Have you ever had to draw your weapon in defense?

Once, about 15 years ago. Saw a guy crossing the road headed straight for me while stopped at a stop light. He grabbed the door handle, which was locked then looked up to see a 357 pointed at his head. He changed his mind real quick like. ended up getting arrested about 5 minutes later for retail theft. Scared the daylights out of me though!
 
The heck with the laws and how they may be interpreted. While
some may believe a person to be in violation of the law or, "what
a court might decide if you pull a gun in a dangerous situation",
i'll gladly be judged by 12 than carried by 6. All a person can do
is use common sence and hope that serves them well.
 
I have drawn my sidearm on occasion but only used it twice.

That said, I do not feel state laws need to be of concern. Which is more important, your life, that of fmaily members or a state law? If you feel the absolute need to pull a gun, then you may be able to explain your actions later.

When I was in flight school, I was taught there is a certain point one reaches where they must either take off or abort. The same is true with carrying a sidearm. There is a time when it is too late to draw your weapon. A delay while thinking of laws, the taking of life or whatever can be deadly.

I often laugh at some that carry their guns in places that are difficult to reach. While none of us are Quick Draw McGraw, if you have a couple of armed thugs about to rob and beat you, rape your female accomplice, you need to get your weapon now and not 30 seconds from now. Ankle holsters will not provide that access. Fireams inside the bottom of a purse will not provide that access. A gun holstered inside a button down shirt will not provide that access.

People do not seriously consider what can happen once they get a carry permit. There are things that may or may not happen. You will either never need the gun or you will need it. If you never need it, then great. If you need it though, it will not be the time to think about laws, if you want to take the life of another, is the threat real or perceived and much more. It is also not the time to have a gun so well concealed that you spend seconds getting to it. While it may be easy to practice when not under stress and with an unloaded gun, in real life, it is much different. Pulling a gun or the use of such should not be taken lightly. I know several that carry but will admit to not being able to pull the trigger on someone.
 
Oldman45, I am also a pilot and your analogy is a good one. There comes a point when you either make a landing or go around, take off or abort, stop trying to start that dead engine and commit to an off field landing.

It's the same with a weapon. Once you produce it that line should have been crossed and you should be willing to use it.

I believe producing a weapon can escalate a situation, but I am prepared for that to happen. I won't show a weapon to try and diffuse a situation, but if it does diffuse it, that would be great. If not, I'll use my weapon.
 
Great post by oldman45!

If it is not already obvious from previous posts, there are some real advantages to pocket carry. Even a lightning-fast draw from the waist sometimes lacks the advantage that pocket carry has, that of telling the would-be perps that they may have chosen the wrong "victim." Of course, the fast-draw artist may also have ways of letting the perps know that he's armed, without actually showing the weapon.
 
In the early 1980s I had a Doberman Pincher. A huge, friendly and impressive looking dog. I walked in the local stationary store with him (he was a welcome visitor there) and picked up a copy of the New York Times.

We walked out just as a young child (about 8 years old) walked by. They nearly collided with each other and both the dog and the child were startled. I didn't think much of it. My dog showed no agression. And I walked back to my car.

But apparently the child told his father that I sicced my dog on him. The father came at us with a ball peen hammer in his hand. I had my .38 Airweight out and held close to my side. The guy was yelling about me siccing my dog on his son.

I was able to reason with him and I never pointed the weapon at him. I don't know if he noticed. I had a 135 pound, 29" tall Doberman Pincher on a leash in my left hand. A major distraction.

But the whole thing diffused and he went away.

The whole event had ugly overtones. I'm white; the child was black. The father was just protecting his son; I was protecting myself.

A bad day was avoided. But it shows how easily a misunderstanding could blow up.
 
I've had to draw my pistol once, during a car accident, the other guy came at me through an open window and started to beat on me while I was still in my car. I pulled my gun and he QUICKLY backed off, so I did not have to fire.

Once you are in a situation, you don't think about the laws, you think about saving your life. That guy was about 1/2 second from being shot in the head.

The LEO that arrived told the guy he was lucky, they would have shot him anyway.
 
Do you remove your weapon from its holster while in the car, for easier access? It seems reaching down to grab it would be difficult, unless it was a cross-draw to your weak side.
 
depends on the situation ... extended trips Ill go to a two gun arrangement.
One under the seat and one on my person.
that avoids having to handle a gun at various rest and fuel stops.
short trips, it stays on me
 
I have fired weapons (AGM-88 missiles) in Iraq in "defense", but they were much larger than what we are talking about here and didn't get "drawn".

I have never had to draw a hangun for self-defense. If I did that movement would likely be followed immediately with multiple shots. If I draw a weapons I plan to use it. The only theoretical exception would be if I was hiding from a threat (like in a closet or something) and drew it to be ready in case I was found but then wasn't found.

I have had someone draw a weapon on me. I was working in a bar in college. I was unarmed. A customer got in a fight with another one. I broke it up and kicked them both out. One of them came back about an hour later and walked up behind me while I was cleaning up. He said something and I turned around and he had a 686 .357 pointed at my head with the muzzle about 10 inches away, the hammer back. I know it was a 686 because it looked like a copy of my 686. He said "I could kill you right now". I calmly talked him down saying all kinds of BS, then called the cops when he left. This is one of 3 times in my life I actually felt like I was about to die.
 
Last edited:
24spenser said:
NO. Google '1986 FBI Miami shootout'.
Click to expand...

wow- that was insane. Looks like Manauzzi should have kept his weapon secured. You dont think about a collision, and what can happen during one. Weapon goes flying, and you might as well not have ever had it in the first place. I'd rather take a second to draw than not have the option at all.

What a tragedy.I haven't read about this. Sounds like police and FBI around the world have learned something from it though.
 
I have come VERY very close on more than one occassion...and one occasion drew a Browning High Power out of my truck's glove box and pointed it at a guy who was trying to get into my drivers seat.

I usually wear clothing that conceals a small handgun in a pocket. If my alarm bells go off, I just slip my hands into my pockets just as if I was in a relaxed pose...the sidearm pointing towards the target with my full attention on the "opposing activity" while not looking like I am doing so.

No one...not even the "opposing party" is the wiser and I keep it that way.

Yes, there is a reason I am keeping this vague.
 
I have pulled my gun in defence! You will draw and shoot the way you train!! I never remember reaching, or drawing the gun. The first thing I remember doing was getting a "site picture". He ran so fast I couldn't get a shot but he was seeking guidance from above as he ran.........
 
99mikegt said:
Do you remove your weapon from its holster while in the car, for easier access? It seems reaching down to grab it would be difficult, unless it was a cross-draw to your weak side.
Click to expand...

I am a leftie, it normally dosen't get in the way as I drive a pick up truck. But this happened while driving my sons car, I was carrying my newest gun, Keltec PF9, in my pocket. It was uncomfortable, so I moved it into the door pocket. As the guy was guy was hitting me throught the window, all I had to do was reach down.
 
i had to draw on an individual armed with a knife. Knew him personally, he was off his meds. He was a few yards away. I sternly instructed him to drop it, he refused, I drew from my shoulder holster and leveled on his chest, kept my finger out of the trigger guard. I repeated my command, he complied and then attempted to choke me I restrained him with my left hand and kept the weapon extended away from his reach with my right, pushed him away, retreated and called for help. Got sick afterwards. Never want to be in that situation again. I think the best possible outcome is what was reached.
 
Having the weapon accessible is pretty obvious, but often overlooked. I usually carry at 4:00 on my strong side, but in a car with a seat belt on, getting that gun out in a hurry is going to be durn near impossible. If I plan on being in a car in a bad area I'll opt for a shoulder holster if I have a choice ahead of time. I'm not a huge fan of ankle holsters but in a car they're a viable option.

When a scumbag decided to carjack me a few years ago, my Guardian Angel was on duty............I'd moved the .380 from the console of my car and shoved it under my leg two blocks before the trouble started, so I would remember to take it inside when I got home. I don't remember putting my hand on it when he pulled the knife......it was just a split-second thing. One second I'm looking at these two jokers walking up to my car, the next second it was aimed between his eyebrows from an inch away with the hammer halfway back.

If I'd had to dig that gun out from behind my right hip in a snug holster with a seat belt on, things would NOT have turned out so well. Keep it where you can get to it!
 
Another option is to mount a holster in the driver's compartment. Several fellas have done this on my truck forum. You have to remember to take the darn thing in with you though.
 
My second primary hand gun rides in a crossdraw holster that I can access even wearing a seat belt. Yes, I carry two primary hand guns.

ECS
 
Not with a handgun.

Back in the '80s I had to point an HK93A3 at a guy who was trying to force a friend and me off of the Interstate in the middle of the night, in a probable carjacking attempt.

I saw a DeLorean travel through time in a movie, but that night I saw a Datsun go faster than the speed of light...
 
I've come close a few times with 2 legged pests. I was practicing out in the boondocks once, my target had fallen. As I came back from setting it up, a large red Doberman suddenly appeared. Torn ear, missing eye, lather dripping from its mouth. As he growled and started towards me, I realized I only had 2 rds plus 1 in the chamber (6906 9mm). He lunged, I fired all three and jumped behind a large rock. The 3 rds did the job, and I packed up pronto. I relive that scenario once in a while, and it still makes my pulse pound.
 
dirty gary said:
I've come close a few times with 2 legged pests. I was practicing out in the boondocks once, my target had fallen. As I came back from setting it up, a large red Doberman suddenly appeared. Torn ear, missing eye, lather dripping from its mouth. As he growled and started towards me, I realized I only had 2 rds plus 1 in the chamber (6906 9mm). He lunged, I fired all three and jumped behind a large rock. The 3 rds did the job, and I packed up pronto. I relive that scenario once in a while, and it still makes my pulse pound.
Click to expand...

Good god man, are you sure you wern't infected?!? Have you been feeling aggression? An urge to eat brains?
 
I've not had to do so and pray that I never will. I want to express my appreciation to all here who have responded to the OP. I understand that it's something you really would rather not discuss, but nonetheless it is very helpful to the rest of us to ponder from your experiences what can happen and how to deal with it. Can't guarantee positive results, of course, but far better than nothing.

Andy
 
STOP!

99mikegt...I want you to stop for a moment. While these anecdotal stories are interesting, you may need to consider your question a bit more carefully. The way I read it, you have your permit, live in NY, yet don't know the law about when you can employ your weapon? Would you attempt to fly a plane before you had the training; read the rules and complied with the laws pertaining to flight? I think not, but if you are doing that with your sidearm, you are unprepared, untrained and potentially a danger to yourself and others...including me. You are also setting yourself up for serious danger, arrest and a potential lawsuit that will strip you of your underwear. So, get trained and keep retraining. Practice and repractice. Read and reread your state laws and keep abreast of new changes. Know your gun, its ammunition and your own capabilities. Determine if you are a calm person or one who goes ballistic at the slightest provocation. Find out what others would label you as...a solid citizen or a "flake." Join a shooting club and shoot with others and ask them to evaluate you. Qualify on the range with a competent instructor and keep the records. Play "What If" as you are doing here, but never rely on the stories of others to determine how YOU would act when the SHTF. Play "I'm a Jury Member" and ask yourself the questions that you'd have to answer in court. Good luck and be safe!
 
I would honestly suggest that you plan carefully on when you would feel justified in taking a life, widowing a wife and orphaning children. Think long and hard before the next time you pick up your sidearm. Prisons can only hold a man's body, guilty or innocent. It is in your own mind that the real punishment comes, and where the real torture sets in. You won't have time to think of this when the real problem confronts you, if you've trained properly the weapon will come out before you have a chance to think all this over, never draw a weapon without the full intention of destroying what is on the other side of your weapon. I didn't have to fire when my turn came, but I came a few pounds of pressure away from taking away a very nice lady's son. If it happened again I would do everything the same after he pulled the knife. It doesn't change the fact that I have to come to terms with it and relive the situation every single day.
 
jimmyj said:
Once:
The Swedish Bikini Team attempt to take me hostage for immoral purposes. I drew down on them. These Girls have to learn that not all S&W Forum members are easy.
Click to expand...

I bet you 'drew down on them'.... Probably had your 'weapon' out in a hurry!!! Pointed straight at them! Or pointed straight in the sky. ;)

Ah the Swedish bikini team..... :D
 
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