At Whittington I was asked, quite reasonably, by family member Art Hammer if there was not some inconsistency in my emphasizing stopping power in handguns while favoring medium power in rifles (short of buffalo guns.) Good question!
The answer is essentially conceptual. A pistol is a defensive instrument, designed to stop a fight that somebody else starts. It is strictly an emergency device called for in an unpredicted emergency. The shooter has to respond to an action initiated by another, thus he needs all the emphasis he can properly control.
The rifle, on the other hand, is normally an offensive instrument with which the shooter has the initiative and is carrying the play to his prey. Hence the rifleman can shoot with great care, placing his bullets properly. He needs only enough power to insure proper penetration into the vitals of his target. Blowing down trees on the far side is an extravagance.
The pistolero defends. The rifleman attacks. The problems are different.
The answer is essentially conceptual. A pistol is a defensive instrument, designed to stop a fight that somebody else starts. It is strictly an emergency device called for in an unpredicted emergency. The shooter has to respond to an action initiated by another, thus he needs all the emphasis he can properly control.
The rifle, on the other hand, is normally an offensive instrument with which the shooter has the initiative and is carrying the play to his prey. Hence the rifleman can shoot with great care, placing his bullets properly. He needs only enough power to insure proper penetration into the vitals of his target. Blowing down trees on the far side is an extravagance.
The pistolero defends. The rifleman attacks. The problems are different.
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