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

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How about a tangent-sight Hi Power?

I'm already familiar with the BHP, so I think that this would be the ticket for me.

wes
 
Has anyone asked why the need of such a handgun? Is this for defense? Against what? If all the enemy has is a handgun, and you are in or around your vehicle, all you really have to do is take cover behind the engine block.
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Why do people carry rifles in their cars/trucks? Various reasons. It's been discussed a lot here. You'll catch the next thread when it comes around in a few weeks.

Just sit tight, the neighbors are calling the cops, the cops are not after you, so the attacker has to flee, and sooner, rather than later, too.
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Of course, you are assuming that you are close to somewhere. How about if you are changing a flat tire, out on an open lonely road about 25 miles from the nearest nowhere? Can't even get a cell signal. There ain't nobody coming to your rescue.
 
OK, I'll Play...

A mid-length barrel Blackhawk (6-1/2" to 7-1/2") in .357/.41/.44/.45 would be my choice..

yeah, just try an IWB carry with one of those scoped Blackhawk Hunter models...

I had hit stuff @100Yds with my orginal .357 Blackhawk, and did poke some holes in things with my .44 SBH out a bit farther (125Yds), but I haven't done any of that in MANY years.

If I had to 'ding' things way off out yonder, probably choose some of the Garret or Buffalo Bore heavy-duty loads in .44 or .45
 
Hmmm. I, too, am interested on what's to be found on the receiving end.

At a LFI class I put four of six rounds into the torso of an IPSC target from 100 yards using a Glock 23 with standard sights, once my spotter helped walk me in; first two missed as I was shooting OVER the target, over-estimating the drop at that range, and consequently holding too high initially. Held on the top of the head and the rest landed high in the torso. I wasn't the only one doing this with fairly standard semi-autos. We were all impressed by the accuracy of the guns we had at our disposal (which was the point of the exercise).

So back to the initial question, I think I'd favor a scoped Ruger SRH in .44 mag. From a supported position, it would go 100-150 yards fairly easily, maybe farther ... but I've never tried longer than 100 yards with any regularity.

Second choice, if CCW was a requirement, would be a S&W 1066 or 1006 in 10mm. Given the LFI exercise, I'm convinced one could learn to hit regularly at 100 yards with a 10mm.

But if you're looking to go way out beyond 100 yards, and/or need to hit something with the equivalent of a rifle round, I'd go with a scoped Encore in 7mm08.

Heck, since you can carry as many pistols in the car as you want to, why not all three? :D

(Dang! Didn't notice the resurrection ... and I usually do, too!)
 
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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.)
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My Contender with the .30-30 12" compensated "hunter" barrel and 2x scope has 200 yard capability with my handloads using Nosler 150 grain boat tailed ballistic tips. Just put the cross hairs on the target to 200 yards with a 150 yard zero and you're within 3" plus or minus and delivering just under 1000 ft lbs at 200 yards, more than many magnum revolvers can muster at the muzzle. There are more powerful Contender and Encore calibers, too. The TC systems are the end all of rifle like handgun performance with switchable versatility. I know the Savage and other hand rifles are good, but I like the versatility of the Contender/Encore systems. My .30-30 shoots 1.5 MOA, too, that's 1 1/2 inch five shot groups at 100 yards. Beat THAT with a revolver. :rolleyes: I've seen 1 MOA contenders with judicious handloading and a higher power scope than my 2X. You can shoot a tick off a deer's butt with that sort of accuracy. :D

Now, I cannot imagine it being illegal to carry a long gun in your vehicle, being from Texas anyway. Heck, I've carried an AR15 on the gun rack loaded in plain sight! It's totally legal here. I mean, I'm not sure if you can walk down the sidewalk in downtown Houston with one, but in the vehicle, people don't even take notice it's so common here. It's sorta dumb to do all the time, someone will steal it if you leave your vehicle unattended, but it's not illegal. But, if you're where you cannot carry your gun in the vehicle, why can't you get an Encore carbine and break it down and store it in a case???? If it's illegal to carry your long arm in a vehicle, how the HECK are you supposed to get to your hunting land?????:rolleyes:
 
Easy ......

686+ 4" and....er....something hot in the 125gr jhp flavor
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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?
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Without a doubt, this one, Kel Tec PLR-16. ( I do use them for house and car guns)
For the heck of it one day I shot at the 15 yard TX concealed carry target, standing, two hands, 100 yards, 60+ rounds, as fast as I could get on target.
All hits, except three near misses over the right shoulder.:)

Resting, the gun will shoot sub 2 inch groups at 100 yards.
KTPLRhand.gif

This is the pistols all dressed up for duty around the place.
And, (in my case) a HD shooting of 40-50 yards is more probable than a close shot.
PLRCarbinesling.gif
 
If I understand this correctly, the idea is that it must be legally a handgun, but beyond that size/weight are irrelevent. In that case, it seems to be the best choice would be something along the lines of a stockless rifle, such as the AR-15 and SU-16 pistols mentioned earlier. Put something like an EOTech on top, and a C-Mag, and you're pretty well equipped for most anything.
 
Hey, I've carried my contender in a shoulder holster with 2X 30mm scope concealed before. Of course, I was on the way to my deer stand. Stopped and bought a cup of coffee on the way back with the contender under my coat and no one was the wiser. :D

I find a snubby .38 is more accurate than most small handguns for concealed carry and it's amazing what you can do at long range with one, especially with a 3" barrel model. The SP101 in .357 strikes me as about the best TRUE concealment handgun as far as accuracy and power at long range go. Most folks who carry ain't that concerned with anything over 15 yards, but I like an accurate gun regardless of what will PROBABLY happen in a gun fight. My sub-compact 9 is pretty accurate, enough for 50 yard shooting, but my two .38 revolvers are more accurate, yet. The 3" gun shoots 2" groups at 25 yards no problem. The 2" gun is an inch over that and my Kel Tec 9 shoots about 3.5" at that range.

When I'm going outdoors, I'll carry one or the other snubby usually, but for self defense in a self defense situation, I prefer the 9.
 
OK, let's look at handguns that are technically legal to own around here.


(a) Rifle replacement? T/C Encore:

encore01.gif


(b) Zombie holocaust? H&K SP89:

sp89sg1.jpg
 
I'd take a S&W .460. It's made to shoot flat at 200-300 yards. 2000 FPS+ and will stop anything short of a charging rhino.
 
The answer that you seek depends on whether the firearm that you need is for long range and power, or short-medium range and capacity et cetera.

For power/range, and hard targets, something like this might be nice:
bfrlongcylqk8.jpg


For ammo capacity, rate of fire, and practicality (supressor/LAM :D):
mark23lasq4.jpg
 
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