School me on home-defense (gun related).
- Thread starter Cackalak Han
- Start date
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
Not saying they aren't. However, in a life or death situation the difference isn't noticeable.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Thanks for the tip. I guess I'll be stocking up on both calibers. 
My local PD uses .45 Federal Hydra-Shoks exclusively, for practice, qualifying and daily carry. Kinda weird that they would use such a hot and expensive round for target practice, but the range master explained that they didn't want any "surprises" for his guys and girls when out in the field.
Nadir_E
Adventurer
Training & Education
Lots of good points in this thread.
Allow me to expand on Fergie's earlier post about getting trained. Simply stated, if you do not seek proper training, you are putting yourself, your family, and your neighbors at risk if you choose to own a firearm. Sure your [Dad / Uncle / Whatever] taught you how to line up sights and blow up soda cans with the ol' .45, but that doesn't really cut it.
You wouldn't believe the kind of scary BS I've seen at local firearm ranges and the even scarier stuff out on public land. By the same token, if some people's knowledge of firearms and their use is so weak, imagine what their understanding of self defense laws must be like! A basic defensive pistol (or shotgun, or tactical rifle) class is essential to gun ownership. The "plinking" mentality is fun - but don't mistake it for being any more than that.
There are tons of schools out there with reputable instructors who will both cover the physical side of your confrontation as well as the legal side (at least as important).
Here are a few direct links:
Tactical Response
Lethal Force Institute
LMS Defense
Gunsite Academy
Suarez International
International Tactical Training Seminars
Here's a list of over 200 others here.
Most of these companies conduct training over a wide area or even internationally. Many will even be willing to come to your town and conduct a private class if you can arrange a class of ten or more people. It's up to you to do some research on the school/instructor you're considering - just like anything else, there's both gold and fool's gold out there.
Another important point in this regard - just as you don't run the same 4x trail over and over again, don't go to the same school over and over again. Seek to gain a different perspective and complimentary skills by trying more than one.
Further, if you learn how to make holes in other people, you should learn how to patch them up, too, otherwise, you have to ask yourself if the whole "gun thing" is really about being "manly" and not about being capable. An instructor of mine once said that you're much more likely to be a hero by using first-responder skills than you ever will be by using your shooting prowess. Take (or re-take) a good first aid class (including CPR cert) at your earliest opportunity.
Finally, on the subject of fear - pick up Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear: and other survival signals that protect us from violence. It could use a thread all its own, but suffice it to say that after finishing the book, I immediately bought copies for family, friends, and business partners. The bit on the back begins with, "True fear is a gift. Unwarranted fear is a curse. Learn how to tell the difference." You need this book.
Signing off with my favorite movie quote: "There's no such thing as 'tough.' There's 'trained' and 'un-trained' - which are you?" - Man on Fire
-N
Lots of good points in this thread.
Allow me to expand on Fergie's earlier post about getting trained. Simply stated, if you do not seek proper training, you are putting yourself, your family, and your neighbors at risk if you choose to own a firearm. Sure your [Dad / Uncle / Whatever] taught you how to line up sights and blow up soda cans with the ol' .45, but that doesn't really cut it.
You wouldn't believe the kind of scary BS I've seen at local firearm ranges and the even scarier stuff out on public land. By the same token, if some people's knowledge of firearms and their use is so weak, imagine what their understanding of self defense laws must be like! A basic defensive pistol (or shotgun, or tactical rifle) class is essential to gun ownership. The "plinking" mentality is fun - but don't mistake it for being any more than that.
There are tons of schools out there with reputable instructors who will both cover the physical side of your confrontation as well as the legal side (at least as important).
Here are a few direct links:
Tactical Response
Lethal Force Institute
LMS Defense
Gunsite Academy
Suarez International
International Tactical Training Seminars
Here's a list of over 200 others here.
Most of these companies conduct training over a wide area or even internationally. Many will even be willing to come to your town and conduct a private class if you can arrange a class of ten or more people. It's up to you to do some research on the school/instructor you're considering - just like anything else, there's both gold and fool's gold out there.
Another important point in this regard - just as you don't run the same 4x trail over and over again, don't go to the same school over and over again. Seek to gain a different perspective and complimentary skills by trying more than one.
Further, if you learn how to make holes in other people, you should learn how to patch them up, too, otherwise, you have to ask yourself if the whole "gun thing" is really about being "manly" and not about being capable. An instructor of mine once said that you're much more likely to be a hero by using first-responder skills than you ever will be by using your shooting prowess. Take (or re-take) a good first aid class (including CPR cert) at your earliest opportunity.
Finally, on the subject of fear - pick up Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear: and other survival signals that protect us from violence. It could use a thread all its own, but suffice it to say that after finishing the book, I immediately bought copies for family, friends, and business partners. The bit on the back begins with, "True fear is a gift. Unwarranted fear is a curse. Learn how to tell the difference." You need this book.
Signing off with my favorite movie quote: "There's no such thing as 'tough.' There's 'trained' and 'un-trained' - which are you?" - Man on Fire
-N
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Nadir_E
Adventurer
It's not fate - it's adrenaline. In the case of the kids fooling around, much less adrenaline coursing through their system - in the case of a cop in a gun fight, tons of it. The net effect is a loss of fine motor control which means much less accuracy with the weapon. You should train for and expect this.
My personal experience was in a climbing accident -a friend fell about 18 feet down a cliff-face. I rappelled down to him (don't even recall doing it - I just found myself at his feet). I yelled to some other friends to hoof it to a nearby hotel to call for help (we were in Yosemite). Then I went to cut him out of his rig and realized my hands were trembling a great deal and realized, "Oh, that's adrenaline."
A friend of mine who used to conduct bodyguard training for the team protecting the general running the 2nd Armored Division in Europe back in the 80's would have his guys sprint 200 meters and then do 25 push-up's and then immediately address the target - hearts racing and hands shaking. Very realistic physical effects.
-N
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
You can never have too much training.
I was able to attend a course hosted by the Gunsite crew at Camp Pendleton courtesy of the USMC. Great stuff and I highly recommend them.
.02
I was able to attend a course hosted by the Gunsite crew at Camp Pendleton courtesy of the USMC. Great stuff and I highly recommend them.
.02
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Is gunsite the outfit that Jeff Cooper was affiliated with? (started?)
Dave Bennett
Adventurist
Yes. He started it as the American Pistol Institute in 1976, not sure when it became "Gunsite".
SunTzuNephew
Explorer
I attended in 1982 in Arizona...it was Gunsite then.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Not only that, at the range you'd be using a self defense handgun (probably less than 20 feet) the difference in point of impact would be almost impossible to measure.
.38 should work fine for practice. Cheap to shoot, especially if you reload.
Nice thing about a DA revolver is you can use the "blank-and-ball" method to see if you are flinching when you shoot.
Mr. Leary
Glamping Excursionaire
I have seen a general lack of training related preparation in this thread.
My advise would be to invite some good friends over, and do OpFors in your house. These scenarios will quickly show you the weak and strong areas of your castle, and allow you to come up with a plan that will better exploit your advantages while trying to defend your family while half asleep. It may seem like overkill, but "practice makes better." After you have rehearsed and discussed these scenarios with your (hopefully knowledgeable friends) your reaction to a break in should be much more automatic. One of the biggest problems you can face in a break in situation is not knowing what to do...
Have yourself or freinds try to get into your house one day... it will probably be easier than you are comfortable with. Before you start loading up every weapon in your arsenal, you should focus on keeping the scary scenarios from happening in the first place. Just my opinion.
.... and yes... I have prepared in the above way... had a close call... came out on top.... and he didn't die, due to my mercy.... and I can sleep well every night.
My advise would be to invite some good friends over, and do OpFors in your house. These scenarios will quickly show you the weak and strong areas of your castle, and allow you to come up with a plan that will better exploit your advantages while trying to defend your family while half asleep. It may seem like overkill, but "practice makes better." After you have rehearsed and discussed these scenarios with your (hopefully knowledgeable friends) your reaction to a break in should be much more automatic. One of the biggest problems you can face in a break in situation is not knowing what to do...
Have yourself or freinds try to get into your house one day... it will probably be easier than you are comfortable with. Before you start loading up every weapon in your arsenal, you should focus on keeping the scary scenarios from happening in the first place. Just my opinion.
.... and yes... I have prepared in the above way... had a close call... came out on top.... and he didn't die, due to my mercy.... and I can sleep well every night.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Finally got some ammo. .357 110 gr. JHP. It's the only thing I could find. No .38's anywhere.
Thanks for the comments. Spoke to the instructor today. The class will go over much of these break-in type situations, so I'm hoping for some good training.
Thanks for the comments. Spoke to the instructor today. The class will go over much of these break-in type situations, so I'm hoping for some good training.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
Yeah, I know the local FD has an EMT training coming up soon. Will definitely take it. Been meaning to for a while now.