Let’s explore the diverse semiautomatic rifle options for self-defense beyond AR15 or AK47 styles to find the best fit for your self defense needs.
The best estimate is that guns are used to deter or thwart crime between 500,000 and 2.8 million times per year. A 2021 survey1 estimated that guns are used 1.67 million times per year in self-defense in the United States. Probably somewhere in the middle.
The graph below shows the places people have used a firearm in self-defense. 25.2% inside the home 53.9% outside the house but on property. That means 79.1% of self-defense shootings happen at one’s residence. Based on that I wondered what firearm was used, handgun, shotgun or rifle.
After looking at the stats, I was not surprised that the vast majority of self-defense incidents involved a handgun, 65.9%, let’s call it 66% or 2/3rds. Handguns are smaller and easier to conceal in the home and on one’s person or inside a vehicle so it would make sense a handgun is the go too for most people..
There is an obvious difference in the size of a handgun versus a rifle. Keeping a rifle readily available in a vehicle can be difficult based on the type/size of vehicle, on your person rifle carry is completely impracticable except for open carry and that person will not be welcome most places.
However, I go back to the 79% of self-defense situations are at home. Let’s look at the pros and cons of a rifle for defense at home.
Many peoples first concern is “over penetration” especially in an apartment or sub-division area. The fact is most people are less accurate with a handgun in a stress situation compared to what they can do in practice. The average self-defense shooting is 2.2 to 2.4 seconds with 2 to 4 rounds fired with a 25% hit ratio and that includes law enforcement. That is why people normally shoot many more than 2 rounds in self-defense.
Projectiles missing the target is the main cause of collateral damage, handgun rounds can penetrate walls and studs just a effectively as a rifle round, sometimes more effectively. For example, a .223 Remington/5.56 55 grain FMJ tends to start tumbling almost immediately after hitting wall board. I am not saying a .223/5.56 isn’t capable of penetrating hard objects and still be deadly. A 115 grain 9MM FMJ tends to keep its trajectory and penetrate multiple layers of wall and even studs. Even 9MM hollow points which are designed to expand on soft tissue will normally fill with debris and fail to expand if it hits wood, wallboard, glass, etcetera. Heavy grain rifle rounds are less likely to tumble, for instance a 147 grain .308 or 150 grain 300 Blackout. Those rounds would have more multi-layer penetration. lf the rifle rounds were hollow point and they penetrate a barrier, they will more than likely have the hole filled with debris. A lighter grain round like a .223/5.56 FMJ or hollow point would more than likely not penetrate as far as a heavier grain rifle round. On that note there is something called, “Green tip” 5.56 NATO, that should not be used as it is steel core and presents a definite penetration issue. We will address pistol caliber rifles in another section.
For the record, the above caliber references are not a statement of what is best for any given scenario. They are just the most common self-defense rounds in the U.S.A.
Next, is the size and/weight of the firearm. It will take more planning and forethought to have a rifle readily available than a handgun. There are fast access rifle cases/vaults available on the market that could be slid under a bed or placed in a nearby location. Granted maneuvering a rifle inside of the home can be difficult without proper training/practice. So, let’s say it’s better in most circumstances to use a handgun inside the home.
I’d like to talk about the 53.9% of the outside the home statistic vs. 25.2% inside the home. You are twice a likely to be outside your house than inside, wouldn’t a rifle be a nice advantage? People tend to be much more accurate with a rifle than a handgun. It is a force multiplier and can have a higher intimidation factor. If you put it in summer of 2020 perspective what if that happens to you? Your business or home is under assault, would a rifle be a better choice? Not only are people more accurate with a rifle the are also faster at acquiring the next target in a multiple threat situation.
There are many choices of rifles one can use for self-defense. Many envision an AR 15 or AK47 style rifle. That’s not a bad thing, but there are many choices that could fit someone’s needs better.
The AR 15 platform is probably the most versatile and customizable. You may or may not be aware that the AR 15 comes in many calibers including pistol calibers. I have an AR 15 that is 9MM and works with Glock 17 magazines to include the extended magazine like the 33 rounder. You can find AR 15’s in .40 S&W & .45ACP that take Glock magazines or other brands of handgun magazines.
AR 15 9MM Glock magazines
Keltec makes an excellent folding carbine rifle SUB2000:
A semiautomatic rifle like the Keltec can be concealed in a regular sized backpack making it easier to carry in a vehicle.
Pistol caliber rifles will allow you to carry the same magazine for your handgun and rifle. The rifle will have more velocity due to the longer barrel as well as increased accuracy. Many law enforcement agencies have started issuing patrol rifles that are the same caliber and magazine as the officers’ handgun.
There are many manufacturers that make excellent choices, this is just a discussion to get us thinking. The point is, if you don’t have a defensive rifle, now may be the time to consider it.
1) 2021 National Firearms Survey. July 14, 2021. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3887145
