SMG for superior home defense?

Red MEat

Barring discussion on the virtues of shotgun or rifle use, cannot one consider a SMG as superior to a pistol for home defense?

Consider:

1. Can't weapon size be cancelled out as a deciding factor? A weapon specified for home defense, after all, need not be small enough to conceal-carry.
2. A SMG offers a vastly superior clip size to a pistol.
3. Obviously, pistols have the advantage of accuracy that SMGs of the Mac and Tec variety lack. However, at close distances found in the home, does this advantage override the firepower gained by a SMG.
4. Cost. From what I have seen, the price of certain SMGs (again, like the Tec-9 or Mac-11) rivals that of other midrange handguns.

Anyway, I was pondering this situation in the context of home defense.
Please share if my logic here is flawed or I have overlooked something. If, however, I have raised some interesting points wouldn't it be wiser to purchase a SMG than a handgun for your home defense firearm?

cbxjeff

Red,

First off - I'm no expert, I guess by the current rating, I'm a junior expert. I am familiar with, and own some of the pieces you mention. First off, I don't think it is wise to barr the virtues of a shotgun for home defense. But on to your questions...

1. Yes, I agree. Most guys caught in someones home would have a real change of attitude if hit by a 32ACP or a 44Mag. If you are dealing with pro hit men, then we have a different situation.

2. Not really. I have many 50 and 32 round clips waiting for
Gore to be elected. I could use the cash!

3. Have you ever shot a Mac-11 on full auto? I have a few of them. After the first few rounds, I would be blasting away some of the neighbor's cows. As for the Tec-9, if you have a legal full auto, I would like to talk to you further.

4. Check out the prices on GB. A legal class 3 M-11 will be somewhere around $1500. You won't find a Tec-9. You will have guys begging you to buy a mid-range handgun for that money.

I guess what I am suggesting is you not consider either a handgun/SMG, but a handgun/shotgun.

Just my opinion.





cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.

niklasal

I second that cbxjeff.

I choose a shotgun for some more reasons too. Forget the fact that a shotgun hold only 5-7 rounds, if you load it with the right shot you will have 20 red hot lead pellets flying at you. 20 x 7 = 140. That sure beats any 50 round clip.

With SMG's you hve to deal with a lot of muzzle climb, especially with the 45's. Your first shot might be NEAR the perp, but the rest will be in the ceiling.

Last, if you load up with 9mm's, you better watch what's behind those walls. The 9mm will go through a lot stuff, espcially the +P+ stuff.

The price speaks for itself. The post ban Mac-11's and Tec-9's are actually more clumsy to operate and less accurate than your midrange handgun. The full autos, as cbxjeff stated, are MINIMUM $1,200. That's twice what a high quality hangun costs. Besides, you won't get the stopping power with those guns, because with some, especially the Tec-9, will jam if you load 'em with hollow points.

NIKLASAL@hotmail.com

kyler007

I have to agree with all the advice given thus far. I have owned several macs and tecs and I can say from experience that they will malfunction more often than a quality handgun and the traditional pump shotgun (which with the extensions I belive you can get 10 rounds in there). There is also the issue of tearing through walls, etc...but that is more readily solved by ammo than the gun.

Get busy livin or get busy dyin...

Red MEat

I intended to consider a civilian legal semiauto SMG.

Thanks for all the input.

v35

A legal semiauto submachinegun? A highcap pistol would be handier and point more instinctively than those SMG's with vertical grips and bulky heavy loaded mags. Long mags can get in the way in confined situations or when firing from the prone position.
If someone's almost on top of you, you dont want to maneuver a two handed or heavy weapon.

Der Gebirgsjager

How's about a nice M1 Carbine? Cartridge is better than most SMG rounds. 5,10,15, or 30 round mag. It's my choice; but I'm rural. If you live in town I'd recommend a round with less penetration.

William81

I think SP hit it right on the head. Even in the most righteous shooting in self defense, you will demonized as someone just hoping for the chance to blow someone away. I have had very limited access to full auto weapons and although they are interesting to fire, I believe I am better off with a Shotgun and Handgun within my own home.

Besides, I really like all of my current neighibors and would hate to accidently take out a couple of them...

skipjackone

Here is my 2 cents worth: Buy a good used short barrel shotgun and load with #4 Buckshot. I have a full tilt Mac-11 and would never even attempt to use this 'hose' in self defense. It is far easier to master a combat shotgun than a SMG, (and a lot cheaper too). Out to ~30 yards, NOTHING beats a good combat shotgun on soft targets.

---

....someday, this war will be over.
Robert Duvall

Edited by - skipjackone on 04/18/2002 18:37:27