PDW- Personal Defense Weapon 101 (I think assault weapon is an ugly term)

By Spike Bowan

©frogdogwriting

Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to Carbines. “Ar 15 is the best!” , “Bull, AK 47 is the best!” blah blah blah….

It all comes down to preference and what “works” for you. I am going to cover some common and uncommon carbines, bullpups and pistol mods that may work for you.

I grew up in the military on the AR platform. To this day I can strip down an M16 quicker than you can blink an eye. Does this mean that this is my main choice for a Carbine? No. I like many variations of Carbines and find that each one has their “Pro’s” and “Con’s”. So let’s start with the AR platform:

The AR is like a mans version of a “Baby doll”. You can dress it up and accessorize it any way you want. Collapsible stocks, forward grips, picatanni rails, flashlights, lasers, etc…

Cartridge- 5.56mm NATO/.223 Remington

Effective Range -400-600 meters (avg 547 yards)

Rate of Fire: 800 RPM(auto)

Price Range: $700 + depending on manufacturer (plan on spending a $1000 or more min)

The round is unique in that once it hits it’s target it tumbles. Creating a wicked wound cavity.

The AR has been proven to be slightly more accurate than the AK 47 according to some. I say that any shooter with familiarity of a weapon can make it perform the way the want. Most of the time. (personal opinion)

Next up: AK 47

Created by Mikhail Kalashnikov and accepted for Russian military use in 1949.

Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm

Effective Range: 400 metres (440 yd) semi-auto
300 metres (330 yd) full auto

Rate of Fire: Cyclic 600 rounds/min, practical
40 rounds/min semi-automatic
100 rounds/min fully automatic

Price Range: $700 + depending on manufacturer (plan on spending a $1000 or more min)

The AK is a very simple gas operated weapon system that can function in almost any climate and weather condition. There are many videos of stress tests and torture tests that are posted on Youtube involving the AK and other platforms.

Next in line: The STEYR AUG

Designed in the ’60’s by Steyr Mannlicher GmbH & Co GH; This platform (Armee-Universal-Gewehr—”universal army rifle”) was adopted by the Austrian Army and is now widly used across the world. Gas operated with rotating bolt.

Cartridge: 5.56 x 45mm NATO

9 x 19 mm Parabellum (Latin meaning “prepare for war”)

Effective Range: 300 metres (980 ft)

Max range: 2,700 metres (8,900 ft

Rate of Fire: 680-750 rounds/min

Price Range: $1800+ depending (plan on spending a $2000 or more min)

Many people don’t like the “Bull Pup” design. I personally think they’re cool and appreciate the fact that the brass is deflected behind me and not down my collar. Just saying.

Here is another “Bull Pup” design that I find fascinating: The FN P 90/PS 90

I think this thing is weirdly cool. The horizontal magazine is truly a stroke of genius. This weapon is actually defined by it’s manufacturer as a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon).

Cartridge: FN 5.7x28mm

Rate of Fire: 900 RPM

Effective Range: 200 meters

Max Range: 1800 meters

Price Range: $1300 + (plan on spending a $1600 or more)

The civilian version of this Lil’ Devil is the PS90 which has a (Civilian compliant barrel and is semi-automatic)

Now, onto the truly unique. Glock 21 has a really cool and affordable mod kit made by RONI:

This Carbine conversion kit only runs around$400 and turns your Glock 21 into a BAD ASS little carbine. It does need to be registered as far as I can tell, and the only added benefit I can see is that you get the stability of a carbine versus the kick of a handgun. Still cool in my opinion though. It has a collapsible stock and can be accesorized many ways with its rails.

Now, for the “Modern Tommy Gun”; the KRISS VECTOR:

This thing is very cool! This weapon system fires .45 cal ACP rounds using the Glock 21 magazine! Classified as a sub-machine gun there are civilian versions available.

Cartridge: .45 cal ACP

Rate of Fire: Prototype 1,500 rounds per minute
Vector SMG: 1,200 RPM
Civilian models: semi-auto only

Effective Range: 110 Yards

Price: $1500 +

It can use any Glock manufactured or Third Party manufactured Glock 21 .45 cal ACP compatible magazine.

There are many other platforms out there, the M1A, SCAR by FN and more. Do your homework and search around. Find out what works for you and go with it, but don’t be afraid to try new things. Familiarity with multiple weapons platforms can only aid you in your shooting and self defense needs.

As always,

God Bless the USA

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