Let's quantify "better than a sharp stick."
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wow6599
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I'm not exactly sure how to answer the OP's question, so I will just make my "statement".
I think some folks have watched too much "Walker, Texas Ranger" in their free time. These are the ones who carry a FS, large cal. semi-auto, a BUG and a second BUG......along with a couple of "blades" and probably know some form of martial arts.
On the opposite end of the spectrum you have folks who want to be in the gun crowd (IMHO) and shoot once a year and couldn't defend themselves past 2' with their "Glock Fo-tay" if they had to.
Me, I like to shoot everything......especially .357 revolvers and their matching carbines.
I think some folks have watched too much "Walker, Texas Ranger" in their free time. These are the ones who carry a FS, large cal. semi-auto, a BUG and a second BUG......along with a couple of "blades" and probably know some form of martial arts.
On the opposite end of the spectrum you have folks who want to be in the gun crowd (IMHO) and shoot once a year and couldn't defend themselves past 2' with their "Glock Fo-tay" if they had to.
Me, I like to shoot everything......especially .357 revolvers and their matching carbines.
Win1892
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I spend an awful lot of time in and around my Ford F250. In it is a large Maglite, a large Kabar knife, and a large caliber handgun with multiple mags. I'm fairly dangerous armed with any of those in my hand. I sometimes carry my snubbie Smith which can be quite dangerous also.
I practice very good situational awareness. I approach everything with a tactical mindset.
I figure I'm capable of reasonable self defense 80% of the time. I will not hesitate to use anything as a weapon.
That's my happy median.
I practice very good situational awareness. I approach everything with a tactical mindset.
I figure I'm capable of reasonable self defense 80% of the time. I will not hesitate to use anything as a weapon.
That's my happy median.
KodiakBeer
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Can you name a gun that doesn't shoot beyond 25 meters? A shotgun will kill out beyond 100 meters, as well as any standard handgun round. I shoot my carry guns in both 9mm and .45 acp at 100 meters with a good deal of accuracy.
My Daddy once beat a man within an inch of his life with a foot and a half of water hose.
*added for context*: my Dad was 2 years into his career as USMC, stands 5'4", and was hanging from the back of a 6'4" recruit who had lost his cool. Pops served 36yrs, is still only 5'4", and is still the only man I've ever met who I wouldn't square off with on a bet.
*added for context*: my Dad was 2 years into his career as USMC, stands 5'4", and was hanging from the back of a 6'4" recruit who had lost his cool. Pops served 36yrs, is still only 5'4", and is still the only man I've ever met who I wouldn't square off with on a bet.
merlinfire
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Ding ding ding we have a winner.
The decision of what to carry is a matter of balancing expediency with the level and likelihood of threats. One gun simply cannot be the BEST for every subset of circumstances. However, a gun can be good at some things, and adequate for others. If you are comfortable with adequate instead of ideal - in those situations, then there you go. If not, then you have to make a decision.
buck460XVR
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.....a sharp stick is better than nothing. Better than a sharp stick is above that. Pretty simple really.
mustang_steve
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This is like the swordplay "rapier vs Katana" discussion.
Which is deadlier, the Fencer's Rapier, which can put a ton of tiny holes in an opponent very quickly, or the Samurai's Katana, which can cleave that Fencer in half with a single swipe, or disembowel him with a single swipe? This provides both attackers are unarmored.
Truth is, the Fencer has the edge in speed and if he has good tactics and training, he will overpower the Samurai and outpace him, inflicting multiple wounds quickly. This could in fact kill him. Keep in mind a raiper can easily go heart-deep in a single stab, providing it clears the ribs.
A mousegun is much like the rapier...it's less powerful than a big caliber (Katana), but they tend to have greatly reduced recoil which means very fast follow-up shots, excellent controlability and more carry options (may reduce time to draw). It has it's advantages, however it requires more training and tactics to be effective with.
A Katana , while needing skill to use properly, can be used more effectively by an unskilled user than a rapier can (effective being "I stopped the threat", usually a single hit or two at 15' distances). That said, learn to shoot accurately before considering mouseguns, as you need that accuracy to make those shots count.
Which is deadlier, the Fencer's Rapier, which can put a ton of tiny holes in an opponent very quickly, or the Samurai's Katana, which can cleave that Fencer in half with a single swipe, or disembowel him with a single swipe? This provides both attackers are unarmored.
Truth is, the Fencer has the edge in speed and if he has good tactics and training, he will overpower the Samurai and outpace him, inflicting multiple wounds quickly. This could in fact kill him. Keep in mind a raiper can easily go heart-deep in a single stab, providing it clears the ribs.
A mousegun is much like the rapier...it's less powerful than a big caliber (Katana), but they tend to have greatly reduced recoil which means very fast follow-up shots, excellent controlability and more carry options (may reduce time to draw). It has it's advantages, however it requires more training and tactics to be effective with.
A Katana , while needing skill to use properly, can be used more effectively by an unskilled user than a rapier can (effective being "I stopped the threat", usually a single hit or two at 15' distances). That said, learn to shoot accurately before considering mouseguns, as you need that accuracy to make those shots count.
therewolf
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IMO it's all very personal.
My standards are going to fit most others poorly.
I'm willing to sacrifice a convenient smaller size for a FS gun, and speed for carry comfort, which is going to make my CCW more constant.
This is obviously a poor paradigm to reasonably expect many others to blindly follow. Every choice has it's advantages and drawbacks.
Others prefer smaller, lighter SD carries. Or fast draw rigs. Their sharp stick works for them. My sharp stick works for me.
What you need to do, OP, is find a sharp stick which works for you. Then pick out a sharp knife, find your favorite type of wood, and start carving your own best point.
My standards are going to fit most others poorly.
I'm willing to sacrifice a convenient smaller size for a FS gun, and speed for carry comfort, which is going to make my CCW more constant.
This is obviously a poor paradigm to reasonably expect many others to blindly follow. Every choice has it's advantages and drawbacks.
Others prefer smaller, lighter SD carries. Or fast draw rigs. Their sharp stick works for them. My sharp stick works for me.
What you need to do, OP, is find a sharp stick which works for you. Then pick out a sharp knife, find your favorite type of wood, and start carving your own best point.
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MarkDozier
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A sharp stick is a very fine weapon.
SimplyChad
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I know this is a little strange but I have a self defence case that took place at over 250 yards. My little brother and I were hunting in the back lot of my fathers ranch. The tennessee gas pipeline ran across in the far back corner from the house. Now being a redneck and someone who consistantly takes deer and hogs a 350 + yards with my 30-06 on the pipeline it seemed like a normal day. We had been finding guts and such from people poaching on the land even killing cattle just to be well words i cant say here. Anyway we just cleared the tree line onto the line when my brother saw a 4 wheeler across parked under a tree. Well by that time we were half way across the pipeline (100 yrds or so) we started looking around and lo and behold someone came out the woods off to the right of us in full camo. We hunkerd down in the tall grass but i guess it was too late because when I went to scope out the tree line where we saw him to see if was one of our friends or neighbors just crossed the line on a trail or something normal like that before he started shooting. Me and Dj panicked just started shooting anywhere near him as we could just trying to get back to the treeline and go. All the training we had done as good as we can shoot and 15 rounds out of a rifle by two good consistant shooters and never got close. Think it freaked him out more tho he left his 700 on the ground where he first started shooting at us. If anything like that ever happens again Id like to think Id be ready.
There Sharp stick is useless unless I could throw it that far. Guess I could go home with a javelin and try it out.
There Sharp stick is useless unless I could throw it that far. Guess I could go home with a javelin and try it out.
The "reasonable level" you should prepare for will be different than the one I should prepare for. Only you know what your nieghborhood is like, where you go, whether you may be targeted because of who you are, what you have or what you are doing. Only you know your level of training and your comfort level with different tools.
I've known people who carry more weapons than internet 'mall ninjas' claim to and who would still be lucky to escape with thier life if attacked by a declawed kitten when they were fully prepared. I've known others that could (and likely would) hand an armed attacker thier own heart when armed with nothing more sinister than a pencile. What is reasonable armament for one is either gross overkill or practicly suicide for the other.
Personally, most of the time I hear someone say that a particular weapon is "better than a sharp stick" I think what they are really trying to say is that the weapon is not something they could recomend, but that if you have nothing better at hand would be better than resorting to hand to hand combat.
Lets assume the average person, reasonably skilled with a handgun, used to using knives to cut things like steak and boxes, and with all the hand to hand combat training that comes from a few fistfights in high school and without any physical impairments. Also assume they live in resonably safe urban / suburban / not to rural area, where police response to a 'shots fired' compaint is likely to be less than 15 minutes and there are no large (greater than 200 lb) carnivorous wild animals. Lastly assume they are not a 'high profile' target (i.e. no known stalkers, don't carry excessive amounts of cash for the area, no reason for people to hate them).
Given those assumptions, a single 5 shot revolver or auto with a reload available or a 6 shot revolver or auto without one is probably a reasonable minimum. Caliber of at least .380 ACP / .38 Special +P or equivalent in energy or momentum. Less than that is probably a little on the light side, but better to have something on the light side than nothing at all. At the other end of the spectrum, a full size auto with standard capacity magazine or a full size revolver, either with no more than a single reload, is probably a resonable maximum. Maximum "reasonable" caliber is anything over the minimum up to 700 ft lbs of energy. A pocketknife, 3" - 4" blade length can be usefull - but more for everyday chores than defense. More doesn't hurt, but probably isn't needed either.
I've known people who carry more weapons than internet 'mall ninjas' claim to and who would still be lucky to escape with thier life if attacked by a declawed kitten when they were fully prepared. I've known others that could (and likely would) hand an armed attacker thier own heart when armed with nothing more sinister than a pencile. What is reasonable armament for one is either gross overkill or practicly suicide for the other.
Personally, most of the time I hear someone say that a particular weapon is "better than a sharp stick" I think what they are really trying to say is that the weapon is not something they could recomend, but that if you have nothing better at hand would be better than resorting to hand to hand combat.
Lets assume the average person, reasonably skilled with a handgun, used to using knives to cut things like steak and boxes, and with all the hand to hand combat training that comes from a few fistfights in high school and without any physical impairments. Also assume they live in resonably safe urban / suburban / not to rural area, where police response to a 'shots fired' compaint is likely to be less than 15 minutes and there are no large (greater than 200 lb) carnivorous wild animals. Lastly assume they are not a 'high profile' target (i.e. no known stalkers, don't carry excessive amounts of cash for the area, no reason for people to hate them).
Given those assumptions, a single 5 shot revolver or auto with a reload available or a 6 shot revolver or auto without one is probably a reasonable minimum. Caliber of at least .380 ACP / .38 Special +P or equivalent in energy or momentum. Less than that is probably a little on the light side, but better to have something on the light side than nothing at all. At the other end of the spectrum, a full size auto with standard capacity magazine or a full size revolver, either with no more than a single reload, is probably a resonable maximum. Maximum "reasonable" caliber is anything over the minimum up to 700 ft lbs of energy. A pocketknife, 3" - 4" blade length can be usefull - but more for everyday chores than defense. More doesn't hurt, but probably isn't needed either.
230therapy
Member
Continuum of Self-Defense is all about calculating odds.
The force continuum used by police departments is a pretty good clue.
Minimum would be verbal -- a polite "Please leave" escalating all the way up to nuclear warfare. What are your odds of engaging in nuclear war? I'd say so small that it's not necessary to include.
Next would be conventional warfare. What are the odds? Extremely low in my case.
The most "intense" action I'm ever likely to see would probably be an active shooter situation. I feel such a situation is on the extreme edge of probability.
Felony home invasion: Also very low, but within the realm of possibility. Such events have occurred in my area.
Felony attack outside the home: Low possibility, but probably would be 50% of the instances I'm interested in.
Misdemeanor assault: Highest probability of encountering this in my life.
In my view, I plan for:
1) Home invasion with intent to murder. My home preparations should result in a positive outcome for me. Rifle, one spare mag, pistol, knife, and light. This should be more than enough.
2) Felony criminal attack. My daily carry package meets or exceeds this threat. One pistol, one knife, one reload, light, and a phone. If I feel like it, I'll carry a BUG.
The force continuum used by police departments is a pretty good clue.
Minimum would be verbal -- a polite "Please leave" escalating all the way up to nuclear warfare. What are your odds of engaging in nuclear war? I'd say so small that it's not necessary to include.
Next would be conventional warfare. What are the odds? Extremely low in my case.
The most "intense" action I'm ever likely to see would probably be an active shooter situation. I feel such a situation is on the extreme edge of probability.
Felony home invasion: Also very low, but within the realm of possibility. Such events have occurred in my area.
Felony attack outside the home: Low possibility, but probably would be 50% of the instances I'm interested in.
Misdemeanor assault: Highest probability of encountering this in my life.
In my view, I plan for:
1) Home invasion with intent to murder. My home preparations should result in a positive outcome for me. Rifle, one spare mag, pistol, knife, and light. This should be more than enough.
2) Felony criminal attack. My daily carry package meets or exceeds this threat. One pistol, one knife, one reload, light, and a phone. If I feel like it, I'll carry a BUG.
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