Has anyone had to use a mini in a self defense situation?

[foneman]

Being new to mini's I'm debating whether to EDC with my new Pug? I like how comfortable and easy to conceal it is but not sure if it would protect me in a self defense situation.
A few days ago I started a thread trying to discover the best magnum load shot through a pug. Although I only got one reply it proved to be very helpful directing me to a previously posted thread on the same subject.
I decided on Hornady critical defense and Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel. I now keep a mix of the two in the cylinders. 
I'm still learning how to hit what I am aiming at with that little gun. I am not new to firearms and own a number of handguns that I am fairly proficient with but this Pug presents a whole new challenge. Any pointers would be welcome.
Back to my original question, has anyone, unfortunately, got in a situation where they needed their mini to defend themselves and if so was it a viable option to have with you?

[Warthog]

No, I have had a SD with firearm thing happen but it was with a shotgun.  I was at home, so it wasn't carrying and out and about either.

[Canoeal]

The only guy that I know of, that had that kind of experience, got run off the forum by some unbelievers...
Try this thread... http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=13705.msg152207#msg152207

[cfsharry]

If you like well written BS that is a good link to follow.
He was not run off. He was asked a question and chose, instead of answering, left the forum.

[Canoeal]

That is why I posted the link let the readers decide...
They can decide on the post you are referring to also ... see if he just left...

http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=15209.msg156750#msg156750

[foneman]

Any advice on shooting this little beauty?
I've been practicing at around 8 feet. I can get close to bullseye at times but I can also spray them high or low.
I'd be happy if I can keep it within a hands width.

[top dog]

Foneman,
You are doing well to practice at about 8 feet.

As I had said (many) times before,years ago,NYPD did a study of 6,000 (yes,6,000) SD shootings. All were less than 21 feet with the vast majority less than 10 ft many being  3 ft.  No reloads were ever done with about 2.5 rounds fired . (I never figured out how to fire one half bullet)

I hope that you have a spare 22lr cylinder for your PUG so you can practice more affordably.

The PUG is a darn nice piece. You chose your first mini well.  Trust me,they will "multiply".

                                                                                                    Top Dog

[Canoeal]

I would also say to you that you should practice with the same ammo in the cylinder when you shoot. Using two different ammos may cause you to need to aim differently, as one may shoot higher than the other.

[Texron]

I have never had to use mine for self defense, but I have had my hand on mine in my pocket twice in somewhat scary situations. In was comforting to know it was there just in case.

[Canoeal]

Yep, in that scenario, "I can say been there done that."

[bearcatter]

There is an article in the 2017 Pocket Pistols magazine where Massad Ayoob relates ten cases where a pocket gun was used on an attacker. In one a woman was about to be raped in her bedroom. She managed to reach her Mini (doesn't say which model or caliber) from the nightstand. Pressed it against his sternum and fired once. It did kill him.

I tend to take Ayoob with a grain of salt, but this sounds reasonable.

[LHB]

As far as self defense accuracy, as the retired Illinois State Trooper I know says, "You only have to be minute of a%%h%%e," you don't have to be able to strike a match with it.

Some time ago there was a post on here by a member who had made a service call for a man, saw a mini on the table, and they got to discussing their minis.  The older customer asked the service man if he had ever shot some one with his mini.   The customer had, during a confrontation with a punk, his wife tossed him the magnum mini, he fired one shot, broke the punks pelvis, punk spent a year in treatment, then got killed in a drug deal gone bad.

[RICKS PLACE]

After 25 years LEO, 9 years private security, and a few years military, never had to fire a shot in a defense situation from anything.  While I have had to display a weapon several times, never had to fire.  There is really no way of knowing ir any firearm will be enough in any given situation.  I have seen several dead at the scene from a .22 and one with a .45 round in the back of his head later walking around.  My only advice is if you can, take cover, then worry about return fire.  Any lead you put ing an attacker is better than throwing rocks.  Of all the shooting I have observed, A shotgun is the ultimate up close answer but difficult to carry in your pants pocket.  My EDC is one or a couple of three, B/W. Pug, or  Ranger II.  I have bigger weapons but again, don't work in my pocket. And yes, I feel this is enough. Oh, good choice on your ammo.

[top dog]

Foneman,

All the above advice is good.  Once the minis came out,I first started carrying the 22lr mini on duty behind my duty belt buckle then "graduated" to the magnums later on with finally  the PUG which was with me on this date which is the 11th anniversary of my retirement (after 40 yrs).


Forty years experience has shown me that the first thing is ...to have a gun. The beauty of these minis is that they can be with you pretty much 24/7.

But most importantly is to be aware of your surroundings so you don't walk into any situation.  Trust me on this,the best situation is the one you are not in.


                                                                                                             Top Dog

[holiday009]

Yep, in that scenario, "I can say been there done that."

Yep, been there.

[foneman]

Top Dog, that is certainly the good advice. Keeping yourself out of bad situations by being aware of your surroundings.

[pietro]

.

My direct SD experiences (2) both occurred in my home, and included a loaded shotgun I kept handy - but not a Mini.

However, after I bought my 1st Mini (a .22Mag-only BW), I ran into somebody in a local gun shop who turned out to be a State Police undercover LEO (who was a personal friend of the GS owner, as I am).

The undercover told me he thought it would be a perfect "get off me" tool, which also wouldn't immediately tag him as being an LEO.

I admired his difficult job, and so gifted him my BW on the spot. (the GS owner immediately ordered me a replacement, at cost)


.

[foneman]

.

My direct SD experiences (2) both occurred in my home, and included a loaded shotgun I kept handy - but not a Mini.

However, after I bought my 1st Mini (a .22Mag-only BW), I ran into somebody in a local gun shop who turned out to be a State Police undercover LEO (who was a personal friend of the GS owner, as I am).

The undercover told me he thought it would be a perfect "get off me" tool, which also wouldn't immediately him as being an LEO.

I admired his difficult job, and so gifted him my BW on the spot. (the GS owner immediately ordered me a replacement, at cost)


.

Pietro, that was a very nice gesture on your part. Hopefully it will be paid forward.
Yes I agree, they have a difficult job in today's environment. For whatever the reasons a lot of people show no respect for anything. It's a shame society has got to this point.
I always say, respect all and fear no one.

Btw, if you want to get rid of your new BW, I'll take it off your hands! Lol

[autofull]

well, yes, but not on a human thank god. a crazy ex-pit fighter pit bull was tossed out into my neighborhood by the city fellers and it went after my wife who has multiple schlorosis in our back yard. i was with her and my pug had to bite the pit bull with two head shots. as a animal lover ,it hurt me deep to do it. local police were looking for it due to an earlier report. i was of course in no trouble over this and we have had the idiots drop off old fighter dogs before. i wish i could catch them instead. i believe i have written about this incident here before.   kevin and victoria.

[top dog]

Autofull,
You had to do what was necessary and I know that you had bad feelings about the incident.

I think you will agree with me on this,it is not the dog(s) but the owners. A lot of irresponsible folks out there.

                                                                                                   Top Dog

[autofull]

thank you there guy, i still feel bad about it. that was like over 10yrs ago and i had just bought my first pug.  this dog did not even look twice. im glad i could think fast enough to draw and shoot, no time to aim. scared the crap outta us. those two mag solids did the job though. i remember he was about 6 feet away, yeah, that close. the state police officer was very impressed. i know wrote about it long ago but when the board went down we all had to start over on our posts. i will say this, i have had my hand on the pug in  my pocket holster many times without anyone knowing.  and we live in the country where you would think the city creeps would know better. their favorite thing right now is to empty your trash cans all over the yard. right now we all get up super early to put them out instead of the night before. im working on a blank  trap to scare em off. we all have cameras set up but these guys do not care. some have been caught by the pa state police so we know where they come from.  ya just never know in these wonderfull exciting times guys.

[top dog]

Autofull,

I am pretty sure that I can safely assume that members of this forum are responsible citizens and like you,take their firearm duties seriously.

Be sure to check your state laws in regards to your "refuse safety plans" before going ahead to put your plan into effect.

                                                                                                              Top Dog

[autofull]

top dog, i bought some large pull string blank bird scare devices this morning, get this, from the state trooper who handles all our local calls. he was worried i would build something crazy, which was not gonna happen. i had a very sedate 38spl blank device almost completed. now to build a blast diverter so the trash can boys do not become too upset. oh the fun of it. the things ya gotta do that ya do not wanna do.  kevin in the woods.

[OV-1D]

 For a unusually fun time you can line the driveway with a few .  

[riadat]

I have drawn my weapon one time in self defense against a person and once against two dogs which were attacking my scnauzer.

Did not fire either time.  The weapon i drew against a person was a guy that jumped out of his car with a club and ran towards me. We had exchanged words and i had flipped him off-- dumb of me.   When i pulled my taurus 85 out of my coat pocket and pointed it at him he left ASAP.  The other time was a smith43c 8 shot 22, i drew it when two dogs attacked my dog at the local park.  I didn't fire then, either, just kicked the crap out of the most aggressive one until they ran off.

The mini is the 2nd gun.  So i don't draw the mini when i have a bigger, better gun to goto.  The mini is always the 2nd gun until i get home then it becomes the always gun as i put the bigger gun up and walk around with just the mini.

[top dog]

Autofull,
Sounds like you have a good plan there. I want to "hear" how it works out!!!

Now for my self defense story,which I have told about before;

After I would pump iron,I would finish the workout with an easy eight minute mile run.

This one morning,I was on my run when I heard the ominous sound off dog nails on the pavement. I turned around to see a Pit Bull coming right at me snarling and growling.

Knowing that to run would be useless,I slowly started back towards my home walking backwards facing the dog that started to make a number of false charges to me.

As I got in my yard,I now had the problem of turning to get to the front door and thought that I (my backside) would get bitten.

I took out my 22lr mini and just as the dog made a charge towards me,I fired a round into the ground AWAY from the dog.

He instantly turned tail and ran away.  I never saw him again.

Again,this proved the value of the minis that can be with you...always.

                                                                           Top Dog

[OV-1D]

  Top Dog , being a great dog lover as I am I must say PIT BULLS ARE A ROYAL PAIN IN THE AS* . Its a shame their minds snap like a dried branch at any given moment , strange beasts they are . Leave to the Brits to develop such a maniac beast , blue eyes are a sure tell-tail trait that you have a screwball ready to break , they need to be run daily for good long periods to quiet them down I've read , even so ...

[riadat]

I really don't like pit bulls. 

[top dog]

Funny thing is that my neighbor has Pit Bulls and some of my friends have Pit Bulls,nary a problem.

I put the blame mostly on the owners,but that is just my opinion.

Years ago,German Shepards,Rottweilers,Doberman Pinchers were in the same boat as attack dogs and such.


Again,it is still a good idea to have a mini with you at all times in case of attacks by animals either domestic or wild or two legged.

I think that the two legged are the worst.


                                                                                                        Top Dog

[pennsy]

The terrier breeds are a little unpredictable. German Shepards are not in the same catagory, though they can be trained for anything and they are very intelligent.

[WyoShooter]

...I put the blame mostly on the owners,but that is just my opinion...

                                                                                                        Top Dog

I agree totally.  Many people who own pit bulls are enamored of their reputation and they treat their dogs in a manner that brings out their aggressiveness. 

My step son has had three different pit bulls and the biggest danger with them has been getting slobbered to death.  They're really playful and eager to please.

[autofull]

well, i pay attention to everything going on around me, i always have as working around machinery can be very unforgiving and i have observed that the pit bull breed has been the most popular for many years but i feel that their gene pool has been polluted with the nasty gene. small case in point here, a couple brought one into the local petco to be groomed, what ya do to one is beyond me but, the animal jumped at the desk and attempted to maul the receptionist. now, im standing near an isle with my friend john who is the manager as this happens. they made no attempt to control the dog and it is still trying to get to the girl . believe you me this was quite a scene as the dog then attempts to attack customers and their dogs. john looks at me and says can ya help out as company policy says no armed employees. i step forward and now the dog wants me. i draw down on the dog  and now the guys wife dials 911 and im wondering if any of the stores people have done the same. sooo, this went fast mind you, a officer pulls up sees me holding on the dog that wants to now eat me, and he pulls on the animal and maces it. well, the owners are having a cow about this and drag the dog outside toward the officer who feels they are not in control and demands that they drag the dog to their car, yeah, i know , long story. short version is, they want me arrested but the officer has other plans. they get a large fine after he views the tapes. i get a hand shake from everyone and later a thank you letter from petco hq. chripes allmighty huh. all this cause i went fer cat litter. now i have it delivered. man oh man, ya cannot even go shopping anymore guys.  kevin.

[pennsy]

Part of it is upbringing. Plenty of dirt bags train them .I still feel there is a trait deep inside that can rear it's ugly head. A small dog around here was killed at a Pet Smart by a pit bull. Other horror stories of children and adults being mauled and/or killed . I'm sure there are sweet ones also. Like people I guess.

[OV-1D]

  There are a number of dog types that are called pibulls . The original pit bull was made by mating a Bulldogs (for strength) and Terriers (for agility) somewhere in that cross some screws were left out . Terriers are generally snappy little bastar*s , bouncy ,mouthy , and uncontrollable . Put that with a English Bulldog (passive friendly generally) strength and power you most all the time have a EATING MACHINE on four legs that takes very little to light the fuse . Myself I have an English Bully , a Bull Mastiff and an English Mastiff . The first and third (males) I trust but the Bull Mastiff (female) I'd have my doubts about around other dogs , shes great but I detect she could want to attack if the need arose .. Pitbulls are and always have been trained to attack viciously (heads and necks generally) because of the nature and size of the beasts they were trained to tackle and subdue . Known many a Pitbull in my life , beautiful animals BUT !!!!

[jlh48]

What is just beyond belief to me and others I know and talk to, and I will never, ever understand, is why people take the "chance" and "risk" of getting a pit bull, when there are so many other wonderful dogs out there to be around people, families and especially children. Have I heard of really nice, loving pit bulls, yes of course. But I have I heard horror stories, and I mean horror stories, from multiple people how these dogs turned on a dime and attacked people, children and other dogs and animals....yes....ALL the time. Why do people feel the need to purchase such a dog and take the "risk" of knowing how it can "turn" its personality around in an instant??? How many people have heard of a beagle, a lab and numerous other breeds of dogs etc. acting in this type of matter? It makes no sense to me at all. I can tell you this, if a pit bull attacked my black lab (which will lick all people to death) or a child, or me....it needs to be put down immediately. Its just disgusting to see what has, and will continue to happen with these dogs as time goes on.