Posted on 06/03/2010 5:20:05 AM PDT by marktwain
“A pistol is only good for fighting you way to a rifle.”
It’s a common quote, often attributed to Jeff Cooper and other well-known tactical experts.
In today’s increasingly complex battlefield, and in times of economic collapse and the shrinking legitimacy of the state, we often find that rules of thumb once taken for granted have been turned upside down. Perhaps it’s time we reconsider the tactical utility of pistols.
Perhaps the biggest fallacy held among modern patriots, militia groups and survivalists is the idea of SHTF. This isn’t to say there won’t ever be SHTF type situations, but the idea that one day everything is going to be perfectly normal and the next day life is utter chaos…it’s just not going to happen.
Those in government are usually too smart for that. Even when the whole rotten system is collapsing around them, they are pretty good at finding ways to keep things seeming ‘normal’ for just a little longer to stay in power.
A survivor of the Argentine economic collapse, Fernando “FerFAL” Aguirre, wrote all about his experiences on various internet forums and blogs. He eventually published a book and has his own blog. He describes what it’s like to live in an economic collapse, and how in some ways life goes on while in other ways it doesn’t.
Much of what survivalists in the states believe is turned on it’s head by his experiences.
Some of what he shared sheds a lot of light on the pistol vs. rifle argument:
(Excerpt) Read more at itakeliberty.com ...
Wrong! I remember seeing Frank Cannon out gun many snipers at long range with his snub-nosed 38 revolver.
unfortunately, most do not have his skill with said pistol...
I agree with this view 100%. Most everyone has a shotgun, but where is it located if BG’s kick in the door? The best weapon is the one on your person ready for action.
I’ll take both and throw in a shotgun just in case.
For 95% of citizens and situations, if you have a handgun, and the other guy has a rifle, you are in deep trouble.
Good point. That’s why it’s critical to always be armed or have a loaded firearm secreted away in each room.
I’m thinking that a good paint ball gun ought to get the job done. Am I wrong in this?
If the bad guy has a knife, I'll take the pistol.
If we're in an outdoor area, if it's open, I'll take the rifle, if it's wooded, it depends on the skill of the opponent.
Both have good use, and it depends on the situation which one is preferred.
FYI
You can hide a handgun if you need to, and most would need to as most do not live is rustic locations.
Walk down the stret with a rifle/shotgun and you are the new target, even of you are not the BG.
Rule #1: Learn to become proficient with a handgun.
I recall reading a study years ago while I was in the Navy that the mean battle range of a .45 calibre pistol was 1.5 inches. In other words it was a weapon of last resort (and also used for executions).
One can learn to shoot or teach some one to shoot a rifle much quicker that a pistol. Then there are 12 gauge shot guns. A weapon which is really hard to beat when seconds count in low light levels.
That being said, if one has used a pistol enough so that it is instinctive some amazing shots can be made under amazing conditions.
Two words.
Quad .50s
I have a hard time ceding credibility to a writer who never heard of Hurricane Katrina...it was in all the papers for a while. Was it a complete SHTF scenario? When the cops become looters, I'd say it's close enough.
It may not have been big news in Argentina.
In a civvy environment, even during SHTF, a pistol will be the first line of defense.
It will be concealed. It must be because our government masters will not trust you to carry around a rifle.
I’ve incorporated this into my SHTF plan as my primary, rather than a rifle, for that reason.
Argentina was one of the foreign countries that sent aid to the US for Katrina.
Watch out for those pointy iron rods and you will be A-OK.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.