Have you ever used your gun for SD and how many bullets did you use?

[BigBlock]

There's always a lot of talk around here about how many bullets one needs in their gun and/or pockets and whether 5 is enough, 6 is enough, 12 is enough, etc.

On the other hand, there is very little talk of whether you've ever actually shot at the bad guys.

So the question is, have you ever used your handgun for self defence, (civilian stuff) and if so, how many bullets did you have to fire?

 

[jlbraun]

Very few people are going to be forthcoming.

 

[Z71]

Yes, I have used a handgun for self defense. None, no shots fired.

 

[Huddog]

I was a LEO for 13 years so yes I have. Thankfully, 0 bullets fired.

 

[Sistema1927]

Yes, twice.

Zero fired, twice.

 

[Geronimo45]

Several shots (don't remember how many). At a snake. Snake died.
Now I have snakeshot.

 

[Treo]

One time, defensive display only. No shots fired

 

[Joey_the_Wolf]

Twice. No shots.

 

[Gator]

Twice also. No shots fired.

 

[_N4Z_]

One event, a good 20 years ago. Not a handgun, but I did present a 12ga shotgun during that home defense situation. Realizing his peril the uninvited guest promptly gave up.

No shots fired.

 

[cslinger]

Generally speaking you have three types of these scenarios.

1-Folks who have had to present a weapon but not fire, they will likely talk about it.

2-Folks who have actually had to fire a gun in anger who are not likely to talk about it as, I would hope, the normal response is revulsion at having to harm another human being even if for totally legitimate legal reasons.

3-Folks who have actually had to fire a gun in anger and are willing to brag about it. IMO, not the folks you want to listen to.

Me personally the I have had to utilize but not shoot a firearm for what turned out to be an animal situation. I pray to God that I never have to use any violent force against another human since I know I would never be the same. Hence my personal credo that stuff ain't worth it and if you need my TV that much, hell I'm insured just leave me and my loved ones be.

 

[Maia007]

Yes. Pistol was justifiably deployed three times in 35 years. In each case, the person backed off. Had that not happened, I really think that I would have fired.

 

[Old School]

I had one situation in Miami where an individual approached me as a beggar. When I told him no, he started getting closer and closer repeating his request. I stepped back 2x and he kept coming. I told him forcefully: "step away from me sir". He replied:"or what?" I wish I could say I thought about it and made a deliberate choice but my reaction was a little more primal than that. I delivered an exceptionally hard right hook to his jaw. He fell down on all fours, crawled over to the wall of the restaurant we were near and sat there leaning against the wall with his hands on his face.

My employee was very surprised and confused. He knew that I had a glock 23 in the quick draw fanny pack I was wearing and could not figure out why I did not use the gun to detour the guy. I gave him some rationalized bs answer but the reality is, I never reasoned it out at all. I saw an opening and I took it without ever reaching for the gun........No Ammo used.

In retrospect, it was a better choice for me. I had a physical and skills advantage. Although, you never really know that for sure when you are talking about a stranger. It could have went differently for sure.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Three occasions:
1) two shots fired -one hit, one probable miss (panic shot while blinded by my own muzzle flash).
2) no shots fired - assailant panicked, threw down rifle. Later picked up by police, committed suicide while in custody.
3) no shots fired, assailant left property.

 

[SaxonPig]

Every 2 - 3 weeks someone asks about actual shooting experiences and the threads never go well. Fact is very, very few civilians have been involved in real gunfights.

A moderator will be along shortly to lock this thread. That's what always happens.

As to your question, seems to me I have seen police statistics saying the average gunfight is something like 3 rounds fired. How many rounds is enough? You never know until you are there. One might do it, 20 might not suffice.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Well before a mod locks this thread I'd like to bring to note something this thread seems to be in arguement of.

Another thread here essentially said that if you pull your weapon you should use it. Most everyone in that thread echoed that.

Seems to be the majority of the people who answered this thread pulled yet did not need to fire.

I find that interesting.

 

[bradvanhorn]

I have pulled my pistol one time and thankully I did not have to fire. The introduction of the gun was enough to make the assailants go away; I left within seconds of their departure. Later when I thought about the incident, I recognized it was mostly my mistake in that I really shouldn't have been where I was at the time it happened. I haven't had that problem since, and as some have often said, it is best to avoid having to fight in the first place. Good advice

On a separate note, and not to argue, but merely to offer my perspective... I don't think pulling a weapon requires firing shots. As I learned in my one incident, sometimes the mere presence of a weapon will cause the opposition to look for easier prey. I do think if you must actually fire shots, then those shots must be meant to kill, because "warning shots" aren't needed if your life really isn't in immediate danger. Perhaps I'm understating my position, but I think most here will recognize and understand the message...

 

[ByAnyMeans]

1x but no shots fired


I was up at college and we had jsut let out for the summer. Me and a friend were renting an apartment right off campus and after moving in she and some friends left to get get some beers and food to grill up. I being the big guy had done all of the lifting and stayed behind to sleep a nasty hangover off from the night before that the move did'nt help any.

I guess the guy watched us move all the stuff in and saw a group leave with no lights left on and it would be his time to strike. I awoke to the broken glass and quickly yet quietly grabbed my shotgun. I took up a good defensive position and racked a round. The noise sent him on his way but for those who say not to rely a racking sound, I wasn't and I would have shot if necessary but I'm glad I did'nt have to. Though there was no way to avoid the sound. I keep it cruiser ready and had to rack it. I figured best to do it when I was covered and had aimed on him than to rack it and if he procceeded then attempt to get into a covered defensive position.

Either way the guy took his arm out the window so quick he gashed it up bad and the cops found him at the hospital getting stiched up. Funny I need a gun in 1x during my four years in Newburgh N.Y. but not once during my other 24 years in Queens and Brooklyn N.Y..

 

[Timthinker]

I once asked a similar question on THR about the "three shot rule". That expression refers to the supposed statistic that three shots or less resolve most self-defense situations involving civilians. The responses to my thread were interesting. I suggest that anyone interested in this subject consult that thread. No doubt, we will see some overlap between that thread and this one.


Timthinker

 

[La Pistoletta]

I, for one, appreciate this thread. It's interesting reading about real defense encounters.

 

[BrianB]

Never, thank God.

 

[LB7_Driver]

Once, with (thankfully!) zero shots.

 

[LB7_Driver]

...
Another thread here essentially said that if you pull your weapon you should use it. Most everyone in that thread echoed that.

I agree that if you pull it out, you better be READY & WILLING to use it. This is different from MUST USE...

Seems to be the majority of the people who answered this thread pulled yet did not need to fire.

I find that interesting.

I think that is the case in the VAST majority of situations where a gun is used for self defense purposes. Last I heard this happens 2.5 million times a year, by a conservative estimate.

 

[gtmerkley]

offen one thinks They would be able to pull the trigger but when the event arises the thought "What if" runs through your mine and you freeze, how you react to that thought could mean life or death
No, I have never shot anyone but I have been in some vary bad situations

 

[nelson133]

3 times in the last nearly 40 years and no shots fired. Running into a determined person with a gun made the other people involved rethink their original intentions. These encounters were probably typical, most studies show that the mere presence of a gun is usually enough to stop a criminal.