Much of what's on the sportsman/pursuit/outdoor channels is rubbish. I just got through seeing (turned it off, just too stupid) this show called "trigger time". They're "training" people with ARs on targets at 7 yards.
And yeah, I walk down the street Corpus, go to the mall with an AR hanging from a military sling.
Just HOW is this relevant to self defense unless you're a SWAT officer?
Even in the home, I'm going to barricade myself and call 911. If he rounds the corner in the hall, my shotgun will speak to him. I ain't going house clearing and I really don't think the BG would wait on me to put my sling on, anyway. I don't own an AR, have no use for one at all. I have a couple of SKSs, but mostly bought 'em 'cause I couldn't resist at what the things used to sell for. I got the rifle for 75 bucks, carbine for 115. I wouldn't spend 1500 or even 800 on a gun I have no use for and I have no use for an AR at this time. I don't predator hunt and I have better calibers for deer and hogs. Why would I pass on my .308 for a .223 for hunting? Stupid.
Just a little rant on all the tacticool morons on TV. Sorry. There are lots of folks that take these "classes". If they're just having fun and like to waste money, hey, more power to 'em. Just don't think you're ever going to use this "knowledge" unless you're a SWAT officer or in the military. For personal defense, I usually have a small subcompact 9x19 on me. In the house, I keep a shotgun handy as well. It's for safe room defense. I ain't going house clearing with it. It really doesn't have to be tacticool for it to be effective.
I have noticed that any firearm costs 3 times the sporting version of the gun if they just add rails to it. Stupid, but it's the fashion now days. Makes you wonder how Doc Holiday ever made it out alive at the OK corral with his coach gun after seeing some of these stupid shows.
And, hell, Stoeger even makes a coach gun with RAILS now. How stupid is THAT?
I guess if you just got to have a flashlight on the gun, maybe, but not for me.