[Thaeris]

Come on, no one takes those seriously anymore...

[Mongoose]

You could always go with a broadsword.  I know I'd crap my pants if I saw someone coming at me with one of those.

And yeah, Flipside, that's the ***** of it.  I don't think the Framers of the Constitution ever would have imagined a group of assholes trolling someone's funeral when they devised the First Amendment.

[SpardaSon21]

High-caliber firearm beats broadsword.  I mean, the gunslinger can just shoot the swordsman.  What's the swordsman going to do, throw a broadsword?

[General Battuta]

We were taught that knife will beat gun inside 30 feet.

[Bobboau]

with proper cover.

[SpardaSon21]

Like this?
http://nerfnow.com/comic/214
Read the artist's comment if you don't get it.

[Hades]

No, pretty sure Battuta was referencing V for Vendetta

[NGTM-1R]

We were taught that knife will beat gun inside 30 feet.

If you have to draw.

[General Battuta]

We were taught that knife will beat gun inside 30 feet.

If you have to draw.

This is correct indeed.

[General Battuta]

No, pretty sure Battuta was referencing V for Vendetta

nah, krav maga

[redsniper]

So, I realize we passed the bullet caliber discussion a while back, but I just wanted to point out that bullet-resistant vests come in different 'classes'. There is no way in hell that a soft vest of only kevlar (like what police wear) is going to stop a rifle round. The stuff soldiers wear has fancy ceramic plates in addition to layers of kevlar, and those are only rated to stop like one 7.62x39 round, maybe two on a good day.

[Thaeris]

I've spoken to actual soldiers who've been hit multiple times while wearing that armor, so though it may start to fragment, it holds together better than you might think.

[redsniper]

Huh, I didn't know. I was trying to be conservative with my estimation there. Maybe they've got newer better plates. Still my point is, kevlar is not magically impervious to all bullets.

[Mars]

Kevlar, in and of itself, no.

It's like any armor ever. One layer may not stop the intrusion, several might. There's a balance of armor weight and protection as well. And nothing will save you from a Ballista, or a 20mm; depending on the era.

[General Battuta]

I think redsniper and thaeris are both right in that the vest may stop more than one 762 but if you come home with even one in the plates you don't want to wear it again if possible.

[redsniper]

Oh definitely. They dissipate the energy by shattering and are meant as a one-time thing IIRC. Granted the busted up fragments would help stop additional rounds, but the plates aren't meant to be reusable. Sorta like bike helmets now that I think about it.

[NGTM-1R]

Like vests they are designed to be replaced if damaged, it's true. But I've also spoken with people who've come back with multiple rounds having hit a plate. This isn't tested for formally however so I'm not sure anyone knows if it's a freak accident or typical. The acceptance tests depend on stopping one round.

[karajorma]

Since actual performance as a projectile weapon is not necessary I tend to think a flintlock pistol would work pretty well for her since the thing was essentially meant to shoot once and then be used as a mace afterward. 

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/images/PGERM_left.JPG

I'd suggest going with a crossbow for showy home defence. Gun says "Person protecting their home", crossbow says "Dangerous psychopath planning to stuff and mount me"

[Thaeris]

Takes longer to reload, though. In that case, I'd suggest a crossbow fitted with a bayonet.

[StarSlayer]

Vladimir Putin in a Pokemon Ball?