Saturday, July 23, 2016

Self Defense Firerms


Brigid has one of her outstanding posts up on self defense. I’ve sent the URL to several female relatives urging them to read it.


For much of my adult life my nickname has been “Tank”. A large tank. Haven’t worried too much about physical attacks but have twice faced loaded firearms pointed in my direction by malefactors. Now, age 72 and slowed by age, the intimidation factor is probably diminished.



What I’ve carried for years is a .44 Special Charter Arms Bulldog. Not everyone’s choice and maybe not a good choice. Some of my reasons.

1.  Safety. You can open and close the cylinder with the hammer down. No worries about an accidental misfire lowering the hammer on a live round. Charter Arms builds them with a bar under the hammer that doesn’t move until  the hammer is cocked. No worries about it firing if dropped.

2.  Stopping power. Yes, it is not a magnum but it will stop any predator found North America, especially two legged.

3.  Reliability. 100% over 20 years and hundreds of rounds fired.

4.  Accuracy. Far better than my skills. Watched my sister put five rounds into a junk refrigerator (at one of ‘those’ ranges) at over 50 yards.

5.  Intended purpose. I am not paid to be a gunfighter. Close range self defense as I’m retreating.

As you can see in the photos a gunsmith added a “peep” sight. I have macular degeneration in my right eye. I can still focus on the front sight/target and the peep helps me align the piece.

In my younger years I was above average with a rifle (best shot in my Army Basic Training Company). With a hand gun, on my very best day, mediocre. The Bulldog fits my skill level. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot other handguns. A son has several. I like his Springfield XP .45 and a Makarov he has.  Enjoyed them, especially the Makarov, but will stay with what I have.

Something all of us can agree on. Having something is better than nothing. Knowing how to use what you have is better than learning how to use it as the s^*t is hitting the fan.

8 comments:

CenTexTim said...

I would think the intimidation factor of that large bore barrel pointed in someone's direction would de-escalate a lot of situations in a hurry.

I'm a big fan of the Springfield XP in .45, but a lot of the time I carry a simple .38 revolver because of its smaller size, ease of use, and reliability.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I've owned a few semis. Carried a Star 9mm Browning clone for a few years. The Bulldog packs easily.

Old NFO said...

It's all about comfort, you're comfortable with that gun, and THAT is what counts...

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Thank you. Maybe I'm too lazy to change.

Coffeypot said...

Except for my younger years, I have always carried a semi. But now I have been thinking about going back to a revolver. And, like you, it is for defense while backing up. But because of that, I am leaning toward a double action. I'm not sure how fear would interfere with a hammer pulling single action.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Age is catching up with me and I find a two handed grip with both index fingers on the trigger works best for me.

For a man who set his car on a jack, losing so much strength is the worse part of aging.

Coffeypot said...

You set the car on the jack? Did you not read the jack instructions first?

Well Seasoned Fool said...

What? Read instructions? I'm a MAN! Don't need no stinking instructions.