The "Center Mass" Myth and Ending a Gunfight

GunsAmerica ^ | 12 February 2010 | Jim Higginbotham

[Erik Latranyi]

Surviving a gunfight isn't what you think it is. Don’t let conventional wisdom get you killed. A well place round to "center mass" in your attacker may not take him out of the fight. Lots of people stay in the fight after "center mass" hits, and some even win it. If you expect to win your gunfight, you have to make sure that you have effectively ended the threat of your attacker. One, two or even several well placed "center mass" shots may not do what you think it will, and learning to recognize this before you gunfight may save your life.

There is a self styled self defense “expert” under every rock, and perhaps two behind every bush, these days. If you have a pet theory on what might work on the street then you can probably find a champion for that idea who actually charges people to teach them that skill. But few of the experts out there have ever been in gunfights, and even fewer have studied real gunfights to see how things really work out when the bullets really fly for blood.

There are more misconceptions out there than I can cover in one article but the one that probably gets to me the most, even over all the caliber wars that rage interminably in the print and cyber media, is the nearly universal acceptance that shooting a miscreant “center mass” with ________(fill in your favorite make, model and caliber) shooting _________ (fill in your favorite ammunition) hyper speed truck killer is practically guaranteed to get the job done.

[Mad Dawgg]

"A car door = concealment. 20 ton concrete planter = cover."

Yeah, that was one of the things about the show Jericho that always pissed me off.

First a highly decorated Marine (IIRC, could have been Soldier but I am fairly sure he was supposed to be a Marine) leads a counterattack on an enemy across open ground by running at the enemy while a friendly tank FOLLOWS him.

Tanks equal moving cover for foot troops.

Next at this same fight they have parked cars across a road and are standing behind them and using rifles. They are leaning across the top of the cars roof to aim. You can clearly see the shooters midsections through the glass from the enemy's side.

[MHGinTN]

After reading the entire article, the comments on the site where the article was posted, and all the posts on this thread, it surprises me that those who have been in a gunfight have not posed the second most important idea for survival, namely, with the first time or two you hit the perp, plan on having someplace to dodge to in order to make the next shots ... because someone hit once or twice in the magic "T" is even less likely to have fine motor skills to aim and drop you. Nothing can cancel bad luck, but hitting the perp will diminsih their instant responses so you can more likely get to cover or more cover and continue shooting for effect.

BTW, never pull your weapon unless you intend to kill the threat. Shotguns are the best home defense weapons, and something you practice with often is the best carry weapon, even if it's a darn sword!

[AngryJawa]

Mine includes three basic steps:

1. Don't be there.

1A. MOVE!!!!!! Move your a$$ like your life depends on it because it DOES!

2. Keep shooting 'til the threat is eliminated

3. Reload and prepare to shoot some more.

[Hacklehead]

“As the article clearly states, nobody knows what it might take to stop the perpetrator. Assumptions do not end gunfights.”

The article states what almost everyone knows. I take no issue with that. Its your arrogant attitude and insulting tone that I object to. I’m still waiting for you to tell us the source of your gunfighting expertise. My guess is its all mouth.

[philetus]

Maybe if the guy was on PCP, but I’m skeptical.

[Gilbo_3]

never assume anything in a gunfight until you have clearly ended the threat.

thats my point...assuming that your training and discipline will magically make you 'win' is simply playin to statistics, of which the aurthor proves to be a gamble in itself...

I will surely practice and practice and practice...and when i think Im gettin 'good' Ill practice some more...

but the assumption that i will be alive this evening, and that granny with an ole pearl handled .22 will be dead because she hasnt blown thru a million rounds with something that begins with a '.4' or more is just as dangerous...it leads to complacency...

[Nebr FAL owner]

aiming for center of mass basically means between the collarbone & the beltbuckle, in this area are such things as the heart,lungs,various major body organs that do not react well to having holes poked in them, as well as various major arteries & veins which cause no small amount of disquietude when they are perforated.

Aiming for center mass is in fact very good advise. Also remember that You were in fear of your life cause the other person was trying to MURDER you . Then say you need to talk to your lawyer.

[MaxMax]

Do you know why gang members hold their guns sideways?
Because that's the way it comes in the box.

[ctdonath2]

COM is not to obtain the best hit, but to obtain a hit. A miss is a lot worse than a better hit is better.

[Gabrial]

Best training I've had was a few years ago when I took a defensive handgun course in which we had 12 hours of classroom and 12 hours of range time spread over three days (three Mondays in a row). Each of the three days we shot 3000 rounds. At the end of it I realized I was shooting the best I have ever shot without ever gaining a sight picture. We shot weak hand, prone, running, sitting, and while being pulled to the ground from behind. Everything was from the holster except when a car was pulled onto the course and we practiced shooting from inside the vehicle. There were 12 people in the class, all with different handguns. The Glocks and Sigs had the fewest issues. I shot a pair of Sig P226’s and went through 9000 rounds of cheap CCI Blaser aluminum case 9mm ammo without a misfire or misfeed. Fun stuff!

[rellimpank]

--yep--after about twenty five or so 9mm punctures, I think blood loss to the head might cause fainting or something like that--

--incidentally, I have no gunfight experience, have just seen the effect of gunshots on animals up to the size of whitetail deer--

[Semper Mark]

you have the best post so far.

He's speaking from experience.

[Pilsner]

if your facing an opponent who most likely has body armour on

Who said anything about body armor? Do you expect that Freepers are most likely to get in a gun battle with the SWAT team?

[philetus]

In my hunting experience,animals can do unbelievable things after being hit with a lethal shot.

Also, the only weapon I ever fired that could put a hundred slugs in someone before they dropped was a American 180, which fired 175, 22 long rifle in 6 seconds.

[ArrogantBustard]

Is that a sawed-off Mosin-Nagant?????

[scottdeus12]

“I take no issue with that. Its your arrogant attitude and insulting tone that I object to...”

Yeah - dittos to that. He sounds like the proverbial ‘Armchair Rambo’ to me.

[Sloth]

This is why you use high-capacity magazines and keep pulling until it stops firing.

[GonzoGOP]

Yep. There is a YouTube video out there of a guy shooting one. So much for the whole .45 ACP vs 9mm Parabellum argument. For stopping power you just need to reach for a 7.62x54mm handgun.

[sig226]

Hold your gun properly and pretend that you’re robbing the 7-11. The clerk ducks behind the counter. Try to aim at him. Your wrist doesn’t bend far enough.

Now hold the gun sideways and do the same thing. That’s where it came from.

[ArrogantBustard]

Wow ... seems like the muzzle blast would enter the wound channel and pop the bad guy open like a nasty water balloon.