Gun weight

[JImbothefiveth]

For home defense, is there any downside to a really heavy gun? For hunting, a heavy gun might be hard to carry, and for target shooting, a heavy gun is usualy steadier.(This does not apply when the gun gets too heavy or becomes off-balance, and might not even apply to handguns.)

So, would there be any downside to making a home defense gun weigh 12, 15, or even 20 pounds, if I can hold it up and aim it?(Assuming no other member of my family will need to use this specific gun, if they would, this would be a terrible idea.) I figure it would reducerecoil and muzzle climb. Only thing I can think ofis if you need to keep the gun trained on target for a long period of time. Will it make it harder to acquire targets?

Thanks!

 

[kingpin008]

Well, there's the mobility factor. What if I'm upstairs asleep, and there's something happening downstairs? I don't want to have to lug even a ten pound gun all the way downstairs, then if need be, bring it to bear on the target - all to reduce a little tiny bit of recoil or muzzle climb.

In such a stressful situation, you're not that likely to even notice a little bit extra recoil or muzzle climb, even if you're shooting a large caliber.

So in short, the negatives outweigh the positives by a long shot.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

In such a stressful situation, you're not that likely to even notice a little bit extra recoil or muzzle climb

I was thinking more about faster secod shots than comfort, for it's application there.

 

[Mohawk]

I may be way off base here but my current strategy is a pump shotgun with the shortest barrel legally allowed. First shot is birdshot to blind and the rest is buckshot. A 20 pound gun would be hard to roll down the stairs or around corners. . When you think about it, it's not the gun but the bullet that matters. A well made semi-auto is balanced to absorb recoil and keep the muzzle on target between shots. Some Para models come to mind.

I would suggest you buy a gun you're comfortable with and practice, practice, practice. Once you can put 8 shots in an 8" circle at 25 feet you'll have an edge in an actual situation should it happen.

 

[kingpin008]

I was thinking more about faster secod shots than comfort, for it's application there.

Well if you're less likely to notice recoil or muzzle climb, it's going to matter less in regards to second shot times, right?

I think you'll find that in general, reports from individuals who have lived through these types of situations will show that the range of sensation and awareness one is normally accustomed to is greatly narrowed in high-stress, life-or-death events.

For example - go through and read first-hand reports from folks who have been involved in shootings, and see how many times it's mentioned that they never heard any shots, or that they have no idea how many rounds they expended, or how long the shooting lasted. In that type of situation, the body just reacts. Unless there's some sort of major malfunction with the firearm that causes a stoppage, it's not likely that something relatively minor like felt recoil or muzzle climb would even register in the shooter's brain.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

What if you need to maneuver the firearm quickly, e.g., swinging between multiple targets, from a "ready" position, or parrying/delivering a blow? I think you reach a point of diminishing returns at around 7, maybe 8 lbs.

 

[moooose102]

A heavy gun would be slower to make quick turns with. Heavy = more inertia to overcome. So when you spot someone that is 160 degrees to your right (or left) it would take longer to get the firearm pointed in the correct place, plus it would be harder to stop once in motion. Momentum can be a handy thing. But i dont think this is the right place for it.

 

[gym]

You don't want to wake up and gotry and grab a heavy gun while half asleep. thats not to say it cant be in the 2-21/2 lb area, darn bulletts weigh more that some guns,like a 20 round pistol that weigs 23-30 oz's. fill it up and it doubles in weight. Bu 20lb house sitter, is too much and like the gent mentioned you now have to navigate and have enough to worry about. You don't want some smart ass trying to grab the muzzle as yor mahe a turn to clear a room, unless you want to ventilat a few walls. Nothing like a shoutgun goin off in the house, you will be cusing for years,lol I believe in holding my weapon close to my body whe dealing with potential burgler. I know if i see him he's gone as I really dont have to aim and can use by body and flashlight hand for stabalization at that range.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I think there is a downside but it depends on how heavy you are talking. I'd rather use a lightweight KISS AR-15 than a (semi-auto) M-60 if I had to clear a house because when you start swinging that gun towards a target (or multiple targets quickly) you've got to stop it and take a shot or two. A couple pounds probably wouldn't make a difference but a really heavy gun might be at a disadvantage to a lighter carbine for getting rounds on target quickly.
If you are staying put like you should and covering a door I don't think it would make a difference.

 

[Rocksurly]

I would worry more about a guns recoil then it's weight in home defence. Example my 450 marlin only goes 7 lb but has a savage recoil making it take longer getting another shot off. I would much rather use my Ruger mini-14 or MAK-90.

 

[Leanwolf]

MOHAWK - " I may be way off base here but my current strategy is a pump shotgun with the shortest barrel legally allowed. First shot is birdshot to blind and the rest is buckshot."


Huh??


L.W.

 

[HeavenlySword]

Short barreled Shotgun?

Serbu makes very very nice ones

http://www.serbu.com/top/superShorty.php

 

[goon]

I don't think a Thompson submachine gun would be too heavy for HD.