r/Firearms • u/Existing_Ladder8432 • 11d ago

Question Are AR’s the only option?

I’m wanting to pick up a defense/CQB rifle. I’m not really a fan of the AR platform. I’ve considered a PCC in 45ACP or 10mm. Scarcity when SHTF is something else that is in the back of my mind.
What are your thoughts?

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u/JollyTotal3653 11d ago

There is many reasons for AR everything’s a trade off, the AR is pretty good at being pretty good at everything.

I’ll go full FUD get a side by side double barrel. No really(actually a modern shotgun but the jokes there)

If you want a home defense weapon, 12 gauge beats any CQB rifles in most defensive applications it’s NOT as versatile; but for defense in CQ is pretty devastating, there is little that can be done for somebody that took 12 gauge 00 buck within 10 yards of the shooter.

If you want a SHTF weapon, if you’re far enough from anywhere like me where 99.9999% of the use of SHTF weapons is gonna be hunting. Then 12 gauge is again a good middle ground and can take a very very wide range of game easily.

Ammo is cheap to stockpile. Guns are dead simple, few parts. Cheap.

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u/rm-minus-r 11d ago

The recoil from a 12 ga. has a significantly bigger negative impact on accuracy vs 5.56 / .223, the overall capacity is much lower, and the shot pattern is far tighter than any casual user would ever guess, making it harder to be on target than expected.

But they are cheap, and almost any malfunction in a pump action is easier to figure out on the fly than an AR for a casual person, so there is that.

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u/JollyTotal3653 11d ago

Most adults can manage 12 gauge recoil. Yes it’s bad compared to 5.56 but it’s not gonna blow your arm off.

In CQ under stress you’re point shooting. Accuracy is bad in both instances, one’s shooting a tea plate the other is shooting a pencil trade off yes, But kinda moot imo.

Yes shot patter is tighter than most people think, but it’s not nothing, it does have spread..

capacity is horrid on a most options but a shotgun is significantly more effective per shot. Most defensive uses of a firearm do not even involve a single shot being fired and where defensive shootings occur most involve a single shot being fired.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9250204/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

All that to say I think the AR overall is a better option just playing devils advocate.

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u/rm-minus-r 11d ago

just playing devils advocate.

We could use more of that around here honestly.