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DoctorWho
Senior MemberPosts: 9,496 Senior Member
Personal Defense knowledge, what is your source ?
DoctorWho
Senior MemberPosts: 9,496 Senior Member
What or how do you learn the important aspects of Personal Defense ?
Some folks learn it as a catechism of sorts, have read aspects of it in books, some have first hand experience in combat or law enforcement / security etc...
I believe LE training is an excellent platform / manner to learn valuable lessons as far as personal defense, there seems to be a gulf between what is taught in LE and what is taught to non LE.
I think however personal experience surviving an encounter builds or hones ones skills necessary for survival.
Non LE seems to break down Personal Defense into zones, home defense, car defense, etc.
I always thought of a general defense strategy consisting of a nice compact handgun, preferably a 9mm or .45 acp, something I am likely to have on My person most of the time.
While long guns are ideal, if you live around people even in a rural town, it is doubtful anyone goes about their daily routine with a rifle slung on their shoulder.
It would be great if everyone chimed in and gave a brief overview on how they learned valuable personal defense information, and how they incorporate what they learn into everyday life.
Some folks learn it as a catechism of sorts, have read aspects of it in books, some have first hand experience in combat or law enforcement / security etc...
I believe LE training is an excellent platform / manner to learn valuable lessons as far as personal defense, there seems to be a gulf between what is taught in LE and what is taught to non LE.
I think however personal experience surviving an encounter builds or hones ones skills necessary for survival.
Non LE seems to break down Personal Defense into zones, home defense, car defense, etc.
I always thought of a general defense strategy consisting of a nice compact handgun, preferably a 9mm or .45 acp, something I am likely to have on My person most of the time.
While long guns are ideal, if you live around people even in a rural town, it is doubtful anyone goes about their daily routine with a rifle slung on their shoulder.
It would be great if everyone chimed in and gave a brief overview on how they learned valuable personal defense information, and how they incorporate what they learn into everyday life.
"There is some evil in all of us, Doctor, even you, the Valeyard is an amalgamation of the darker sides of your nature, somewhere between your twelfth and final incarnation, and I may say, you do not improve with age. Founding member of the G&A forum since 1996
Replies
Some I've learned from classic books, especially by Ayoob, such as "In the Gravest Extreme".
Some I was taught by my Dad and other people who've had shooting experience.
Some from just thinking about scenarios and using common sense to solve problems hypothetically before they occur, just as we do with any problem.
Some from handgun classes, both the basic concealed carry class and more advanced stuff.
Some from here, reading and thinking about advice from other forum members.
And a bit from my own personal experiences, having been in two actual shootings and several near-shootings, thinking carefully about what happened and what mistakes should be corrected.
For me, none from the military or LEO training, as I've been in neither.
So there are multiple sources for me, and I try to use all of them to plan and envision situations.
I'm fading and doped up. I'll continue tomorrow.
When it comes to who I listen to, it is from those who have "been there and done that" on more than one occasion, and have been successful.
I look to understand their mind set, their approach.
I want to understand how it happened the way it did, and why they did what they did.
Probably the one who has taught me the most to date is a friend who served for over a decade in the SF's and has trained others to do the same.
Other than that I glean a little here and there.
I have friends in various types of LE that have spanned my adult life, and although I learn valuable things from them, I am more interested in people who have had to fight others to defend their life or others on many occasions.
I have never served in either LEO or the Military.
A lot of the shooting skills I have, did not come from LE or military, but from a little here and a little there, and from, just figuring things out slowly over time.
I have learned to use either hand while still or moving.
I practice shooting from about every weird stance I can think of knowing it is unlikely I will get to choose one of my preference.
I have learned to be deliberate in my shooting, and have set deep in my mind, when everything falls apart, not to get tunnel vision.
For the last two years it has made me think differently about tactical matches, and the way I have shot a handgun versus the way I have been taught how I should approach it.
I have been told be several folks who have been there and done that, that, tactical matches are not as realistic as one might suppose.
And what might help you win a tac match may in the end hurt you and your ability to protect yourself and others.
I have learned to never assume things will happen a certain way-Murphy always shows up.
I have learned it is more important to put the bullet(s) in the right spot than it is to be gnat accurate.
I have learned that the scenario will likely change, and I will have to adapt.
I have learned when things look like they are going south, people you would think would be there to support/help you, freeze.
I literally pray that I will never have to do it, while at the same time I prepare myself as if I will, praying for the wisdom to make good decisions and respond viciously when needed to protect myself and others.
There is more I could type, but that is it for now.
"The Un-Tactical"
One thing that I practice is a break with tradition, in any type of defensive encounter, I rather have My sidearm holstered or by My side until there is a threat, and then, I do not concentrate on the front sight as is popularly taught, I keep My vision clear on the threat not the sights, bring the pistol up into My line of sight and if need be fire, this is how I practice, and so far it has worked for Me in actual encounters.
The reason being I see the many hunch back forms lots of instructors take and I am not doing that ever.
I feel the same way with the ever popular strong side draw, it takes a moment to scrunch before the draw and telegraphs your intentions to draw so well, like the dog that lifts its leg prior to urinating, it is like asking to be shot.
I would rather draw from a pocket, if asked for your money it looks like you are going to surrender your wallet, any numb-skull robber knows your wallet is not high on your hip.
:that: Plus some training for/with competitions over the years.
Luis
I did train in martial arts for many years though. That involved empty hand, knives and sticks. We trained to defend against attackers armed with both knives and guns, defending either empty handed or with a knife or stick- or whatever is handy to use. My Sensei was a Kempo Grand Master who had served in the Army and been a hand to hand combat instructor. I'm sure the curriculm he taught us in the dojo was quite different from what he taught in the military but the point is I know he certainly wasn't one of those "paper tigers" BP mentioned.
I definately want to get some real handgun training at a legitimate school though. I do read a lot about handgun training in magazines and books but I know that is no substitute for real instruction. There's a Sig academy in New Hampshire I'd like to check out. And I'd love to go to Gunsite sometime. Any other suggestions?
I hope you meant to say "... has been shot [at] a few times...", otherwise the instructor is probably **** out by now. ha ha
Doc, just a small personal question -- you're an excellent writer of posts here, all of them coherent and thoughtful, but I see that you often capitalize nouns. Did you maybe come from a German-speaking background? Just curious (for those who don't know, all nouns are capitalized in German, both proper and common).
Question, Listen, Learn, Challenge, repeat as necessary. :beer:
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain
Thunder Ranch...Clint Smith
Yeah, but the singing really helps!
How easy it is to make people believe a lie, and [how] hard it is to undo that work again! -- Mark Twain