I don't think that's right that you lump "most" cops all together. There are a lot of different agencies that train their offices in so many different ways, some better then others. And as far as their guns hardly used.....we qualified every month. Add that into years....and that's a lot of rounds going through that 40 Cal.
Ok.....so what you meant was....most cops in rural southern Ohio that you know can barely qualify with their weapons and only qualify bi-annually. Now that I'm okay with.No offense meant, it was not to be derogatory, as said I have friends that are cops, all good people, just not "gun" people, let alone experts in ballistics as was being alluded to in previous post to bolster their points.
Around here they qualify bi-annually, that's 120 rounds total.
I have a range set up on my property and they seldom shoot, even if I supply ammo. Our department is very 2A friendly. So let me define most with "in my experience and jurisdiction" of gun loving rural southern Ohio.
Here's another fun fact, most military personnel can't shoot either.
In the training classes I’ve taken (handgun I and II, CQB), the instructors commented that cops usually don’t have much training and they don’t have enough range time to be competent with their weapon. This was based on being in the business since the 70’s, post-Nam. They wished more training was required and that police departments would require more range time.
Our department was not the norm. We trained ... trained ..... trained and was always at the the range it seemed. From the time the Academy started to the time of retirement, it was train .. train ... train. It just made things become second nature to you in stressful situations.In the training classes I’ve taken (handgun I and II, CQB), the instructors commented that cops usually don’t have much training and they don’t have enough range time to be competent with their weapon. This was based on being in the business since the 70’s, post-Nam. They wished more training was required and that police departments would require more range time.
Oh I agree 100%. Just because you're LEO doesn't mean you're an expert on firearms. I guess as would be a professional truck driver doesn't mean he's an expert diesel mechanic.Many people think that because someone is/was LEO or Military that it automatically makes them an expert marksman or expert on firearms. Unfortunately, what my experience has found is typically a person that has not evolved with the rest of the industry and is steadfast in their outdated ways. There are of course exceptions to everything, but those exceptions have usually come from someone in a specialist role.
Our department was not the norm. We trained ... trained ..... trained and was always at the the range it seemed. From the time the Academy started to the time of retirement, it was train .. train ... train. It just made things become second nature to you in stressful situations.
Oh I agree 100%. Just because you're LEO doesn't mean you're an expert on firearms. I guess as would be a professional truck driver doesn't mean he's an expert diesel mechanic.
If you choose a shotgun for home defense, you need to check the pattern with several different loads at a distance of 12 - 15 feet (average room size). You may be surprised how tight the pattern is at that distance.
What if you saw the barrel down to say 12"I used to shoot shotgun sports competitively and for money. Thousands upon thousands of shell's worth. That nugget of wisdom can NOT be stressed enough. We did a lot of pattern testing learning what different loads would do for a particular scenario and even our skeet loads with open or improved open cylinder would pattern much tighter than we expected at close distances.
2", 12" or 22" doesn't matter as long as you take it out and shoot some patterns at the distances you think you will be shooting inside wherever you plan on using it for defense. Just learn the gun, learn the loads, learn the patterns. You are already going to have enough surprises in the event that you are attacked in your home and need to defend you and yours. Expecting your shotgun to have a 12" pattern and having it throw a 3" pattern at 15' shouldn't be another one of those surprises.What if you saw the barrel down to say 12"
That almost sounds like an outlaw statement.:risas3:What if you saw the barrel down to say 12"
Might beThat almost sounds like an outlaw statement.:risas3:
but whatever you decide to use put a light on it.
Agreed and precisely why I put the hammer back down and put the pistol back under the front seat. Thankfully, I had enough of a hesitation to try and contemplate the consequences of what I was about to do and decided it likely wasn't worth it even though that asshole righteously deserved it. Hearing the rest of the story later from someone in the house, I was right on both counts.I dislike these conversations, because they are essentially pointless.
Use whatever trips your trigger, as it really doesn't matter all that much.
Your reaction time between having a defensive dial tone between your ears and being in the mental and physical state to defend yourself successfully is longer than you have in the vast majority of home break in / defensive situations. Or in your car, on the street or anywhere else. The physiology and psychology of being suddenly and randomly attacked is very likely to render you at least temporarily defenseless. Once you clear those hurdles you need to be able to effectively put rounds on target and be MENTALLY PREPARED, WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO. If you are prepared in that manner you may find that you don't like yourself all that much.
A better conversation may be what you need to successfully deal with the aftermath. My recommendation is a good lawyer that specializes in defensive situations and the use of lethal force under the law, a good clergyman, and a close friend or two who you know won't abandon you in that situation.
Our department was not the norm. We trained ... trained ..... trained and was always at the the range it seemed. From the time the Academy started to the time of retirement, it was train .. train ... train. It just made things become second nature to you in stressful situations.
only if you think explaining to your wife that you shot her baby boy because you didn't have proper visual is problematic.Lol, here's another can of worms.