Thread: Personal Firearms

In a self defense situation you're responsible for every shot that comes out of that weapon. That's where caliber and practice comes in to play.

Like Jimmy I used to practice almost every month for years, now I just go but twice a year.

I practice combat shooting and it is 85% points shooting and 15% aim shooting. Everything from 5' to 30' (I think, 7 or 10 yards) is point shooting, beyond 30' is fast target shooting. Closer than 5' is hand to hand combat. Longer and lower caliber weapons are easier to point and shoot than short high caliber ones ( like .357mag snob nose) and require more practice to be effective.

When I carry the snob nose my combat range is shorter for this reason. I extend the range by using .38 special instead of .357mag. If caught outside of my combat range is best to take cover and retreat. When I carry the H&K 40 compact, I feel confident on a longer (50') combat distance.

Also every time you let go, you should do it in sets of two or three every time. More holes on center mass, lower the blood pressure quicker, assuring ( in most cases) incapacitation of the bad guy.

I also found that buying an air soft gun ( replica of the on I carry) gives the best practice to be fast and accurate for your dollar. I set targets in the garage or sometimes on the back yard and practice drawing and point shooting. It's fun, convenient and low cost.

Double O

Originally Posted by Double0757

In a self defense situation you're responsible for every shot that comes out of that weapon. That's where caliber and practice comes in to play.

Like Jimmy I used to practice almost every month for years, now I just go but twice a year.

I practice combat shooting and it is 85% points shooting and 15% aim shooting. Everything from 5' to 30' (I think, 7 or 10 yards) is point shooting, beyond 30' is fast target shooting. Closer than 5' is hand to hand combat. Longer and lower caliber weapons are easier to point and shoot than short high caliber ones ( like .357mag snob nose) and require more practice to be effective.

When I carry the snob nose my combat range is shorter for this reason. I extend the range by using .38 special instead of .357mag. If caught outside of my combat range is best to take cover and retreat. When I carry the H&K 40 compact, I feel confident on a longer (50') combat distance.

Also every time you let go, you should do it in sets of two or three every time. More holes on center mass, lower the blood pressure quicker, assuring ( in most cases) incapacitation of the bad guy.

I also found that buying an air soft gun ( replica of the on I carry) gives the best practice to be fast and accurate for your dollar. I set targets in the garage or sometimes on the back yard and practice drawing and point shooting. It's fun, convenient and low cost.

Double O

couldn't agree more, that's also one more reason I carry my 45, when it comes to point shooting this one just lines up with my hand on perfectly. I also have practiced point shooting since I was a kid with pellet guns and the like, as my wife can attest to. I got pretty good. When we got our house and I started picking off citronella candles and flower pots in the backyard, did not make her too happy. But it made me a much better shot.

Colt Officer's SS .45 ACP w/Cocobolo grips. Manstopper extraordinaire.

I've had this Smith & Wesson for years, shot the extractor out of it, and now it's a paperweight because in a city of over 1,000,000 people... no one will repair it.

Originally Posted by 80malibu

I've had this Smith & Wesson for years, shot the extractor out of it, and now it's a paperweight because in a city of over 1,000,000 people... no one will repair it.

Quick follow up. On a chance meeting with friends at a pub the conversation steered over to what was in our collections, turns out one of the guys has a father who is a Master Armourer, so, 2 months and $125.00 later the Smith is back in action after a 10(?) year hiatus. Looking forward to putting a few downrange!

Being in law enforcement, I have had many firemens. Just a few weeks Ago i decided to go out and purchase a new off duty gun. Presently I was carrying the Kahr k9. Well had nothing but headaches with that gun sent back to Kahr numerous times, still never was right. And this year the nypd no longer authorizes there members to carry Kahr firearms as back ups anymore. So I looked around in the market for a nice small pocket pistol that was easily concealable. After a lot of research I wound up with the beretta nano 9mm. All I can say is what a fantastic firearm small reliable and just built well.. If ur looking for a personal gun check this bad boy out..

Originally Posted by 80malibu

I've had this Smith & Wesson for years, shot the extractor out of it, and now it's a paperweight because in a city of over 1,000,000 people... no one will repair it.

That's a nice pistol. If you have sandpaper and a file you can easily fit a new extractor if you can get one shipped up there.

Originally Posted by bharner

That's a nice pistol. If you have sandpaper and a file you can easily fit a new extractor if you can get one shipped up there.

There's the rub, I had the extractor... lost it in a move!? Now the Canadian S&W authorized repair won't sent the part any more 'cause you "need to be a gunsmith" Apparently the spring behind the extractor has a very specific rate, and you have to do as you mentioned, remove material from the extractor to bring it within spec. The S&W guy up here wants the complete gun and unknown monies to repair, I'm not comfortable plopping a handgun the mail/courier and getting a bill that's north of the value of the piece. I got a different story from other suppliers and smiths and have shelved the project until I visit USofA and can hopefully just buy the $14.00 part "over the counter" and get it in working order. I can't even get the original drawings to have a machinist weld and reshape the damaged area. I imagine the steel is hardened etc, so welding may not be an option... bugs me, the S&W part is under $20.00! The extractor is part #101270000 IIRC.

That's no fun. If you were in the US I know a great gun smith which specializes in antique firearms and handguns. And only charges $40 an hour.
I recently decided I needed a big loop lever for my Marlin 336 . I didn't want to spend $150 for the one from Wild West so I found the part number for the factory Marlin one and called. They wouldn't ship to me because I'm not a FFL or gunsmith. And this is something that only takes a couple screws and 5 minutes to replace. Thankfully one of the local FFLs thought it was hilarious they wouldn't send it to me so he ordered it for me. $87 including shipping and tax.

Originally Posted by bharner

That's no fun. If you were in the US I know a great gun smith which specializes in antique firearms and handguns. And only charges $40 an hour.
I recently decided I needed a big loop lever for my Marlin 336 . I didn't want to spend $150 for the one from Wild West so I found the part number for the factory Marlin one and called. They wouldn't ship to me because I'm not a FFL or gunsmith. And this is something that only takes a couple screws and 5 minutes to replace. Thankfully one of the local FFLs thought it was hilarious they wouldn't send it to me so he ordered it for me. $87 including shipping and tax.

Nice, a friend is pals with the owner of Alberta Tactical Rifle, he's gonna chat him up and see if anything is feasible at their end. You wanna weep with joy, have a look at their work: Alberta Tactical Rifle Supply