With all of the talk of self defense,

[pmanton]

I was riding my bicycle to work graveyard at 11:00 PM. A car full of young men came along side of me. One of the punks leaned out of the car and smashed a large bottle over my head. (I was wearing a bike helmet),

They proceeded down the road for 100-150 yards or so and stopped for a light.

I became instantly enraged and tried to catch them on my bike. (to this day I can't believe I did that)

They took off went around the block and came along side me again. One of them leaned out of the car and tried to hit me or knock me off my bike. I grabbed him and tried to push him under the wheels. I think my bike was leaning against the car being drug along. We weren't going very fast.

The car pulled ahead of me and I hadn't fallen nor pulled the guy out of the car.

They stopped a little way up the road and several of them got out of the car. I then remembered my gun.

I also remembered that I had lost it and escalated the situation and was in a real bad situation. I had done wrong and it was 4 against 1.

I broke the rules and fired a warning shot into the ground.

They got back in the car in seconds and were gone!

I went to a phone booth and called the police. I back traced my route and found the remains of the bottle.

The Officer really didn't want to take a report. I told him I had fired a shot and he told me I must be mistaken. I showed him the pistol minus one round. He did agree to make a report. He gave me a ride back home with my bike in the trunk.

Even though I had a helmet on I had been bashed pretty hard and cut.
I went to the ER to be checked out. Since it was Sunday I lost a time and a half shift. And the pleasure of riding my bike to work on swing and graveyard was completely ruined.Every time a car came by I was reaching for my pistol,

Oh and I dumped the Beretta .25 and bought a larger carry pistol.

This was about 1998 or so in Tacoma, WA.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Curious as to how barrel length, sights, caliber, load, holster type and location would have changed the outcome?

They wouldn't

 

[Echo40]

In the aftermath of a violent encounter, it is natural to reflect upon it, and many folks often reach the conclusion that what they were carrying was insufficient, regardless of how the event played out.

However, I can say based on experience that when something really terrifies you, when you really feel hopeless/helpless in a situation, and fear for your life, then regardless of what you were carrying at that time, in the aftermath you'll still feel like what you had wasn't enough. Honestly, regardless of whether you're carry a .22 Pistol, a .45, or even a 12 Gauge, if you were terrified in that moment, you'll still wish you had more. Terror often times defies logic/reason, even a soldier inside of a Tank can experience terror as it rolls into battle, and in that moment he'll wish he had bigger guns at his disposal, that's just the way it is. One of the most important factors for success in fending off an attack is having the confidence necessary to help overcome fear, that's why when choosing a firearm, I would encourage anyone not to hold back, don't be too intimidated by the firearm or its recoil, because what may seem frightening at first will quickly become reassuring once you've mastered it, and that confidence will aid you greatly in a fight.
However, that obviously doesn't mean that you should go crazy and attempt to carry a .500 S&W Magnum, nor that you shouldn't carry a small caliber firearm that you otherwise have total confidence in, merely that if you aren't truly confident in what you are considering carrying, then you ought to carry something more that does make you feel confident.

It is an indisputable fact that shot placement is the single most decisive factor in successfully stopping a threat, and factually speaking, with proper shot placement, any cartridge can stop a threat. However, while a .22 Short to the eye socket will almost certainly stop at attacker, it doesn't make any difference if you're so paralyzed by fear in that moment that you cannot fire your gun, or hesitate to do so out of doubt that it would be ineffective, so I would suggest that whatever you carry be something that you have total faith in. In the aftermath of a gunfight, it's entirely possible that you'll find yourself wishing that you had more, because sometimes fear is even worse when revisited in memories than it was at the time it occurred. But what's important is that when a threat comes along, that you have confidence in what you carry so that you can react quickly, decisively, and with as clear a mind as possible.

I carry a Ruger LCP with me everywhere I go because it's extremely easy/convenient to do so, and I have enough confidence in it to get the job done in a pinch. However, whenever I can, I carry a .40 as well, because that's what I am the most confident with.The LCP is just fine in a pinch, but I don't shoot it all that well, being such a small gun with such tiny sights, so I'm more confident with something bigger.

 

[seldon14]

The FBI unified crime report is hanging somewhere around 1.2 million reported aggravated felony assaults annually where the victim was severely injured. 3,300 a day. That's just what's getting reported back to the FBI.

There's 250 million adults in the U.S. (likely victims), so there's what, a 1 in 200 chance of being a victim of a felony assault in any given year. And the FBI report is only the assaults that actually happened, not ones that were preempted by defensive use of a weapon. Those odds don't seem so trivial.

Was going to post something similar. successful Defensive use of a firearm doesn't necessarily end in a death, or even an injury.

Never had a "real" self defense scenario. Closest has been 2 encounters with drunks.

1. Lived in an apartment directly next to campus. A few drunk college kids had wandered in through the unlocked screen door. I had a hand on my Mossberg 500 behind the interior door frame of the next room, while my roommate and I convinced them they had the wrong apartment. They where literally just confused drunken college kids, that where headed to the identical apartment one building down.

2. Drunk dude smashed his car through the front glass of a gas station. Didn't draw, but was on high alert until I verified it wasn't a robbery or assault, and was just a drunk driving incident.

 

[sjs]

Yes. I was not the hero of the tale, just a witness, but I think the sights, the caliber and the barrel length played a role.

Almost 40 years ago I lived on an Army post and one night a neighbor NCO decided to settle a poker dispute with his 1911 and commenced to chase his father in law around the street while firing shots in his general direction.
I called the MP's and went out to try to assist and was close to him when the MP car pulled up. He sent a round through the windshield and the MP hit the gas and went past us to what later measured almost exactly 100 yards. The MP did an emergency 180 degree stop and as the car was coming to a stop, opened the door, stepped out, drew his 1911 and started firing from behind the door.

You could see the sparks and dust as the bullets struck the pavement short of the NCO, and he walked the volley up until he hit the man with the last shot. The NCO went down with that one shot.

I doubt the result would have been as good had it been a snub nose revolver in .22.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Who has been in a real life self defense situation ?

Curious as to how barrel length, sights, caliber, load, holster type and location would have changed the outcome?

Thanks Horseapple

None of the above mentioned are as important as the mindset of the individual carrying whatever.
Remember this-the most dangerous person in a room is the one who is always looking around and not saying too much be he a good guy or a bad guy

 

[crazyphil]

I have told this story before, but at the risk of making you nauseous, I'll
tell it again:

It was 1944 or 1945, I don't remember the exact date. It was summer
time. We had no AC so the back door was open with just a latched screen
door.

There happened to be a German POW (Prisoner of War) camp down the
street a few blocks at Tautphaus Park.

In the middle of the night I was awaked by my Mother's scream. I
jumped out of bed and ran to the back door. There was a man rattling
the door, trying to get the hook to jump off.

My Mother yelled at me "Go get your gun". I was only 9 or 10
at the time but I did have a little single shot bolt action .22 rifle.

I didn't need to, because the man understood gun, turned and ran for
the alley. We could see the PW or POW painted on the back of his shirt
in large white letters.

Doesn't matter what language one speaks or understands. Most everyone
understands GUN.

 

[Martya]

I could seriously tell several self-defense stories, but all of them are from when I was living in NJ in the 60's-70's, so naturally no guns would have been involved, because, well, even back then, no one NEEDED a gun in NJ.

 

[jjfitch]

This from post #19!

"I'll guarantee you the last thing on our minds was sights, trigger pull, recoil, load, holster. etc."

With proper training and practice once the decision to act is made everything goes into muscle memory!

1) Get proper training and practice! (Yes I said it again!)
2) Get and use equipment that you will train and practice with! (Yep said it again!)
3) Be sure you understand the use of deadly force laws in your demographic and how you will be treated if the time comes to use deadly force!
4) Be sure understand when you can legally display a firearm!
5) Be forever vigilant and aware of your surroundings. "Don't go to stupid places where stupid people do stupid stuff"!
6) Have a plan for your loved ones where ever/when ever you "go out"!

My wife knows to leave space for me to see towards the front of or towards where any action may take place. (Entrance area, cashier, bar area etc.!)
She knows to "get down" without question if she hears "Get down!"

Smiles,

 

[Autonomous]

The original question has been diluted by a lot of advice from people that it does not pertain to.

 

[touchoneoff]

Who has been in a real life self defense situation ?

Curious as to how barrel length, sights, caliber, load, holster type and location would have changed the outcome?

Thanks Horseapple

About 15 years ago, outside of a carwash on an early Saturday morning, I had to draw down on a guy who came up on me fast, asking for gas money. He kept messing with something in his jacket pocket, and I told him to "beat it", but he persisted while taking some slow steps towards me.

I drew my sidearm, at that time a 1911, and told him to "back off"...loudly. He got the point, turned and started to walk away quickly, yelling "keep spreading that hate man"! I was like "whatever".

There was one other guy there, who was sweeping out his car, and he called the police. I unloaded my gun, and left it on the roof of the car, until they came...about five minutes or so. They were cautious at first until I pointed to the gun on my car, about fifteen feet away. I explained to them what happened, they checked me out and my DL/Permit, then said I was free to go.

Needless to say, I was glad that bum took off...was not looking for trouble, just was going to sweep the car out.

 

[Autonomous]

There were a couple hobos with clubs that had their minds changed one night by my lowly S&W Model 17.
Is a .22 my first choice? No, but it was more helpful than my 629 at home in the safe.

 

[SchemaEnigma]

...I think he was bluffing and trying to scare me. Don't think it had occurred to him that I might be carrying - for real! Had his hand started moving out of that coat I would have drawn and fired.

I don't pretend to understand self-defense law, but if he was not armed (as you suspect) and you had shot him based on his verbal threat and the movement of his hand, I'm not sure this would have ended well for you, either in criminal court or in civil court.

 

[Protected One]

I don't pretend to understand self-defense law, but if he was not armed (as you suspect) and you had shot him based on his verbal threat and the movement of his hand, I'm not sure this would have ended well for you, either in criminal court or in civil court.

With the carpet cleaning guy as a witness to all that was SAID and done, and the current laws in place, I would have been just fine.

 

[SchemaEnigma]

With the carpet cleaning guy as a witness to all that was SAID and done, and the current laws in place, I would have been just fine.

OK... I missed the point that you had a witness. Still, shooting an unarmed teen would most certainly end up in court, I would think.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Only once have I drawn a firearm in self defense. Late night, about 2 am, I was awakened by the new 20-something neighbor who had come home from a night of drinking and lord knows what else. He was at the wrong house, in my backyard, pounding on my glass patio door yelling for his roommates to let him in. He was so intoxicated that he couldn't hear or understand me. I had my 3" 13-2 in one hand and my mobile phone with the 911 dispatcher in the other. Over the course of the next 10 minutes he puked on the patio then went to my front door and began pounding away at the sturdy steel screen door. Then the police arrived. It took just minutes to figure out who this guy was and where he belonged. He never apologized and moved away about six month later. I still have the 13-2.

 

[Protected One]

OK... I missed the point that you had a witness. Still, shooting an unarmed teen would most certainly end up in court, I would think.

You ALSO missed that he was a GROWN son (~ 35yrs old)

 

[SchemaEnigma]

You ALSO missed that he was a GROWN son (~ 35yrs old)

ACK! (need 10 characters...)

 

[Maddog 521]

Is this a government collection thread?

 

[Miami_JBT]

On the clock, I've broken leather enough times to loose track. Off the clock, I've broken leather three times.

1. Was Off Duty at a Halloween Party with some friends. Drunk partygoer decides to throw down and fight since he's plastered. We kick him out of the party. He never left. Instead, he was hiding in the apartment parking lot and decided to threaten us with a tire iron as we were leaving. At the time, I had a little NAA .22LR is my pocket. I palmed it and said if he steps closer and attacks us, he's gonna have a ringing in his ear that he'll never forget. He never saw the little .22LR. He heeded my warnings and stumbled off.

2. Off Duty at a Jersey Mike's Sub Shop. It was about 9pm and kept a LCP in the pocket. As I'm walking to the truck with my order, homeless dude threatens me with a knife for my wallet. I draw the LCP. He skedaddles. Gave the local uniforms a bolo of the suspect. He was found later on plastered off heroin. They guess he mugged someone else for his fix.

3. Off duty getting a haircut. Guy I arrested two or three days prior cor DV is in the parking lot attacking his spouse. I hear the commotion and ran out with have my hair still needing to be trimmed. I draw my 642 and order him on the floor and tell others to call 911. With my other hand, I'm flashing my creds so the locals don't shoot me as they pull up.