Qualities in a defensive vs. offensive handgun?

[DonGlock26]

Defensive- G-26

Offensive- G-17

I'd go with my G-26 for defense because it's my daily CCW pistol and will be with me 24/7 due to it's size and lightweight. Yet it carries 10+1 rounds of 9mm. I'd go with the G-17 for offense for the extra rounds, full grip, and rail mounted laser/flashlight.

 

[roscoe]

I would think that there are a lot of places indoors where a pisol would be the proper offensive weapon. Anywhere there are tight quarters a rifle is unsuitable. Or if you need to open doors, crawl, or move objects with your non-shooting hand, you need a pistol. I believe the GIs clearing tunnels in Vietnam used their 1911s, when they weren't just tossing in grenades.

My choice would be a high-capacity autoloader.

 

[New_comer]

For me, a handgun is offensive if designed specifically to be used in scenarios where the target can retaliate with equal deadly force, (as there is no offense without defense! ) or something that must substitute for a rifle when the latter is not practical...

And if it has most /all of the following characteristics suited to give advantage:

1. Suppressed - so that attention is not immediately drawn to your position, increasing your chance to neautralize as many of your opponents as possible.

2. High capacity - a mag change should be the least in mind when picking off multiple targets, and double tapping a standard option.

3. Armor piercing - less likely for armored/shielded targets (car doors, kevlar) to turn the tables on the offense, or be able to flee the skirmish area and call for help.

4. Medium range accuracy and potency, up to 50 yds IMO

Generous size is not an issue, but reliability/durability is a must. Other considerations would be the light weight, a fast trigger for better rate of discharge, all-weather design, glove-friendly, nightsights, and laser/flashlight devices an option.

The SOCOM, Tactical and Five-seveN come to mind.


For defense, something that could easily be drawn to action in response to a very close threat, able to fire quickly, and where capacity is not the most important issue.

Just my 2 cents