One "What if" not discussed and that is what if your gun won't shoot?

[sirrduke2010]

I like to take the devils advocate but this is definitely something to think about. You could do everything perfectly and your gun malfunctions or doesn't shoot. It depends on the threat, how well that threat is armed, and how many of them. If the threat to you is armed and well prepared with military gear it can be a more significant thing than you expect. The LAPD found this out in a shoot out they had with 2 bank robbers at a B of A in Burbank who carried automatic weapons and bullet proof vests. Here is a link to a Wikipedia article about the shootout: North Hollywood shootout - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. These two took bank robbers took down a number of officers and some civilians. The attacker(s) could also have assault weapons and when compared to your handgun would give them the advantage. In my previous discussions I hear many saying they won't forget to take their weapon well what if you do forget to take your weapon. Some other alternatives are running, fighting, and/or using an alternative weapon. I guess what I am saying is don't be overly dependent on having a gun with you. Although it may alter the odds to being in your favor if the gun doesn't work you are even more in trouble if you have no alternatives. I remember a self defense instructor talking about this. He said if a person has to depend on a gun than they don't know how to protect themselves otherwise. This doesn't mean this is true. I found this a little disturbing but having a backup plan is always important. For me it would also mean to be checking your weapon periodically to make sure it is loaded, make sure it is clean, and to make sure you practice with it.

 

[papajohn428]

I AM the weapon.

The tools I use only supplement the force I have available.

The odds of a serious self-defense advocate "forgetting" their defensive handgun? Nah. My gun goes on with my pants, period. If I'm dressed, I'm armed, and the guns I carry have been proven reliable. Next Question?

 

[MaximumLawman]

Nah. My gun goes on with my pants, period. If I'm dressed, I'm armed, and the guns I carry have been proven reliable. Next Question?

Hmm, next question: What is the percentage of gun guys who pick apart an extreme scenario so that they may survive the type of armed encounter than only a fraction of a percentage of a percentage of humans are ever likely to experience, who can reasonably extend their life by years or decades by merely giving up the cheeseburgers and diet Cokes...and who refuse to do so?

 

[jimmyj]

OK! My primary weapon won't fire, my secondary is jammed, my BUG breaks as I draw it, my grenade's pin won't pull out, my cell phone battery is dead....
I throw open my trench coat (I not wearing anything under the trench coat). The BG dropped his/her weapon in fright and runs away. I close my trench coat and pick up the BG's weapon to add to my BG weapon collection which is quite large now that I go out at night wearing nothing but a trench coat and tennis shoes.

 

[Snyderman]

I AM the weapon.

The tools I use only supplement the force I have available.

The odds of a serious self-defense advocate "forgetting" their defensive handgun? Nah. My gun goes on with my pants, period. If I'm dressed, I'm armed, and the guns I carry have been proven reliable. Next Question?

What kind of holster do you use? I can't seem to find one that is comfortable enough to wear while sitting in a car or restaurant, or with gym clothes, etc.

 

[oldman45]

Consider the odds of the given scene being play out. If a person knows his gun well, the potential for a misfire, FTF or such is very unlikely.

Making some here mad, also as unlikely is the need for additional magazines since the fight will be over long before a mag runs dry ir, in the event of mag failure, having the chance to replace it.

In the final tally, if the opposition has the drop on someone, there is little defense at the time. This is the case even if the BG has a bb gun or basball bat. I am good with a handgun but not good enough to draw a gun before someone can simply pull the trigger on a gun or knock my head off with a stick.

The trouble with bad guys is they do not give advance warning of an attack. This is why people should be aware of their surrroundings.

It is ideal if you can avoid a confrontation to begin with.

 

[18DAI]

Your only gun won't go bang?......Serpentine.

 

[vista461]

Your only gun won't go bang?......Serpentine.

Peter Falk - Alan Arkin - The In Laws - Serpentine! Serpentine! - YouTube

 

[jtpur]

Im buyin me a trench coat

 

[sirrduke2010]

Exactly and this is another reason someone shouldn't become dependent on feeling safe because of their gun. Oftentimes in a mugging the victim is jumped and beat up. The victim may not be able to get their firearm out in time to be able to use it to defend himself or herself. Carrying a gun is no replacement for using the other skills of self defense like being aware of your surroundings, avoiding isolated locations, decreasing your awareness through wearing earphones in a dark abandoned area, etc. The handgun use is for emergencies when your safety and/or your life are at risk.

 

[sirrduke2010]

I was thinking about what you said and I have to agree. I had written about it under this heading but decided to use a new heading. Being aware, avoiding confrontations, not being there, etc. are all important ways of preventing victimization. I think having a CCW is great but if you are stupid and put yourself in a precarious position having a gun may not be enough to save you. Having a gun is supportive to keeping safe but it isn't the panacea to prevent victimization.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

OK! My primary weapon won't fire, my secondary is jammed, my BUG breaks as I draw it, my grenade's pin won't pull out, my cell phone battery is dead....
I throw open my trench coat (I not wearing anything under the trench coat). The BG dropped his/her weapon in fright and runs away. I close my trench coat and pick up the BG's weapon to add to my BG weapon collection which is quite large now that I go out at night wearing nothing but a trench coat and tennis shoes.

I'm assuming that you have a pencil sharpener under your trench coat. I can see where that would have the desired effect.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Guess I better stay at home...
and dream up scary scenarios....

 

[johnsonl]

What is the average dry weight of an African Swallow? How many African Swallows will fit in a trench coat?

 

[bubbiesdad]

What is the average dry weight of an African Swallow? How many African Swallows will fit in a trench coat?

With or without carrying coconuts?

 

[seagill]

Consider the odds of the given scene being play out. If a person knows his gun well, the potential for a misfire, FTF or such is very unlikely.

Making some here mad, also as unlikely is the need for additional magazines since the fight will be over long before a mag runs dry ir, in the event of mag failure, having the chance to replace it.

That's why I don't bother carrying a reload even when carrying a 5 shot snubby, except for my Puerto Rican reload (push dagger)

 

[papajohn428]

Hmm, next question: What is the percentage of gun guys who pick apart an extreme scenario so that they may survive the type of armed encounter than only a fraction of a percentage of a percentage of humans are ever likely to experience, who can reasonably extend their life by years or decades by merely giving up the cheeseburgers and diet Cokes...and who refuse to do so?

If my personal habits, vices and predilections are what kills me, that's MY choice. But I'll be damned if I'll willingly give up my wallet, my car, or my life because some lazy criminal miscreant decides he deserves it more than me.

In the last six years, being armed with a readily-accessible handgun has saved me from one attempted carjacking (at knifepoint), and two armed robberies (at gunpoint) and as the economy sours, I expect it to get worse. I may have bad habits, but I will be the one who decides whether my wallet stays in my own pocket or not. If they ambush me, that's another problem, but I do my best to remain in Condition Yellow nearly all the time, and it has saved my bacon several times.

As the late Col. Cooper was so fond of saying............"There is NO peace in Condition White!"

I live by those words, and so should any one who carries a firearm, a knife, or any other defensive weaponry.

 

[vytoland]

in the movie "unforgiven", will munny aims his shot gun at little bill and pulls the trigger….misfire. He throws the useless firearm, pulls the S&W model schofield and eliminates five opponents.
moral…………..when you engage the enemy and you use S&W firearms, your problems disappear.

 

[feralmerril]

These monday morning quarterbacking always gets me. It`s assumed everytime some body gets killed that they either done something wrong and with some other tatic and/or better training they would have survived and killed their opponent. So if two opposeing armys were given "perfect" training what would happen? No one gets killed, or does no one on either side survive?
There is a lot of "expert" trainers out there. I wonder if all of them are also "experianced" in haveing survived gun fights? I once read that mark spitz`s swimming coach didnt know how to swim! When braced on it, his answer was "Those who can do. Those that cant, teach!"

 

[Lost Lake]

In the last six years, being armed with a readily-accessible handgun has saved me from one attempted carjacking (at knifepoint), and two armed robberies (at gunpoint) and as the economy sours, I expect it to get worse.

Seriously?

I'd like to hear more about these incidents. Like how did you react to armed robbery?

We run these scenarios through our heads time and time again, but you have lived through them. What happened, and how did you get out of those incidents in one piece? Did you have to display your weapon? Did you arrest the perp?