Real life lessons in self defense

[Rcjackrabbit]

I have watched over 200+ videos of real life robberies and shootings on the Active Self Protection youtube channel. Each video is a real life self defense situation caught on camera. I have observed the following ...

1. Awareness is the number one thing to avoid being a victim. Almost all the people attacked were not paying attention.

2. Speed of your counter ambush is the most important skill you can have. Most bad guys give you a chance to counter ambush when they look away because they have to focus on multiple things - the crime at hand, bystanders, ect...

3. Over 90% of defensive shootings were at 3 yards or less.

4. Malfunctions are common.

5. I have never seen one person reload during a gun fight. Not one.

6. I have never seen one person clear a malfunction in a gun fight and get back in the action.

7. Incapacitation with handguns is very inconsistent. Some people go down immediately. Other people keep going.

8. Carrying without a round in the chamber is the dumbest thing you can do. It failed every single time I saw it.

9. Appendix carry is very common and seems to provide the fastest draw.

10. I have not witnessed one time Pocket carry was used in self defense.

11. Multiple attackers are common.

12. For some reason, people under stress don't shoot through concealment when the round would easily go through and hit the bad guy.

[Rifle ronin]

5& 6 I've seen cop videos of reloads and fixing malfunctions, of course not in the SAME video.

[isntzen]

Very nice distillation. Your observations are consistent with the few ASP episodes I've seen as well.

[Rcjackrabbit]

I think there is a big difference between the role of a handgun for a cop vs. a private citizen.

A cop will often deploy his handgun as an offensive weapon
A cop will often deploy his handgun in advance
A cop will usually (not always) have backup

I just trained with several cops about a week ago. They were simply amazing in their skill sets. I was truly humbled.

They all had red dots on their guns. They literally put all their shots into a group the size of my palm at 25 yards. Amazing. I think the red dot makes sense for their situation because they will deploy their gun in advance, offensively, and at distance many times.

For me, it makes less sense. I will be drawing from concealment on a target close up most likely. Speed of my first hit is key. I will not be engaging targets offensively at 25 yards, I will be getting safe.

Most citizen self defenders will do different things than a cop does.

[XDJYo]

Agree with above.

I would however have to say that #8 should be #2. It is equal to carrying a paperweight as a defensive weapon.

I do remember 1 pocket carry. There was an old guy in a casino sitting at a slot machine when multiple scumbags came in. He drew from his pocket if I remember correctly.


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[rlewpolar]

I think there is a big difference between the role of a handgun for a cop vs. a private citizen.

A cop will often deploy his handgun as an offensive weapon
A cop will often deploy his handgun in advance
A cop will usually (not always) have backup

I just trained with several cops about a week ago. They were simply amazing in their skill sets. I was truly humbled.

They all had red dots on their guns. They literally put all their shots into a group the size of my palm at 25 yards. Amazing. I think the red dot makes sense for their situation because they will deploy their gun in advance, offensively, and at distance many times.

For me, it makes less sense. I will be drawing from concealment on a target close up most likely. Speed of my first hit is key. I will not be engaging targets offensively at 25 yards, I will be getting safe.

Most citizen self defenders will do different things than a cop does.

Agree with what you say but a red dot for me always made sense in daily carry in the unlikely event of a mass shooting event. Ever measure the length of a supermarket aisle? I can consistently make those groups at 25 yards as your cop friends did. With iron sights and with my eyesight, not a chance.


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[Rcjackrabbit]

Agree with what you say but a red dot for me always made sense in daily carry in the unlikely event of a mass shooting event. Ever measure the length of a supermarket aisle? I can consistently make those groups at 25 yards as your cop friends did. With iron sights and with my eyesight, not a chance.


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I agree a dot is better for a 25 yard shot.

It is a trade off. You will be faster with irons up close. Speed on target is the #1 attribute that will win your survival at self defense distances.

I choose to trade the close up threat for the mass shooter.

[Rcjackrabbit]

Agree with what you say but a red dot for me always made sense in daily carry in the unlikely event of a mass shooting event. Ever measure the length of a supermarket aisle? I can consistently make those groups at 25 yards as your cop friends did. With iron sights and with my eyesight, not a chance.


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I would argue that your best tactic is to seek cover and escape if the bad guy is at 25 yards.

I watched one "hero" go after a bad guy in a mass shooting situation in a grocery store. While the hero was engaging what he thought was the only bad guy, bad guy #2 came up and shot him.

Your job is to survive first.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Seems the further away the target, the harder to prove self defense.
Unless you’re protecting someone else.

[FNGGlock]

For #12 the reason may just be liability, if you can't clearly see the target/shot a citizen will not take the risk. But more likely lack of experience & training.

[Tango_Down]

Here's my take from watching self defense videos: If you are anywhere in public in Brazil there is likely an armed off duty police officer within 10 feet of you at any time.

[Experimentalist]

I agree a dot is better for a 25 yard shot.

It is a trade off. You will be faster with irons up close. Speed on target is the #1 attribute that will win your survival at self defense distances.

I choose to trade the close up threat for the mass shooter.

I think the Suarez emails pointed out that many CQB trainees report seeing "meat and metal" when using Simmunitions under pressure. Irons and / or a red dot will serve reasonably well in these circumstances.

For the longer shot red dots certainly help.

The legal dimension is also important to consider. Demonstrating the forethought to equip your weapon with a red dot sight *could* weigh in your favor at trial. Taking the extra expense and effort to make your response as accurate as possible.

[NorCalBusa]

ASP has lots of videos, very best ones are when you hit "Mute" at the start as that blabbering dude thinks he's calling a damn hockey game or something. Like sportscasters, he has his favorite little 3-5-maybe 7 word lines he drops every video...ugh. His newish sidekick guy is far better, when he can get a word in edgewise. I get it- whatever gets ASP followers and clicks is what they'll do.

[XDJYo]

ASP has lots of videos, very best ones are when you hit "Mute" at the start as that blabbering dude thinks he's calling a damn hockey game or something. Like sportscasters, he has his favorite little 3-5-maybe 7 word lines he drops every video...ugh. His newish sidekick guy is far better, when he can get a word in edgewise. I get it- whatever gets ASP followers and clicks is what they'll do.

[Rcjackrabbit]

I like the ASP guy. He does not annoy me in the slightest. And, I am easy to annoy!