Not again!

[CZ93X62]

The "Grab The Family Jewels" part of the gangsta shooting regimen--this is no BS--as related by a couple Eight-Trey Crips in Moreno Valley late in my career--it is done to protect that body area from incoming bullets. I suppose everyone has their priorities. I just work(ed) there.

 

[Pistolero]

Well, of course! Everybody knows that a 9mm/.40 Cal bullet won't go through a hand.

 

[fiver]

I got nuthin but I can't stop laughing.

 

[L Ross]

I got nuthin but I can't stop laughing.

I know, just thinking about a gang banger shot in the junk makes my day!

 

[Ian]

AND hand. Paramedics be like "What the...........OH!!"

 

[Pistolero]

These folks aren't exactly ballistics experts. They might imagine that a hand is bullet proof.....
they think they are pretty tough.
In for a real surprise, in the event.

 

[CZ93X62]

As can be discerned easily, there is no rigorous entrance exam or training regimen to become a street gang member.

 

[Rick H]

I am old enough to remember "experts" in gun rags recommending a one handed crouch shooting position with the forearm of the weak arm in front of the upper torso as protection. Yep, crouch to make yourself a smaller target and protect yourself with the forearm. Somewhere I have a book by Col. George Nonte demonstrating this. It seems bullet proof arms are not the sole province of street gangs.

 

[CZ93X62]

Right you are--I have seen diagrams illustrating this move, and also read texts describing the Isosceles stance and Weaver stance as having the ability to absorb incoming rounds in the arms and hands. This was from Rangemaster School (c. 1983), and maybe lesson plans had not yet caught up with the then-recent innovation of soft body armor. In point of fact, the life of the guy I shot in 1981 may have been saved by his left hand and wrist, which two of my five fired bullets struck (38 Special 110 grain +P JHPs). He lost two fingers and his wrist was wrecked, but the bullets did not penetrate to reach his head or neck. He had just fired a sawed-off 20 gauge shotgun at me about a half-second prior to my own defensive gunfire. FWIW.

 

[Pistolero]

So, sometimes, with some loads, like 110 gr +P .38 Spl a hand can be bullet proof.....sorta. I was never a fan of that
light of a .38 bullet, imagining exactly that sort of a result. I suspect that you carried what was issued, regardless of
what your opinion of it might have been, pro or con.
I imagine a 180 gr 40 cal bullet or 230 .45 bullet would have a very different outcome.

Having to deal with a shotgun wielding bad guy is the stuff of nightmares, I would think.

 

[CZ93X62]

That ghost does visit from time to time, as do many others of varying species. You can recoil in horror--or you can invite them in for coffee. I serve them Black Rifle "Beyond Black" blend, to set the tone correctly. You cannot allow the past to consume your present and future, just as you cannot move forward while focused on the rear-view mirror.

It was very poor form to carry something other than Coin Of The Realm ammunition in your S&W "One (1) Each, Birth Control Device, Retroactive" crowd pleaser. That load would not have been my choice, for certain. In Aug. 1981 (date of occurrence was 08-03-81 @ 2230 hours) I was already an advocate of the 45 ACP/230 grain bullet school of thought as presented by my Colt Government Model Series 70 at home for this engagement. I was already known for this doxology at the office; one of my beat partners came to visit me at the E.R. a couple hours after I arrived, and commented about my assailant as follows--loudly enough for him to hear, three bays over in the same treatment area--"Al, it's a shame you didn't have that 45 along for the ride tonight. That (coarse parental incestuous reference goes [HERE]) would be dead right now!" Dave was and is good people, and in retirement is a very fine gunsmith. He does all of my Glock work.

As luck would have it, once my shop started approving really good ammo and calibers for carry rounds, they stopped requiring retirees to follow their ammo and caliber guidelines about 2 years ago. Of course they did. Whatever.......

 

[Rick H]

My shop let us use most anything we thought would work in our 4" Model 19/66's. Jan. 17, 1977 my two Remington 158 gr. JHP 357 magnums, penetrated a torso (and forearm for one) an open metal cabinet door, a double layer stud drywall wall to a finished garage, out the outer drywall and brick exterior wall, and for all anyone could determine are still flying. The guy also took 4 110gr. Supervel 357 mag's through the torso....and never blinked, before lowering the rifle turning around 180 degrees and pointing the damn thing at my chest before finally dropping dead.

The ghost doesn't visit often these days, but we are well acquainted. After that and a face to face discussion with Dr. Werner Spitz, I carried a 45, auto, 1911 while the dept. allowed single action semi-autos, and a Sig P220until it was mandated we carry Glocks in 40 S&W with 180 JHP WW's.

Oh yeah, I don't remember crouching but do remember telling myself to watch the front sight from my best approximation of a Weaver Stance.....and firing and moving between shots.....seems we fight like we train. "Front sight" from the academy and "Fire and Maneuver" courtesy of the US Army. Go figure eh?

Wouldn't mind sharing a cup of that coffee with you CZ93X62, sounds like a decent cup of Joe.

 

[462]

Allen and Rick H:
You just received a snappy salute.

 

[Pistolero]

Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
And by "rough men" I am sure Orwell meant, tough, strong and brave as opposed
to foppish 'polished men' who might not be willing to do what is needed to stop
the goblins.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do
violence on their behalf.
George Orwell

I saw the video of the Dayton officers moving rapidly, engaging as they
moved towards a criminal firing an AR, and reportedly wearing body armor. Most of the
officers were shooting handguns, I observed one reloading. That is truly impressive
performance. That bad guy was receiving an apparent hail of return fire, thankfully.
Best wishes for all LEOs in hard places at hard times.

 

[CZ93X62]

Bless your heart, 462.

Rick, that Black Rifle "BB" blend is full-flavored, for certain. I do enjoy real coffee. AND, I would enjoy meeting and chewing over sea stories and fish/hunt tales.

 

[CZ93X62]

Thank you, Pistolero. I have always respected George Orwell's take on most matters, and being called "rough men" (and now women) is kinda cool. And at least 2/3 of my career was indeed spent in darkness. That is when the customer base is out capering, and when people like me need to be out interrupting their nonsense.

 

[Pistolero]

So we can sleep safe in our beds.

 

[CZ93X62]

That IS the Object Of The Game, for certain. I did enjoy the hunting of armed evil men.