Precautions for paradise

D

Distain

Inactive
I currently live in Africa in Kenya, overlooking a lake, its a natural paradise, amazing climate, beautiful landscape, very naturally wealth country. But we have some serious security issues. Crime is way way above US and European levels. I myself was hijacked at gun point two years ago. Very unpleasant experience having a gun pointed at your brain and your unarmed. I hide in my room for two days afterwards I could not even speak to anyone... Then of course there is Al Shabaab....not nice people

So I got a government license and bought me a glock 19. I have trained a bit with it. Will now be going to the range twice per month and getting some local semi amateur/pro "training". I was wondering what advice you guys might offer in terms of additional protection. Two x navy seals as body guards would be great but a bit out of my budget. In my home I have an electric fence, alarm system, dogs , and a local security company on call. To be honest the biggest threat is probably not my home but when I visit Nairobi. (But more ideas for the house are also welcome.)


PS This should make you all laugh I would have been an anti gun guy before I came to Africa. :) Now I understand why you folks want to be armed. Running is always gonna be my "go to " strategy but if not possible hopefully I can get a shot or two off before they get me. :mad:
 
Welcome to TFL! First, I recommend training. You mentioned you're going to get training at your local range, but I just wanted to emphasize it. I also want to recommend that you only receive training from someone who is actually a certified instructor; don't trust an amateur to know what they're doing, even if they're police or military.

Many "gun people" don't actually know much about guns and aren't very good at shooting, but I've seen plenty of these people teaching their friends all their bad habits and poor techniques. And just because someone is police or military doesn't necessarily mean they know much about guns or are any good with them. So until you're skilled enough yourself to tell the experts from the not-so-experts, make sure you get trained by professional instructors.

And depending on your security needs, you might want to consider a semi-auto carbine also. A handgun is very useful because of its portability and concealability, and most of the time it will do the job just fine. But I tell you what, if I had a bunch of guys from Al Shabaab bearing down on me, I'd sure as heck want an AR-15!
 
Thanks Theohazard I think your right, proper training is what I need. Now where can I find a professional trainer in Kenya. Might have to wait until I get home in the summer.

I'd love an AR-15. But the only time I'm gonna run into Al Shabaab is in a mall in Nairobi and they wont let me carry the AR-15 inside a mall. The danger from those guys is very real, I used to go to Westgate. In fact my x gf used to work in Westgate. Luckily she was off work the day Al Shabaab attacked. Her friends were not so lucky. Two of her colleagues died in there, they were waitresses, local Kenyan girls in their 20s. Bastards ! One of my brothers once told me al-Qaeda was a "rabid dog" the same applies to Al Shabaab.

Could get an AR-15 for my home and a gun safe. I think I will only have to deal with some dumb robbers here at home. So maybe my glock 19 is enough? hmmmmmmm rifles > handguns hmmmmmm

Other thing out here is if problems happen 911 does not work so well. Who know when the cops will come, maybe the next day. And the cops might be working with the robbers.
 
And depending on your security needs, you might want to consider a semi-auto carbine also. A handgun is very useful because of its portability and concealability, and most of the time it will do the job just fine. But I tell you what, if I had a bunch of guys from Al Shabaab bearing down on me, I'd sure as heck want an AR-15!
Click to expand...

+1.

A handgun's primary advantage is that it can always be at hand. If you know a fight is coming, you want two things: a rifle, and all your friends with rifles.

Could get an AR-15 for my home and a gun safe. I think I will only have to deal with some dumb robbers here at home. So maybe my glock 19 is enough? hmmmmmmm rifles > handguns hmmmmmm
Click to expand...

Happiness is "having enough". If a couple of dumb robbers show up, than maybe the Glock will be enough. If it is, the AR/AK/FAL would also be enough. If a large, oraganized group of Goblins (of whatever ideology or religious persuasion, and it matters not what their motivation is, they mean to do you harm) shows up, then maybe even the long gun would not be enough, but it would sure be better to have than the handgun.....

Once upon a time, Col. Jeff cooper used to travel the world to give instruction in personal defense with firearms ..... I wonder if someone is doing the same today?
 
Thanks Jimbo86. Is an AR easy to use? From what I read on the forums it is much easier than a pistol. Never fired anything but a semi auto.

The walls on my house, even the inside ones, are solid stone. Five or six inches of stone. I think my 9mm glock rounds will not be able to penetrate those???? I use hollow points. What about the AR? Not even sure what rounds are available here in kenya.
 
You better be armed always ,never more than arms reach from your gun !! Read up on that !
Find the best training you can ,you'll be surprised how much you don't know .
Regular practice at matches like IPSC. Always treat these matches as the real thing not "a game". Basic gun and holster not any fancy weird equipment. Be aware always !
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks Mete. I am carrying all the time at the moment, Israeli style. Once I get my Cleveland hybrid holster I'll carry condition 1 in Nairobi. Have a 6 year old daughter at home, so in the house I'll leave the glock condition 3.

Current holster is cloth.

These forums are very helpful to me.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sounds like you are on the right path! The Glock 19 is a great weapon, easy to conceal, a fairly high standard capacity with the ability to take even larger mags. Kudos my friend. I carry a Glock 19 as well.

I don't have an AR-15; I settled on a shotgun for HD for price reasons; but if we ever moved to Africa I'm sure I could convince my wife better why an AR was necessary. They are great guns, ergonomic, fun to shoot and in a caliber that won't overpenetrate (with the right bullets) inside the house.
 
Thanks Jimbo86. Is an AR easy to use? From what I read on the forums it is much easier than a pistol. Never fired anything but a semi auto.
Click to expand...

An AR is easier to shoot accurately, if that is what you mean..... long guns generally are. The controls are no more complicated than most handguns...... they do have a manual safety, though.
 
Shooting skills and self defense skills are only loosely associated.
They are very different subjects.
Get training in both, for the best chance of survival from a deadly encounter situation.
Be sure whoever supplies the training is qualified for the one you seek.
Preferably both, of course.
 
Um, Kenya's emergency number is 999.
Click to expand...
:D:D:D

Today I was told that ARs are not allowed for civilians in Kenya. So the only rifle option available to me is a shotgun. I can get a Turkish made pump action for about 1,400 USD or a Benelli for 2800 USD. Not sure the make of the Turkish one. The Benelli feels really nice to hold. I think pump action shotguns are very simple/reliable guns so that manufacturer is not so important?

Another option is to buy a semi auto pistol and convert it to a "machine gun" using a kit??? Somehow I don't trust that idea. But maybe I am wrong. Also not so cheap.

Training I am not sure how to get g.willikers. Yeah so far I have only learned a little about how to shoot not really how to fight. Working on that. Will be in N. Ireland for the July so maybe I should get a course there.

8MM Mauser: thanks. The 5 inch stone walls of my house, can a 9mm glock rounds penetrate those??? I think no??? Very solid stone.

Thanks again for all the comments.
 
Welcome to TFL, Distain!

You mentioned that ARs are not legal for civilians in Kenya. Does that mean that rifles are illegal for civilians to own, or just ARs? What about other semiauto rifles (the Mini-14 & AKs come to mind). What about lever action rifles? Or maybe a 9mm carbine (that could share ammo with your G19)?
 
A pump shotgun with buckshot is a pretty formidable weapon at short ranges...... I would have one were I in your shoes .... as well as a lever action rifle in 30/30 winchester.
 
First off, I live on a beautiful lake also with almost crystal clear water. It is my 44,000 acre front yard. The nice thing is it safe here. Your life is more important than any other aspect of life. You need to move from there and forget all the other garbage about weapons. No job or any other aspect is worth the danger you have expressed about where you live.

Second off, You need at least an 8 round capacity shotgun with about a 20" barrel until you can get yourself out of danger. This is what I have next to my bed, and I live in a very safe community.

Third off, Go back up and read First off and do it as soon as possible.
 
Hi Lamarw,

me and my "muzungo" friends talk often about why we stay in Kenya. One good reason is I have the most beautiful daughter you can imagine. Shes half Irish and half Kenyan. (I'd post you a photo but I don't like to put her picture up except for family and people I know) You get so much help to bring up a small child here it great. In many ways the country is ideal when the kids are small. Later the advantages switch back home. Why else do I stay hmmm it fun here, opportunities you cant get at home. Its exciting and exotic. I'd miss it if I left. The climate the best in the world. Its in the 20s all year long. if these guys could sort this country out. oh man.

But your right the dangers are much higher. Even the roads are way more dangerous than europe/usa. To be honest there is no way al shabaab is coming to my house. They attack high profile targets in Nairobi or Mombasa. Also Kenya is NOT in a state of war this is not Somalia. These are random terrorist attacks which have happened all over the world. London, Spain even the states. My county house is not a good target for them. The only person coming here is a dumb robber and him I can deal with him/them. But Nairobi is an issue, even for just general violent crime its a problem

My choice is between a Benelli m4 and a Hatsan for shotguns.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top