Red Rubi

It takes 1/2 a second to drop one in the chamber. If you don't have 1/2 second then you shouldn't even pull it. It's his choice, there's no need to knock him. He did everything right, it's usually always best to avoid the situation than provoke it.

bcperry2000

All your thoughts/ideas are appreciated. I've grown up around guns my entire life. However, the idea of carrying a gun for self-defense is relatively new to me, last year or so. I've always been taught to treat every gun as if it were loaded, check and double check the chamber of any gun you are handed, don't point a gun at something you don't intend to shoot, and don't put your finger on the trigger unless you intend to shoot. So I'm going to have to get accustomed to carrying loaded. To do this though, I need to be more comfortable with my carry weapon. Frankly, I'm just not comfortable with the Kel-tec. I've been racking my brain about it and I simply have no comfort level with the P3AT. The "safety" of a long trigger pull or the reliablity of the weapon itself. So I think I will start looking for a new gun with some additional safety features and more reputable manufacturer!! Possibly the Springfield XDSC, H&K 2000SK, or Walther PPS. The Kel-Tec will make a nice backup gun.

To avoid that type of situation in the future I will
1) Be moving to suburbia in the next month (not related to this incident)
2) Will not drive in sketchy areas at night with doors off
3) Work on my intimidation look


Anyone have any of the guns I've mentioned above? I'm just now starting to research them a bit.

bcperry2000

yep, already got one. i love the bersa's cuz they're an awesome gun for the money. they have a concealed carry version too. i'm leaning towards the XD because of all the safety feature and indicators it has. plus...40 caliber

BLKRUBI

Just make sure you put it in the front!


I don't envy you, bc. That'sa tough call, but I'd be just as cautious with my top off also.

possumface

only pull gun if u plan on shooting it teenagers throwing things isn't a death sentence no gun required, you did right thing, i never carried one in the chamber , had a .22 cal. rim fired auto one time it had a bad firing pin from the factory a burr or something on it if you hit the gun it would fire and not just one round but the whole mag. it was full auto if you chambered it fired like a machine gun. ever since then i never carried one chambered. or one under a firing pin on others

PoorDad

If I am going to be carrying a weapon, it will have a round in the chamber. That is the way I was trained and the way I practice, so it is second nature. Whatever way you choose to go, practice is key. Since you have been around firearms all your life, you probably already know that, though. My only suggestion is, if you are worried about anaccidental discharge with one in the chamber, you may want to consider using a holster.

The main pistol I carry off duty is a P200SK. I like it because it is small (almost too small for my hand) and well made. It is easy to conceal, too. If you can, go to a range and see if they have the pistols you are considering. That should narrow it down to 1 or 2.

bcperry2000

thanks! i'm really liking the P2000SK. there's a big gun show tomorrow so i'd love to go check one out. unfortunately i don't have that kind of $$ right now so i might have to ask for it for xmas or something

Geeper4x4

One in the chamber.
You were right not to show your weapon.
Pepper spray great: Fox Labs is my preference.
Important: Cell phone 911 - You are the victim cause you called for help first.

Shoup

I will say this, being a police officer in the Peoples Socialist Republic of Chicago, I thought you did it right minus the fact that you had to phyically put one in the chamber. I carry a Sig P245 and sometimes I carry my Compact XD45 (depends on what I am doing). I always have one in the chamber on or off duty. As far as someone said to have the "look" that is true, assholes are like animals they can sense fear and they know if you are afraid and they feed off of it. Pepper Spray is not a good option, I have seen people get a whole can in the face and shrug it off like it was nothing and they weren't high. I also carry my extra asp with me just as a precaution. Always and I repeat always have an extra magazine, one never knows if he is going to need it or not. I carry 2.

HappyCurmudgeon

I always keep one in the chamber. ALWAYS.

I carry a Glock 19, or my HK USP Compact interchangeably.

The Glock obviously has no external safety. I admittadly was at first, but I am no longer nervous with it. Keep in mind though, it is an ease of use thing. Especially where you admitted to being rattled, had you needed it, would you have been in the right mind enough to click off a manual safety? I have had oodles of training, and I know that i might not have been.

I was always a revolver guy growing up, but i like the auto's for carry, just my personal pref.

Pepper Spray is a great addition. but i dont view it as an option. The gun and the spray are simply tools, you just need to us the right one with the right application. You dont need a sledgehammer to put in a finishing nail (as fun as that may be...)

In my opinion, especially at night or alone in a scary area, your best weapon isnt a gun, or pepper spray, or a swat team in your back seat.


It is situational awareness.

When you pull up to a light, stay back from the car ahead of you, there are no extra points for conserving pavement. If you are on a road with more than two lanes, be on the outside lane, left or right doesnt matter. if someone is in a left turn center lane, dont be in the left lane next to them. The whole point is, Always leave yourself an escape route, leave room to turn and floor it. If you get scared, LEAVE. Make sure no ones is coming first and run the damn light, hop the curb, make an illegal U turn, whatever. Just LEAVE. In my opinion, a tactical retreat bears no shame at all.

I know and work around a lot of Cops, i dont know a one who would give you a ticket for bolting from a percieved dangerous situation, and even if you got caught blowing off a redlight to get out of Dodge, who cares?, pay the fine, go home and hug your wife/kids/jeep. Tomorrow is a new day. You'll be there to see it.