Here’s an example that doesn’t do much for me:
“Thus, it has become the mark of the firearms professional that any single-action revolver is to be carried with an empty chamber under the hammer. Engineers may consider it redundant safety practice. Anyone with common sense calls it “the belt and suspenders approach.” Firearms professionals call it “the rule.”...End of story, end of safety lecture.”
Oddly enough, I don’t know anyone carrying a Ruger who loads 5 rounds only. Of course, most of us don’t have the spare money to buy Colts. Every revolver I own can be safely carried with 6-7 rounds. No thinking person calls it “The Rule”...
He also argues one should aim for the crotch:
“But NOTHING reduces a man’s fear of being shot in the genitals. This point of aim seems to definitely get their attention, in my experience.”
I think I’ll go for center mass. In a defensive situation, I can’t imagine the burglar noticing if I’m aiming at his crotch. Many defensive situations are barely outside contact distance, and are over in seconds.
Agreed on all that you wrote. Well said!
With single action, rocking (pulling from the holster) and firing in the general direction of the bladder/hips can be extremely dangerous for anyone who has not practiced thousands of times to pull *without* putting the thumb in front of the hammer, *before* the weapon is out and moving forward. In other words, we keep the thumb beside/behind the hammer, until the revolver is out and moving forward.
Pulling all the way up without putting any thumb or finger in front of the hammer and using both hands to cock and fire at center mass is safer for the user all the way around. Some of the cowboy action competitors (those most practiced) do it very well and quickly enough for any defense situation.
All of that said, we know that a semi-auto pistol is generally better for defense (far less training, more safety, IMO, and expense to get there). But some of us love to fiddle with the old technology a lot. ;-)
There is something about that statement concerning aiming at the crotch that strikes me as being weird and very unprofessional.
His comments about keeping an unloaded cylinder underneath a single action hammer is a bit strange. I don’t know anyone who does this.
You have obviousLy read a lot more Ayoob than I have and I am down with that. I stopped reading Ayoob when I hit the factory ammo issue.