Wyatt Earp on Gunfighters
- Thread starter Snakeoil
- Start date
462
California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
My son-in-law and I took Front Sight's two-day defensive handgun course 3 1/2 years ago. Neither of us had ever shot competitively and the local range does not allow rapid fire, so it was a new form of shooting, for us. I used my carry Glock 27.
Two seven-yard rapid fire shots to the fist-sized thoracic center mass was not difficult, however the three shot seven-yard rapid fire Mozambique Drill, that required a change in point of aim and an eye refocus to the sinus area, took a fair amount of practice to become 100% on-target efficient. At seven-yards, the sinus area is rather small.
Under pressure in the "fun house" my sinus shot was high and to the right. However, I'd already taken out his three buddies, with two shot thoracic hits, and my heart was pounding and the adrenalin was flowing. That fun house pressure was as much shooting pressure as I ever want to experience -- don't want to have to find out if I'd be cool and quick thinking, like Wyatt and his kind.
Thankfully, some forum members have lived to tell their tale(s). I suspect that they wish the circumstance(s) that they found themselves in had never happened. I thank them all for their service.
Two seven-yard rapid fire shots to the fist-sized thoracic center mass was not difficult, however the three shot seven-yard rapid fire Mozambique Drill, that required a change in point of aim and an eye refocus to the sinus area, took a fair amount of practice to become 100% on-target efficient. At seven-yards, the sinus area is rather small.
Under pressure in the "fun house" my sinus shot was high and to the right. However, I'd already taken out his three buddies, with two shot thoracic hits, and my heart was pounding and the adrenalin was flowing. That fun house pressure was as much shooting pressure as I ever want to experience -- don't want to have to find out if I'd be cool and quick thinking, like Wyatt and his kind.
Thankfully, some forum members have lived to tell their tale(s). I suspect that they wish the circumstance(s) that they found themselves in had never happened. I thank them all for their service.
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Did you ever wonder why some folks get a squirt of adrenalin and time slows down to a crawl, everything takes on a clarity and the brain sorts through a plethora of possibilities with a speed almost unimaginable? Other get their shot of fight or flight juice and simply freeze. There is no guarantee that the person who is "enhanced" by adrenalin will be the survivor or a deadly encounter, whether physical, weapon related, vehicular, or aeronautic, but their chances are one hell of a lot better. In that hormonally/chemically altered state it is a lot easier to take your time quickly.
Rick H
Well-Known Member
Another imponderable here. Just because one's adrenaline produced clarity on one occasion is no guarantee it will in another. I was shot at 4 times in my career and my initial reaction was different each time. Ranging from stunned disbelief to coldly placing two rounds center mass while telling myself "front sight, front sight, front sight." Thanks for the grace of God and some decent training I am still here to talk about it. We are faced with different situations and have scant information upon which to recognize what is happening and how best to handle it. I am a firm believer that once we recognize we are in a fight, we will fight as we train. Its never simple and, at least for me, never easy.
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Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I have to believe that none of us really know how we will react until we are put into that situation. I've seen people panic over silly stuff. My wife and I were on our sailboat and a bad storm came over the mountain and we could not get to a safe harbor in time. I had full canvas up and I needed to get it down and down NOW. My wife stood in the companionway of the cabin with total panic on her face. I told her to come back and take the tiller while I went forward to get the sails down. She could not move. I calmly but firmly told her it was okay to be scared, but not okay to be useless. That seemed to flip a switch in her, and she came back held the boat into the wind and I was able to get the sails down. I suspect that many others may have that same switch and a good leader, like a Seargent in combat, can make them do things that they otherwise would not be able to do. Others, probably a smaller group, do not need to be motivated.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I don’t think there’s any great universal wisdom on this topic.
I do think Wyatt Earp may have been cashing in on some of his fame near the end of his life when he wrote down those words. (later read by someone else)
I also think he lived most of his life halfway between showman and con man, but maybe not in a bad way. (just an enterprising way)
I’ve seen human beings react very well under some stressors and fall apart when exposed to others. There doesn’t seem to be a constant. I know a guy that is very good in a fight but put him behind the wheel of a car and he’s useless. I’ve seen people that can wield a firearm extremely well under incredible stress but can barely communicate under the same stress.
It’s a complex topic. People are different and even individuals are different under varying conditions.
I do think Wyatt Earp may have been cashing in on some of his fame near the end of his life when he wrote down those words. (later read by someone else)
I also think he lived most of his life halfway between showman and con man, but maybe not in a bad way. (just an enterprising way)
I’ve seen human beings react very well under some stressors and fall apart when exposed to others. There doesn’t seem to be a constant. I know a guy that is very good in a fight but put him behind the wheel of a car and he’s useless. I’ve seen people that can wield a firearm extremely well under incredible stress but can barely communicate under the same stress.
It’s a complex topic. People are different and even individuals are different under varying conditions.
RBHarter
West Central AR
I know a guy that has hot days and cold on the range . Put him in the field and an off day happens about one day or maybe a weekend in 2-3 years . I know another that is a range guru in full zen but falls apart unless it's a very technical shot .
Twice I've been shot with a nail gun the first time I was almost certain I'd broken my finger . Washed up bled clean waiting for a Bandaid.....the whole world went and closed down like an iris shutter , all of the sudden I'm on my back on the floor . I didn't get a through an through in fact it was only the last 1/4" and the last 1/4" of travel. The second one blew out a knot and had about 3/8-1/2" of a 10d nail under the skin in the back of my hand across my pointer to my middle finger . Washed it out , bled it a little stopped the bleeding and went on after a 15 min break . I even pulled the nail out myself.......made my work partner a little queasy but I was golden .
My Dad drew once , a simple case of wrong place , wrong time , a bunch of pissed off farmers , a dead bull , and a couple of guys that had been out all day stump shooting and hunting coyotes over a mile from the cow ...... We'll never know how that would have gone as a game warden defused the situation . As the story went , it was something about a Power Wagon in a 4 wheel drift between a line of cowboys on horse back and a 56' Ford in the middle of an hay field just before dark .
Face to face draw and fire is a vastly different situation than a spontaneous home invasion or robbery gone wrong . Among other things a body might have had time to think about what was about to happen , maybe for long minutes before that half second of forever .
I've never been there , I've faced a couple of pretty gruesome MVAs . Honestly I don't think I want to be present for my own last gasp much less anyone else. I have however seen death happen and seen an occasion where I don't have a clue why the party wasn't injured let alone lived .
Mastering the adrenaline surge ......... You can learn how to shoot through buck fever , a sweet black large coffee on the way to the range and trotting or running to and from the 100 yd backer and the bench take a field position or in the discussion context draw and fire on the appropriate target . Everything the caffeine and sugar load doesn't mess with the loping will . It worked for me .....but my adrenal response is screwed up .
Twice I've been shot with a nail gun the first time I was almost certain I'd broken my finger . Washed up bled clean waiting for a Bandaid.....the whole world went and closed down like an iris shutter , all of the sudden I'm on my back on the floor . I didn't get a through an through in fact it was only the last 1/4" and the last 1/4" of travel. The second one blew out a knot and had about 3/8-1/2" of a 10d nail under the skin in the back of my hand across my pointer to my middle finger . Washed it out , bled it a little stopped the bleeding and went on after a 15 min break . I even pulled the nail out myself.......made my work partner a little queasy but I was golden .
My Dad drew once , a simple case of wrong place , wrong time , a bunch of pissed off farmers , a dead bull , and a couple of guys that had been out all day stump shooting and hunting coyotes over a mile from the cow ...... We'll never know how that would have gone as a game warden defused the situation . As the story went , it was something about a Power Wagon in a 4 wheel drift between a line of cowboys on horse back and a 56' Ford in the middle of an hay field just before dark .
Face to face draw and fire is a vastly different situation than a spontaneous home invasion or robbery gone wrong . Among other things a body might have had time to think about what was about to happen , maybe for long minutes before that half second of forever .
I've never been there , I've faced a couple of pretty gruesome MVAs . Honestly I don't think I want to be present for my own last gasp much less anyone else. I have however seen death happen and seen an occasion where I don't have a clue why the party wasn't injured let alone lived .
Mastering the adrenaline surge ......... You can learn how to shoot through buck fever , a sweet black large coffee on the way to the range and trotting or running to and from the 100 yd backer and the bench take a field position or in the discussion context draw and fire on the appropriate target . Everything the caffeine and sugar load doesn't mess with the loping will . It worked for me .....but my adrenal response is screwed up .
Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
I’m reminded of that saying:
What ever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And I pretty much agree with that. But there’s a additional saying that’s been tacked on to that that goes a little further:
Except Bears, Bears will kill you.
That one I’ve taken to heart from experience. But, over the years I’ve been shot at twice, pulled down on twice and three times need a pistol but fortunately the presence of the pistol changed the discussion, only once having to cock my revolver which produces the convincing sound to put conviction in my attitude.
I’ve never been in the Military Or law enforcement. So no training, just conviction of what’s right and what’s wrong. Come after my family and I’m coming after you.
The two times I was shot at were a three week period in the late sixties and in Texas. I was working the late shift at a Shell gas station by myself when somebody have a good time driving by decided to shoot out the Shell sign that was on the wall between the office and garage. I was leaning on that wall. I closed early. Apparently that wasn’t the first time so the boss decided to close that store. He moved me to another Shell station his main location. About a week later I was working the lube rack and a costumer had dropped off a 66 Mustang for complete service and oil change. Customer came to pick up his car and my boss called me outside to where he and the customer were talking next to the Mustang. Customer wanted to know how his differential looked. I had forgotten to check it. I said as much and was about to say pull it in and I’ll check it now, but before I could finish the sentence he reached into the car and pulled out a pump shotgun and leveled it just as quick as you please. My boss as it turned out knew “Bob” and got between us moving the gun off. They had a few words which I don’t remember because I was trying not to shit myself. I quit when I stopped shaking. Few days later I was with my friend and we were driving around in his VW Bug with California plates, stopped a a gas station and there was a batch of young good ole boys not liking the California guys so we left. They decided to have some fun I guess and started to chase us. I don’t know how many there were four I’m thinking but at least one was in the back of the truck and started shooting over the cab at us, I’m sure it was all in fun as not one bullet hole in the Bug. We did find out that that new Beatle would get up to about 90. After that packed up my future first wife and headed back to California.
The second time was a couple years later, I had smarten up and left California and moved to Alaska. Had a girlfriend (in between first wife and current wife) that was renting the basement apartment from an old guy that had a reputation of shooting any dog on his property. Had my dog Betsy with and Julie and I were in the front yard and driveway. We thought that the landlord who lived upstairs was gone so I let Betsy out of my truck. Probably less than a minute later an upstairs window pops open and an old guy and a long shotgun leaned out pointing at Betsy yelling that he was going to kill my dog. I didn’t hesitate a moment and yelled back put the gun up or I going to come up and beat him soundly. He put the gun up and yelled back to get my dog back in my truck. Slammed the window. Took his advice.
There are a few instances where I just reacted with out much thought to intervene which saved myself or a my family and others from harm, but that’s what you do. There’s also been a couple times that I had know idea what was happening and reacted late. Fortunately not much harm done.
What ever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And I pretty much agree with that. But there’s a additional saying that’s been tacked on to that that goes a little further:
Except Bears, Bears will kill you.
That one I’ve taken to heart from experience. But, over the years I’ve been shot at twice, pulled down on twice and three times need a pistol but fortunately the presence of the pistol changed the discussion, only once having to cock my revolver which produces the convincing sound to put conviction in my attitude.
I’ve never been in the Military Or law enforcement. So no training, just conviction of what’s right and what’s wrong. Come after my family and I’m coming after you.
The two times I was shot at were a three week period in the late sixties and in Texas. I was working the late shift at a Shell gas station by myself when somebody have a good time driving by decided to shoot out the Shell sign that was on the wall between the office and garage. I was leaning on that wall. I closed early. Apparently that wasn’t the first time so the boss decided to close that store. He moved me to another Shell station his main location. About a week later I was working the lube rack and a costumer had dropped off a 66 Mustang for complete service and oil change. Customer came to pick up his car and my boss called me outside to where he and the customer were talking next to the Mustang. Customer wanted to know how his differential looked. I had forgotten to check it. I said as much and was about to say pull it in and I’ll check it now, but before I could finish the sentence he reached into the car and pulled out a pump shotgun and leveled it just as quick as you please. My boss as it turned out knew “Bob” and got between us moving the gun off. They had a few words which I don’t remember because I was trying not to shit myself. I quit when I stopped shaking. Few days later I was with my friend and we were driving around in his VW Bug with California plates, stopped a a gas station and there was a batch of young good ole boys not liking the California guys so we left. They decided to have some fun I guess and started to chase us. I don’t know how many there were four I’m thinking but at least one was in the back of the truck and started shooting over the cab at us, I’m sure it was all in fun as not one bullet hole in the Bug. We did find out that that new Beatle would get up to about 90. After that packed up my future first wife and headed back to California.
The second time was a couple years later, I had smarten up and left California and moved to Alaska. Had a girlfriend (in between first wife and current wife) that was renting the basement apartment from an old guy that had a reputation of shooting any dog on his property. Had my dog Betsy with and Julie and I were in the front yard and driveway. We thought that the landlord who lived upstairs was gone so I let Betsy out of my truck. Probably less than a minute later an upstairs window pops open and an old guy and a long shotgun leaned out pointing at Betsy yelling that he was going to kill my dog. I didn’t hesitate a moment and yelled back put the gun up or I going to come up and beat him soundly. He put the gun up and yelled back to get my dog back in my truck. Slammed the window. Took his advice.
There are a few instances where I just reacted with out much thought to intervene which saved myself or a my family and others from harm, but that’s what you do. There’s also been a couple times that I had know idea what was happening and reacted late. Fortunately not much harm done.
Thumbcocker
Active Member
I have often wondered how many folks there were with a lot more experience than ole Wyatt had that never got talked to. Elmer Keith wrote about old men living in Montana when he was a little kid that were Civil War and Indian War veterans. Some of them had probably seen more shots fired in anger than a dozen Wyatts. Of course they were not famous or associated with Hollywood and just lived out their lives.
Snakeoil
Well-Known Member
I am sure you are right. Same could be said about guitar players. There are a million great guitarists out there, but only a handful become stars. I suspect that the Earps would have faded into the haze like all the others if it were not for people like Stuart Lake who immortalized them at the expense of the actual facts.