Handgun - Disadvantages of Handguns Versus Shoulder Firearms

Disadvantages of Handguns Versus Shoulder Firearms

Handguns are often considered self-defense weapons for use under 50 yards (50 m). While a handgun in the hands of an experienced shooter may be effective at distances greater than 50 yards (50 m), a handgun cartridge is much more limited in its energy capacity than many long gun cartridges. Many handgun cartridges are optimized for best performance from shorter barrels than typically found in rifles.

Many rifles are able to achieve bullet velocities of over 3,000 ft/s (900 m/s), but rounds for handguns are rarely capable of achieving velocities over 1,500 ft/s (500 m/s). Thus, long guns are generally more powerful at any range, and especially more effective at longer ranges than handguns. Because of the pistol's seemingly low power, many ballistic vest and armor have the capability of stopping pistol bullets. This is largely due to both facts that pistols have shorter barrel, producing a reduced rifling, and the shape of the nose, which also reduces penetration. These problems also apply to submachine guns. Demonstration project armor issued by NIJ was designed to ensure a 95 percent probability of survival after being hit with a .38 caliber and the widely used 9mm bullet at a velocity of 800 ft/s. Furthermore, the probability of requiring surgery if hit by a projectile was to be 10 percent or less.

A shooter is generally able to achieve considerably greater accuracy with a long gun than with a handgun. This is due to several aspects, such as : The longer distance between the rear and front sights, makes for better aim.. Partly more stable hold attainable with a long gun. higher muzzle velocity, which reduces the bullet travel time and thus reduces external effects on the bullet such as gravitational drop and wind. Longer barrels also means more bullet spin attained while in the barrel, to improve the geometric accuracy of the moment of inertia.