MachIVshooter
Member
I just emailed them, detailing why I, and I believe most who train, disagree with 9 out of 10 of their "correct answers" in this quiz.
I'd like to hear what others think. I believe they are doing a disservice, offering personal preferences as general advice.
My email to them was the following:
As a long time shooter, collector, hunter and trainer, I have to disagree with the "correct" answers to your online quiz, and will add that providing such misleading information, citing highly subjective criteria as logic, is doing a disservice to those who wish to become proficient vis a vis self defense with a firearm. I will elaborate:
1) Which of the following handguns would you consider the best for general self defense?
You suggest that a Glock pistol is the best, citing it's simplicity as the primary reason. This defies logic when the extremely simple double action revolver ranks fourth on your list. Even the best autoloading pistols are inherently less reliable and more complicated to operate than a quality double action revolver. With a DA wheelgun, there is no worry of jams requiring some rap-tap-bang mantra, and no question of whether or not a round is chambered. Load and pull the trigger, the gun will fire. Dud round? No problem, pull the trigger again. It just doesn't get any simpler than that. Hence, the double action revolver is, without question, the best general purpose defensive handgun-especially for those who do not train regularly.
2) Which gun would you consider the best for immediate general home defense?
While your expanded answer of "whatever gun is in your hand at the time" is sound advice, you have once again touted the Glock. Fact is that any handgun is a poor choice for self defense when there is a long gun option, as there is in the home. Generally speaking, the shotgun is best. And no, not because of the "horribly intimidating sound of being racked"; The reason is that one round of 12 gauge 2-3/4" #4 buck from a cylinder bore scattergun at 7 yards will put 27 holes in the intruder in a 6"-8" pattern, and is less likely to exit the structure and endanger innocent people than any common handgun round. As well, the 5.56mm NATO, even with ball ammunition, is more effective and still less likely to exit a dwelling than a handgun bullet. In short, if a person can use a shotgun or 5.56mm rifle for defense, they should. Control, and therefore hits, are just plain more easily accomplished with a long arm.
3) What method do you consider the best for everyday carrying of a concealed handgun?
The answer you offer for this question happens to be my usual method of carry, but that does not necessarily make it the best. Mode of carry is highly subjective, absolutely dependent on the gun, the person, the attire and the situation. The correct answer is whatever method a person is most comfortable with that properly conceals the weapon and that they have trained to draw from.
4) On a new defensive handgun, fresh out of the box that seems to be shooting a few inches low at 10 yards, what do you feel is most likely causing the low shots?
There is not a single right answer to this question. Yes, often times it is the shooter pulling the shots down. But just as often, it is that the gun is either sighted at a different distance, sighted in with a different bullet weight, or both. Correcting this condition is done on a case by case basis.
5) What should you do if you are “Cross Dominant” and shooting a handgun?
Your quiz suggests closing the non-dominant eye. I cannot stress how DEAD WRONG that approach is. Defensive handgunning is done with BOTH EYES OPEN! If you close one, you give up peripheral vision and depth perception, both of which are important in a dynamic situation involving firing a gun at a live threat.
6) What will tend to improve your accuracy with a handgun the most?
Whatever your “3 secrets” are, at this point, I’m not inclined to believe that they offer much help. The correct answer to this question is practice using correct methods, adapted slightly to suit the individual. We start with a modified weaver stance and stress trigger control and front sight focus, later transitioning to one-handed firing from less-than-ideal positions, hip shooting, etc., since a defensive situation is unlikely to offer time to pull into a practiced position used on a normal range.
7) What will make you less likely to ever have to use lethal force to defend yourself or your family?
•A. Being alert and aware of your surroundings
•B. Being mentally prepared to defend yourself
•C. Being armed with your gun
•D. Being skilled with your gun
•All of the above
Well, we at least agree on one thing
8) What handgun would you recommend for a woman who wants to protect herself?
Once again, you recommend the Glock. And once again, I disagree strongly. Unless she finds it particularly uncomfortable, a small double action (S&W J frame, usually) is the best choice, especially if she does not practice often. Small autoloaders are even more prone to inherent and user-induced malfunctions than a service sized auto. The DA revolver does not care if it is not handled with authority (limp wristed); it will fire when the trigger is pulled every time.
9) What do you feel is the best handgun caliber for general self defense?
Guess what? We disagree again. The .45 ACP is a good cartridge. However, it can be difficult to control in a compact defensive handgun, and all the horsepower in the world doesn’t matter if one misses the target, or the gun jams do to impotent handling of the recoil. From a strictly terminal ballistic standpoint, I also disagree, with both the 10mm and .357 Magnum offering substantially better performance than the venerable .45. And, of course, all common handgun cartridges are comparatively ineffective.
The correct answer to this question is the cartridge that the user can control from the least stable/comfortable firing position (for example, one handed and with the body off kilter). For many shooters, this nixes the heavier recoiling cartridges.
10) What do you feel is the standard response in using a defensive handgun when you must shoot to defend your life?
Your quiz gives the correct answer as “With a major caliber handgun, two quick hits to the thoracic cavity”. While not bad advice, per se, we teach to shoot for center mass until the threat ceases to be a threat. That may mean a single poor hit to the leg or some such, or it could mean emptying the magazine into the torso. Stop shooting when the threat ceases is the correct answer.
I'd like to hear what others think. I believe they are doing a disservice, offering personal preferences as general advice.
My email to them was the following:
As a long time shooter, collector, hunter and trainer, I have to disagree with the "correct" answers to your online quiz, and will add that providing such misleading information, citing highly subjective criteria as logic, is doing a disservice to those who wish to become proficient vis a vis self defense with a firearm. I will elaborate:
1) Which of the following handguns would you consider the best for general self defense?
You suggest that a Glock pistol is the best, citing it's simplicity as the primary reason. This defies logic when the extremely simple double action revolver ranks fourth on your list. Even the best autoloading pistols are inherently less reliable and more complicated to operate than a quality double action revolver. With a DA wheelgun, there is no worry of jams requiring some rap-tap-bang mantra, and no question of whether or not a round is chambered. Load and pull the trigger, the gun will fire. Dud round? No problem, pull the trigger again. It just doesn't get any simpler than that. Hence, the double action revolver is, without question, the best general purpose defensive handgun-especially for those who do not train regularly.
2) Which gun would you consider the best for immediate general home defense?
While your expanded answer of "whatever gun is in your hand at the time" is sound advice, you have once again touted the Glock. Fact is that any handgun is a poor choice for self defense when there is a long gun option, as there is in the home. Generally speaking, the shotgun is best. And no, not because of the "horribly intimidating sound of being racked"; The reason is that one round of 12 gauge 2-3/4" #4 buck from a cylinder bore scattergun at 7 yards will put 27 holes in the intruder in a 6"-8" pattern, and is less likely to exit the structure and endanger innocent people than any common handgun round. As well, the 5.56mm NATO, even with ball ammunition, is more effective and still less likely to exit a dwelling than a handgun bullet. In short, if a person can use a shotgun or 5.56mm rifle for defense, they should. Control, and therefore hits, are just plain more easily accomplished with a long arm.
3) What method do you consider the best for everyday carrying of a concealed handgun?
The answer you offer for this question happens to be my usual method of carry, but that does not necessarily make it the best. Mode of carry is highly subjective, absolutely dependent on the gun, the person, the attire and the situation. The correct answer is whatever method a person is most comfortable with that properly conceals the weapon and that they have trained to draw from.
4) On a new defensive handgun, fresh out of the box that seems to be shooting a few inches low at 10 yards, what do you feel is most likely causing the low shots?
There is not a single right answer to this question. Yes, often times it is the shooter pulling the shots down. But just as often, it is that the gun is either sighted at a different distance, sighted in with a different bullet weight, or both. Correcting this condition is done on a case by case basis.
5) What should you do if you are “Cross Dominant” and shooting a handgun?
Your quiz suggests closing the non-dominant eye. I cannot stress how DEAD WRONG that approach is. Defensive handgunning is done with BOTH EYES OPEN! If you close one, you give up peripheral vision and depth perception, both of which are important in a dynamic situation involving firing a gun at a live threat.
6) What will tend to improve your accuracy with a handgun the most?
Whatever your “3 secrets” are, at this point, I’m not inclined to believe that they offer much help. The correct answer to this question is practice using correct methods, adapted slightly to suit the individual. We start with a modified weaver stance and stress trigger control and front sight focus, later transitioning to one-handed firing from less-than-ideal positions, hip shooting, etc., since a defensive situation is unlikely to offer time to pull into a practiced position used on a normal range.
7) What will make you less likely to ever have to use lethal force to defend yourself or your family?
•A. Being alert and aware of your surroundings
•B. Being mentally prepared to defend yourself
•C. Being armed with your gun
•D. Being skilled with your gun
•All of the above
Well, we at least agree on one thing
8) What handgun would you recommend for a woman who wants to protect herself?
Once again, you recommend the Glock. And once again, I disagree strongly. Unless she finds it particularly uncomfortable, a small double action (S&W J frame, usually) is the best choice, especially if she does not practice often. Small autoloaders are even more prone to inherent and user-induced malfunctions than a service sized auto. The DA revolver does not care if it is not handled with authority (limp wristed); it will fire when the trigger is pulled every time.
9) What do you feel is the best handgun caliber for general self defense?
Guess what? We disagree again. The .45 ACP is a good cartridge. However, it can be difficult to control in a compact defensive handgun, and all the horsepower in the world doesn’t matter if one misses the target, or the gun jams do to impotent handling of the recoil. From a strictly terminal ballistic standpoint, I also disagree, with both the 10mm and .357 Magnum offering substantially better performance than the venerable .45. And, of course, all common handgun cartridges are comparatively ineffective.
The correct answer to this question is the cartridge that the user can control from the least stable/comfortable firing position (for example, one handed and with the body off kilter). For many shooters, this nixes the heavier recoiling cartridges.
10) What do you feel is the standard response in using a defensive handgun when you must shoot to defend your life?
Your quiz gives the correct answer as “With a major caliber handgun, two quick hits to the thoracic cavity”. While not bad advice, per se, we teach to shoot for center mass until the threat ceases to be a threat. That may mean a single poor hit to the leg or some such, or it could mean emptying the magazine into the torso. Stop shooting when the threat ceases is the correct answer.
Last edited:
)
