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FR Gun Club: The Cornered Cat
The Cornered Cat ^ | Kathy Jackson

Posted on 08/11/2008 3:37:56 AM PDT by sig226

A friend sent me a link to this site and I liked what I saw. The site is dedicated primarily to female shooters, but the articles are well written and worthy of anyone's time. Kathy Jackson deals primarily with new shooters and people new to the idea that they might one day have to use deadly force to protect themself or their family. Although I've been around this stuff for a long time, I read many of the articles and even found a couple of things I didn't know on some of the n00b pages. It's definitely worth your time. If you are first considering firearms for your personal use, you'll see information presented in a different light than the common gun press and internet. If you're an experienced shooter, take my word for it, there is good stuff here.

Men:
If a woman in your life is wondering about your enthusiasm for firearms, or wondering if she should learn to shoot, send her here.

Women:
If you've wanted to find a more sympathetic ear to your concerns, this is an excellent site. "What should I do?' and 'What can I do?' are addressed by knowledgeable people without a lot of blather and "you have to do this," "you have to do that." These are some excerpts to the site, with links. The main link is a table of contents and will likely address any question you'd like to ask.

Main site

Cornered Cat.
When a cat feels threatened, she gets away from the danger as quickly as she can. She doesn't care what damage she inflicts on her way to safety, but she's not interested in fighting for fighting's sake. She does only as much as she needs to do in order to escape. She doesn't deal in revenge. If she feels threatened, she simply leaves. Efficiently.

Until she needs to use them, her claws stay sheathed. She doesn't go around threatening to maul people. She's cuddly, she's cozy, she likes to curl up next to a crackling fire on a warm winter's day. She's great company.

But don't try to trap her in a bad situation.

This site is about women and guns, not about cats. But in a way, it's about the cornered cat in all of us. It's about the determination to get away from an attacker if you need to. It's about making the decision to say, "Not me. Not mine. Not today." And it's about the tools to make that decision stick.

If you have to fight ... Fight like a cornered cat

A Word to Women
I didn't get permission from the author to excerpt, but this is a must read for anyone who might be on the fence about lethal force, not just women. Point a spouse or family member to this page if they're in that position.

Why a Gun?
If a criminal attacks me without provocation, why should he -- the aggressor, the malefactor, the bad actor -- get to choose which one of us survives our encounter? In initiating such extreme violence, the criminal has already chosen that at least one person will die or be seriously injured as a result of his acts. The law allows for lethal self-defense because wise people through the ages have recognized that in some circumstances, literally the only choice left for another person to make is whether the intended victim or the person who attacked her will be the one to survive.

There is something else, something perhaps more fundamental. I say more fundamental because at this point, those who are skeptical about the necessity of using lethal defensive force may be thinking, "Yes, but isn't there some other way?" And the answer is, not really. Not when innocent life hangs in the balance, and the attacker is both aggressive and determined.

Which Gun for Me?
Quality guns cost money. That's all there is to it. When it comes down to it, you may find yourself trying to find an ideal compromise between price and quality. I'm not hypocritical enough to say, as some do, "Well, how much is your life worth ...?" There's a lot more to the story than that, and I've been broke enough that we wondered how to finance the next trip to the grocery store. If you are in such a situation, you may have to make some hard choices -- but make them with your eyes wide open, aware of exactly what you are trading away and what you are getting in exchange. And don't be too quick to grab the first "bargain" gun that comes along. That's nearly always a mistake. If you're broke, you've got to spend twice as much time on research as someone who isn't broke. They can afford to make a mistake or travel down a blind alley in their quest for the perfect gun. When you're broke, you really can't afford that kind of waste.

I'll add that if you want to know how to get good guns cheap, I will write a piece about it and post it here soon enough. If you can't wait, freepmail me. I'll give you a few hints.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; concealedcarry; frgc; frgunclub; holsters; kittyping
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To: sig226

Cool. Thanks!


41 posted on 08/11/2008 8:41:19 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Daffynition
I've been thinking about it. This is the one I shoot most often:

From what I've read, the lasers really are worth getting for better accuracy.

42 posted on 08/11/2008 8:46:18 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Daffynition

Oh, and an added benefit. Apparently, when the focus is right, the lasers can be a compelling argument for a criminal to decide to depart the scene.


43 posted on 08/11/2008 8:49:17 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: All

Jeff Cooper rules
were the best we had when they were first developed.

They were developed for dogfaces and grunts.

They worked well enough.

The NRA adopted and the Training Department taught the Cooper Rules.

Over time the Cooper Rules were shown to be ineffective
as "ADs" did not decline.

The NRA Training Department researched a better way to teach gun safety.

The result of this extensive study over a number of years led the NRA Training
Department to reject the Cooper Rules that they had embraced.
This despite Jeff Cooper being on the NRA Executive Committee.

One can only imagine the arguments over many years
until everyone on the executive committee were convinced
that the new NRA Safety Rules were superior to the
then current Cooper Rules.

Anyone who knew Col. Cooper's massive Ego and Pride,
knows how heated these arguments were.

The result was that the NRA adopted the
recommendation of the NRA Training Department.

and issued the following NRA Safety Rules.

Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

Always keep your finger of the trigger until ready to shoot

Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use



  • The NRA rules are all positive.
  • The words used are ones that everyone can understand.
  • They are in a sequence, such that if you follow rule one,
    you remain safe even if you violate rule two and rule three.
  • I don't need to waste time and effort telling you that
    all guns are loaded, because if you
    Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
    it does not matter.

Following the introduction of the new NRA Safety Rules,
the number of "ADs" were reduced and continue to decline.

However in those areas where Cooper Rules continue to be taught,
"ADs" have not declined.

When you plan to shoot there are more rules to follow.

OBTW; I learned the Cooper Rules sixty years ago
as a boy with my first BB gun.

I could repeat the rules and violated them consistently.

I'm sure you did too.

My Daisy Red Ryder was always loaded.


44 posted on 08/11/2008 9:06:25 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: LongElegantLegs

Your Glock 27 is a nice concealed carry. I think it’s also a single-stack feed like my Glock 36, so the grip is nice for a small hand (unlike most of the double-stack Glocks). About the same weight as mine, too, which is a big factor.

I love the way a Glock works. No safety to fumble off in a hurry is a wonderful advantage. No hammer sticking out to catch on anything when pulling it out.

I was a bit worried at first about recoil from such a small .45 caliber gun, but was relieved to find it not a problem. After running through just a couple of magazines, I was fully comfortable with it.


45 posted on 08/11/2008 9:13:28 AM PDT by pyrless (I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy)
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To: LongElegantLegs

Thunderwear holsters


46 posted on 08/11/2008 9:13:45 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: LongElegantLegs

“Mine is the 27. I dont think it would work as a bra gun, but I don’t foresee any trouble concealing it. It’s thick but tiny.”

Doesn’t look like bra guns are popular any more. All I had was an old link that’s now dead.

Here’s a different option - groin carry, riding pretty low:

http://thunderwear.com/holsters.asp


47 posted on 08/11/2008 9:19:55 AM PDT by pyrless (I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy)
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To: XeniaSt
After firing literally hundreds of thousands of rounds through all types of weapons I have only had one AD - bad sear.

Mad's Rules of Gun Control:

An empty gun is useless unless you plan on beating someone to death or are completely out of ammo.

All guns are ALWAYS loaded, never point one at anything you do not intend to kill.

Learn to trust your trigger finger and it to trust you.

He who hesitates is lost, He who takes careful aim usually wins.

Served me well for many years. BTW if you cannot trust your trigger finger do not carry a gun for self defense. You will just wind up being shot with you own weapon and that is really embarrassing and painful.

48 posted on 08/11/2008 9:24:39 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.)
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To: freepersup

There’s lots and lots of purse options... Galco makes a bunch, I just ordered one for when I start carrying. It’s a good thing to have as an option, even if you think on-body carry is best. Suppose a woman wants to carry at a “little black dress” event. I can’t imagine any holster that is A. truly concealed and B. easy to get the goods when necessary.

And on long car trips, purse carry has got to be more comfortable than having a lump of metal on your hip all day.


49 posted on 08/11/2008 9:26:12 AM PDT by JenB
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To: XeniaSt

My practice rounds are CCI 158gr ... and I have no trouble.

When in carry mode, my preference is a MagSafe .38 Sp 52gr Defender. ;-)


50 posted on 08/11/2008 9:36:36 AM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
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To: sig226

I found this site a week ago, but I lost it. Thanks so much for postin it!


51 posted on 08/11/2008 9:37:39 AM PDT by Toki
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To: pyrless

Mine’s pretty thick, I think it’s actually a double stack. It doesn’t bother me though, I have long hands.
I had heard horror stories about the recoil also, but didn’t find it to be a problem. Mr. Legs didn’t like it much, he wants something slimmer. He’s looking at the Bersa Thunder.


52 posted on 08/11/2008 9:38:20 AM PDT by LongElegantLegs (Come then, War! With hearts elated to thy standard we will fly!)
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To: Daffynition
The 642 is only 15oz; the 158gr produce too much recoil.

I too like Magsafe; I use them in my autos.


53 posted on 08/11/2008 9:39:49 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: XeniaSt

Sweet! Maybe once I have have the baby...


54 posted on 08/11/2008 9:40:53 AM PDT by LongElegantLegs (Come then, War! With hearts elated to thy standard we will fly!)
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To: trisham

You won’t regret your decision. I love my CT lasergrips.

The only drawback is when practicing. In full sunlight, they don’t show up well on a target, unless you are really close; which is why I live fire on overcast days when I can.

For dry fire, low light, or if you have an opportunity to shoot indoors, they are excellent.

FWIW, one time I had to use my Smith w/ CT in a situation. A 6’5” man was attacking me. When I aimed at his forehead, at about 10’ range as he was coming for me, I said, “And I know how to use it.” He immediately hit the ground and begged for mercy.

The long and short of it is, I firmly believe the laser was what stopped him in his tracks; he might have continued toward me, and tried to take the gun away from me if it wasn’t for the red dot.

The groups I shoot with it are great, much improved from when I was just using the sights. And as my eyes are getting older, I just don’t see as well; add to that a panic situation and lasergrips give you an added advantage that could be life or death.

Your mileage may vary. ;-D


55 posted on 08/11/2008 9:54:57 AM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
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To: XeniaSt

Which is why I went with the 649. It’s heavier to carry, and sometimes my pocket [depending on how I’m carrying] droops ... but there are always trade-offs involved in our decisions.


56 posted on 08/11/2008 9:58:23 AM PDT by Daffynition (The quieter you become the more you can hear.)
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To: LongElegantLegs; pyrless
G27

I had heard horror stories about the recoil also, but didn’t find it to be a problem.

The Glock 27 is very manageable if you add this magazine floorplate to it.

Pearce magazine base plate


57 posted on 08/11/2008 10:03:32 AM PDT by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 78:35 And they remembered that God was their ROCK, And the Most High God their Redeemer.)
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To: LongElegantLegs

“He’s looking at the Bersa Thunder.”

Just looked it up. It has some very favorable reviews; compact, great price, etc. Looks like it’s a double-action also, which means no safety to fumble off. A nice choice if you aren’t interested in moving up to a .45 like the G36.


58 posted on 08/11/2008 10:06:10 AM PDT by pyrless (I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy)
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To: Daffynition

“FWIW, one time I had to use my Smith w/ CT in a situation. A 6’5” man was attacking me. When I aimed at his forehead, at about 10’ range as he was coming for me, I said, “And I know how to use it.” He immediately hit the ground and begged for mercy.”

Way to go!!! So glad you’re OK. Have you convinced all your friends and family to get their carry permits yet? I’d say you’ve got a better argument to make than most of us.


59 posted on 08/11/2008 10:10:22 AM PDT by pyrless (I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy)
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To: Daffynition
And as my eyes are getting older, I just don’t see as well; add to that a panic situation and lasergrips give you an added advantage that could be life or death.

********************

I've heard about that as well! Thanks for sharing your experience with me. Lasergrips sound like a "must have" to me now. :)

60 posted on 08/11/2008 10:16:26 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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