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Warning: Rambling Thread.
I wanted to talk about home defense and the value of those false alarms im sure many of you have experienced.
I keep a pistol with light attachment bedside, and every now and then I'll hear something and go check it out. Most of the time its my water heater creaking and groaning, or the freezer crackling, or stray cats, etc. But i try to be vigilant. If i cant positively tell what a sound was i wait for another and then go check it out.
Id say i grab my gun and casually go lookin around once or twice a month on average. But in the past year i have had a handful of geniune scares, where i truly thought someone was in or trying to get in my house, and those few incidents have helped me greatly.
Incident 1: My brother was staying with us, i went to bed and he said he was leaving. 2 hours later i awoke to loud rummaging in the living room. I got tense, grabbed the pistol and forgot everything i have taught myself to do in this situation. I poked my head and gun out of my bedroom with light on and said "whos there!?" no answer. Walked out and illuminated my brother with finger on the trigger.
Grade, FAIL: Imaginary assailant knows im coming and where i am. Im not scanning or alert im just hiding behind my gun. Im nervous and probably wouldnt shoot well at all.
Incident 2: I awoke around 3am to what sounded like someone trying to pry open my garage door. Proceeded forth a little more calmly this time but still hit the gun light right away and had tunnel vision. Nerves more under control but tactics are off.
D: They know im coming again but i was slightly better prepared.
Incident 3: I was awake this time, around midnight. Heard the backyard gate rattle then crunching steps in the gravel which is only on my side of the gate. Slight improvement again. Left the light off, moved quietly, overcame the nerves and went into spidey senses. I remembered that its important to see them before they see you. I want to be able to identify a threat before they see me so i have those critical seconds to make a decision. Took the back route to the gate discretely and found the furry four legged assailant checkin my trash. I was supsised at how loud his steps were in the gravel.
B: I was ready this time but i think if i had to shoot, shooting fundamentals would have been forgotten. And i didnt make sure other entry points to house were clear before going outside.
Incident 4: I still to this day think somebody jumped my fence and left before i got there. I was up late in the living room so i grabbed the shotgun from the safe instead of pistol. Long story short i discretely looked through the drapes, then crept around to backyard and did everything right (in my opinion).
A: I was ready. I felt the fear but controlled it. Checked my gun safety and chamber, remembered my grip, my sights, what may be behind my target etc. They would not have heard or seen me, they wouldnt have been able to get inside because i checked locks, and i wouldnt have missed.
I have no formal training. I shoot alot and read alot and have my own idea of how to deal with a home defense situation. I know many people will say to hole up in your room and call the cops but i cant do that everytime a cat jumps my fence, and im not waiting for LEO to come write down all the belongings or loved ones ive already lost when he gets there. So that is my approach.
The moral of this long winded story is this. For those of us with no training and no experience in real life threatening scenarios, nothing beats a few genuine scares to better prepare you for dealing with it. I feel more confident now and i definitely learned a few things. Everything changes when real fear kicks in. NO i havent been shot at and thats another level, but atleast ive faced the enemy in myself a few times.
One other observation. The enhanced feeling of security when holding a 12 guage compared to a 9mm was incredible. I might start putting it bedside instead.
I wanted to talk about home defense and the value of those false alarms im sure many of you have experienced.
I keep a pistol with light attachment bedside, and every now and then I'll hear something and go check it out. Most of the time its my water heater creaking and groaning, or the freezer crackling, or stray cats, etc. But i try to be vigilant. If i cant positively tell what a sound was i wait for another and then go check it out.
Id say i grab my gun and casually go lookin around once or twice a month on average. But in the past year i have had a handful of geniune scares, where i truly thought someone was in or trying to get in my house, and those few incidents have helped me greatly.
Incident 1: My brother was staying with us, i went to bed and he said he was leaving. 2 hours later i awoke to loud rummaging in the living room. I got tense, grabbed the pistol and forgot everything i have taught myself to do in this situation. I poked my head and gun out of my bedroom with light on and said "whos there!?" no answer. Walked out and illuminated my brother with finger on the trigger.
Grade, FAIL: Imaginary assailant knows im coming and where i am. Im not scanning or alert im just hiding behind my gun. Im nervous and probably wouldnt shoot well at all.
Incident 2: I awoke around 3am to what sounded like someone trying to pry open my garage door. Proceeded forth a little more calmly this time but still hit the gun light right away and had tunnel vision. Nerves more under control but tactics are off.
D: They know im coming again but i was slightly better prepared.
Incident 3: I was awake this time, around midnight. Heard the backyard gate rattle then crunching steps in the gravel which is only on my side of the gate. Slight improvement again. Left the light off, moved quietly, overcame the nerves and went into spidey senses. I remembered that its important to see them before they see you. I want to be able to identify a threat before they see me so i have those critical seconds to make a decision. Took the back route to the gate discretely and found the furry four legged assailant checkin my trash. I was supsised at how loud his steps were in the gravel.
B: I was ready this time but i think if i had to shoot, shooting fundamentals would have been forgotten. And i didnt make sure other entry points to house were clear before going outside.
Incident 4: I still to this day think somebody jumped my fence and left before i got there. I was up late in the living room so i grabbed the shotgun from the safe instead of pistol. Long story short i discretely looked through the drapes, then crept around to backyard and did everything right (in my opinion).
A: I was ready. I felt the fear but controlled it. Checked my gun safety and chamber, remembered my grip, my sights, what may be behind my target etc. They would not have heard or seen me, they wouldnt have been able to get inside because i checked locks, and i wouldnt have missed.
I have no formal training. I shoot alot and read alot and have my own idea of how to deal with a home defense situation. I know many people will say to hole up in your room and call the cops but i cant do that everytime a cat jumps my fence, and im not waiting for LEO to come write down all the belongings or loved ones ive already lost when he gets there. So that is my approach.
The moral of this long winded story is this. For those of us with no training and no experience in real life threatening scenarios, nothing beats a few genuine scares to better prepare you for dealing with it. I feel more confident now and i definitely learned a few things. Everything changes when real fear kicks in. NO i havent been shot at and thats another level, but atleast ive faced the enemy in myself a few times.
One other observation. The enhanced feeling of security when holding a 12 guage compared to a 9mm was incredible. I might start putting it bedside instead.
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