V. Defensive Use of Firearms

B. Literature

2. Shoot to Live: Gunfight Survival - Video Review

by Patrick Casey (pcasey@interart.com)

Massad Ayoob, 1990, Lenny Magill Productions (1-800-942-TAPE). Also available from the Police Bookshelf (800-624-9049).


This is a 60 minute video of an interview with Ayoob by Lenny Magill. Material covered includes the following:

Ayoob's personal history and training: not just the how of using firearms but also the why; dealings with Ray Chapman and John Peters; experience as a journalist; work as a firearms tactics instructor.

Overview of the data: Ayoob has researched hundreds of shootings; summarizes the empirical data that exists (such as it is); shots fired statistics; guns and cartridges that work -- and don't.

What goes on in a gunfight: discussion of the psycho-physical phenomenon; the Tacchy Psychia effect (distorted perception of time); reversion to training; drilling vs. training; role of multiple (i.e., 3,000) repetitions in conditioning autonomic responses; education vs. training.

Weapons: 9mm versus .45 versus 10mm; street-proven performers (which, as of 1990, excludes the 10mm); deep penetration bullets, etc. (Ayoob prefers the 9mm because he knows what it will do). Refers to the .357 as the most likely one-shot stopper.

Ammunition: why Ayoob carries a .45 in colder climates and a 9mm in warmer climates (both with hollow points); Fackler's study; shot placement and kill-versus-stop considerations; examples of innocents being hit by overpenetration. Ayoob's recommendations:

Home defense: the Alamo concept (ensconced defenders); call the police and hole up in your safe room (do not attempt to clear the house). The standard of the reasonable and prudent man; the research of Sgt. Dennis Tueller (1.5 seconds for the average man to close 21 feet; what if he has a knife?).

When do you use lethal force? Protection of life, not property; common characteristics of people Ayoob has interviewed who won their gunfights, including Jim Cirillo.

Where to aim: when to target the center of mass, the pelvis, the head; why there are so many hand shots (review of Miami massacre, 1986); importance of one-hand and off-hand shooting training.

Shotguns & self-defense: shotguns versus handguns; infantry versus artillery; shotguns and shotgun ammo for home defense.

One shot stoppers: and all the reasons that isn't quantifiable; placement, caliber, permanent cavity, temporary cavity. Summary: use the most powerful weapon you can control in accurate rapid fire against multiple targets. Keep shooting until the subject is down.

Keys to surviving a gunfight: preparedness and awareness, tactics and proper use, skill with safety equipment, optimum equipment.