Where would you shoot a bad guy in self defense?

[dross]

The Lone Ranger always just shot the gun out of their hands.

 

[youngda9]

HiCOM

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Center mass 2-3x, let the HST's do their job.

 

[Kbowers9]

Of course double tap, center mass.

 

[JetGirl]

Center of mass

Center mass

Every instructor I've trained with has taught high center of mass

Center mass

COM

Center of mass of the available target.

COM is where to aim.

Center mass

center mass.

This ^.

COM, if such a shot is available. If not, I shoot at what I can see.

COM doesn't mean specifically "chest" or "torso"...it's the middle of whatever is presenting itself. If "what you can see" is masked head peeking partly around a door and you are shooting at it...That is still COM.

 

[HandK]

Q: Where would you shoot a bad guy in self defense?

A: Where he stands!!!

That being said you want to train to shoot center of mass.

 

[Joe Williams]

Don't forget, most household doors you can also shoot through, and modern JHPs are designed to function well even after passing through an intermediate barrier. If you can see an arm or head, you've got a pretty good idea where the rest is.

 

[Chow40cal]

I was trained to double tap in the chest, with a fail safe in the head to follow. When the heat is on, you fall back on your training, or you'll soon find that you should have been training more.

 

[00BlasterResto]

Q: Where would you shoot a bad guy in self defense?

A: Where he stands!!!

That being said you want to train to shoot center of mass.

Exactly!

 

[Bubba]

Don't forget, most household doors you can also shoot through, and modern JHPs are designed to function well even after passing through an intermediate barrier. If you can see an arm or head, you've got a pretty good idea where the rest is.

I'm not comfortable with this as a general rule. There are certain circumstances I might try to engage through concealment such as furniture or curtains, but it doesn't take much imagination to envision a BG engaging around a doorframe with one hand and holding a hostage out of sight with the other. Additionally, ballistics are somewhat unpredictable. I know that a bullet will penetrate drywall in a relatively straight line, but what if it hits a stud or conduit on the way through, or is deflected by an odd grain in a door? As much as can reasonably be expected in a firefight I want to know my target and where the round is going to go before I pull the trigger.

 

[Speed Kills]

COM and I will continue firing until I feel the threat has been eliminated.

That. I'd think x2 ought to do the trick, but if some crazed crackhead somehow proves me wrong, I'll stop pulling the trigger when he stops advancing.

 

[Glock21]

I do like the confidence I'm reading here!

If one chooses to believe that "two to the chest, one to the head" is something that can be practically applied to reality, then hooray for the good guys, and I hope it goes that way for all who practice it - Seriously!

Personally, I'm not good enough to hit a bobbing brainstem running 15mph right for me. I also don't believe that in the heat of a knife attack I'll have any chance to "assess" the effect of those first two shots to the chest before I'm being sliced and diced by Captain Methhead.

I do, however, understand that when these thing happen, EVERYTHING is in motion, and I don't pretend for one second that punching cute holes in a piece of static paper prepares me for the reality of a gunfight.

 

[Sailor]

Whatever piece of bone or meat he presents me, is the factual answer.

Hypothetically, the thorax, and ideally, the brainstem.

Me too. Center of whats available. It could be a shin from under a car.

 

[rambone]

IN THE FACE

 

[Glock21]

IN THE FACE

"I shot Marvin in the face!"

 

[RogerB]

I agree to COM of whatever is available, trigger trigger trigger until I'm out of ammo or they stop whatever the threatening action is.

Just my opinion...

 

[HICKMAN]

A ZONE

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Center mass just like I was trained. If two to the chest does not stop him. then one to the head. Taking a head shot right off the bat is a bad idea. You have a much better chance of missing. Also if there are witnesses, they might say the guy just poped one in his head right off the bat.

 

[Hoosier Gun Coat]

That guy is NUTZ!!!!! I don't know how many time I watched that clip. He definately has a lot of energy. He would make a cool neighbor.

 

[Doug]

I was taught Center of Mass.
I was specifically taught NOT to aim at extremities or attempt to wound the attacker. It would imply that you did not believe the attack was life-threatening. If the attack wasn't life-threatening, you had no reason to shoot.

Doug