Flat tire scenario

L

LonelyAtTheTop

Inactive
Actually, this really happened to me last week. I was driving on a two lane state highway at 10:30 am when I felt the left rear tire go out. I pulled off onto a paved shoulder as the highway has heavy truck taffic and drove slowly to a side road about 50 yards ahead, turned right and parked under the briefest hint of shade. No other traffic and just one house in sight. Got out the spare and just about had the flat off when an old Nissan pick up pulled in behind me and stopped. I had the SP101 loaded with Gold Dot 135 gr .38 special +p but it was in the glove compartment.

The driver was alone, approached, and asked if he could help. I said "No, thanks" and kept working on the tire change. It was miserably hot and humid and I am no longer in the best of shape. My back was to him and I was stooping down to put the spare on. Not the best tactical position. We exchanged a few comments about his truck as I own one just like his but you would have thought I was a member of a NASCAR pit crew as I finished up the tire change while replays of all the troublesome scenarios on this and other gun boards ran through my head. How could I be so stupid and not at least have the revolver on the seat or floorboard?

He got back in his truck and said "Wait a minute, I live right here. I'll be right back." He drove into the driveway about 100 yards down the road and got out of his truck. I'm throwing flat tires, tools, and tire jacks into the trunk and am now sweating like a pig. Should I go for the gun? He pulls up again in the truck, gets out, and offers me two of the coldest bottles of water I have ever held. I take one and it is the sweetest sip of water ever.

We introduce ourselves, I thank him again and again for the water, and make a note to myself to bring him some home made jelly the next time I am in that area. I get in and start the car and even with the a/c on full blast I can feel the first hint of becoming overheated. Without that water I might have been in a bit of trouble from the heat.

Did I do OK?
 
Being prepared doesn't always mean being ready to shoot. It also means assessing the situations as they develop, knowing when to trust help that comes your way, being calm and non-aggressive, and keeping a clear mind. This isn't combat, it's just life. I think you did fine.
 
Glovebox? Can you share what state you were in? In many states it's illegal to transport a firearm in the glovebox, especially loaded, without a CCL.

But, a firearm carried for self defense is only good if you can draw and fire within 4 seconds - at least that is what standard the Navy is trained to.
 
I had to change a flat tire last week, in Philadelphia. As it was, I was glad I had my Kahr MK9 in an OWB holster -- it stayed with me the whole time, and didn't really become uncovered that much. Having it in the holster didn't bother me at ALL while I was changing the tire. (Actually, I had to do two tires -- the flat one was on the front drive wheel, and all I had was a donut spare, so I had to put the donut on the rear tire and move the full-sized tire to the front.)

Maybe I'm just a misanthrope, but I would've felt better with the firearm on me at all times, especially when a stranger was hanging out there. That's one of the reasons I picked a smaller gun as my CCW of choice.
 
well, I would have put the guy to work...if only just to keep him busy. "busy hands cant do the devils work" or something like that.

If you really felt the ol' radar going off, you could have claimed an injury in order to stay back and let him do the work. That way, you would have been standing behind him instead of the other way around. Sounds underhanded but everything is fair when your feel threatened.

The other moral of the story is...never judge a book by it's cover. I have met some pretty meek and mild looking fellas that will and have done evil beyond comprehension without blinking an eye ...and some pretty rough looking dudes who WITHOUT FAIL will stop and walk an old lady across the street.
 
I was driving on a two lane state highway at 10:30 am when I felt the left rear tire go out. I pulled off onto a paved shoulder........Louisiana. OK for carry anywhere in the car.
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OK, I gotta call BS. Everybody knows there are no Louisiana Highways with paved shoulders.
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Just kidding. Glad it worked out safely for you.
 
Did I do OK?
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I have to ask, what if you had the pistol on your person? Would you have drawn? shot? Why are you so paranoid? Is it our society today?

When I was younger like in the 70s we would always stop and lend a hand to folks broke down. Is this unsafe nowadays? To offer aid? get shot? I dont get it at all. Why all the fear? Unconfidant in your ablity to defend yourself in a hand to hand situation? or just think everyone is out to get me thing?

I stop each winter and pull some one out of the ditch, happens every winter, is this unwelcome? I must rethink this.
 
markj

Your reply was kind at the heart of my post. I never really felt threatened. I imagined that maybe I could have been at risk or I would not have minded if the guy had not stopped at all so I wouldn't have to think about any risk real or imagined. In other words, at least the concept of situational awareness was not completely new to me thanks to lurking around here and a few other sites. No, I would not have drawn or shot if the gun had been on my person. In fact, I have made a deliberate decision not to seek CCL. Except for flat tires my life is mundane beyond description. And if it goes hand to hand I'm pretty much screwed due to other physical issues.

Somebody's sig line on this forum or one of the other gun forums was "Reading this board scares the hell out of me." I guess that what I was getting at. The situation could have gone bad and I did think of that possibility. But afterwards I thought about many of the scenarios discussed in these forums and few leave open the possibility that trouble does not hide behind every tree. I am not trying to be a troll or critical. You ask "Why all the fear?" In part because of the hypothetical and real life situations presented on these boards. When I actually experienced one it turned out extremely well and much differently than I might have expected. Just wanted to share that as well. Still I am glad for the knowledge and experiences available in these forums.

dawg23

La Hwy 10 between Franklinton and Bogalusa in Washington Parish (the tip of the boot.) Hard hit area during Katrina which was the real life scenario I also lived through that did turn me toward a search for more knowledge about weapons and personal defense in general. TFL has been a main source for that knowledge and I am grateful.

Still, that was some cold water. ;)
 
Did I do OK?
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You forgot the ninja smoke! And the backup weapon! And, where was the tactical thigh holster?

Seriously, though. Sounds to me like you were out in the world, and you met a nice dude who tried to help you out.

Your question ... is ... what? ... Should you have shot him? Probably not for offering to help you change a tire, and then driving to his house and back to bring you some water.
 
Is it just me, or did anybody else wonder why a guy who has been a member for less than a month, and with only 4 posts puts something like this on the board?

I think there is a footnote in chapter 8 of the gun-board netiquette handbook that says you don't post a "how'd I do" lethal-force-scenario thread until you have at least been around long enough for the hound to get used to your scent.
 
When I was younger like in the 70s we would always stop and lend a hand to folks broke down. Is this unsafe nowadays? To offer aid? get shot? I dont get it at all. Why all the fear?
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Last night a state trooper pulled over at 4pm to help a stranded motorist, the 21 year old motorist shot him in the chest and killed him.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070706/LOCAL/707060504

Yes times are different today, society is different. I hear stories that in my grandmother's era in Maryland motorist would pickup hitchhiking military men to give them rides to and from base; can you imagine your wife doing that in todays society?

I carry my main 1911 in a carry bag (bail out bag) wherever I go. Whenever in a situation that has a higher probability of a bad person taking advantage of circumstances, the gun immediately goes in my IWB holster on my hip. If I'm walking down a darkened street at night, firing an irate employee at work or changing a tire, I put it on.

I put it on when I change a tire. I put it on when I pull over to help someone change a tire.

I don't consider myself paranoid, I consider it smart in todays society to always be prepared to protect yourself and family. There are plenty of people with bad intentions looking for vulnerable situations.
 
My buddy and I had this happen to us in downtown Atlanta. We hit something right in front of the stadium and my tire was flat by the time we hit Hapeville. I don't want to say that we stood out, but had white males been implicated of any crime...we would have been picked up inside of 10 minutes. It was snowing/sleeting/raining and the wind was blowing about 30 MPH. It was NASTY.

My buddy was standing there trying to keep me from getting wet with the umbrella while I changed the tire. It didn't work.

Anyway, a police cruiser pulled up and he turned on his lights (protocol I found out later). He asked if I was okay and I said yes. He highly suggested that I get that tire changed and get the heck out of there asap. He said it was a favorite tactic of the gangbangers in the area to bust up people who were changing tires.

I had my Clackamas Kimber on my hip so I thanked him for the heads up and said I was both well prepared in the event of trouble and that I was almost done, which I was. He went across the street and waited until we were done before he left.

New
 
Some people arent BG's. Some just want to help. I think it would do us all good to relax a little.

Being on code red with your hand ready at your holster 24/7 may keep you alive, but its no way to live.
 
LOL some of you guys scare me. Take a breath of fresh air, and realize that most people don't want to harm you. There's a lot of quick draws with guns running around, on the edge, ready to pull it out as soon as a threat is perceived.

It's not as bad as that story I read here about the guy that decided not to get in his car and pull way, instead pulling a gun on some wacked-out guy that was talking smack to him. Man, I've had all sorts of confrontations/fights throughout my life and I either just blew them off, talked them down, or heck sometimes I just fought them. I can't imagine pulling a loaded gun at the first hint of a confrontation.
 
Theories

Again, allow me to reiterate:

A theory isn't good because it's true; a theory is good because it's uself.

Is it true that every person is bent on evil against you? No, but in certain circumstances it sure is a useful mindset.
 
"Some people arent BG's. Some just want to help. I think it would do us all good to relax a little.
Being on code red with your hand ready at your holster 24/7 may keep you alive, but its no way to live."

I have to agree with redneckfur 200%, you did the best you could in a given situation, besides you did have the tire iron in your hands if necessary. Even if you did have your handgun IWB for instance and he did pull a firearm on you what would you have done...quick draw?
 
The only possible exception I might have is that when he approached, you might have stood up & greeted him rather than staying stooped down. It's friendly to begin with - not threatening, and it makes your tactical position better.
 
I have to ask, what if you had the pistol on your person? Would you have drawn? shot? Why are you so paranoid? Is it our society today?
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That is a rediculous question. That is the type of question that dumbs down these discussions.

If you guys want to change a flat, or stop to help someone UNARMED, just so you can relax, live relaxed, and not seem paranoid - GO FOR IT.

I am relaxed, just prepared. I have too much to loose.
 
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