Full size handgun vs AR pistol.. Tactical situations

[ISiman/oh]

Has anyone performed any personal tests putting a full size handgun (glock, sig, hk, CZ, ect...) vs a AR pistol in tactical situations? I'm looking for direct comparisons with times, accuracy ect in shooting drills, tactical drills and so on.

I can see advantages of both. The basis of the results would be my planning on purchasing/building backpack gun. The guns function would be to keep in my work back pack that will be with me traveling too and from work in my vehicle. I live in a rural area but work in a pretty crappy intercity. Ohio law dictates I cannot carry a loaded rifle in my vehicle so sbr's are out (even though that would be my choice). The weapon will be to support my CCW ( 5shot 357 snubbie) if a situation ever presents itself that I need to get out of said intercity.

Thoughts? Thankyou,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Beat Trash]

It really depends on the tactical situation. I'm in SW Ohio and am familiar with the O.R.C. as it relates to CCW and guns in a car. I'm also familiar with working in crappy neighborhoods, to include when they are in full riot mode.

IF you are talking about comparisons with times and accuracy between a true handgun and a AR pistol, are you talking about starting from concealment? If so, then for me, a duty sized 9mm pistol beats an AR pistol by a substantial margin. I don't start to notice an improvement with an AR pistol unit I pretend it's an SBR (Which I would never do as that would be illegal per the ATF...)

If you are looking for something to repel the hoards from your vehicle, then an AR pistol might be better when shooting from inside of the car in that you have more lethality and magazine capacity than most duty sized pistols. But it still may be too big to maneuver while inside, depending on how small your car is.

If you are looking for something to take the place of a long gun should you need to abandon the car and go it on foot, then an AR pistol has some merit, as you could still sort of conceal it under an oversized button up shirt, especially if you use a single point sling.

I think you need to further define the perceived need and roll of this new firearm first, then the answer will become more apparent. A Glock 17/9 carried in the pack along with a holster and a double mag pouch might also be a valid option. Use G17 magazines as reloads, and toss a couple of the 33 rd magazines in there for good measure.

[ISiman/oh]

It really depends on the tactical situation. I'm in SW Ohio and am familiar with the O.R.C. as it relates to CCW and guns in a car. I'm also familiar with working in crappy neighborhoods, to include when they are in full riot mode.

IF you are talking about comparisons with times and accuracy between a true handgun and a AR pistol, are you talking about starting from concealment? If so, then for me, a duty sized 9mm pistol beats an AR pistol by a substantial margin. I don't start to notice an improvement with an AR pistol unit I pretend it's an SBR (Which I would never do as that would be illegal per the ATF...)

If you are looking for something to repel the hoards from your vehicle, then an AR pistol might be better when shooting from inside of the car in that you have more lethality and magazine capacity than most duty sized pistols. But it still may be too big to maneuver while inside, depending on how small your car is.

If you are looking for something to take the place of a long gun should you need to abandon the car and go it on foot, then an AR pistol has some merit, as you could still sort of conceal it under an oversized button up shirt, especially if you use a single point sling.

I think you need to further define the perceived need and roll of this new firearm first, then the answer will become more apparent. A Glock 17/9 carried in the pack along with a holster and a double mag pouch might also be a valid option. Use G17 magazines as reloads, and toss a couple of the 33 rd magazines in there for good measure.

Without sounding a little crazy and paranoid the gun would be used if a riot situation, civil unrest happened and I need to make my way home. Being 25 miles from home I would try my best to stay with my vehicle. 4x4 Jeep Patriot. But if I have too I have some alternative routes to get home without the roads. One being walking along a smallish river through valleys that will lead straight to my house. So extended range would be a good a plus. I'm thinking maybe carrying a Ar pistol may act as a little bit more deterrent then a holstered handgun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The_War_Wagon]

I'm finally getting off my duff to build an AR pistol, and yes - having it for close quarters in a vehicle is the main reason. Owning 4 other AR's, with mag & ammo compatibility, makes it worthwhile to check out, in my estimation.

[LowSpeed_HighDrag]

Has anyone performed any personal tests putting a full size handgun (glock, sig, hk, CZ, ect...) vs a AR pistol in tactical situations? I'm looking for direct comparisons with times, accuracy ect in shooting drills, tactical drills and so on.

I can see advantages of both. The basis of the results would be my planning on purchasing/building backpack gun. The guns function would be to keep in my work back pack that will be with me traveling too and from work in my vehicle. I live in a rural area but work in a pretty crappy intercity. Ohio law dictates I cannot carry a loaded rifle in my vehicle so sbr's are out (even though that would be my choice). The weapon will be to support my CCW ( 5shot 357 snubbie) if a situation ever presents itself that I need to get out of said intercity.

Thoughts? Thankyou,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes. An AR is superior to a pistol in nearly any tactical situation. Inside of vehicles or extremely tight spaces is where pistols fit better, but they are truly no match against a determined attacked with a long gun.

[daniel87]

as long as you can maneuver and make shots a rifle will always trump a pistol.



Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[JusticeM4]

Without sounding a little crazy and paranoid the gun would be used if a riot situation, civil unrest happened and I need to make my way home. Being 25 miles from home I would try my best to stay with my vehicle. 4x4 Jeep Patriot. But if I have too I have some alternative routes to get home without the roads. One being walking along a smallish river through valleys that will lead straight to my house. So extended range would be a good a plus. I'm thinking maybe carrying a Ar pistol may act as a little bit more deterrent then a holstered handgun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Are you looking to OC or CC for this situation?

My suggestion (and what I actually have in place) is to CC a handgun like a Glock19 with a couple of 30-round mags in a holster for quick deployment. Then carry an AR or AK pistol in a backpack if you feel that you need more firepower or feel undergunned with a handgun. Anything under 50 yards though, I feel that a high capacity pistol would suffice and would be much easier to use.

If you are open carrying out in the woods, then a full size or compact rifle (M4) would work great. Just depends on your specific situation.

[G19A3]

Yes. An AR is superior to a pistol in nearly any tactical situation. Inside of vehicles or extremely tight spaces is where pistols fit better, but they are truly no match against a determined attacked with a long gun.

The blast, if not blast AND flash, would be something to experience.

[G19A3]

Without sounding a little crazy and paranoid the gun would be used if a riot situation, civil unrest happened and I need to make my way home. Being 25 miles from home I would try my best to stay with my vehicle. 4x4 Jeep Patriot. But if I have too I have some alternative routes to get home without the roads. One being walking along a smallish river through valleys that will lead straight to my house. So extended range would be a good a plus. I'm thinking maybe carrying a Ar pistol may act as a little bit more deterrent then a holstered handgun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Think gray man.

Anything of value, obviously displayed (If the SHTF is that bad), will just invite a robbery ambush OR shots fired AT you from LEO's.

Also, many truly hardened criminals are NOT afraid of guns, whatever their appearance.

[teutonicpolymer]

You said you can't have a loaded rifle but can you have an unloaded one with mags on hand?

Also, this might not be translatable but since USPSA opened up pistol caliber carbine you can compare it to other platforms. The PCC's seem to fall under open guns but above all other handguns. Maybe this suggests building something like an open gun or if you prefer, like the Roland special, ie a Glock with slide or frame mounted optic, magwell, etc.