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Tactical uses and definitions of modern firearms, I think, shall be this week's Gun Blog. There are 5 major types of small arms to select - handguns, submachineguns (SMGs), shotguns, battle rifles, precision rifles.HANDGUNS
Handguns are compact, one-handed weapons that are more difficult to shoot, as they are supported only by the arms. They are short-ranged, 50 yards being the maximum effective range. Average handgun bullet speed is fairly low due to relatively small amounts of gunpowder in the case and short barrels (3"-5" normally), and varies around 800-1200 feet per second (fps)*. The lack of aerodynamics ("ball" ammunition is just rounded off in front, and hollowpoints effectively have a parachute in front) slow the round down quickly, and bullet drop (gravity accelerating the round downwards) becomes more pronounced as the handgun round loses its speed. Handguns ARE, however, quite compact and are easily concealed. Handguns are the weapon of choice for normal defensive carry, due to their concealability and lightness they can be carried for many hours without discomfort, and be quickly at hand.
SMGs
SMGs are small to medium sized weapons that are capable of, sometimes limited to, fully automatic fire. Submachineguns use handgun ammunition, however with longer barrels and shoulder stocks the velocity and accuracy are increased, and effective ranges can reach to 100 or 150 yards when aimed carefully. Submachineguns come in all sizes, from the pistol-sized Glock 18/Beretta 93s, to the larger (and legendary) H&K MP5 series, and even to the relatively enormous Thompson 1927, the first SMG. Tactically, SMGs are used when you know you will be going into combat, like a SWAT unit or VIP bodyguards, their higher firepower than typical handguns being a large plus. SMGs also have a unique role, in that the weapons can be fitted with a sound suppressor and subsonic ammunition, and used by covert combat units to deal with trouble silently. The SMG's burst capability can also be used for suppressive fire, or against large numbers of closely massed targets (though this is not effective at anything beyond very close range). There are some SMGs that use heavier rifle ammunition, in .223 and .308, but these are extremely rare. However, their rifle-scale firepower does make them attractive to military units, since there is often little concern for anything near the target (unlike a police action, which often centers on taking one single target in a group of no-shoots).
SHOTGUNS
Though debated by some proponents of the .223, shotguns are the ultimate in close-range short combats. While often having a low ammunition capacity (5-8 is the norm, though some can carry 10 rounds), and a low engagement range (25 yards for typical buckshot loads, 100 yards for slug), the shotgun's power lies in its versatility and its massive projectile. The typical 12-gauge shotgun ammunition has a 1 ounce payload, often 2-3 times even the largest typical handgun ammunition (1 oz is 435 grains, versus the 230gr in a solid ball .45 or the 147-grain subsonic 9mm), and this large increase in mass translates into a massive energy dump. Buckshot loads are typically 8-20 balls of .33 to .25 caliber size. The reason for the effectiveness is that with the energy divided up over multiple strikes, the individual pellets will not overpenetrate (go through the target and pose a threat to anything behind it), but rather each transfer 100% of their kinetic energy to the target. Slugs are literally that - a large, 1 oz chunk of lead shaped not at all unlike a shot glass. Shotgun slugs are primarily used for hunting/forest defense, as the penetration is quite high and will stop anything up to VERY large bears (I have seen deformed but intact shotgun slugs that penetrated 51 inches of bear). The pump-action shotgun, with its manually operated cycle that does not require gas pressure, has a very wide choice of payloads - in addition to buckshot and slugs, there are of course bird and target loads (a hundred or more very small, BB-sized pellets), special penetrating slugs (a steel dart encased in the lead), beanbag ammunition, tracers**, explosive slugs**, sirens, firecrackers**, hollow shot, chains, weighted wire bolos, and even metal-flamethrowers**.
RIFLES
Rifles primarily come in 2 flavors - carbines and rifles. Carbines are shorter, lighter versions of rifles designed to be easier to carry over a long time. Carbines pretty much push the 16" barrel length limit (though safely at 16 1/4"), and as a result are a bit limited in their ranges. Depending on caliber, your average carbine won't be much accurate beyond 300-500 yards. Most carbines are chambered in rifle ammunition, however there are some popular ones using pistol ammunition. Rifles are larger, longer, and can engage targets as far as 800 yards with the heavier calibers. Rifles have much longer barrels (20"-24" is common) and are consequently bulkier, heavier, and slower to wield, but do have the advantage in long-range fights. With modern warfare tending towards short, fast fights, carbines are often preferred over normal rifles due to their lightness and ease of handling. Carbines are also quite good for civilian use, as any extreme-range combat (past 600 yards) would be a very extraordinary situation and is easiest resolved by leaving.
PRECISION RIFLES
Often called sniper rifles when trying to apply an evil emotion towards firearms, precision rifles have a variety of uses - hunting, target shooting, or sniping. Precision rifles are bolt-action or semiauto (uncommon) shooting (usually) heavier rifle ammunition. With proper cartridge selection (carefully machined jacketed, boat-tailed, spitzer bullets) precision rifles can be used against targets as far as 1500 yards, and some very large (.50 and 20mm) rifles are used against materiel targets as far as 2000-2500 yards. Precision rifles are enjoyable to shoot and very challenging, as there is a lot that goes into the shooting - breath control, hand control, absolute concentration, focus, being able to read the wind, knowing your ballistics by heart, and having a very well tuned rifle. Target shooting is a very popular sport, and can be very enjoyable and rewarding. Hunting as well requires great precision, so that you can take your target with a) a minimum of effort (one shot may take an hour or three to work up to and accomplish, and if it's a miss you may not get a second chance), b) a minimum of pain to the animal (there is no reason to hurt it needlessly), c) a minimum of destruction of the meat and hide (chewing on bullet fragments sucks)***.
*The speed of sound, or Mach 1, is approximately 1050fps.
**DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LOAD THESE YOURSELF! Only purchase over-the-counter, professionally loaded ammunition. Having a pyrotechnic round jam in the barrel or chamber and burst there can lead to SEVERE injury.
***No, I do not hunt. I'm generally of the opinion to follow nature's ways, and not bother the animals unless it's necessary. Bears and deer will get along unless the bear's damn hungry, I'll get along too.
truth is your greatest weapon
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