On the many forum gunfighters, we all see on the interweb

[george burns]

It's getting even worse lately, articles and forums telling others how many rounds they will need in the imaginary gunfight that they are preparing for. In reality Iaugh to myself when someone says that they carry 50 rounds of ammo prepared for a shootout with 1-6 gunmen, only because they never take into account that during such an exchange, however unlikely, that the group shooting at them, may hit them a few times, and rather than worrying about ammo so much, a Vest might be what they might want to be concerned with.
I would imagine that should such an unlikely situation occur, one should imagine if they stand and fight, that they just may know how to shoot as well. I predict that body armor will be the next thing for the average joe to consider purchasing, especially if some genius figures out how to make it affordable and portable enough to keep in the car or closet of the new american gun weilding citizen.
In reality they should be thinking more about their exit stratagy.
As most here know, usually the first thing that happens during a gunfight, is everyone goes out a door or window, ASAP, so if they choose to stand and fight, you just may have a trained gunmen there, or overwhelming numbers that the 5-8 round single stack, or revolver, is no match for. So a vest that is handy or a fast exit is in order either way.
Unless we are being attacked by a trained force, I really don't see the situation occuring more than once in a blue moon, but the attitude on these newbie forums, seems to be that their little 9mm gun is going to stop anything that may happen. Hey maybe it will. I haven't found that the 2 hit's they may make out of 8 rounds is going to stop very much other than a single gunman who is a poor shot.

 

[AlexanderA]

The first thing to do is to avoid getting into situations where gunfights are likely. Once the shooting starts, there are no winners.

 

[Tirod]

Where do most shootings occur? Large metro areas. And in those metros? Where large numbers of people congregate but can't have guns.

I live in small metro with a minimal footprint due to the geography being a number of small towns - not a major urban landscape. And I avoid places where people gather but can't have guns. I only visit vacation or recreation areas that support those two criteria. I have to admit I've concealed carried in other downtown areas or beaches more than home.

Most of the internet warriors who post up imaginative scenarios do so to promote themselves - hence the narrow description of the event with forced circumstances that only allow discussing their preferred strategy which is almost always how to shoot it out. Home defense is one of the worst - the focus there is the last ditch defense of family in a bedroom when the real strategy of home defense is not allowing them onto the property at all. Have you noticed most home defense scenarios are usually a suburban home or city apartment? You wake up to a knife at your throat, "what gun and cartridge is best for that?"

No, the correct question is what fencing, perimeter alarm, intrusion resistant door, and breed dog do you have? Even Senor Wetz the chihuahua is better than nothing, he will at least bark. But nooooo, it's all about "you're dining at 'a public restaurant' when two gunmen carrying full auto AK's burst in, what is the best vest you can wear?"

No thought about what vest for the wife and kids? Ever actually searched for a bullet resistant vest for a 9 year old?

The point is that posters who keep bringing up scenes from gangland Chicago as a place where you could be attacked are clueless. Most of us here don't go to cafes in bad neighborhoods in Chicago for dinner. And we don't go to bad cafes in our own town - at the wrong time and place - and certainly we aren't so stupid as to go unarmed. What we have is testosterone talking, and when it does, ya know, it usually takes the nearest exit, too . . .

I read those posts and smell it coming in the first sentence, it announces itself pretty clearly.

 

[mjsdwash]

It's getting even worse lately, articles and forums telling others how many rounds they will need in the imaginary gunfight that they are preparing for. In reality Iaugh to myself when someone says that they carry 50 rounds of ammo prepared for a shootout with 1-6 gunmen, only because they never take into account that during such an exchange, however unlikely, that the group shooting at them, may hit them a few times, and rather than worrying about ammo so much, a Vest might be what they might want to be concerned with.
I would imagine that should such an unlikely situation occur, one should imagine if they stand and fight, that they just may know how to shoot as well. I predict that body armor will be the next thing for the average joe to consider purchasing, especially if some genius figures out how to make it affordable and portable enough to keep in the car or closet of the new american gun weilding citizen.
In reality they should be thinking more about their exit stratagy.
As most here know, usually the first thing that happens during a gunfight, is everyone goes out a door or window, ASAP, so if they choose to stand and fight, you just may have a trained gunmen there, or overwhelming numbers that the 5-8 round single stack, or revolver, is no match for. So a vest that is handy or a fast exit is in order either way.
Unless we are being attacked by a trained force, I really don't see the situation occuring more than once in a blue moon, but the attitude on these newbie forums, seems to be that their little 9mm gun is going to stop anything that may happen. Hey maybe it will. I haven't found that the 2 hit's they may make out of 8 rounds is going to stop very much other than a single gunman who is a poor shot.

well you never know when you may have to take multiple hits from a .338 Lapuamag, and defend the mall from the Mortal Kombat stealing ninjas.

 

[bassjam]

That's the joy of the internets. I mention that I'm happy with my j-frame loaded with .38's. The next guy says that anyone not carrying an SP101 in .357 with an extra speed loader like he does is just asking to get shot. The 3rd guy chimes in that his 9mm has a 12 round mag, but he also carries 2 extra mags and anyone who doesn't is an idiot. Then the 4th guy says in an end-all-be-all attitude that the only reason he carries a .45 is because they don't make a .46, and anything smaller than a .45 is just a pea shooter that won't penetrate a t-shirt. Oh, and he has a S&W 60 in .357 as a BUG on an ankle holster, just in case his 1911 jams.

I keep waiting for that 5th person to let us know that he keeps a pistol AR in a shoulder harness with four 30-round mags strapped to him, but I haven't seen that (yet).

 

[mjsdwash]

and all this time I though my 108 year old vestpocket .25 was where it was at.

 

[scaatylobo]

Funny that all LEO's carry at LEAST 2 spare magazines.
And they too could be in a place where that is not enough.
I see it as all too possible [ AND scary ] that we can have attacks here as are done around the world.
I COMPLETLY AGREE = GET THE HELL OUTTA DODGE if at all possible.
I cannot run any longer,and I will not leave my wife behind.
SO,if an exit 'stage left' is not doable = then I am stuck and in the very,very,very small likelihood this should happen to me ---------------- I want to be as ready as possible.
Don't agree,that is perfectly fine with me.
Its a free country.

 

[bassjam]

Funny that all LEO's carry at LEAST 2 spare magazines.
And they too could be in a place where that is not enough.
I see it as all too possible [ AND scary ] that we can have attacks here as are done around the world.
I COMPLETLY AGREE = GET THE HELL OUTTA DODGE if at all possible.
I cannot run any longer,and I will not leave my wife behind.
SO,if an exit 'stage left' is not doable = then I am stuck and in the very,very,very small likelihood this should happen to me ---------------- I want to be as ready as possible.
Don't agree,that is perfectly fine with me.
Its a free country.

The difference with LEO’s is they are actively called as a 3rd party to respond to threats, and may have to actively engage and pursue a threat, whereas you and I carry purely for defensive purposes.

But you're right, it is a free country and thankfully you are legally allowed to carry as much ammo as you see fit.

 

[hq]

It's getting even worse lately, articles and forums telling others how many rounds they will need in the imaginary gunfight that they are preparing for.

I've recently come to a conclusion that telling anyone how much ammo one might choose to carry and bothering to elaborate any "need" is pointless in the first place. It's nobody else's business.

 

[Dain Bramage]

my j-frame loaded with .38's.

You are obviously uninformed and woefully unprepared. What if you run into a sixth goblin? My answer is the only correct one; a six-shot J-Frame in .32 Mag.

 

[jmorris]

It's getting even worse lately, articles and forums telling others how many rounds they will need in the imaginary gunfight that they are preparing for.

Why not start a poll and see how many shots everyone has needed in the firefights they have been in as private citizens?

I'll bet the average will be closer to zero than 50...

 

[Sam1911]

This is all so very postmodern. The best way to be cool is to join the group that's making fun of the folks who are making fun of the folks who make fun of the folks who make fun of the folks who ridicule those who denigrate those who think that those who believe that if you think you would be wrong to decide not to carry less than "f(x) = (my gun & mags - 1)", then you're an idiot. But you have to do so ironically.

And you have to use "ironically" incorrectly (as is the common parlance), but do so in an overtly self-aware way -- you know, ironically.

 

[Kleanbore]

It's getting even worse lately, articles and forums telling others how many rounds they will need in the imaginary gunfight that they are preparing for.

I have never seen anyone make such a prediction.

In reality Iaugh to myself when someone says that they carry 50 rounds of ammo prepared for a shootout with 1-6 gunmen, only because they never take into account that during such an exchange, however unlikely, that the group shooting at them, may hit them a few times, and rather than worrying about ammo so much, a Vest might be what they might want to be concerned with.

I suppose some civilians may have use for a vest, but I doubt that many who try them would recommend tham.

I predict that body armor will be the next thing for the average joe to consider purchasing, especially if some genius figures out how to make it affordable and portable enough to keep in the car or closet of the new american gun weilding citizen.

What good would body amor kept in the car provide?

In reality they should be thinking more about their exit stratagy.

More than thinking about what?

...you just may have a trained gunmen there, or overwhelming numbers that the 5-8 round single stack, or revolver, is no match for....

How about two three determined persons with contact weapons?

So a vest that is handy or a fast exit is in order either way.

Avoidance, escape, and evasion are always best, but just what would one do with a "vest that is handy" once one is attacked?

I haven't found that the 2 hit's they may make out of 8 rounds is going to stop very much other than a single gunman who is a poor shot.

Really? Yet you seemed to be contending that a five shot revolver would suffice against anything other than "trained gumen" or "overwhelming numbers".

 

[Kleanbore]

Why not start a poll and see how many shots everyone has needed in the firefights they have been in as private citizens?

Consider that unless no one perished AND unless the statute of limitations has expired, it would be extremely unwise to put that kind of inflation on public media--or anywhere else wherein can be retrieves.

 

[FL-NC]

I don't intend to hang out in a gunfight any longer than absolutely necessary. I no longer get paid to do that. In fact, if I'm never in one again that would be even better. I've caught my limit, and I hate explaining myself.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Well if someone made a vest about the thickness and comfort level of a sweater, I would certainly be interested. But until then, I will pass.

I think it was Col Cooper who said if it takes 5 seconds to get to your gun, you are unarmed. I don't really see the point of a vest in a car. If you can get to your car why not drive away? Saying that, when I travel an AR goes in the car with me. So I'm not completely logical myself.

 

[Robert]

We have beat this horse to death many many times. No need to do it again.