What handgun for when you probably need a rifle but can't have one?

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DMK

DMK

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Assume for sake of this discussion, there is no legal way of concealing a long arm in a vehicle. However, with a CCW, you can carry any legal pistol you want in a vehicle, even multiple pistols.

Just pondering a thought for discussion: Let's you saw a need to carry a long arm (for one of the number of reasons we've discussed many times) but legally can't. For stopping power, long distance accuracy and longer effective range (let's say 100 yards), what handgun would you want to have?

Is a Contender a viable option?

How about optics? Scope, red dot?
 
In handgun calibers I'd say the Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk w/scope. (.357, .44, .454)

You could get really ambitious and go for any of the large frame revo's chambered for rifle cartidges such as Magnum Research's BFR's.

It'd be a handfull but would do the trick I think.
 
If I have some of my Hornady 300 grn ammo (.454) then this baby will help me out quite a bit .. certainly to 200 yds if required ..... beyond that .... nothing much will help a lot ...... unless the T/C Contender steps in but then we are small in cal at .223.... re what I am imagining... tho a 14" barrel is something of an advantage.

I'll take the 1650 fps 300 grain XTP and the 1800 or so ft lbs .... it'll be something of a rifle equalizer!!!

Probably pretty obvious from pic .. but Millet red dot ..... works rather well.!


srh_454_02_s.jpg
 
If you don't actually have to conceal it, it seems like a contender or savage striker would be a good choice. You can get a decently long barrel and they come in normal rifle calibers. Capacity isn't that high though. The striker gives you a total of 3 rounds of 308. Of course, if you do have to conceal it you may want to look elsewhere.
 
Easy choice for me. My 44mag SRH.

I shoot with it out to 150 yards all the time. Sighted for 0 at 75yds, the rainbow effect doesn't get too bad until I'm out past 150.
 
If you need a rifle and are carrying a handgun, CCW that is, I hope you have a sig 210. It is quite accurate at 100 yrds and very reliable.
 
Florida had such rules.....

Handgun in the car w/o permit, as many pistols as you wanted concealed on your permit, BUT no rifles or shotguns loaded in the car!
Since there are not too many really large critters in Florida, a Colt Government model was in the car backing up my LW Officer's. I have shot the Govenment out to 100 yards(and more). It won't win any trophies at that distance, but it'll hit in the size of a human torso with mass and momentum.....
If I felt the need for more 'uumph', I think I'd get the Clarks conversion barrel for .460 Rowland for the Government, and perhaps experiment with the Optima or Docter red dot sight.
Of course, the hot loaded .44 mag, .45 Colt, or .454 would do as well; if not better, but somewhat harder to actually conceal.
Fortunately, I can throw an old beater M-S M44 in the trunk herabouts..beats a handgun of any caliber.
Jercamp45
 
What about accuracy and ballistics?

It seems to me that shooting a pistol at such distances is pretty difficult already, even with a scope. Wouldn't you want to go with something light and quick like maybe a lightweight .357 or 10mm bullet through an 8"-12" barrel to avoid so much bullet drop?

Maybe I'm way off base, but I think I would want something that shot a lot flatter than a heavy 44Mag, 454 or 45 colt.

It also seems to me that this is an area that really belongs to the revolver since longer barrels are possible. OTOH, something in me quietly wonders what it would be like to shoot a CZ-52 with a scope mounted on it. :)
 
As I posted before: You would be very suprised how flat the old 44 can shoot. Sighted for 75 yards with a standard 245 grain slug you're within about 4 inches from the muzzle clear out to 125 yards, and still around 600ft lbs. of energy. (rough esimate, as I don't have a ballistics chart in front of me at the moment.)

That, my friend, isn't too shabby for a handgun round.
 
I'm sorry Ben, I did notice your post. Impressive indeed! I guess I just have the big bullet = lotsa drop paradigm stuck in my head.

What grain bullet are you shooting out to those distances and what's the ballpark on the velocity out of the barrel?

I assume you're using a scope?
 
I agree, if a scoped AR15 pistol is too "radical" for serious consideration, then I would move on to scoped revolvers that fire flat shooting cartridges. A 6+ inch barreled .41 magnum revolver would be nice and not kick so hard - something like a S&W 657 w/ scope might top my list, but a similar barreled and scoped .357mag would work for me too, like maybe a scoped 7 shot S&W 686 or 8 shot S&W 627 or even a scoped stainless Python if 6 shots is enough. :D
ACFF9F7.jpg

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IF you could take the beating firing it, a scoped S&W 500 might be an "interesting" CCW piece for under seat car carry for long range use :D
 
My muzzle velocity is around 1550fps, slug weight at 245. The ballistics are rough numbers out of my head, but they're real close.

Seriously, take a look at the ballistics chart in a loading manual, some of those magnums can reach out there a ways.

No scope usually. I win bets all the time breaking bottles or clay pigeons at 100 yards. At these distances the shooter is the difference, the cartridge is plenty capable if you do your part.

Done quite a bit past 200, but at that point and beyond you have to do the "howitzer hold-over."

I have nerve damage in my support arm, so rifles are tough for me. I've just improvised the best I can with me revolvers.

I do have one 41 redhawk that's freakishly accurate, tons of fun at longer distances.
 
I have nerve damage in my support arm, so rifles are tough for me. I've just improvised the best I can with me revolvers.
Click to expand...
I'd say you've improvised quite well! It sounds like you can shoot long distance with a pistol better than some can shoot a rifle.

I understand what you are saying about practice and technique making more difference than gun or caliber. Talking about cool toys is much more fun though. :)

Thanks for the info.
 
Looking at those AR pistols and the Encore and Contenders in rifle calibers, I have to wonder: Which would be better for serious use with pistol barrel lengths, a rifle caliber or a pistol caliber? (disregarding handloads which opens up the world of options quite a bit)

Commercial Rifle ammo is usually optimized for at least a 16" barrel, some even longer. OTOH, pistol ammo is usually optimized for 4"-6" barrels.

I'd be concerned that with rifle ammo in a short barrel, you may not be getting enough velocity to allow the bullet to work effectively. Perhaps a traditional pistol caliber hunting load would be best, no?
 
I love my 10mm BUT,
A good revolver in .357 magnum can shoot a long way very accuratly.
I like to plink at the 200 yard berm with my hanguns just to see what they can do.
My Glock 20 does respectable work, but my Python can put most of them into an IDPA target at that range. Not every round of course, but most of them.
One of the old Contenders could probably do it as well. The new G-2's don't have that beautiful trigger.
A good .44 magnum would work too, but for me it's too much recoil to get that level of accuracy.
 
If you want a rifle but have to settle for a handgun, I doubt the handgun you'll want is going to be a single shot. Sure, they have a (potential) advantage in accuracy and power, but if you find yourself wanting a rifle, I just think the chances are too good you're going to want it to be a repeater. And, the need for accuracy and power at distance mean that handgun is probably going to have a wheel.

Out of my collection, I'd take a 6"657 (.41 mag). With 210 JHPs moving 1350 fps, it's pretty flat out to a hundred yards, shootable at reasonable speed closer in than that, and reloadable in pretty decent times with HKS's. If I can count on the shots staying long, then a red-dot. If there's a good chance of moving targets in my immediate vicinity, iron sights.
 
Ooh, I like that RileyMc. I could even put one of those cool CQB tactical slings on it so that if things get nasty, I can let it drop to the side and go for my sidearm! (just kidding!) :D

I'm really starting to think that hot .357 would do the trick nicely here for a beginner long distance pistol shooter. It's very easy to shoot in such a big gun and comes in all kinds of flavors.
 
If you need 100 yard capability, then the simplest solution is a magnum wheelgun. I would opt for a .41 magnum, or a .357. (My 29 would be nice, but kicks more than is appropriate for a social wheelgun.)

My 10mm or .38 Super would be the choice in autos. At that range, my wheelguns will outshoot my autos, however.

My 610 would not be a bad choice either.
 
Dan Wesson .357 maximum with an 8 inch barrel.

Unless you were talking zombies attacking or something... then sign me up for a pistol sized AR. According to one dealer i know well a lot of cops bought those shorty pistol AR's after 9-11, because they were not allowed to carry a rifle in their car.

Know an ex-FBI guy who carried a .30 cal 'Enforcer' carbine for the same reason.

A .308 or similar wildcat Contender is indeed a long range weapon in the hands of a trained shooter.
 
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