If you’re looking for “most powerful” then you’d always choose a rifle caliber over a pistol carbine and a carbine over a pistol thanks to the higher velocity of any given load through a carbine. On the other hand, a decision regarding the “right” firearm choice usually involves a variety of categorical pros and cons. Here are some factors beyond raw power that may influence your decision.

Ease of Aim

It seems intuitive that it’s easier to shoot accurately with a carbine or rifle than a pistol and the science supports this assumption.

Longer sight radius allows more precision in sight picture while being far more forgiving of slight sight misalignments. If the front and rear sights are three inches apart, a slight movement of one sight results in a big miss downrange. If the front and rear sights are 12 inches apart, as they are on the Ruger PC Carbine shown here, that same amount of movement results in a much smaller variance downrange. Stated differently, you can make a more dramatic mistake and still hit when using a firearm with a longer sight radius.

Several years ago, I enrolled in an advanced concealed carry class with my wife and some family friends. Most of the curriculum involved range work with an emphasis on drawing and getting shots on target quickly, drawing while getting off the X, shooting while moving, creating distance from the threat, and putting shots on target until the threat was neutralized.

Without consciously knowing what I was doing, I was putting my shots on the “bad guy” silhouette targets in a nifty and impressive little cluster on the target. If I’m to be completely honest with myself, I suspect there was some of the last reason in play. You know, shooting tiny groups to impress other nearby shooters and in this case, the training staff.

Anyway, my results drew the attention of the primary instructor. As he approached me, wearing a wide grin, I mentally rehearsed what type of sincerely humble response I would give to the praise and recognition sure to come my way.