sraacke
Regular Member
imported post
It's difficult to conceal a fullsized Ruger P-89 when dressing for typical south Louisiana weather. I could opt for a smaller weapon and/or one in a smaller caliber or fewer rounds but I'm not comfortable doing that.
I'm even less comfortable after reading an article in this month's issue of Police Magazine. The story, which you can read at-
http://www.policemag.com/Channel/Patrol/Articles/2009/11/Shots-Fired-Palm-Desert-California-03-30-1996.aspx
tells the story of an off duty LEO who, while shopping, takes on a hostage taker. The bad guy was armed with a Glock 17. The LEO had a 5 shot revolver which was being carried in his wifes purse when things went bad.
A gunfight began. The BG fired and hit the LEO. The LEO fired back and scored a few hits but quickly ran out of ammo.
The LEO had 13 holes in his body but he survived and now passes on what he lerned to others.
It's difficult to conceal a fullsized Ruger P-89 when dressing for typical south Louisiana weather. I could opt for a smaller weapon and/or one in a smaller caliber or fewer rounds but I'm not comfortable doing that.
I'm even less comfortable after reading an article in this month's issue of Police Magazine. The story, which you can read at-
http://www.policemag.com/Channel/Patrol/Articles/2009/11/Shots-Fired-Palm-Desert-California-03-30-1996.aspx
tells the story of an off duty LEO who, while shopping, takes on a hostage taker. The bad guy was armed with a Glock 17. The LEO had a 5 shot revolver which was being carried in his wifes purse when things went bad.
A gunfight began. The BG fired and hit the LEO. The LEO fired back and scored a few hits but quickly ran out of ammo.
Think about it. Would you want to be caught in a situation where you have to defend your life and you only have 5 rounds? I wouldn't.As he dropped his spent revolver to the asphalt, Hendrix could only hope that Ripley might still retain some vestige of humanity and show some mercy.
He didn't
The LEO had 13 holes in his body but he survived and now passes on what he lerned to others.
So there is a good example of why I perfer Open Carry. I can carry a reliable, full sized handgun with more comfort than if I tried to conceal carry the same firearm.Today, Hendrix routinely shares his experience that day with academy cadets, as well as his feelings on what things he would have done differently.
"I was carrying a five-shot revolver," Hendrix says. "None of the trainees that I have spoken to will carry one of those as their primary off-duty weapon. Five shots is simply not enough."
Hendrix also explains to new recruits the difference between shooting on a range and shooting to save your own life.
"I'm shooting five shots, and people think that it's easy to place those rounds where you want them. But when you're taking fire-and worse, when your body's taking rounds-you're putting yourself behind the eight ball the moment you engage with a limited number of low velocity rounds and your suspect isn't so hamstrung. You need to carry a larger caliber firearm with greater round capacity.
"I hit the suspect four out of five shots, and I think that's very good after being hit as many times as I was and returning fire while he was shooting at me and from a distance of 31 feet. But a larger caliber gun, with its longer barrel and better sights, also allows for greater accuracy."