MachIVshooter
Member
They aren't even close to a rifle, they are generally shorter, much lighter, less recoil, less noise, and less power of course, than a rifle.
There are numerous 5.56mm carbines that are just as short and light and with similar recoil, albeit much louder.
My PLR-16 is half the weight and only 2/3 the length of your average semi-auto pistol caliber carbine, yet offers substatially better terminal ballistics coupled with the lower probability of structure exiting inherent in most 5.56mm rounds. Only problem is noise.
Methinks the detractors are people that don't own one.
Got a Cx4 9mm and a Marlin Camp 45. They are fun to play with, but about my last choice for HD. I prefer handguns for portability/concealability. If the threat is serious enough to justify more firepower, I will grab the 870, PLR-16 or AR-10.
A pitsol caliber carbine beats the heck out of a non-firearms weapon for HD, but IMO there are too many drawbacks when compared to handguns or rifles.
As I've sadi before, sometimes compromises leave you with the worst of each.