Any "Thank God I've Got A Gun" experience(s)?

W

William Jesse Magnum

New member
Any life threatening encounters in which "you have used" or "almost about to use" your defensive handgun to protect yourself, family or others? any true account stories would be worth to be shared.

Note:
This has been my second post of the same topic since last year and if i could only post this daily to every thread, i really would. i saved the previous posts and am still collecting true-to-life factual stories.

Thanks for supporting! Happy & Safe Shootin!
 
As posted in the other thread that finally died a few days ago...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2864000&postcount=45

I was run off the road by a psychotic driver... luckily, on my way home from a rabbit hunting / plinking trip.
He grabbed a shotgun, I drew, I warned him, and he ran in his truck.

At the end of my post I stated "Next time a weapon is in the BG's hands; I won't hesitate." That is so absolutely true, I cannot convey my resolve to stop an armed criminal that is threatening me. After hearing that an innocent woman was killed after he left me on the side of the road... I will not hesitate to take down an armed BG in the future. The second I see them armed should be the last second before I take action. CCW countdown: 119 days.....
 
TGIGAG would be everyday

Over the years I have been stalked and pounced at by mountain lions, charged by various big four legged critters, including one black bear that walked about four feet directly across from me, shot at (this by two legged drunken critters) and every time I have had at least one gun with me and usually pointed in the direction of the threat. I have posted this before, with more details.

I have never had to actually pull the trigger in any of these confrontations. Usually just talking with the threat has de-escalated it to the point of everybody went home alive and unharmed.

I am a hunter of many years and much meat, and have no illusions as to what happens when the trigger is pulled. I also know that at any close ranges, bullet holes often do take a little time to finish their work. This is one of the biggest reasons why I have not shot most of these threats. Nothing like a thousand pound Brown bear now really pissed off, even if it is dying it still can let you know just how badly this makes it feel!

When hunting, typically we are talking about shooting a stationary target at a modest range. When in self-defense mode typically we are talking about a very quickly moving and aggressive target threatening to run you over. Unless you have an excellent shot or shots, the threat may be walking dead but still able to work you over. And caliber does not always change this. I am a firm believer in having too much gun. I have shot the heart out of animals and watched them run for a ways. I have hit bone and the insides of the vitals look like they were hit by a 12GA with buckshot at close range, and still watched them run off a ways.

In my judgement, I will always try to de-escalate the confrontation if possible first; with my finger on the trigger. But, I do draw the line and it has not been crossed; and I pray that it never will.

The mountain lions and beer breath critters are from long ago in a different state. Where I live now I just have the bears and moose. (Not too concerned about the two legged where I am now - but still pay attention.)

So, I carry pretty much every time that I leave the house and am thankful that I have the right.
 
it is said that the best thing that could happen to somebody out of self-defense is to never draw a gun in one's lifetime.

I havent had any experiences YET (& hope i never will) though my bro-in-law Rudge almost got his ass kicked way back '93. cut long story short, brought his ex-GF home near med school, his car cut through some corners and almost nudged some bystanders, next thing he knew there were 5 bummers approaching his car holding 2x2 wooden planks. The thing is his ex-GF somehow brought his carkeys together with her apartment keys. My bro-in-law rolled down his windows and fired a warning shot. Rudge recalled these gangsters had eyes like owls and quickly fled the scene. Rudge received a reprimand a few days after yet who knows what may have happened if he didnt had his Colt 1911 .45 Gold Cup with him that night.

That story was one of the main reasons why i became a gun enthusiast 10 years after to date. My current home defender is a S&W Model 627-5 Performance Center "8-shot" .357 Magnum revolver (which is right beside me now as i write this on my bed) and i plan to get myself sometime real soon with a 9mm or a .380 North American Arms for CCW.

We are not pro-violence. Just responsible gun-owners ready, willing and able to defend ourselves and loved ones in the worst case scenarios.

Happy & Safe shooting to all!
 
yes

Too many.
No shots (ever) fired.

None since living in Vermont.

Taught me: Awareness is critical; humans become 'targets', which allows me to use 'target' skills; the time for nerves is afterwards; and most importantly CHECK YOUR GEAR.
 
I've been on both sides.

I should have had a gun, and I wish I would have had a gun, but I made it out alive more than once!

I had a gun, but I forgot my pepper spay, and my tazer to foil them, before I had to shoot the scum bag!

Thank God it didn't escalate, and I had the presence of mind to avert the situation.

And that's just in the last few years.

But, I live in Vegas now, and the I've encountered this in the last few days.
 
A friend of mine once got cut off by one car while guys piled out of another behind him. He was driving an electrician company's van and they wanted all his stuff. He happened to leave the passenger-side door unlocked ( a mistake he never made again) and one of the guys jumped in the car with him. My friend pulled his gun and pointed it right at the guy's head. He started screaming and his friends jumped back in their cars and left him there. He ran down the street.

My friend drove back home (He'd only gone a few blocks) and called the cops.
 
Possible car jacking.

Amazing what an unexpected Mauser HSC does to the want for your car.

I and my wife got in and drove away.

I am sure today as I was then,if that Mauser was'nt there,we might even be dead.
 
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"Any life threatening encounters in which "you have used" or "almost about to use" your defensive handgun to protect yourself, family or others? any true account stories would be worth to be shared."

True Story - I found myself dragged into an IKEA over the weekend. I think that fits in the 'almost about to use' category. I could have saved a dozen men...
 
I have never been in a situation that waranted me drawing, however there have been innumerable times the knowledge that my pistol was close has comforted me.
 
Outside of my visit to Vietnam 35 years ago, I have spent eighteen years in civilian law enforcement, criminal and corporate investigations and have been very lucky that in all that time I only had to pull my weapon out twice and never had to use it.
I thoroughly believe the best weapon we have is our mind. The defensive mindset and training are the best ways to keep you and your loved ones out of trouble.
But in today's society with the situations of random attacks and shootings that we have all read/heard about, the need for self defense is continually increasing. Many people (not on these forums) buy a handgun, fire it once in a great while and stick it in a closet and forget about it, and somehow believe they are "protected". Whatever weapon you choose as your self defense primary, proper training and constant practice are more important than ever. I know I am preaching to the chior here, but I'm getting old and sometimes my patience runs short with mall ninja types...
Keech
 
I went to the range once, and everybody there was shooting and having fun. And I said to myself "Thank God I have a gun" And I joined in on the fun.
 
Back in 1964, in Lancashire UK, I was returning from a Military competition, had to have a current, or past Mil. issue pistol, one chap had a .455 Colt revolver, which he said came from the far east.

I had a Browning Hi-Power, bought from a gun store in Manchester, it was in Withey Grove, sold on consignment (thats a story on its own) well on to the story.

Driving my Company TV Van, ladders on top, 4 new Televisions in the truck, covered by red padded covers, as usual, raining, cats and dogs.

Going towards Liverpool (Lived in St Helens Lanc's) on the East Lanc's Rd, two young guys standing on the far side of the traffic Island for Leigh, you were going slow when you came off the island, good place to catch a ride.

Thumbs up, I stopped, they jumped in, company van, I did not care about a bit of wet, now you had to know the configuration of the Ford vans to appreciate the size in side the cab, 3/4 ton (I think) flat front, engine in cab, bit of a squeeze for three, "You going as far as the Pool?" Liverpool, no said I, "We could take you van and go ourselves" said the one against the door.

I pulled the coat open, showed the nice walnut butt, "I could shoot the pair of you and kick you out as well!" Gun was unloaded, they did not know.

The next traffic Island was fine by them!
 
Back in 2000 my wife was coming back from her friends house about 1:00 in the morning on a Friday night. I was at work, (third shift) at the time. She came to an intersection and was stopped by the stop light. There was one car in front of her, and one car in the back of her. Suddenly from the side of the road 4 guys jumped out of the shadows. The all went to the 4 doors of my wife's car and immediately started to work the handles and open them up. She was pinned in at the light by the two cars. Since my wife had automatic locks on the doors, they couldn't get in so they started banging on the windows while shouting loud and berating profanities and repeated demands for her to unlock the door in an attempt to scare my wife into submission. One guy even jumped on top of the car and started beating on her windshield and sun roof. She calmly picked up her Smith and Wesson SW99 40, put it in battery, and showed them the business end. Land speed records were broke by the four guys as they high tailed it from the scene. She has a Ruger p95 now...but she still doesn't leave home without it.
 
Two close calls . . . and . . .

I have carried now for nearly 26 years. There have been many times when having my 1911 on my hip made me feel more personally secure and that I could protect those with me if necessary. There have been two incidents that I actually thought I would have to draw or shoot . . .

Incident 1: In the late 1980s, I had traveled with a group of friends with the intent of SCUBA diving in Puget Sound. The weather came up, and the ferry we intended to ride was cancelled, so we ended up camping down a dead-end road I knew of. We had a group of about 10, and at least half were women and children. Well after dark, two or three trucks pulled up and blocked the road -- and a group of 20-something men walked into our camp and declared that we were in their party spot and we had to leave. This was before cell phones, of course, and we certainly were out of view of any major road. They escalated, became more verbally abusive and threatening, and more demanding that we leave. I became more concerned -- not for me, but for the women and kids in our company. My hand moved slowly back to the Taurus PT-99 under my jacket, and as I looked to each side, I noticed that two others had done the same. The thugs eventually left without incident, but I don't think any of the CCWs in the group slept soundly that night. (I counted up once that we combined had about 60 rounds of 9 mm and .45 together.)

Incident 2: I worked early in my career as a field biologist for the state. We had shots fired at biologists in the field, and we assumed that there were pot grows in the area. I was always glad I had my 1911 under my shirt or jacket. One day when I was waiting for my supervisor and a trainee to meet me at the truck (we were surveying near streams), I heard shots. I was standing on a bridge, and downstream there was a man shooting at something that wasn't obvious -- a revolver on each hip. A few minutes later, my colleagues came down the stream and were accosted by the man, who was agitated and verbally threatening. I was still on the bridge, and they were below; the man was definitely posturing over his guns, and stated that if they returned to his property (bordered the creek), he would shoot them. On that day, I actually palmed my 1911 behind my thigh, moved to an angle where my colleagues were not in the line of fire, and mentally prepared to shoot the guy if he began to draw. The adrenalin was flowing, and although it ended up with no shots fired, I was shaky and sweating afterwards.

There have been other incidents, having worked in the woods and carried so many years, but these two stand out in my mind. I know I have been watched while working in the woods before (haven't we all been there, that eerie feeling when your neck hair raises up and your gut says you are in danger?), which was probably when I was too close to pot grows. I remember once actually walking out of one of those incidents with my pistol held behind my thigh at the ready.

Charles
 
3 but the one that was actually funny was an attempted car jacking.
BG ran up to my vehicle screaming get out of the car. He had a 9mm - looked like a Glock.
I exited with a snubby 44Spl pointed his way.
He had a very strange look on his face like "what, he has a gun - Oh sh--T!!!"
All i said was "Haul ass MF" and he was gone like a shot out a gun.
He was running so fast he lost on of his shoes and never even slowed down.
I got back in my car, went a few blocks, pulled over and then started shaking.
I was not scared by the event , but scared at how close I had just come to killing someone. I had full intent if he did not turn and run, I was going to drop him right there.
 
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