Force on Force: AWESOME!!

OK, we have talked guns before, but we should probably discuss how cool Force on Force training is. So, The K and I did some of this training with a local firearms instructor/SWAT officer a couple of weeks ago. They run you through real-world, re-created scenarios that are deadly force encounters. You use a modified handgun that shoots pretty high velocity paintballs. Talk about frickin cool.  Everything from home invasions, to bank robberies, to coming to the aid of a police officer under assualt or women getting raped. It was geared towards what I would call defensive tactics and offensive shooting once deadly force is to be used.

They make it pretty real though. We went out to a local FOP camp and used thier training grounds. So if it was a car scenario (Joe and I each had different car scenarios), you actually sit in a car and the thing goes down. They had some cabins that are used to simulate your home, they had anotehr one that simulates a bank of store. They set you up with a little info and then let the situation unfold based on how you deal with it. Most times you are forced to draw a concealed weapon and take down a threat. Its amazing because you know that its not real and you know to some extent what is going to happen. But that said, the adrenaline is pumping like crazy. I was waiting for my first scenario and I could feel my heartbeat in my quads. LOL. AWESOME!!! Next up is either an AR15 (assualt rifle) course or the advanced combat handgun course. If you are an adrenaline junkie like me, this is a game you should play!

Oh, and after that got done, The K's, myself and Brian all went out to eat. I was walking to my car (just like I had done in a scenario) and when I realized that I had no actual weapon with me I about freaked out. Until you go through that stuff, you just can not possibly understand A) how much you need a weapon at all times and B) how totally dead you would be without one if something went down. It also convinced me to carry a gun with a round chambered at all times. I went home that night and immediately chambered both my weapons. If something goes down, you just do not realistically have time to deal with chambering a round or flipping a safety(soooo glad my Walther has no safety on it!). You learn that real fast when a 300 pound bad guy is barrelling down on you with a gun or knife. The situation is incredibly fast and incredibly violent.

I am going to get my CCW permit in this state ASAP. Had one up in IA and miss it.

NICE!

I maintain, an HK USP .45 is your gun. If you are fighting with a handgun, you want the biggest bore you can get.  If you plan on carrying concealed, get the USP Compact. Thats my next gun.

Rule #1: If its a shooting situation, its a lethal force situation. That means if she ever draws that gun to shoot a bad guy, its because the bad guy is trying to kill her, Regan or yourself. That being the case, you want her to be able to put two in his chest and one in his head. End the fight. I maintain, you want the .45!

If this is to be used 100% as a home defense weapon (not for fun or carry), get a shotgun with nothing more than an 18" barrell. They make the tactical shotguns specifically for this purpose. Pistols are notoriously bad fight stoppers. They deliver good hits and will kill, but it will likely take several good hits to end a threat. But a 12 gauge at ranges that you find in a home defense situation will absolutely end the bad guy with a single shot. I know its disgusting and horrible, but then again, so is a rapist or murderer trying to kill your wife. The shotguns are nice too because they are cheaper(generally). You can get a reliable Mossberg for half the price of that HK USP. It just depends on your usage. But barrell length is key. I have a 28" barrell Benelli duck gun(12g) that is worthless in home defense because its so long I can't turn corners with it. Hence the reason my primary home defense weapon is now my Sig 556. A 16' barrell with a collapsable stock works perfectly when it comes to moving around corners and clearing rooms effectively.

Oh, and regardless of what you get, its MANDATORY that you get a weapons-light for it. 80% of self-defense shootings occur in low or no-light conditions. Spend a little money ange get a good Surefire LED flashlight with a mount for the gun you buy. That will save your life.