A Look into the Mind of a Tactical Shooter
docmagnum357,
Carry a gun...doesn't matter what! Carry it!
Imagine a time when the DA revolver was new as a commercial product. Ed McGivern was flamed for advocating the DOUBLE ACTION revolver. Apparently, he didn't like that, so he set out to PROVE the DA was better...and he did. He applied science to the problem, took many measurements, and did a road show. People got the hint, even if some gun writers never did.
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But, also remember that fighting is more than just guns. I think that is the deal on the other forum...the skills for someone preparing for a fight are different than those typically taught on the range.
So...what does that mean? Knives, fists, and fitness. Get some skill in all of them (and fitness is a skill because one has to learn the movements).
Proper training techniques and regimens will be argued until the end of time. My philosophy is: "If someone is getting flamed for a particular technique, then it's time to go learn it." I have found that the gun world is rife with "religion" and talking about anything contrary to doctrine means a call to The Gun World Inquisition.
When people talk about:
Apparently, they believe in shooting without aiming, and running around shooting at people while they are running from them and trying to get away from them or trying to attack someone else or something.
...they're really talking about maximizing their chances of survival. The shooting without aiming thing is just a means of getting a fast shot off while keeping the chance of hitting as close to 100% as possible. That means different things to different people...three feet for one person, thirty for another. We certainly don't walk around in body armor, so movement is the primary defense.
It has been demonstrated why movement is a great defense: it causes them to miss! This is fact; there is no disputing it. It's certainly easy to test; just get an Airsoft gun and try it in various ways. Lenny Magill has several demos on his Concealed Carry video, but you can also search around the 'net and find some sources.
What's really interesting is that we can turn to history and find many examples of point shooting and shooting while moving. Look at McGivern's
Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting for hip and drive-by shooting instructions (as well as ads for weapon mounted lights). Check out Fairbairn and Sykes
Shooting to Live for detailed information on point shooting and their success with the Shanghai PD--the number of killed and wounded felons says it all. Additionally, Jim Cirillo's material is excellent.
Guns, Bullets and Gunfights is a must-have; his DVDs are good.
And, guess what? Mr. Cirillo would have taken a 44 Magnum "Smith and Dan" into his fights (S&W 29 frame with a Dan Wesson barrel) over his issue 38 revolvers. Remember, he killed 17 men and wounded many others in the late 60's and through the 70's in the NYC Stakeout Squad. After retiring, he taught self-defense classes that included point shooting and movement. The man knew what he was talking about.
That said, Cirillo's partner used a 1911. Both men had good results.
So, yeah, your choice of a large bore revolver goes against the grain. But...you're carrying a gun! All that remains is to expand your skill set a bit...not to "ninja" level...but at least be able to fend off a knife and do a nut punch for 45 seconds. It's up to you to determine what the minimum level of skill is appropriate for you.
And, statistics are just math. They may not describe YOUR fight, though your fight will be included in them one year later. Three shots...I hope all our fights end with ZERO shots fired. But, be prepared for the problem that may occur...one more bad guy, from a different direction, with a different weapon. There may be only one needing shooting three times, but you won't know until you're in the situation.
That's what those die-hards on the other forum are talking about. Unfortunately, they can get a bit zealous if they think their "religion" is being challenged.
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I cannot decide if a revolver is "sexier" than an autopistol. I tend to reserve such judgements for women.
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People look at me funny when I show up with a $600 hunting rifle and "average" glass to shoot at 1,000 yards. They seem to think that purchasing a $4,000 rifle, $3,000 scope, and $1,000 worth of gear is a requirement. I guess they've bought into all those ads they read in the gun rags and on TV.
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The neatest revolver EVER made, despite "the lock", is the new Lew Horton S&W Model 27 with 3.5" barrel. Square butt, ball detent, Performance Center trigger job, checked top, grooved front and back straps, neat "retro" lug, chamfered cylinders, adjustable sights...and EIGHT rounds of 357 Magnum goodness! The old 27's are neat, but eight is better than six!