And how often do any of you practice live fire close engagement from concealment with your actual carry gun,full house ammo, with reloads, strong hand only while moving, under a shot timer, and scored?
Boy...talk about a Murphy situation (Murphy's law).
I like how you think 9x45!!
Sound training, based around realistic skills is a HUGE part of the entire picture. Just having a gun is a nice FIRST step. Without the skills to deploy that weapon AND get solid hits...its not worth the weight you are carrying.
Same goes for a second mag or speedloader.
There is a youtube vid of a offduty LEO (in Brazil, i think). Gets into a shooting with a cpl armed robbers inside a bus terminal. Lots of teaching points in it
FiIRST, he fired a LOT more then 5 shots (J frame guys
)
SECOND, very early in the fight he is hit,FATALLY, but he keeps going like nothing happened. Handguns are POOR STOPPERS
THIRD, he doesnt have a spare magazine ON HIS BODY, he has to dig it out of his carryon baggage
FOURTH, he fumbles around trying to reload his pistol. Clearly not well trained or practiced in this manipulation/skill.
Now, some will say (see some of the above posts), that "he was a cop and im not...so i wont be involved in a situation like that". Ok, lets explore the line between offduty LEO's and the armed citizen. A lot of people think that because we have a badge in our wallet, that somehow makes the ACTUAL fighting different. It does not. It might change why and when we fight. But the skillsets are the same
You have no duty to intervene...neither does the off duty LEO. This officer CHOSE to get involved. BUT, lets make a minor change and see where you are at
These 2 thugs enter the bus station not with the intent of robbing it, but with the intent to kill a bunch of people to further whatever whackjob cause they beleive in.
So you are sitting in that lobby as these 2 enter. They pull guns and open fire on the counter staff. Maybe shoot another customer thats right in front of them. Its clear the day has gone terribly BAD.
SO... You chose your path.
A.. Sit there and be another victim?
B...Draw your 5 shot J frame with NO RELOAD? Trying to stop mtpl attackers with a small hard to shoot gun that only has 5 Rounds TOTAL
C...Draw your Glock/M&P/1911/any full sized FIGHTING handgun and use the skills you have honed thru diligent training and practice on the range.
You chose what you are ok with. I understand ANY gun is better then NO gun. But, to stick a 5 shot J frame in your pocket and think you are ready to defend yourself is a FALSE sense of security.
Against a single attacker trying to mug you in some ally...maybe it is enough gun. But, you dont get to pick your encounter. In todays world you are more likely to face mtpl attackers that are INTENT on doing you harm, not just taking your wallet. That is a 1950's, leave it to Beaver scenario. 1 guy with a switchblade trying to take my watch...
I applaud all the guys & Gals that carry daily, but there is WAY more to it then that.
Rant over....