March 12, 2012

Well now that the poll is complete, the results were interesting. We have 14 votes, 9 for Shotgun, 3 for Tactical rifle and 2 for Pistol. There were not other offering or calibers or comments. This would of course be expanded if we discussed the perfect 3 gun selection.

But my Vote would be for the Shotgun, probably the most versatile firearm in the world.

First the pistol. In most circles and my opinion as well, would be that the only reason we carry a pistol, is because we can’t carry and rifle or shotgun. And the use of the pistol is to fight your way to your rifle or shotgun. So while I carry concealed and love my pistol, it does have it’s limitations. Although pistols come in a large variety of calibers that can take game of any size, shot placement would be critical and range to target would be close. They would be no good for game on the wing. For defense, they do have a good place there. Although I do like weapons that can inflict more immediate damage than a pistol, they are great for close quarters defense when properly used.

Now the Tactical Rifle. So here we have a long range weapon that can do good defensive duty at closer ranges. At range, you cannot beat the rifle. Calibers such as the 7.62 are good for most big game. For defense, the AR and AK platforms are great for large capacity, high velocity firepower. You can put a lot of rounds down range very quickly, faster than anything but full auto, and full auto is useless for most people. The rifle has good penetration and in shorter carbines is very maneuverable, I shoot them myself and love the hell out of them! But for being able to defend and take game, there are limitation on calibers and the damage they would inflict on small game, that you can’t afford to waste meat on anyway. Game on the wing is not possible so this would put the Tactical Rifle as my second choice.

Finally the Shotgun! So we want to be able to intimidate/stop an aggressor or attack, take small and large game and take game on the wing. The shotgun fits the bill with either changes in ammunition or barrels/chokes depending on the target. No one that I know of can take exception to the fact that the shotgun is the most intimidating firearm known to man. With just the racking of the action or closing a bolt, it strikes fear into anyone with 1/2 a brain. It is an aggressor stopper even if you don’t fire a shot. With the assortment of ammunition from #9 bird-shot to 00Buck, it can take any small game or winged game as well. If you step up to the slug or sabot, you have a large game round that can deal with the deer and elk sized animals. The same slug/sabot can ruin a car’s day, punching through metal and destroying engine parts. One limitation on the shotgun is the amount of ammo it carry in the magazine. Even my 870 with the extended magazine can only hold 8, the largest that I know of holds 10, which would be 9 and 1 in the chamber. When you compare that to the carbine with a 30 round mag or a pistol with a 15 round mag, it does come up short. I would not want to be involved in a firefight with just a shotgun, that and a pistol may work well.

Overall though, for one gun, it’s the bomb!

Thanks for all of you who added your comments!