Posted on 08/11/2010 5:10:45 AM PDT by marktwain
Capt. John Raguso keeps threatening to send us a review of Kel Tec’s smokin’ SUB-2000 9mm carbine. Today, Hi-Point Carbines drops the news that their long awaited .45 ACP rifle is ready to rock and roll. These handgun-caliber carbine may be gaining favor over the venerable 12-gauge as the weapon of choice for hom defense. And for good reason. In fact, here are four. . .
1. Less recoil than a shotgun
While home defense shotguns put an awful lot of lead downrange with a single trigger squeeze, shooters pay the price with a big ole’ wallop to their shoulder. That’s no big thing for big people who’re comfortable with firearms (who may, in fact, like the kick). And in the heat of battle, who cares? But if a gun is formidable to fire (i.e. painful), its owners are FAR less likely to practice. If they don’t, they will not be confident and accurate.
Even in .45 ACP, handgun-caliber carbines have minimal recoil, relatively speaking. The lower recoil makes the rifles far more attractive to women, teens and (let’s be honest here) small-framed men. They can also put a lot of lead downrange. BONUS! Quick mag changes are easier than reloading a shotgun.
2. Quieter than a shotgun
The state prohibitions against silencers really piss me off. (Somebody was watching way too many spy movies.) Meanwhile, shotguns are ridiculously, enormously loud. While a handgun caliber carbine will make plenty of noise, a shooter stands a chance of being able to hear something after firing—which could save their life. Comparing the two firearms genres, handgun caliber rifles will definitely reduce a shooter’s chances of permanent, perhaps even catastrophic hearing loss.
3. Better than a handgun
So’s a shotgun. But again, there are plenty of people who find shotguns intimidating. In that sense, handgun caliber carbines hit the sweet spot. Thanks to the carbines longer sight radius, they’re easier to aim than a handgun, And more intimidating (i.e. visible)
Handgun caliber carbines increase bullet speed and, thus, penetration. Hi-Point says their .45 ACP’s longer barrel increases velocity figures between 80-200 FPS (feet per second) over a like-chambered handgun.
4. Less expensive
To my way of thinking, a semi-automatic weapon is the best home defense shotgun. A good one costs the thick end of a grand. This Hi-Point .45 ACP Carbine costs $330. The SUB-2000 goes for $409.
I love shotguns. But the handgun caliber carbines may be better for more people. The market will speak.
Specifications for Hi-Point .45 ACP Carbine:
Price: $330 MSRP Finish: Special high-durability black powder coat Stock: Black molded polymer-(with standard upper and lower Picatinny rails). Barrel length: 171/2-inches Overall length: 33-inches Weight: 71/2-pounds. Magazine capacity: 9-rounds. Sight: Adjustable front post and adjustable rear (ghost ring) Warranty: Lifetime on parts and labor that follows the gun. Manufacturer: Hi-Point of Mansfield Ohio-every part is made in the U.S.A. Factory affordable options are available: Folding grip, laser, scope sight, etc.
I like .45. Trying to find an 8-round double stack magazine for a Llama Minimax X 45 Subcompact (1911-style). If any Freeper has a lead, etc., I would be most grateful to hear.
I have a Ruger PC-9 semi-auto police carbine, 9mm. It has ghost ring sights and a flashlight. I wouldn’t say it replaces a shotgun but it has its uses. It’s also a lot of fun to shoot.
I have to disagree with the original post about the shotgun. For home defense, a scatter gun is perfect, not to mention the sound of a shucked shell will scare a good number of people off in no time.
That said, I would have a carbine in .45, if I didn’t have 3 .45’s already...;)
,” a semi-automatic weapon is the best home defense shotgun. “
Gotta disagree, here — there’s no more intimidating sound, from man or nature, than the distinctive ‘racking’ of a pump-action shotgun...
Makes it much more likely to be able to defuse a situation without having to fire a shot....
They’ve been talking about coming out with this 45 carbine for about 4 years. Glad it’s finally arrived. Now we have to see if it lives up to expectations.
here is one of my original handgun caliber rifles circa 1882 (this is a file photo from the web...not mine...I have 2, 1 made in 1882 and the other,my son's, had filed off serial numbers, which has been corrected, and we dont know how old it is...)
Some kind of welding mask lens like device in a pair of headphones might help on the sound issue - to know where to put the second round.
Recently fired my neighbor’s Hi-Point 9mm and had a nice 3 inch grouping around in the target center at 25ft. A little tricky to chamber the first round, but feels great (the pistol and front grip), and easy/quick to sight. Needs a higher capacity magazine... 10 rounds??
Lever actions have a pleasant racking sound too.
The key words here is “Home Defense”. Kinda hard keeping a rifle in your night stand drawer.
I prefer the Judge. But some cleanup required after shooting bad guy.
Here Comes the Judge! Taurus .45/410 Revolver
http://www.taurususa.com/video-theJudge.cfm
I prefer a shotgun for home defense, but .45ACP carbines are nice. I have two, a Beretta Storm, and my favorite, a Marlin Camp Carbine in .45ACP that uses 1911 mags,
Why bother with a pistol-ammo rifle for home defense when you can have a revolver that shoots .45 or 4-10 ammo?
I’m probably in the minority, but HiPoint make some of the ugliest guns I’ve ever seen.
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