Help... Handgun training done, whats next Rifle or Shotgun? (FrontSight)

[insin]

Hello all,
I just wanted to get a better idea on the direction that I should go. Let me prefice this question with a little backround information. I am a frontsight diamond member. I have already last fall, completed the 4 day defensive handgun course and DG'ed. This fall I was looking at the 4 day practical rifle, however I noticed 2 other courses, 4 day tactical shotgun and 2 day handgun skill builder.

Now... I know that many fantasize/fear/fixate on situations where the use of a rifle in a fight is needed. However I figured that before this type of situation would arise, you would be far more likely to find a situation where a shotgun is needed to defend yourself. Obviously the handgun is the most likely but I have already taken that course.

So... It seems like a good path of training courses would be Handgun, then shotgun, then rifle? Perhaps my logic is flawed, and if so I hope you can help me through it. But it looks like to me the next logical course to take is the shotgun training course. I mean, the most likely situation, before ever having to use my rifle in any tactical sort of way, would be if someone broke into my house in the middle of the night. My first choice would be to grab my hand gun, but with some training perhaps a shotgun would be a better choice. Both of these would come into play long before a rifle. The rifle seems only useful in the SHTF/red dawn scenarios that some of us play in our heads, which is very low in the probability scale of things that could happen.

What do you think? It seems that if I am being honest with myself, I should go with the seemingly less glamorous shotgun training before rifle training?

thanks

[voiceofreason]

Don't worry about what you need for defense.

It's more mindset and tactics that just weapon manipulation. If you're comfortable with a pistol, bring extra mags.

Do you own a shotgun or rifle?

If only one, go with that class first.

Ask yourself which you WANT to train with/learn, then go with that one.

I'm comfortable with shotgun out to 50 yards (slugs) and I'm comfortable with a carbine or rifle at 7. They're both great tools and will both get the job done.

A shotgun holds the edge at closer ranges in terms of ability to end the fight quickly, the rifle has the option of much longer distance if that pertains to your envisioned situations.

The rifle holds more rounds, is lighter, and easier/faster to reload.

The shotgun might take fewer rounds to neutralize the threat.

Get what you like, both the Hummer and the Ferrari will get you to work.

[G-forceJunkie]

Training is never done. That said, I would do rifle next, then shotgun. Then repeat.

[Agent 0range]

I agree that you are more likely to "need" a shotgun for protection. For me, the handgun is quick and easy access, but my shotgun is my first choice for HD. I like knowing I can have a loaded gun in my hand in about 3 seconds if needed, but if time permits, its only use will be to get me to my safe to grab the shotgun. Therefore, I think a shotgun class might be more beneficial, but a rifle class would probably be more fun!