defending yourself with a pistol

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Is not always done in the conventional manner.  Sometimes quick thinking helps.

 Subject: Fw: Florida woman stops alligator with a 25 cal Beretta pistol

 
 
One approach.....
 
 
This is a story of self-control and marksmanship by a brave, cool-headed woman with a small pistol against a fierce predator. What is the smallest caliber that you would trust to protect yourself? A Beretta Jetfire testimonial.... Here is her story in her own words:

"While out walking along the edge of a pond just outside my house in The Villages with my soon to be ex-husband discussing property settlement and other divorce issues, we were surprised by a huge 12-ft. alligator which suddenly emerged from the murky water and began charging us with its large jaws wide open. She must have been protecting her nest because she was extremely aggressive. If I had not had my little Beretta Jetfire .25 caliber pistol with me, I would not be here today! Just one shot to my estranged husband’s knee cap was all it took....

The 'gator got him easily and I was able to escape by just walking away at a brisk pace. It's one of the best pistols in my collection! Plus the amount I saved in lawyer's fees was really incredible.

His insurance was the big bonus. I’m comfortable now.

[Chuck in Indiana]

  I was wondering how a 25 would stop a gator..

[cruzziguzzi]

Not believing it until I see more evidence:

"... with my soon to be ex-husband discussing property settlement and other divorce issues, we were surprised by a huge 12-ft. alligator which suddenly emerged from the murky water... "

How do we know this wasn't a lawyer?

Me? I've been a qualified OK with .22 and we carried that very Beretta vacuum sealed as "survival" pistols for years.

Todd.

[Demar]

It's said when hiking and encountering a charging bear you don't have to outrun the bear, just the person you're hiking with. Always hike with slower people.

[Perazzimx14]

My brother in law attempted to protected himself and at the time his 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter w/ a 12 gauge shotgun from a crazed lunatic. About 3 weeks ago he was turned down on his 1st parole attempt on a 7 to 14 year sentence for criminal homicide.

Alligators are funny.

[Muzz]

Sprayed my cup of tea all over the keyboard Jim!

Nice one.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Yeah, I liked it, but like Ben Franklin said "Don't believe everything you find on the innerneck".

[Toystoretom]

Sounds just like the Walking Dead when Shane shot Otis in the knee Cap and the Zombies jumped on the wounded Otis as Shane gets away.

[Arizona Wayne]

I was wondering how a 25 would stop a gator..

Shoot it in the brain. 

[Murray]

Shoot it in the brain. 

Discussion of the usefulness of the glock 19's (9mm) that were kept in the cockpit of the F-111's against the various wildlife around is it would only be useful at making a crocodile very very angry. The guys that collect croc eggs from the wild (under license) typically use a big stick about oar size, two man operation one collects the eggs and the other stands guard with big stick. The ultimate aim is to be in and out before the mother realises they've been which by all accounts is quiet possible.

[Arizona Wayne]

I survived a running bear in a Washington State Park where you can't have a gun walking w/my young 2 sons!!!  It saw us when we saw it  ..........suddenly it came running right towards us..........we stopped dead in our tracks(what am I going to do?)........then suddenly it disappeared  .we....... were on a powerline approaching a u turn.  We kept walking forward and I tried to not show fear.  We made the u turn and suddenly I heard the bear breathing!  we stop, I looked over my left shoulder...all I could see is a bush     We started walking again and the bear never attacked us.    When we found a ranger I told him what we just experienced and he said he doesn't see any animals on that road.  We had discovered all kinds of animals travel on the access road just like us.  But when a truck is coming along the animals can hear it in the rocks and hide before they(humans) see the animals.

[toaster404]

1.  Twice used a firearm to defend myself.  Didn't fire, either time.  So much fun I don't carry any more.
2.  I'd have to test, but if I can still shoot as fast and well as I used to, I'd carry a .22 for people defense and a .357 with ball for animals.  Ball penetrates nicely. 
3.  Never carry a gun that's registered to you, and make sure you can dump ALL the ammo.  If you're carrying a .45, be able to dump everything that has anything to do with a .45.
4.  Don't ever say anything to police.  You cannot win with police. 

Whatever you do, be able to really use whatever it is.  Pistols?  RH, LH, R eye, L eye, from the hip, in the dark.  Practice real world, don't leave any casings, get out, never mention it again.

[slowmover]

After watching Swamp People for years on TV I feel I'm qualified to comment. All the alligators are killed with a .22 to a soft spot on the top of the head between the eyes. They die immediately.On 2 occasions they were killed with a single knife thrust in the same spot. Yeah Yeah I know " you believe everything you see on TV?!?

[Cam3512]

1.  Twice used a firearm to defend myself.  Didn't fire, either time.  So much fun I don't carry any more.
2.  I'd have to test, but if I can still shoot as fast and well as I used to, I'd carry a .22 for people defense and a .357 with ball for animals.  Ball penetrates nicely. 
3.  Never carry a gun that's registered to you, and make sure you can dump ALL the ammo.  If you're carrying a .45, be able to dump everything that has anything to do with a .45.
4.  Don't ever say anything to police.  You cannot win with police. 

Whatever you do, be able to really use whatever it is.  Pistols?  RH, LH, R eye, L eye, from the hip, in the dark.  Practice real world, don't leave any casings, get out, never mention it again.

Case in point.  Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

[Jim Rich]

That was good for a laugh, thanks.