Do you train for hand-to-hand?

[BCDWYO]

I guess that I would like to direct this question primarily to the older guys like me that routinely carry. I'll define "older" as over 55. Younger guys can feel free to chime in too especially if you have specific knowledge or experience in self defense training (you there Rastoff?)

Everything I've ever read says that you are much more likely to be involved in a close quarters physical altercation than a gun fight, which makes sense. It also makes sense that you can't just shoot unarmed assailants and not expect serious consequences. We are generally urged to train for this sort of combat if we undertake the responsibility of carrying a firearm. As I've aged a bit and developed typical aging changes (mild back issues, some shoulder issues, maybe heart, etc) I simply am unable to realistically train in Ju Jitsu, Krav Maga, or similar disciplines the way I maybe could have in the past. And I realize it will only get worse in the coming years. I can still effectively train with a firearm however. We all carry to defend ourselves and to be prepared, but my concern is I feel a nagging sense of being ill-prepared in this area. I stay in reasonably good shape and intend to continue to; maybe I could hold my own against some younger guys, but the effects of aging can't be stopped, and my fist-fighting days are dwindling fast! Obviously the biggest advantage of aging is wisdom and patience...ie being smart enough to avoid fist fights, but some unarmed attacks may not be avoidable.

So the question for some of you fellow mature guys is do you train for physical altercations, and if so how? Any recommendations? General thoughts on the subject?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Fishinfool]

I'll be 55 in May, so I guess I am one of the "old guys". One thing I learned after 30 years on the job - Avoid it if you can. If you have to fight someone, fight dirty, fight to win. Standing there are trading punches with someone who is younger, faster, and has more endurance then you is a fools game.

Frankly, if I am armed, and in a situation I cant walk away from, and I think someone has a reasonable chance of jumping me and winning, I am going to draw my weapon beforehand. I am not going to risk being disarmed, and my weapon being used on me or some other innocent person.

Larry

 

[Mike McLellan]

I've learned, over the past 67 years, to apologize in several languages. That, and a talent enabling me to throw myself on the ground, and weep uncontrollably has served me well.

 

[gaucho1]

All I can say..........if it's going to go......start with the finish









Avoid if AT ALL possible............very dangerous

 

[TexasArmed]

I am 67 myself. The only kind of physical fight I will have at this age will
be a gunfight. As for an assailant being unarmed, we do not have to suffer knockouts,
be mugged, be attacked by young thugs, before we draw, in order to use deadly force
in Texas. I won't start a confrontation but if I cannot retreat for one or avoid it. Many
folks have been beaten to death by young thugs who are unarmed. I do not intend to
be a victim just because a thug is unarmed, and I am old. I had such training in the Marine Corps
but at my age, I will rely upon my handguns, and avoid places where I am compelled to go unarmed.

 

[ProgressiveTruth]

Forgive me, I am neither 55 nor male. But I am considered older by many. I am disabled due to a severe car accident. I am left with an artifical hip and a broken body. I am to old to run and to broken to fight. I bought my gun because for a while disabled people were being targeted in their homes, beaten and robbed. They tried my friend next door to me. That was close enough for me. I dont know what the law says here in Pa. But I am not going to wait and tussle with someone who breaks in my home all because he is unarmed. I am shooting first.

 

[joonbis]

I am over 60 and have trained in two martial arts but as you know your skills decline as you get older. One thing I can do is a proper chock if I get an opening. Also pretty good with arm locks. I was brought in a rough area and even though I am not very big I will give it my all before drawing. So many legal issues with drawing.

 

[Protected One]

I recall hearing Massad Ayoob say that in the case of an older victim being attacked by a younger, fitter/faster assailant, the "disparity of force" of the situation gives the victim the right to use lethal force - even if the assailant is unarmed. This also applies to women being attacked by men, or a victim being attacked by multiple assailants.

You prepare physically, the best you can based on your health and abilities, but by all means protect yourself as the situation dictates! As you said, one of the benefits of age is that it normally brings wisdom, and hopefully, enough sense to avoid doing something foolish - like shooting someone for texting during a movie.

I'm 58, and earned advanced belts in two martial arts (even started Krav Maga last year), and while I feel it's important to know how to do MORE than just shoot acuratelly I'll be damned if I'm going to refrain from shooting if I believe the situation calls for it.

 

[wittmeba]

No need. This is why:

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Why Guns Are Better Than Swords - YouTube

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I was NEVER successful in "UN-armed combat. Normally I would badly bruise my opponent's knuckles with my face.
If push comes to shove in this time period, before drawing my firearm:
1. start screaming "RAPE, RAPE"!
2. Knock my opponent silly with my purse (pink in color)
3. RUN (after kicking off my high heels)
4. If my opponent (S) start chasing me, I will stop long enough to throw my freshly soiled Depend Diaper in his/their face.
5. Find a phone and call his/their Mother (s) and tattle on him/them.

Jimmy (I an't right)

 

[gm272gs]

Jest chootem !

 

[Kanewpadle]

I haven't trained in a long time. So I don't rely on it much.

Older folks need to be even more diligent in watching their surroundings. Situational awareness and avoidance will help greatly.

Thugs know that older folks can't or won't stand there and take a beating. The thugs deserve to be shot. And not just once.

One reason I carry a second gun in a jacket pocket.

 

[Yiogo]

I'm 65. There's now way I would get into a physical confrontation with anyone.
Also, I have too many physical problems to train for hand to hand.
Yiogo

 

[MichiganScott]

I'm 62, arthritic with prosthetic hips and rods in my back. I use an aluminum cane with a strap around my wrist. If necessary, this will be used to fend off any attacker until I can access my concealed weapon, which will then be used because of the "disparity of force".

I feel situational awareness will make this unlikely. I certainly do not allow myself to get into the same situations that I did 40 years ago. Avoidance is key.

 

[Xfuzz]

There is an old syain here in Texas...
"Don't start a fight with an old man..he'll likely
just kill ya".

 

[Protected One]

There is an old syain here in Texas...
"Don't start a fight with an old man..he'll likely
just kill ya".

Quite often - usually when watching a movie or TV, the conversation went like this:
Me: "He's making a mistake"
Wife: What's that?
Me: Messin with the old guy.
(Sure enough, something bad always happens to them)
Now, when we watch TV or movies, I simply ask -"What was his mistake???"
Her: Messin with the old guy!

 

[shouldazagged]

I'm 76 with COPD and head-to-toe arthritis. Knees are bone on bone. Can't run and couldn't survive a physical fight in one piece. Fortunately I live in a castle doctrine, stand-your-ground state.

Equally fortunately, I'm retired, no longer drive after dark, and almost never have to go into areas known to be dicey.

 

[66Park]

Glad to see a huge dose of reality in this thread. There is no way I am able to duke it out with some young thug and come out on top. I studied Aikido quite intensely (eight classes per week for a long time) when I was younger with one of the students of the man who originated Aikido. Two years after I stopped going to classes (I moved to another city and there was nobody to study with), I was mugged by a guy with a gun and a sharpened screwdriver. There was no way my out of practice Aikido skills could have done a damned thing for me. Now, if I'd had a 1911, like I did after that incident, it might have been a very different story.

 

[Protected One]

Glad to see a huge dose of reality in this thread. There is no way I am able to duke it out with some young thug and come out on top. I studied Aikido quite intensely (eight classes per week for a long time) when I was younger with one of the students of the man who originated Aikido. Two years after I stopped going to classes (I moved to another city and there was nobody to study with), I was mugged by a guy with a gun and a sharpened screwdriver. There was no way my out of practice Aikido skills could have done a damned thing for me. Now, if I'd had a 1911, like I did after that incident, it might have been a very different story.

Sounds like you got out of the situation unscathed, in spite of having no gun and diminished Aikido skills? If all it cost you was some $$$...you're the winner.

 

[Bat Guano]

Depends on the situation. My super-active grandson is crowding 5 years old and has a 4 month old German Shepherd puppy.

It's touch and go around here, let me tell you.