Time to buy a gun ... again

[mike c]

too bad there were no hits.

 

[j_garcia]

Hits or not, lots of respect to that old guy. He seemed quite composed in the situation, so he may be ex-military or LEO, or just one collected dude.

And their reaction was as funny as they come too.

 

[GlocksRock]

The article I read says both guys were hit. Just nothing fatal, unfortunately. Glad that guy had a gun and wasn't afraid to use it.

 

[j_garcia]

Watching that video, I can't see how he wouldn't have hit at least one or both at that distance. May have been a .380 without personal defense loads or something, because it looked pretty compact. Very easily a .380 with a target load would not penetrate well through multiple layers of clothing. If it was a 9mm with personal defense load, those guys would not still have been running. The first one would almost certainly have been dead and the second would have had a limp for life.

 

[mike c]

so that guy kept his pistol chambered.

i'm afraid of carrying that way ...

 

[j_garcia]

so that guy kept his pistol chambered.

i'm afraid of carrying that way ...

Probably. Even if it has a safety, that's risky.

Ironically, I am going to look at a carry gun tonight

 

[its phillip]

I don't see the point in carrying if one isn't chambered

 

[mike c]

I don't see the point in carrying if one isn't chambered

one guy, who's opinion on the matter i respect, says:

"if you don't have time to chamber a round, you don't have time to draw your pistol"

he adds

"retreat to a safer location, draw your weapon, chamber and engage"

 

[its phillip]

Well, people will of course have different opinions - if that works for him and you, then that's great. I think I will carry with a round chambered. I would hope to never be in a situation where I would need to use it

 

[GlocksRock]

I always carry with one in the pipe, but I also don't carry something like a 1911 where I would have to remember to drop the safety everytime I draw, I mostly carry Glocks.

 

[mike c]

I always carry with one in the pipe, but I also don't carry something like a 1911 where I would have to remember to drop the safety everytime I draw, I mostly carry Glocks.

that's my issue ... my CC is the HS9 (springfield XD to you guys)

it doesn't have the slide safety ... only the trigger and grip safety (that's one up on the glocks ) and i still fear it enough not to chamber a round.

the safety "features" are the same things you use to fire the weapon. (i still love my feet or jewels too much)

 

[GlocksRock]

My index finger is the only safety I need, I don't want to waste any time having to chamber a round, if I find myself in a situation where I need to draw and shoot immediately. I guess the comfortability with carrying a round chambered comes with time and familiarity with your gun and carry rig. Someone from 25 feet away with a running start could be on top of you quicker than you can draw your weapon, so forget about having enough extra time to rack the slide under pressure.

 

[j_garcia]

I am pretty confident I can rack the slide quick enough in most cases, but I agree, there could be situations where there isn't going to be much time and in those instances I probably won't be relying on the gun; god forbid it ever comes to any of those situations. That's what practice is for, and for the carry gun, there should be plenty of practice.

In the example of the 71yr old guy, he had enough time to draw, rack and aim. Can't really see if he did, but there was enough time to do it before they were even aware he was doing anything.

 

[ACsGreens]

Need Strapped

Some may find this rediculous, and need to note that I am not a "prepper", but do certainlly respect their cause. I am deathly afraid of what may happen in Iran in the next couple of months coupled with the severe drought here in the states. I feel i need some protection, but have never fired a gun. Does anyone have some recommendations for eithr hand or rifle, or both. My family living in chaos is the main goal here. Hope I don't sound crazy, but **** is getting scary. Already have cash, food, water and meds but need protection. THX
AC

 

[its phillip]

My opinion is that you really should go out to your local range and try a number of weapons, until you find some that feel good in your hands and that you can shoot comfortably and accurately...I also think you should see if they offer any beginner classes and take one of those as well (preferably before you start shooting/handling firearms).

 

[j_garcia]

Agreed. The range up the street from my work offers a basics class that teaches you: 1) Safety 2) How to handle (load unload, make safe) both a pistol and revolver and 3) Safety. You get to shoot only small caliber in the main class and the optional third day lets you shoot a variety all the way up to a .44 Magnum if you choose. Something that covers the basics is a good idea if you've never shot.

 

[ACsGreens]

I'm thinking Desert Eagle.

 

[j_garcia]

I'm thinking Desert Eagle.

.44 mag or .50? Choices

 

[sholling]

I am pretty confident I can rack the slide quick enough in most cases, but I agree, there could be situations where there isn't going to be much time and in those instances I probably won't be relying on the gun; god forbid it ever comes to any of those situations. That's what practice is for, and for the carry gun, there should be plenty of practice.

In the example of the 71yr old guy, he had enough time to draw, rack and aim. Can't really see if he did, but there was enough time to do it before they were even aware he was doing anything.

There is no time to rack a slide. If you need to see for yourself watch the Mythbuster's test. Generally 21 feet is considered the minimum separation distance for having any chance of drawing and firing before a bad guys is on you even with a loaded chamber. Even then it doesn't mean that he will die before landing a fatal wound on you. I've had the opportunity to attend shoot/no-shoot scenario training and it's just amazing how fast things can go south even with the weapon already in your hand and ready to fire and you know something is likely to happen.

I'm thinking Desert Eagle.

Perhaps a S&W M&P9c would be a more practical first handgun . Compact, super reliable, inexpensive and cheap to practice with.

The advice to go to a range that rents handguns and try out a few is excellent advice. And then as soon as you get your new pistol take a few classes. The CCW class will give you some ideas of the legal ins and outs of self defense but you'll also want a few more in depth how to use it in an emergency classes. Figure at least three 5-8 hour training sessions. Things that come in handy like general marksmanship, speedy reloads, clearing malfunctions, drawing and firing safely, and eventually shooting on the move. There are training centers all over the US that teach those but not all in one day.

Then plan to budget a bare minimum of 1 hour and 50-100rds or more a month to stay proficient and 4 times that would be better.

 

[Adam]

While not a real scientific assessment, the Mythbuster study backs up others that have been made. If someone that close rushes me, the only thing that I'm likely guaranteed to do is start (not finish) wetting myself.

It is pretty amazing how much ground someone can cover so quickly if you've never thought about it. I saw a guy (meth head, most likely) running through the Home Depot parking lot with a large spool of copper wire - that stuff isn't lightweight, and he was hauling. On the flip side, it's also pretty amazing how much ground I can cover that quickly when I see someone with a knife rushing me. My "fight or flight" instincts are pretty solidly in the flight corner.