Author Topic: Handi Rifle For Personal Defense (Read 3549 times)

jdwolf · « **on:** March 30, 2012, 09:56:18 AM »

I really like the little H&R/New England Handi rifle. It's accurate, reliable and a fun little gun at the range and as a hunting rifle, I have one in .223 caliber. But, how good is a single shot rifle in a SHTF situation?

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:08:05 AM »

If my .45-70 cannot stop someone, they can't be stopped.

I personally don't think rifle for personal defense typically. Normally, I'm going to reach for a shotgun or pistol for defensive actions. Rifle is better for longer range, but I like my big bores. My .223 handi is smokin accurate, but I like the .45-70 for knockdown. Hasn't failed to kill every animal hit.

moorepower · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:08:38 AM »

Better than a sharp stick in the eye! Would not be in my top 5 choices.

kynardsj · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2012, 10:17:19 AM »

A single shot rifle ( Encore ) in 45 LC is my favorite hunting rifle. I would have it in a SHTF situation but my backup is the 3 Ruger six shooters I own in the same caliber.

yukondog · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:17:27 AM »

If it's all you have than make the best of it, but as already said it would not be my first choice, .357 S&W for me.

oldsoldja · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:32:44 AM »

one shot , then it becomes a war club. Like in the Last of the Mohicans.

Ten Ring · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:54:30 AM »

My goto at home is a legal length 12 gauge pump with 000 buckshot.
Jim

dave29 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2012, 12:02:57 PM »

My Handi's are huntin' guns.

For go to self defense, I have several AR's, extended mag 870's, and several pistols.

Chupathingy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2012, 12:42:56 PM »

I would mirror much of what has already been said. I have a nice light weight AR that would be keen, but would probably opt for my 870P loaded with 3" 4Buck. When the zombies come.......(And they are coming!

) and I only have time to grab one weapon, it'll be the shotty.

Chupa

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2012, 01:50:37 PM »

In a SHTF situation and a Handi was all i had it would be used to acquire one of the most common firearms and ammo the bad guys are carrying.That being said my AK is still my go to firearm in that situation . Not because it is the most accurate but it is the most reliable.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2012, 02:18:37 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on March 30, 2012, 01:50:37 PM

In a SHTF situation and a Handi was all i had it would be used to acquire one of the most common firearms and ammo the bad guys are carrying.

+1 on that.....US dropped thousands of Liberator single shot 45 acp pistols in Europe so the resistance could do just that.......... in a SHTF situation I would much rather have my Pardner 12g than a Handi - if I were limited to a single choice.

For PD or HD you can practice the drill of loading/firing/reloading a single shot Pardner and get it pretty quick.

Couger · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2012, 02:48:37 PM »

Against a four legged critter (even a bear) but also backed up
by a .44Mag on the hip? NO problem.

But against a 'multiple threat' like several gangbangers?

I want a scattergun if not an AR
(if I have been discovered in my hiding place and can't get away)

For the same reason I would also want a hi-cap Glock versus a six-shooter.

The Handi's I have are mostly for hunting (if not survival foraging

)

mechanic · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2012, 02:54:50 PM »

If you can line up all the bad guys in single file, I would use my 45-70 with the 500 gr. hardcast.

If you scatter them out, I've got handguns....

Ben

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2012, 03:08:00 PM »

Breach load singe shot rifles were military for a while and worked well as defense.
The H&R is a great rifle.
223 is a great round.
But together as a Defensive rifle I do nto think they agree.
I would opt for a larger hole in the back end like 30-30 or other
The larger the hole the faster you can get the round in to the chamber.
I have a little 22 Mag and it is a great rifle but the small shells are hard to get in your hand and into the chamber.
a larger round like a 30-30 is easy to hold and the tapered shell falls nose first into the chamber. The rimm aids in positive extraction.
Now that is just my personal opinion.
I have a T/C in both and the 30-30 sit in a shell holder and are easy to pluck and stick, the 223's are small and they sit in a pouch rather than a holder and you have to dig for them. I can shoot and load about 3.5 shels in 30-30 in the same time it takes me shoot and load 2 rounds out of the 223.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2012, 03:14:27 PM »

Quote from: mechanic on March 30, 2012, 02:54:50 PM

If you can line up all the bad guys in single file, I would use my 45-70 with the 500 gr. hardcast.

Ben

reminds me of that scene in Quigley down under when the two guys lined up .......single slug took em out.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2012, 03:34:36 PM »

After thing my original post I must add my first choice of a single shot would be a Claymore

uncledub · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2012, 04:38:34 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on March 30, 2012, 03:34:36 PM

After thing my original post I must add my first choice of a single shot would be a Claymore

Would that be the sword or the land mine?

MNSHOOTER · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2012, 05:03:30 PM »

My son is a deputy sheriff in a high crime area. I talk to him weekly. Trust me when push comes to shove you do not want a single shot firearm, if you can buy an extended clip for the gun you have, do so !!!

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2012, 05:21:11 PM »

I think if Col. Custer could do it over again, he would not want to use single shot rifles.

I've got a 12 gauge Mossy and a .40 cal. Glock and a simi 7.62.39 for those tight situations that may arise.

Hunting I'll take out the single shot.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2012, 11:49:32 PM »

I agree, if you have nothing else its better than a sharp stick.. I also like soldja's "war club" comment.

I have a old take down 12Ga thats a frequent companion on wheeling and camping trips so I guess its a PD situation...but more of a "critter" defensive firearm.

For true defensive use, there are FAR better choices...

CW

knight0334 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2012, 07:46:03 PM »

While I love Handi guns, one would not be my first choice for self-defense or home(land) security.

I keep my M4 carbine at ready with a loaded mag inserted. All I have to do is release the bolt. Then there are 14-15 other 30rd mags ready. Then there are my 12ga coachgun, Beretta 92FS, Walther P99, my 1911, a number of revolvers, and a couple leverguns loaded and ready to rock 'n roll.

casca1 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2012, 08:22:01 PM »

well got to say this
I have set up numerous households of non gun interested families with shortened 12 & 20 gauge
pardners with slings and ammo holders on the butt stock. I would challenge just about anyone to go in and get em.

in real life how many shootouts do you think 1 man will have ? 2 shotgun blasts makes me want to look for the other way !

petemi · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2012, 06:17:17 AM »

My Compact Pardner Pump 20, .357 Blackhawk and .30-30 levergun are all within reach from my bed. I'd grab what the situation dictated. There are Handi's close by too, but I probably wouldn't even consider going for one of them. As has been said, they're for hunting.

Pete

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2012, 03:22:16 PM »

casca,

This is a gun board. How dare you interject a shot of reality?

Cat

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2012, 06:51:22 PM »

Quote from: Jimbo47 on March 30, 2012, 05:21:11 PM

I think if Col. Custer could do it over again, he would not want to use single shot rifles.
I've got a 12 gauge Mossy and a .40 cal. Glock and a simi 7.62.39 for those tight situations that may arise.

Hunting I'll take out the single shot.

I think if Col. Custer could to do it over again, I don't think he would even try!

That said, a AR or M1A1(Socom) type rifle, preferably one in .308/7.62mm caliber.

casca1 - I believe that jdwolf said a SHTF type situation, not a normal shtf housebreaking situation. So.....

Sourdough · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2012, 07:39:17 PM »

A single shot for protection, no too many veriables can come into play. When we had a home invasion, the wife missed her first shot with the pump. She connected with her second shot.

I have a 45ACP on my night stand. The wife has a 38 on her side. She also has a 357 in the headboard compartment. There is a Mossburg 12ga pump behind the bedroom door. I keep a 12ga pump beside the front and back doors. There is large caliber pistols scattered through out the house, all loaded and ready. Our home invders are more likely to be of the four legged type than the two legged ones.

j4l · « **Reply #26 on:** May 27, 2012, 04:26:31 AM »

Hmm.. here's one I have to address, as I've had to make use of mine on 2 occasions, when it was all I had available to me, at the time(s). While not the ideal/1st-choice, if other options are available, it can be used for this purpose, and rather well.

Without going into details- long/story-short- 1 attempted home-invasion in NY. Had to shoot once- .410 w/ 3x000 load. DOA. (lot of folks under-estimate the .410, even with those loads. big mistake.)

2nd time, just over a yr. ago. Another attempted home-invasion, during which my dog was shot and killed by the folks that were approaching-because it was barking to alert me to their approach. They fired from off-property. I got my .410 (again, only thing I had around at the time) fired one shot in return, missed (approx 40 yards@ night). Re-loaded, fired a second shot. Winged one of them, and they all turned and fled back to wherever.

I have since gotten a Pardner Protector in 12 ga. (5 00 shells in the tube, 4 PDX-1 loads on shell-holder), and a .45 auto. The .45 auto is 24/7 on my hip now-inside or outside the home.- the 2 shotguns, I now keep near each door during the day, and the Protector is slung over the headboard of the bed when asleep at night.

I keep the .410 on-hand when outdoors around my place, primarily for snakes. (lots of CM/Rattlers here) And the .45 on-hip for SD vs. human intruders. BUT- I would not hesistate to use the .410 again, then transition to the .45 if needed.

After that 1st incident, though, I made a point of practicing the rapid load/fire/re-load/fire sequence with that long gun. To the point where I can now effectively do that even quicker than I can/could with a bolt-action, if needed. I keep 1 #6 shot load in the chamber for snakes- plus 2 more on the shoulder-stock shell-carrier, plus 4 more of the 3x 000 shells-in case of non-snake needs.

Just get a snap-cap round for the round you use, and practice-up with it. It can be very effective, once mastered. And- it doesnt jam, no magazines to swap out, simple and effective. (provided you arent facing down a platoon of opponents, mind you..)
Not sure .223 would be me preffered choice- due mostly to brush/etc. penetration, and the like..
I intend to get the .45 barrel for my .410, or just get a CR in .45 itself, specifically for use against boar, bear, coyote I get out here- and, in a pinch, for anti-personnel use, if needed.

demented · « **Reply #27 on:** May 27, 2012, 06:24:11 AM »

Many times I've had an old Winchester 30-30 backed up with a handgun when out in the boonies, this choice made in an attempt to keep weight to a minimum. This is about as far down the totem pole I care to go.

44 Man · « **Reply #28 on:** May 27, 2012, 07:14:29 AM »

I need to agree with Petemi, demented, and Col Cooper. A 30-30 lever gun will work just fine. Safe without a round in the chamber, quickly put into action and a very formidable round for 2 legged critters. If I;m in Texas at the time, the Sheriff will just say 'They should'a known better'. But if I'm in Michigan when this should happen, you have to consider how you will look at the inquest. A lever action hunting rifle will offend no one on the Grand Jury. But an 'AR' would give the Prosecutor ammo to say I was 'lookin for trouble' and he'll very likely try to raise his conviction rate ratio. I don't care to get into an argument about the 'acceptablity' of the AR. I love them, but you also have to consider the political climate where you are. 44 Man
Added: Sorry, I should have said that you go with what you have available and a Handi will suffice if that's what you have in your hand at the time. But....... if I had a choice....

rdlange · « **Reply #29 on:** May 27, 2012, 05:55:51 PM »

My wife and daughter understand single shot hammer guns. They both have 20ga pardners handy. Neither likes the Rem 870. Wife likes the hammer double shorty also, but it's an extractor - slower to reload.

I agree about the 30-30 or any lever gun. Very common, and not radical looking. Probably expected to be in every American closet. Since I don't have an AR or an AK, it's my go to long gun.