Debunking Myth: Shoving Muzzle into Threat(s) Gut

That book unintended consequences talked about this. They used an old revolver to take a guard, described how the gas blew into the body like a balloon. Sounded nuts.

“Sounds like someone needs to make a couple of "meat targets."”

That would have to come with a few caveats, though. ;-)

No need for Night Sights.

The blow back of blood and gore is pretty nasty on a contact shot which I have done slaughtering live stock with a .38 special . I prefer a shot from about 6" , you don't get splattered as bad and have to clean out your gun . I've seen two suicides in my life , one with a .44 mag and one with a .38 special both contact shots and both real nasty , the .44 being far worse and that was a woman

At shove-against-opponent’s-body distance, I would be VERY concerned about retaining control of the weapon. Placing a weapon against an opponent could cause an action which beats my reaction time, so, I am going to be keeping the weapon in a “High #2,” if at all possible. (My High #2 is what some instructors would call a “pec” or pectoral index.)

BTW, attending Shivworks ECQC, in 2005/2006, broke me of thinking that the “hip” position has any value, whatsoever, in weapon retention. Holding my weapon anywhere near my hip level is tantamount to asking that my weapon be snatched.

Firing from a High #2 has the added advantage of placing shots into more-important bits than an opponent’s guts.

So, yes, academically, a contact shot might well stop an opponent more decisively, but, realistically, if I am justified in using lethal force, and need to stop the threat ASAP, I am going to use that force when the barrel is aligned with the desired bullet path, rather than take any added time to effect a contact shot.

sgt127 said:

A very famous gut shot.

View attachment 953750

I got curious so, I looked up the autopsy report.

That .38 Special tore up almost every vital organ in his body!!

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Fake news photo.
This is really what was going on in the DPD basement....

Am I the only one that caught the graffiti on the wall? Well played Armybrat.
Memories. Of my youth.

The guy in the cowboy hat? This is him just before he passed at 99. Jim Leavelle.

He survived Pearl Harbor and having the assassin of the President of the US shot out from under him.

An exclusive club of one.

Just a great guy.

Armybrat said:

Fake news photo.
This is really what was going on in the DPD basement....

View attachment 954404

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That picture always tickled me.

As an aside, I have stood in that exact spot. Walked through there many times.

Capt Will Fritz, legendary DPD Homicide Detective, had a cell reserved for “his” prisoners at the old DPD headquarters.

it was the cell Lee Harvey Oswald was in before he was moved, and killed.

A few hours later, Jack Ruby was sitting in that exact cell.

I have a few pictures of me in that cell. And the view from that cell.

It’s not impressive. A window to the far left and, a wall across from you.

But, it’s “the” cell on Harwood.

So that I can catch up in this discussion; why are we shooting other people in the gut?

Steve S. said:

So that I can catch up in this discussion; why are we shooting other people in the gut?

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Self defense "what ifs".

When I think of a revolver.. that would be a
Belly gun .. would be my Charter Boomer

16.5 oz ported 44 spl

I have seen some contact wounds where the muzzle blast has separated the skin from the meat but otherwise did the same thing it would have done from a slightly further distance.

To me ... I look at a contact snubbie or revolver shot .. would be in a contact rumble .. ground and pound type of situation.. were a revolver is pulled from a pocket or holster / ankle holster and used in self preservation type of situation...