Who's Faster on the Draw? Gun or Knife

wshootingjournal ^ | 3/9/2015

[w1n1]

Who's faster on the draw? Gun or knife? This segment highlights a person with a gun against another with a knife, both are holstered. At the sound of the signal, each draws to hit their target. (balloons).

The person with the gun targets vary from 5-7 yards out and the knife guy balloons is only 4 feet away. This demonstration shows the gun prowess from varying distances and the time it takes to hit the target, which is more impressive than watching the guy draw his knife. Don't know what do you all think? View the who's faster on the draw here.

[Gaffer]

In a couple (or more) shots in the video the balloon was much much closer to the knifer. In one case, the balloon was mere inches from the knifer’s extended hands.

Secondly, how about a penetration/kill test instead of some balloon kill?

My impression this was a setup favoring the knifer.

[Gaffer]

Yep....I thought about that. But there is also a thing called ft-lbs on target. Match those up and compare.

[Gaffer]

Yes. Energy on target.

[InterceptPoint]

You beat me to it.

Perfect.

[rockrr]

What’s better, apples or oranges? LOL

[ctdonath2]

I did a variant of this years ago. http://www.donath.org/Rants/SwordVsGun

TL;DR - sword is very slightly faster. Note, however, it has limited range.

[UCANSEE2]

Apples, historically.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Contrary to the “movie fact” from “The Wild Bunch”, the gunman with the thrown knife stuck in his body is still quite likely to be able to shoot and KILL the knifeman. The other way around, not so much.

[skinkinthegrass]

dumb comparisons?..
<4 ft. knife is better, the gun can jam/no reload needed..why throw the weapon away?
>4 ft. gun still suffers from same conditions..oblivious greater range/accuracy may vary.

[dangerdoc]

The guy with the gun will win, but in this case, win may mean dying more slowly.

Knife wounds are rarely instantly incapacitating.

[ansel12]

I’ll take the gun, and if the bad guy has to be armed, please make it only a knife, that applies even if I am unarmed, I would rather face an average bad man, teen, or female holding a knife, than one holding a pistol.

[skinkinthegrass]

slapping may surfice, IF you move out of the way first.
(that's the first rule..get outta the d@mn way)

[rockrr]

The world’s original, “Hold my beer and watch this!” moment ;’)

[Georgia Girl 2]

Never bring a knife to a gunfight. :-)

[Bratch]

Ever hear of the 21 foot rule?

What could go wrong?

[Mastador1]

Yes. Magnificent Seven. The knife is faster!

El Dorado. The knife is faster! Okay next movie reference.

[humblegunner]

Here’s the video without the blog -

Thanks.

I had to give up blogs, they were giving me cancers and diabeetus.

[The Cajun]

The guy knows what he's doing on the quick draw.

Has the custom holster "cocked" forward not pointing at his foot.

Faster draw that way and safer for the foot :)

[50mm]