Rifle vs Handgun: The Sufficient Power Argument

[Condition Red Response]

Sorry for multiple posts but I keep getting interupted

I think our community largely does too much handwringing over platforms and calibers. Choose one. Be really good at it.

If you look at the numbers of average rounds it takes per platform you’re looking at very small practical differences in very short periods of time.

Data from John Corriea’s Active Self Protection and Karl Rehn’ book Strategies and Standards for Defensive Handgun Training teach us that 2 things matter above all in terms of likelihood of mounting a successful defense:
1. Getting the first ACCURATE hit
2. Getting 2 accurate hits in under 2 seconds.

Be able to do those things in your perspective context and you have a high positive predictive value of being successful.

 

[Vanguard.45]

Update: Well, I made the trade and now have the three HK USP 40s. Several things I decided at the end of the day:

1. I am not undergunned with 13 rounds of 40 on my person.
2. The likelihood of needing a rifle's increased range and power is miniscule in day to day life. Maybe when the war starts I will borrow a rifle from a buddy who has 20 of them!
3. I am much more skilled with a handgun than with a rifle.
4. I just had to have my USPs from the 1990s back. Like mama says, "It beeeees that way sometimes.

Thanks for the insights!

 

[Condition Red Response]

Update: Well, I made the trade and now have the three HK USP 40s. Several things I decided at the end of the day:

1. I am not undergunned with 13 rounds of 40 on my person.
2. The likelihood of needing a rifle's increased range and power is miniscule in day to day life. Maybe when the war starts I will borrow a rifle from a buddy who has 20 of them!
3. I am much more skilled with a handgun than with a rifle.
4. I just had to have my USPs from the 1990s back. Like mama says, "It beeeees that way sometimes.

Thanks for the insights!

The most important choice is to be excellent at whatever you choose.