Reality Check...?

[GitSome45]

I wrote the following on another thread, (Instinctive Shooting) and wonder what other people / Members think about this "mindset", as it is something that I have "Trained" for and feel Confident about...

I Wrote:
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I know that this is gonna bring some "fire" down on me, but I think that one should bring the weapon atleast into the "cone of view" and AGGRESS (move towards) the target/hobgoblin with determination and conviction... (Point / Semi-Aimed Shooting...but close the distance)

REMEMBER, You WILL BE SHOT!

Accept it and prepare for it, OVERCOME YOUR OPPONENT "Improvise Adapt Overcome, BUT ABOVE ALL, SUCCEED..."

Entering into a gunfight with the expectation that you will go "UN-SHOT" is like entering into a Fistfight with the expectation that you will go "UN-TOUCHED"...

Kinda UNREALISTIC !

PLUS, it sets up the shooters mind to fail, (disbelief and shock) at the crucial time and moment when you need to "DRIVE ON"- "MAKE IT HAPPEN" & "SUCCEED", You need to be as "mentally ready" for a gunfight as you do "physically ready"...
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JMHO, Please let me know your opinion...

Howard

 

[faustulus]

You need to go a step farther. If you are going to assume you will get shot then you should assume that the shot will be fatal. I personally what to put distance between me and the tango. Guns are skilled weapons at a distance, up close they are luck. Look at the people who qualify for CCW, 99 percent hit all the 1 yard shots.
Each situation is different, but I want as much distance between me and them as I can get, preferably enough to escape.
It only takes one shot to end a battle, I would rather not be the one who takes it.
Of course that is just me.

Nice sig line

 

[Navy joe]

If you say so. If unarmed I agree that moving closer in an aggressive manner is best when facing a gun and having no escape. Move close to a gun, away from a knife. If engaging someone with a gun, create distance. Distance negates skill, as in the closer you are the less skilled your opponent can be and still kill you. Create distance.

You will be shot? Damn, so much for all that training to be better than the other guy. I'll just go get shot now thank you very much. You must accept you may be shot, and continue on if it happens. At the same time you should endeavor to not get shot. Those things kill you as you may have heard. No sense bum rushing someone with a gun to fufill your reality of getting shot. Sayin that you will be hit in a fistfight or cut in a knifefight is more a way of illustrating that they are less than ideal situations to be avoided. A gun changes all of that because it is no longer arms length conflict unless necessary. You have a stand-off weapon, so stand off!

As far as reaction to getting shot, it's all theory until it happens to us. Sure I think I'm tough, but so does the rest of the world. I can cut myself, spray myself with OC (testing upcoming), get punched and all to see how I react. I am never going to volunteer to get shot though. Have to hope for the best. Best thing is to be in shape to deal with the physical trauma and train so your gun actions require less thought under duress. Even better, don't get shot! That means avoiding bad situations as well as shooting and hitting first. Doing your one man version of the charge of the light brigade accomplishes neither.

 

[Devonai]

I prefer the axiom "Train hard, war easy." Or if you prefer, "Sweat now so you don't bleed later."

All of my training is focused on keeping myself alive. Getting shot is not an option. You cannot apply the same philosophy of a fist fight or even a knife fight to bullets. They kill with much more certainty and your own level of skill means a lot less to them.

Faustulus is right. You have to assume that being shot = being killed. There is a John Wayne movie who's title escapes me right now, but one of the characters is about to sneak out of a ensieged bodega. John Wayne advises, "Don't get shot," to which this grizzled old timer replies, "If I thought I'd get shot I wouldn't go." That sums it up perfectly.

Your idea is properly applied for if you've been shot, but only after the fact. If you've been hit you must have the will to survive. Even if your body doesn't succumb to the wound your mind may give up too soon. That must be avoided.

Accept that I'll be shot? No thanks. That's what cover and concealment, covering fire, teamwork, and physical training are for. To AVOID being shot while destroying your target.

Last but not least, as long as you're using this technique, can you make me a benefactor in your will?

 

[GitSome45]

Navyjoe & Devonai,

I understand what you are saying, I was merely trying to point out that getting shot is a definite possibility, and like training to clear stoppages / malfunctions (so you don`t "freeze up" when / if it happens) you also should train to be mentally prepared that despite ALL of your excellent training and preparedness, should the "UNSPEAKABLE" happen (actually taking a round), you will be able to push through and function, versus going into shock...

Also, when I say "close the distance" I am refering to "A Good Offense" is sometimes your "Best Defense"...

NOT meant to be written in stone, but meant to once again "challenge" your mindset in Battle, and help you to "commit" to your course of action, versus standing/crouching there and wasting precious time and inititive...

Carry the Momentum... ( I think that we all know that disengaging and distancing oneself from harms way is / should be ALWAYS an option... I just remember reading about a Law Enforcement Officer who was killed in a Shootout trying to reload his Revolver, because he was looking around for the "Range Bucket" to dump his brass into...) (He froze and went on "Vapor-lock" because he couldn`t find it... He was Trained to dump his brass into it, and he "Fought" how he was "Trained"...)

JMO,

Howard

 

[Gerald McDonald]

I was always taught to create distance by moving away from the encounter, if your first assumption is you will be shot and your second is it will be fatal, whats the use of all the training, your planning on being dead regardless of the outcome.
Gerald

 

[Tamara]

Also, when I say "close the distance" I am refering to "A Good Offense" is sometimes your "Best Defense"...

Yes, but "distance favors the better marksman". Train to be the better marksman.

 

[GitSome45]

Tamara,

Good point, well taken. (I think I know you from TFL)

Howard

 

[usnavymasterchief]

If I KNOW I'm gonna get shot, I'd reather take a round in the back than in the chest. IF I survive, the dude that shot me is gonna have a hard time convincing a jury that he shot me in the back in self defense.

 

[ElAlumno]

Sorry, but I cannot think of a worse way to train or a more suicidal attitude.

Put distance between you the BG.

Seek cover.

There is no way you can "train" or prepare yourself for being shot, and such an attitude, is IMO dangerous.

I have never entered into a lethal force situation (or any other encounter) with the expectation of being shot.

 

[TheMariner]

Well, after catching a riccoche once, I'd like to say that I honesty no longer care if I get hit... What's it matter anyway?

Is everyone scared of dying? ANyone know why Doc Holiday died of TB, despite several gun battles? No, he wasn't a good shot; he just didn't care... Nothing bothered him... life wasn't some guarantee... Thus, he went into every battle knowing exactly what he needed to do.

To act without care is to act with clarity... I know what I need to do, regardless of personal safety. I'm not saying think like some hero... But if you fear death... then run. Don't bother shooting back with any desire of ending the issue.

For two points, where is Doc Holiday now buried?

 

[Jim March]

Fade sideways and backwards. Sideways so he has to track you, back to increase range and increase your advantage over the typical goblin "marksman".

Keep your knees bent, crouch and move fast without "bouncing" and screwing up your sight picture. Think "smooth run".

The direction of sideways movement is dictated by the location of the cover you're moving behind.

This whole thing is known as "getting out of the kill zone" - when the goblin first makes contact, he'll point the gun your way and once shot once or twice, will often "sieze up" and continue pouring fire into the place where he saw you first. That place, or ANYWHERE in the line of fire of that place, is a spectacularly bad place to be.

A straight retreat is better than standing still or boring straight in, as it increases the odds of the incoming landing at your feet or wizzing over your head. But "back and sideways" takes you out of the kill-zone the fastest.

 

[Gerald McDonald]

Scared of death, dont think so, in time it comes to us all, dont really care to rush it along either, I have step daughters and grand kids I would like to see grow up. I wont be of much help to them if I'm planted six feet under.
I always thought to act without care was described as careless, which could get someone killed when it was needless.
Gerald

 

[happyguy]

Right attitude, wrong direction of movement.

Lateral movement in the direction of the nearest cover is what I would do.

Regards