Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 1 the 11 Essentials Rules of Tactical Rifles for Home Defense
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 1 The 11 Essentials Rules of Tactical Rifles for Home Defense Cover WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 2 IS THIS BOOK RIGHT FOR ME? Not quite sure if this ebook is right for you? See the below description to determine if your level matches the content you are about to read. BERETTA ONE-STOP SHOP for all your shooting needs Introductory Introductory content is for shooters who are new to Find accessories, apparel, firearms and more. the subject. This content typically includes step-by- step instructions on how to get started with this aspect of the shooting sports and learn the • Find the ideal gun for your needs fundamentals. • Pair high-performance apparel and accessories for best results Intermediate Intermediate content is for shooters who are familiar • Get answers from our pro-staff with the subject but have only basic experience in the • Watch videos and learn the tricks of the pros subject matter. This content typically covers the fundamentals and moves on to reveal more complex activities, drills and tips. Advanced Click to learn more Advanced content is for shooters who are, or want to be, experts on the subject. In it, we walk you through advanced features of this aspect of the shooting sport and help you develop complete mastery on this subject. These more complex ebooks are usually accompanied by video files or detailed step-by-step photos. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 3 Table of Content 0. Introduction 1. Types of Rifles 2. Ergonomics 3. Grips 4. Optics 5. Sights 6. Compensators, Muzzle Breaks, Flash-Hiders 7. Magazines 8. Slings 9. Lights 10. Training 11. Safes & Storage - Conclusions WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 4 Introduction The debate about the ideal home defense gun typically breaks down into three camps. Those who prefer handguns cite their compact size and the ease of storage. Those who favor shotguns prefer the effective ballistics and wide patterns of buckshot. But nothing beats the ergonomics and versatility of a good carbine-length rifle. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 5 Introduction (cont.) Tactical Carbines come in numerous variations. They're defined by their short length. In the United States, a rifle with a stock must have a barrel that's at least 16 inches long, to be owned without additional licenses. While this limits the long-range effectiveness of a rifle, a 16 inch barrel is more than sufficient out to 200 meters or more. Yet, range is hardly a consideration when we're talking about home defense. In these circumstances, it's the versatility and power of the rifle that makes it attractive, not its long-range accuracy. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 6 Learn about Types of Rifles the ARX100 There are several options for rifles. While longer barreled tactical rifles in 5.56 (or .223) are great for hunting varmints and predators, their size (and weight) limits their usefulness indoors. And other guns chambered in larger calibers are simply too powerful for use where the over- penetration of heavy bullets might have unintended consequences. On the opposite end of the power spectrum are rifles chambered for pistol rounds. These have been around as long as guns have existed, really, but seem to be less common now than they were in the past. Yet, they're still great choices. Some are simply larger versions of handguns. Others are patterned on tactical rifles, but chambered for 9mm or .45ACP. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 7 Most who chose carbines for home defense want something more powerful than a pistol, and less powerful than a traditional hunting rifle. This middle ground is dominated by three rounds. The venerable 5.56 (or the civilian version, the .223) is the most popular in the United States. The Russian 7.62x39 is a larger bullet. The 5.45x39 is also a good choice, but it is an import and its availability is limited in the United States. Learn more about the ARX100 WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 8 For most purposes, the .223 (or 5.56) is the most versatile. There are many varieties. For home defense, hollow points are a sound choice. They deform on impact and are less prone to over- penetration than full metal jackets. Frangible ammunition is engineered to break apart when it hits something as solid as a wall. As such, it is an even better choice for those concerned about bullets traveling through walls. Learn more about the Cx4 But once you've decided on a caliber, choosing a rifle can be much more difficult. Take the 5.56. There are hundreds of rifle variations in this caliber. But the variety doesn't have to be daunting. They all combine a few basic options in slightly different ways. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 9 ERGONOMICS The overall length of a rifle with a 16 inch barrel can vary widely. Some guns have fixed stocks. Others have folding stocks, or stocks that collapse in on themselves. The last variety, which is growing in popularity, is bullpups. The fixed stock rifle is traditional in design, and very reliable. There isn't anything to manipulate, which makes them easy and fast. But they require the most room to store. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 10 Folding stocks are very useful for storage purposes. Some stocks fold under guns, but most fold off to one side, where they attach firmly to the rifle's receiver. Many of these folding stocks are also adjustable. Telescoping stocks are the most popular form as they're easy to use and allow a shooter to fit the rifle to their specific height. The distance from the trigger to the end of the stock is referred to as the length- of-pull, and taller shooters want longer lengths-of-pull. One thing to be wary of: some guns won't fire when their stocks are folded. It is best to have a gun that will fire, regardless of the stock being folded or extended. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 11 GRIPS Almost all tactical carbines have some sort of pistol grip. On some guns, these grips are reasonably easy to change out, which allows for a wide variety of sizes and textures. While it seems like a rather insignificant detail, the customizable grip allows shooters to tailor the exact fit of their guns. OPTICS While many shooters have scopes for their carbines, a rifle for home defense should not have a scope, as they restrict a shooter's filed of view. Red dot sights, on the other hand, are ideal. Choose an optic with no magnification, as you won't have any need to see your target up close. Instead, look for something that is easy to see, and fast. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 12 SIGHTS Many carbines don't come with iron sights. Or they come with a front sight, with no rear. The assumption is that shooters will choose their own optic. But the importance of iron sights can't be overlooked. Without them, a rifle is very hard to use. Even with an optic, iron sights should be there as a backup. A basic set will do, though there are better options. If you are using an optic of some sort, flip up sights might be the logical choice. They fold down and lock, which keeps them out of the way. If batteries die, they flip up and are ready to go. Some prefer sights that are canted off the top of the rifle at an angle. These cut out the extra step of flipping up sights. A simple twist of the rifle will allow the sights to be used. If you will be using iron sights in low light situations, a tritium post will provide a nice low glow and can make a big difference in rapid target acquisition. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 13 Compensators, Muzzle-breaks, and flash-hiders Muzzle-breaks attach to the ends of barrels and are cut to direct gasses backwards, which helps to reduce recoil. Compensators help to reduce muzzle rise. They're excellent tools for competition shooting and for daylight conditions. But at night, the bright flashes they produce can be blinding, at least temporarily. Flash suppressors, though, are designed to minimize the visible burn-off of gasses. Repeat shots become much easier in dark settings, allowing a shooter a distinct tactical advantage. WWW.BERETTAUSA.COM SHARE EBOOK Topic area: Tactical Rifles for Home Defense 14 Magazines The standard carbine magazine holds thirty rounds of .223 ammunition. While some states limit magazine capacity, the thirty round variety is typical, and the highest capacity needed. There are larger magazines that will hold sixty rounds, and drums hold even more. But the larger magazines are prone to failure. Magazine failure is always a possibility, so it is useful to have at least two with the gun. Magazine couplers connect two magazines together, side by side. When one is empty, another is ready and available. Under the best conditions, one gun will have sixty rounds available. That's way more than enough for home defense scenarios.