Just returned recently from my first defensive handgun class at Thunder Ranch. Sadly, Clint and Heidi were out for an unplanned medical issue and I didn't have an opportunity to meet them.
The class was lead by a very capable "mini-Clint," Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision. Much was learned and I actually ran into a situation on my return to my home in Delaware during a break down on the drive home from Philly at 1am. Long story but I had returned to DE were my CCW was legal and after breaking down at a well lite convienence store a car load of young and rowdy moved from a one parking are to directly behind my Jeep and shirt the lights off but remained in the car. I was already in the process of retrieving my .380 Sig from my checked bags. My 1911 mags only had a few loose rounds left over from training so I went for the .380 which had two mags topped off with Critical Defense rounds. Problem!! TSA, above and beyond posted regs had wrapped all my loaded mags in clear box tape!
In a controlled panic, I wrestled with the tape on one mag, got it unwrapped and dug with my thumbnail to scrape the adhesive from the mag left behind by the tape! GOT IT! I jammed the mag in, chambered a round, engaged the safety and though less than desirable dropped the Sig in my pocket without a holster.
I immediately made distance from the threat area to the better lite front of the store. Looking around I concluded that the caliber of folks out at this time of night in this area should not be approached for a light, let alone a jump! I decided to try to text my brother in law who lived less than 10 miles away.
Standing right outside of the front entry doors I began to enter a text to him. Before I could finish I could see something approaching fast from my left side pereiphial vision. As I looked up and left I could see a young black man coming right toward me and up onto the sidewalk riding a bicycle! In one motion, he dropped the bike and continued to step toward me while pulling up the front of his shirt with his left hand and speaking something mumble to me! My first thought was WEAPON!! I took two steps back toward to store entrance to gain distance and jammed my right hand into my pocket ready to draw and give verbal compliance commands! My eyes never left his hands! This seemed to happen in slow motion but must have just been a cour of seconds in real time.
As it turned out, the man was showing me stab wounds to his abdomen and was pleading for a ride to the hospital! I maintained my distance, looked for an attacker in chase and told him to lie down while I called 911. He refused and continued to the many patrons at the gas pumps in the parking lot. I proceeded to safety inside the store and connected with 911.
Police were about 10 min responding and the guy was actually checked into a local hospital before they came on scene!
In the end, I learned a few more things and was very happy to have had my pencil sharpened and a bit more prepared for the situation than before the class! Need to plan a return trip so I can actually meet Clint and Heidi!
The class was lead by a very capable "mini-Clint," Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision. Much was learned and I actually ran into a situation on my return to my home in Delaware during a break down on the drive home from Philly at 1am. Long story but I had returned to DE were my CCW was legal and after breaking down at a well lite convienence store a car load of young and rowdy moved from a one parking are to directly behind my Jeep and shirt the lights off but remained in the car. I was already in the process of retrieving my .380 Sig from my checked bags. My 1911 mags only had a few loose rounds left over from training so I went for the .380 which had two mags topped off with Critical Defense rounds. Problem!! TSA, above and beyond posted regs had wrapped all my loaded mags in clear box tape!
In a controlled panic, I wrestled with the tape on one mag, got it unwrapped and dug with my thumbnail to scrape the adhesive from the mag left behind by the tape! GOT IT! I jammed the mag in, chambered a round, engaged the safety and though less than desirable dropped the Sig in my pocket without a holster.
I immediately made distance from the threat area to the better lite front of the store. Looking around I concluded that the caliber of folks out at this time of night in this area should not be approached for a light, let alone a jump! I decided to try to text my brother in law who lived less than 10 miles away.
Standing right outside of the front entry doors I began to enter a text to him. Before I could finish I could see something approaching fast from my left side pereiphial vision. As I looked up and left I could see a young black man coming right toward me and up onto the sidewalk riding a bicycle! In one motion, he dropped the bike and continued to step toward me while pulling up the front of his shirt with his left hand and speaking something mumble to me! My first thought was WEAPON!! I took two steps back toward to store entrance to gain distance and jammed my right hand into my pocket ready to draw and give verbal compliance commands! My eyes never left his hands! This seemed to happen in slow motion but must have just been a cour of seconds in real time.
As it turned out, the man was showing me stab wounds to his abdomen and was pleading for a ride to the hospital! I maintained my distance, looked for an attacker in chase and told him to lie down while I called 911. He refused and continued to the many patrons at the gas pumps in the parking lot. I proceeded to safety inside the store and connected with 911.
Police were about 10 min responding and the guy was actually checked into a local hospital before they came on scene!
In the end, I learned a few more things and was very happy to have had my pencil sharpened and a bit more prepared for the situation than before the class! Need to plan a return trip so I can actually meet Clint and Heidi!
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