If you could be good with 1 type of weapon
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For me, shotgun. You just cannot match the shotgun's combination of versatility and killing power in a shoulder-fired weapon. Birdshot, buckshot, slugs, sabots . . .
That said, consider the Stevens 24 rifle/shotgun combo. Mine is a .222 Remington over 20 gauge with a 3x to 9x scope. Best of both worlds.
That said, consider the Stevens 24 rifle/shotgun combo. Mine is a .222 Remington over 20 gauge with a 3x to 9x scope. Best of both worlds.
You can become the best that you can be by shooting a lot of skeet/trap (1000 rounds is a good start) and by doing a lot of bird hunting. There is more to bird hunting than being able to hit aerial targets. I hit birds better than I hit clays.
stevelyn
Member
Rifle. However, just because I was a legendary rifle shot dosen't mean I wouldn't be skilled with the others.
natedog
Member
I'm a big believer in the rifle being superior to most, if not all types of weapons for nearly all situations, I gotta say handguns. Mostly because a handgun is what you're most likely to use to defend yourself- you have it on your person or within reach 24/7. If I had to choose ONE weapon, I'd choose a handgun. A 9mm in the hand is better than a .308 in the safe. However, since this isn't a real requirement, I like to use the ideal tool for the job at hand. When you can have it handy, a carbine is hard to beat.
Whatt???
No one besides me voted for SMGs.
Oh come on, you know you can't hit that big rectangle with a circle on the top (read: human shadow) with that fancy rifle...
Besides, everyone loves an SMG. Throw it in the car for a ride down to the Hall. Inside the city, the SMG rules. Drop that shotgun buddy, that thing is no use where corners just get toooooo tight for that 26' shotgun. Watch that rifle too buddy, the length and firepower isn't any use when the tangos are feet from you. And that handgun won't work too well when (You see that little head sticking out from that window over there) the tango is a little too far out..
Man people diss SMGs. Besides, a SMG is a nice campfire gun. You're too blinded by the fire to see anything in darkness anyway.
No one besides me voted for SMGs.
Oh come on, you know you can't hit that big rectangle with a circle on the top (read: human shadow) with that fancy rifle...
Besides, everyone loves an SMG. Throw it in the car for a ride down to the Hall. Inside the city, the SMG rules. Drop that shotgun buddy, that thing is no use where corners just get toooooo tight for that 26' shotgun. Watch that rifle too buddy, the length and firepower isn't any use when the tangos are feet from you. And that handgun won't work too well when (You see that little head sticking out from that window over there) the tango is a little too far out..
Man people diss SMGs. Besides, a SMG is a nice campfire gun. You're too blinded by the fire to see anything in darkness anyway.38SnubFan
Member
I voted pistol, because it's what I have readily available and is what I regularly carry. I can hit COM at anywhere to 15 yards with a .45, and from 10 yards and in from a .38 snub-nose. However, that's at a standstill with a stationary target. I'd really like to learn more situational shooting skills.
Which brings me to brain power: Like the other poster said, your brain is your primary weapon. I have an IQ of 168 (3 points higher than Darwin, 8 points higher than Mozart). Even though I'm considered to be extremely intelligent, I also feel that one should never stop learning.
And I can always afford to learn more.
-38SnubFan
Which brings me to brain power: Like the other poster said, your brain is your primary weapon. I have an IQ of 168 (3 points higher than Darwin, 8 points higher than Mozart). Even though I'm considered to be extremely intelligent, I also feel that one should never stop learning.
And I can always afford to learn more.
-38SnubFan
Ridge
Member
I'm pretty good with both a rifle and shotgun but not so much with a pistol.
Obviously a pistol!
The pistol is much more difficult to master than the other projectile delivery devices discussed.
Hence, while average skill with a shotgun and rifle would be enough for most self defense situations, the pistol requires a higher level of training to be proficient with.
Go to any shooting range and see how easy it is for somone to shatter a clay pigeon laying on the berm at 100yds with a scoped rilfe. Now walk that same individual over to the pistol range and see if they could put 10 rounds into 1 hole in 10 minutes at 10 feet or less.
Also, I'm much more likely to be near my pistol than with a rifle or shotgun--this discussion has taken off on a SHTF tangent. My comments are based on our present reality.
The pistol is much more difficult to master than the other projectile delivery devices discussed.
Hence, while average skill with a shotgun and rifle would be enough for most self defense situations, the pistol requires a higher level of training to be proficient with.
Go to any shooting range and see how easy it is for somone to shatter a clay pigeon laying on the berm at 100yds with a scoped rilfe. Now walk that same individual over to the pistol range and see if they could put 10 rounds into 1 hole in 10 minutes at 10 feet or less.
Also, I'm much more likely to be near my pistol than with a rifle or shotgun--this discussion has taken off on a SHTF tangent. My comments are based on our present reality.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Pistols
I have to agree with SW. From the moment I first shot a rifle, I found it quite easy to hit anything moderately well. With the pistol I have to practice, practice, practice. I'd love to be able to simply pick up any handgun that I have never shot and instinctively shoot expert with it. Besides, as was said later, it's what I generally have with me.
I have to agree with SW. From the moment I first shot a rifle, I found it quite easy to hit anything moderately well. With the pistol I have to practice, practice, practice. I'd love to be able to simply pick up any handgun that I have never shot and instinctively shoot expert with it. Besides, as was said later, it's what I generally have with me.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
Other--revolver. My primary use of firearms is recreation and for that I use revolvers. The M1 might join the crowd and the Mossberg may come out to play someday, but revolvers are the first interest.
DSRUPTV
Member
I voted pistol because it is what I will have with me most of the time in a defense situation when I would want the most skill. I could also get a contender and have closer to rifle performance for hunting out of a handgun.
BlackCat
member
Pistola
Simply because, I'm already good enough with a rifle and shotgun for anything I'll ever need to do. I will likely never even fire an SMG, god forbid.
For me, shooting a pistol is the most difficult thing to do, maybe it's lack of practice but I'm certainly only average at best. Something about holding that out there and trying to hold still, firing, getting the sights back on target just doesn't come that easily. Maybe I could try a smaller gun too, I've only spent significant trigger time with .38 specials and a .45ACP's.
That and it's something you can have with you most anywhere, which definately doesn't fly with the rifle or shotgun.
Simply because, I'm already good enough with a rifle and shotgun for anything I'll ever need to do. I will likely never even fire an SMG, god forbid.
For me, shooting a pistol is the most difficult thing to do, maybe it's lack of practice but I'm certainly only average at best. Something about holding that out there and trying to hold still, firing, getting the sights back on target just doesn't come that easily. Maybe I could try a smaller gun too, I've only spent significant trigger time with .38 specials and a .45ACP's.
That and it's something you can have with you most anywhere, which definately doesn't fly with the rifle or shotgun.
KriegHund
Member
SMG- it kills, its light, its compact. (specificly the p-90)
Bacon
Member
Pistols are good - easier to find a place to shoot & smaller. But, the rifle is KING.
nitesite
Member
Now if we're talking about the Rodney King Riots in LA, then I choose the shotgun while I'm holed up with my wife and kids. That scenario, however, is not as likely as most self-defense uses of a firearm where it's more sudden and close-range.
So i'm goin' with pistol, which I gravitated to first as a youngster and learned to shoot pretty darn well.
I doubt that I will ever be required to hunt with a long gun for absolute survival. If I have to shoot someone/something to survive, I will most likely be protecting myself from an attacker. And that means using a handgun while I'm away from home, or using one to delay a home invader until I can get to the shotgun.
I prefer to be a better-than-average shot with the firearm that I am most likely to have on (or near) me.
If I'm in the supermarket near the pharmacy when some crack-head starts yelling and shooting, it's my wits and pistol that will help protect me, not the long guns at home or in my vehicle. Same as being in the parking lot of the movie theater or restaurant late in the evening, and having some thugs circling me.
When's the last time you read about a citizen "defending' himself from a determined attacker out there at 300-500 meters?
So i'm goin' with pistol, which I gravitated to first as a youngster and learned to shoot pretty darn well.
I doubt that I will ever be required to hunt with a long gun for absolute survival. If I have to shoot someone/something to survive, I will most likely be protecting myself from an attacker. And that means using a handgun while I'm away from home, or using one to delay a home invader until I can get to the shotgun.
I prefer to be a better-than-average shot with the firearm that I am most likely to have on (or near) me.
If I'm in the supermarket near the pharmacy when some crack-head starts yelling and shooting, it's my wits and pistol that will help protect me, not the long guns at home or in my vehicle. Same as being in the parking lot of the movie theater or restaurant late in the evening, and having some thugs circling me.
When's the last time you read about a citizen "defending' himself from a determined attacker out there at 300-500 meters?
duck_god827
Member
Shotgun gets my vote most verstile wepon inthe world. From self-defense to hunting it does it all.
LaEscopeta
Member
I voted rifle, for all the reasons given above.
Despite the way I voted, I own/shoot a shotgun not a rifle, because I do not have “uncanny skill.” Shotguns are easier and more versatile for my “less-than-canny” shooting skills. Annie Oakley, and others with uncanny skill could shoot bird on the wing with a rifle better then I can with my 12 gage, and that’s the shooting skill I would have if I could choose.
Despite the way I voted, I own/shoot a shotgun not a rifle, because I do not have “uncanny skill.” Shotguns are easier and more versatile for my “less-than-canny” shooting skills. Annie Oakley, and others with uncanny skill could shoot bird on the wing with a rifle better then I can with my 12 gage, and that’s the shooting skill I would have if I could choose.
Sean Smith
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Most of us don't live in a world where we CAN have a rifle or shotgun with us most of the time. And shooting a pistol well at 50 yards is much, much harder than shooting a rifle well at 300. Therefore, I choose pistol. 
I think that some are misunderstanding this thread....
It's not the most important weapon--it's which weapon would you want the most skill with. I picked the most difficult implement to do well with. It took me much longer to become as good with a pistol as I am with a rifle and shotgun, and I believe many here share that experience. You ask which implement I'd want the most skill with, it would be the pistol--I'll get by just fine with average skill with shouldered arms.
It's not the most important weapon--it's which weapon would you want the most skill with. I picked the most difficult implement to do well with. It took me much longer to become as good with a pistol as I am with a rifle and shotgun, and I believe many here share that experience. You ask which implement I'd want the most skill with, it would be the pistol--I'll get by just fine with average skill with shouldered arms.
LeonCarr
Member
Agree with Curare.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Red Tornado
Member
I'd love UNCANNY ability with a rifle. No matter how much I practice, I have an upper limit of how good I can ever become with any weapon (or any sport, etc.) An uncanny ability to me means a skyhigh upper limit, with natural aptitude.
Then I could use a .22 for dove season.
That would be uncanny.
RT
Then I could use a .22 for dove season.
That would be uncanny.RT
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