I will fire the first round when needed. Someone else would need to tell me when though.....because I almost want to do it right now! I realize I need back up.
GREAT thread! As useful for commentary from FReepers as for the OP, thanks.
And yeah, the diff between phys stops and psych ones skews ballistics results, but makes for a great discussion of AARs. That can lead to further debate regarding the matter of trial (civil or criminal) after a self-defense shooting:
A perhaps “scary-looking” gun, or using an uncommon or “killer” ammo, or a reputation as a trained survivalist (”He’s just spoiling for a fight”),
VERSUS
...perception of the closest gun with common loads, wielded by a person in an immediate struggle for survival that he did not initiate - against the babydaddy with a heart of gold who loved his momma and was just about to turn his life around.
Sure, we’ve all read the Better-to-be-tried-by-twelve mantra. But police, prosecutor and juror prejudices all matter in the aftermath.
I’ve a friend who owns a Mossberg 500, quite common and in itself a fine HDW. It happens to be the Rolling Thunder model, the *appearance* of which is intimidating. All that hardware attached to the shotgun does nothing to improve function (allowing perhaps for slightly reduced muzzle flip or nightflash), but he has concerns about an overzealous prosecutor frightening a jury of blue-hairs with the thing, after a righteous shoot.
Yet the same thing that scares little old ladies may also be the deciding factor in a bad guy’s withdrawal before a fatal shot from the defender.
Me, I run a “deadly-ammo” (yeah, I know...) risk with one particular PDW I could be forced to pull, but no way I’m eschewing its use if needed. Potentially, I face calling a ballistics expert to testify on my behalf. In my home jurisdiction, that’s likely of no concern. Elsewhere? Maybe.