Is "six" still enough for defense?
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trackskippy
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It has nothing to do with how you live, simply whether or not you "want" to do it. And no one is saying to do something you don't want to do, simply, if you want to do it, you figure it out.
If you "want" to put limitations on yourself, knock yourself out. All I'm saying is, it's not necessary, and you're simply doing yourself a disservice by doing so, because you've convinced yourself, or have been convinced by others, that you "can't".
If you "want" to put limitations on yourself, knock yourself out. All I'm saying is, it's not necessary, and you're simply doing yourself a disservice by doing so, because you've convinced yourself, or have been convinced by others, that you "can't".
Are you talking about carrying a Glock or riding around in a armored car with a M4?
Seems like the same logic would apply in either case.
trackskippy
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Im talking about doing what Im constantly told here by a lot of people "cant" be done.
jar
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There are a whole herd of us old farts out in the wild today.
For many if not most of us the number of rounds available while still a consideration is way way down the list. For us, self defense is more a matter of time, luck and mobility.
I am not going to attempt any 40 yard shots in a mall (actually I'm almost certainly not going to even be in a mall). In a closer encounter time really becomes the major factor and if the situation is not resolved in a matter of seconds I'm going to lose. If I make it past the initial 30 seconds or so luck and mobility rise to the top of the list. Can I amble (I ain't moving at much faster than that pace), creep or crawl out of danger or hunker down and make myself less of a target?
In all the scenarios though I'm unlikely to be able to use more than a handful of rounds regardless of how many I brought along with me.
For many if not most of us the number of rounds available while still a consideration is way way down the list. For us, self defense is more a matter of time, luck and mobility.
I am not going to attempt any 40 yard shots in a mall (actually I'm almost certainly not going to even be in a mall). In a closer encounter time really becomes the major factor and if the situation is not resolved in a matter of seconds I'm going to lose. If I make it past the initial 30 seconds or so luck and mobility rise to the top of the list. Can I amble (I ain't moving at much faster than that pace), creep or crawl out of danger or hunker down and make myself less of a target?
In all the scenarios though I'm unlikely to be able to use more than a handful of rounds regardless of how many I brought along with me.
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buck460XVR
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Yep...exactly what I said........and a 5 shot revolver at that! Don't see where that response contradicts anything I said in this thread. Especially when this was my response two posts later when asked "why?".
...notice no where was capacity involved.
Again, I have no problem with what others have chosen for their EDC. Just seems others have an issue with what I chose. I have come to the conclusion on many of these forums that others feel the need to dis the choices of others, in order to somehow validate their own choice to themselves. Something folks who are already secure in their choices, do not need to do.
Charlie Martinez
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I am with jar. I do not disagree that having greater round capacity is better than having less. But better is not the same as necessary.
As a member of the old fart fraternity I have mobility issues these days and my SD strategy depends 99.9% on not putting myself in a position where I can get blind sided. To me CC is mostly added insurance for the extremely rare 0.1% situation and so I'm fine with a 5-shot revolver.
I would definitely pack more rounds if my revolver had room but having only 5 shots doesn't concern me because the way I figure it if I can't win a close quarters gunfight with the first 2 or 3 shots I am not going to have much chance to shoot more even if I have another 7 or 8 rounds left in the gun.
As a member of the old fart fraternity I have mobility issues these days and my SD strategy depends 99.9% on not putting myself in a position where I can get blind sided. To me CC is mostly added insurance for the extremely rare 0.1% situation and so I'm fine with a 5-shot revolver.
I would definitely pack more rounds if my revolver had room but having only 5 shots doesn't concern me because the way I figure it if I can't win a close quarters gunfight with the first 2 or 3 shots I am not going to have much chance to shoot more even if I have another 7 or 8 rounds left in the gun.
The_Quartermaster
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^^ this right here, we're a community, a family of sorts even if fragmented and chaotic and motley. But those choosing to mock, belittle, talk down, be obtuse to, do so in order to self validate their own choices. Meanwhile those that are the objects of such invalidated ire, are not doing the same upon those that are griefing them the most.
I suggest ignoring them, as I have using this site's feature to do just so. Soon enough when they stop getting responses they'll figure it out, that's IF their narcissism and if intelligence enough to even begin to notice, allows them to. Their narcissisms says no, the critical thinking is a toss up to be real honest IMO though.
And from personal experiences from multiple meet and greet shoots I've hosted and done from with another forum, the mouthy ones doing the talking downs and in some cases insulting, never, EVER show up. Meanwhile those who carry a 1911, a revolver, a single stack subcompact, or even a Glock because they don't care for this needless stupidity within our community, are some of the best salt of the earth folks you'd ever have the pleasure of meeting. Imagine that. Huh.
I also carry a G17 (easily and every day) because to me, there is no difference between it or a smaller G26. The way I’m built I can conceal the bigger gun. Most importantly, I shoot the bigger gun better. That’s not overkill or trying to justify a tank or anything else extreme, it’s carrying what I shoot best. I also really like that what I shoot best holds 18 rounds. I’ll use as little ammo as possible in a defense situation and hopefully that will be zero rounds no matter what I carry.
I’ve tried an SP101, GP100, and a LCR. They’re not for me. I’m slow as dirt and bill drills are more out of the target than in. Same for small autos. It’s safer for everyone to carry what they shoot best.
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The_Quartermaster
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Cool, you're carrying around what fits you and that you can shoot even better with. And there's no shame in admitting that you aren't as good with anything less than a G17.
This is what I shoot the best for subcompacts though, and the false narrative I keep seeing is that even a G43X isn't eNoUgH gUn.
15 yards, even though I still shoot my 17 and 45 better. With those placements, is the bad guy going to get back up and say "Wow! Was that a G17 or a subcompact Glock you kilt me with???" No, they most certainly will not. Same for revolvers either.
And being one of many who drove around in armored things with machineguns and M4's, this isn't the same correlation.
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Good for you, not everybody is. Would love to see a photo of you in shorts and t shirt with that G17 showing it not printing.
Some of the different opinions here are probably based on people being at different stages of life. I’m not quite as old of an old fart as some on this forum. More middle aged people might still have kids at home and are concerned about getting between a bad guy and their family when out a mall or just out in public. Of course even old farts can have lots of fight in them and be the “tactical” type too. Either way we should carry what we shoot best if possible. I just prefer more capacity and fortunately it’s also what I shoot best.
In my opinion for the average altercation 6 is enough. You just have to decide if your comfortable with that. Most people that carry will never need their firearm. I hope I am in that category. I’ve always carried at least Two J-Frames and reloads for each. For the past year (almost) I’ve added semi autos to the carry rotation. Now that I have more rounds available, I don’t think I have that much more advantage. Maybe I just got drawn in to the saying “ you could never have too much ammo”. Either way, I hope I never need any of it.
trackskippy
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Not shorts, but whats the difference?
And you assume because we carry a full size gun we cant shoot the smaller guns as well? How uppity arrogant of you.
How fast were you moving and shooting when you shot that little group? Looks like some static shooting to me. I guess theres no shame in that, but it is pretty basic stuff.
This was from 10 yards and in and I wasnt standing still for most of it when I shot it.
Do that with all sorts of "smaller" stuff too, and Im not just a single-platform shooter.
And good for you riding around in armor with 240's and M4's and a bunch of buddies armed the same. Must be nice to have all that support. Some of us got to walk around and work on the ground in some "really" nice neighborhoods in places like North Philly, Camden, Newark, etc, in nothing but our street clothes and good looks. And there were only two of us, no back up, and no overwatch, and we didnt exactly "fit in", and the natives werent exactly friendly. You arent the only one whos been in ugly places.
I’m not posting pictures but look at trackskippy’s. I’m built like him but with wider shoulders. My nickname used to be “little Arnold.” I’m lucky to be able to carry a full size gun in almost any clothes. I’ll admit this might have swayed my feelings on capacity. And since I’m not usually drowning or on fire, I’ll carry more ammo.
Blkhrt13
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Depends on common sense and circumstance. I carry based on what my likelihood of needing a tool will be. This applies to everything. I’m not bringing my iPad to the woods or my Ar to the mall.
Looks like somebody obviously carrying.
No they won't, I've read that in about half of SD situations the perp will disengage at the first shot from the victim, as you said they don't stick around to speculate what caliber just whizzed by their ear or how many rounds might be left. They might be criminals but they aren't stupid.
Nice shooting, and just because of this thread at the range today I shot a steel plate at 25 yards with my G42 and hit it more often than not. That is far beyond the normal SD range.
So has anyone on this thread ever been in a SD situation where six wasn't enough?
trackskippy
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LOL. Then I guess its a good thing you werent the one looking in all those NPE's Ive been in over the years carrying basically the same way, and a few others. I guess all those people were blind and you have x-ray eyes.
Personally, no. But if you get to checking around, its not all that uncommon, and some were quite dramatic. And from what Ive seen, most of those who were, all went to something that carried more ammo, and they carried more ammo on their persons as well. I guess they must have learned something from the experience.
Of course, youll never know until its your turn in the barrel, and hopefully, that day never comes. Id still try and be as best prepared as I could though, even though youre constantly told you dont need be. You got "a gun", and youre good to go.
I have heard of that happening with some in law enforcement, I was asking about civilians.
Of course, youll never know until its your turn in the barrel, and hopefully, that day never comes. Id still try and be as best prepared as I could though, even though youre constantly told you dont need be. You got "a gun", and youre good to go.
I can't argue with that, but for those who can't or choose not to carry your rig (do you really wear that everywhere?), we're good being prepared for the vast majority of SD situations. You can't prepare for every eventuality.
trackskippy
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Its a handgun, a reload, and a knife. Whats different than what you carry?
Jackiesman
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I like what 455 hunter said above. Have the piece that fits your comfort and ability, and practice for proficiency. The chances are you would only need one. I carried a 32Long for years but found that my sig 9 is now my preferred carry piece. And under most circumstances one will probably be enough. 6 in a good wheel gun is a good comfort zone, and a speed clip gets you to the confident zone, and pretty much on par with the average semi-auto.
Oldschool shooter
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I've been carrying 5 for years in my J-frame. Thankfully, I've never needed 1. I do carry extra rounds, but,like most of us, will probably never need to use any of them.
A much smaller and lighter handgun and reload and no knife.
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