rifle while desperately wishing you were elsewhere. The .223 is going to be able to give you greater accuracy over greater ranges, be more manageable by both you and the wife as there is very little recoil, and an AR has a very intimidating look to it. Perhaps the mere appearance of that kind of rifle would make bad people scurry away. For you handgun, go with a .45 - I think that they shoot a little more smoothly than the .40 (which is also a fine caliber).
 
My bedside gun is a G23 but if given a choice, I'll take the 5.56/.223 everytime.
I like my Bushmaster, but YMMV.

Biker:)
 
.223

Well if you are like me and Love the TV show 24, and you do as "Jack" does then you'll clear your home with your H&K. To me this is the most unrealistic part of the show, I am quite sure that almost any and every Swat officer or LEO would prefer the "firepower" of an AR over a handgun or even a shotgun over a handgun.(Please correct me if I am wrong about that one)
To me the only possible advantage of the handgun would be a barrel that is quicker around corners. I don't own an AR but my varmint rifle is a .223 and all I can say is it is deadly. Just my .02
 
To me the only possible advantage of the handgun would be a barrel that is quicker around corners. I don't own an AR but my varmint rifle is a .223 and all I can say is it is deadly. Just my .02
Click to expand...

With the realization that there are exceptions to every rule (tight, tight spaces), if one is "slicing the pie" correctly, the advantage of the short barrel disappears.

Like Biker, I'm also a believer after owning a Bushmaster.
 
I generally agree with the advice here and ceratinly believe a carbine is a better fighting tool than a pistol. However, noting ChiBears' location, I would offer this potential exception to the general rule:

If you're in a situation where you are likely to train/practice with a handgun a lot, but only train/practice with a carbine a little - - the handgun might be worth considering. In many locales, it is easy to find a range to run handgun drills and it is easy to find regular handgun competitions, etc. - - and it is sometimes much more difficult to find venues to get quality practice with a centerfire carbine. Indeed, I've found far more defensive pistol classes available in my locale than defensive carbine classes. And frankly, the defensive carbine courses begin to feel like a waste, because there's almost no way to do sustainment practice between classes.

If the carbine is a "once or twice a year our to the bench to confirm zero" gun; and a handgun might be a "intro pistol class, IDPA every month" gun I'm not convinced you'd be better off with the carbine. If all else is equal, however, go with the long gun.
 
Ohio Rapid Fire or Vector Arms mp5 clone ..thats what i have in mind if i were to use a rifle for home defense. the hard part is the $1500 needed to buy one:banghead:
 
AR 1

I agree you have a handgun because you can keep it on you at all times. If you are in a defensive situation a long gun is they way to go. A good AR is great for close range.
 
The .223 carbine is the obvious superior weapon, but in many scenarios of civil unrest and collapse there will be a serious need for weapon concealment. A good handgun will clearly have a role to play.
 
i opt for the handgun. my scenario is two small kids, so i have my sks locked, and unloaded at all times. my .357 (yet to purchase) would be in a quick open gunsafe mounted to the side rail of the bed, or worn on person. for me this would mean much quicker access for home invasion scenarios. if given the time to prepare, i would take my sks.
 
If you are having this discussion with yourself, you need to go back and study mindset.

The tool you use to defend yourself is probably the last thing you need to worry about. If you have a totally reliable firearm and are sufficiently proficient with it that your friends and family assume you left the womb with that weapon in your hands, it's time to start worrying about the nitnoid little things like; Should I grab the AR or the .40?

Jeff
 
If you are having this discussion with yourself, you need to go back and study mindset.

The tool you use to defend yourself is probably the last thing you need to worry about. If you have a totally reliable firearm and are sufficiently proficient with it that your friends and family assume you left the womb with that weapon in your hands, it's time to start worrying about the nitnoid little things like; Should I grab the AR or the .40?

Jeff
Click to expand...


Well that's one way to quieten down a thread...
 
You may need a free hand for opening doors, turning on lights etc. as you search your house, in which case a handgun would be preferable. Long guns are also slower to bring to bear around corners. I would take a good shotgun over the AR, since any engagement would be at close range unless your house is truly vast.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
.223 Factory Ammo Choice & stopping power
Replies
20
Views
1K
YammyMonkey
Y
G
  • Locked
XD Subcompact 40 vs. M&P Compact 40
Replies
15
Views
2K
Coronach
C
D
  • Locked
Quick .40 subcompact question.
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
D
  • Locked
Choice between the M&P40 and M&P45 - your thoughts?
Replies
0
Views
314
DHart
D
T
  • Locked
G21, XDM .45, M&P .45, decisions, decisions
Replies
24
Views
1K
WRGADog
W
Back
Top