Posted: 12/19/2007 5:05:17 PM EDT
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Your opinion, Does it have a Psychological effect in the situation or is it already to late? (I prefer to be chambered and GTG) |
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It depends. If you're talking a shotgun slide, i would imagine instant pucker factor--there's NOTHING like that in the world. I would imagine you would do this ONLY if you are out of sight; up the stairs; or in some other vantage point where you are trying to avoid using lethal force. Otherwise, you've surrendered the initiative to the bad guy. If he looking for loot, you may have him rabbiting out the window...if he's looking for trouble, he's found it...and possibly YOU! |
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Cycling the action of any firearms should be done LOOOONG before trouble is encountered. If the weapon is kept in your control, you should have no reason to tote it around empty. "racking the slide" for dramatic effect is for Gangstas, retards and hollywood heroes. GTG ALL OF THE TIME! |
| I am not a fan of racking a slide or action for intimidation purposes. That's hollyweird stuff. You have given away your position and the advantage of surprise. Statistically, in most home invasions there are multiple bad guys. I was almost home invaded back in 2002 by three men with hoodies (Cheyenee/Gowan by Lone Mountain). Two were at my front door and one was pounding on my bedroom window. I knew where they were, they did not know where I was within the house. I like to stack all odds in my favor. I had a plan, they had to form one as they entered. See where I'm going with this? I'll hunker down and call Metro, relay their position as best I can and my description and where I am located within the house. Should the bad guys enter and breach my safe room or room of last resort/retreat then I will define the term fatal funnel for them from a position of surprise. Advantage, me. |
+1 And I really enjoyed hearing Mr Horn racking his shotgun on the 911 call before he took out the bad guys. |
Wow, I agree with the defense attorney!!! |
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The three pit/boxer mixes that jumped me in my front yard a while back, could have gave a shit less on the sound of my slide being racked! It was that much louder sound that stopped them! I had about 2 seconds to pull and fire hitting 2 of them, and the third one knew that he had picked the wrong fight, turned and got the hell out of Dodge! I'll keep mine wracked, Thanks! |
| An average person can run 21 feet in 3 seconds. Confrontations usually happen within 10-15 ft. Subtract the amount of time it takes you to draw and add on the time it takes to chamber a round, you better be ready for a very close confrontation. Maybe even for control of your weapon. I like to keep my mine ready to go. Besides, why would you want to give away your position by making noise? |
An "average person" can close 21 feet in 1.5 seconds or less. A motivated drug filled aggressive subject can possibly do it quicker. Action vs. reaction. If I commit first you will more than likely lose. |
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Racking a slide lets the BG know you are armed. This may scare him off or it may alert him to your armed presence and encourage him to be more aggressive. Shooting the BG lets him know you are armed. This may scare him off, alert him to your armed presence and encourage him to be more aggressive, or incapacitate him. Which one sounds like a better idea? |
Thanks for the correction. |
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Reading through the replies, the original question was broad enough that everyone is putting their own scenario through the ringer with interesting results. One that just occurred to me is more than one bad guy coming through that back window. If you take the unannounced shot, you potentially eliminate one target, leaving others--deadly force is now the only force option, or retreat. If you rack the slide, SOME baddies may just leave, potentially diffusing the situation, and taking you out of a deadly force scenario. I am all for keeping the initiative, and pressing the fight, but you potentially could be inviting a 2 way gun battle, rather than giving the perps a chance to leave without slinging lead at you or potentially your house full of family..food for thought. FWIW, I vote chambered. |
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If shooting one bad guy doesn't deter others, I don't think working the slide will either. And just because you kill one, doesn't mean the others won't surrender. I would imagine seeing your partner in crime flop over with a chest full of your favorite 12 ga payload would be a little discouraging to any remaining burglars. The rest might know the general area of where you are but not completely. Should the rest invite themselves into your fatal funnel, so be it, kill them too. Shoot and displace to another corner/area if possible. |
Not a correction brother. Your point was certainly made and a good one at that. Times and distances are arbitrary. The end result is exactly as you stated, be prepared or lose the fight. Sorry if I came off as being a know it all because I certainly don't. |
Chiz45, Though I see your point I'm not sure if I'm willing to trade off the advantage of surprise for the possibility that racking the slide will have the effect I hope for. From a scenario perspective, it is a waste of time to play what if's. I do know this.. I agree with Paul Howe in that I would much rather be in a shooting (bullets go one way, from me to the bad guy) than a gun fight (bullets are exchanged between me and the bad guy). Gun fights often result in both parties getting shot and getting shot hurts. I'm a wimp and don't relish the thought of getting shot hence I prefer to be in a shooting if given the choice. |
No prob. Better right than wrong. Thinking about it, it was mentioned that it takes 1.5 secs when I was a Front Sight. |
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Here's an article I authored on the subject a couple of years ago. Condition Three Enjoy the read. Be Safe. Joe |
