How Many Shots Typically Fired in Self Defense Situation

lwestatbus · January 1, 2009, 08:09 PM

I was coming up to this forum to post this question when I found Whirlwind's interesting post Armed Citizen Analysis which discussed the issue based on an analysis of the Armed Citizen feature. I thought I'd post it anyway to see if anyone had additional information.

Does anyone have any information on how many shots are typically fired by the defender in a self defense scenario involving an armed civilian? Or what is the range of the number of shots fired? Any stories about a civilian being overwhelmed/killed after running out of ammunition?

I saw an interesting discussion on number of magazines being caried with a pretty wide range being reported. I'm also interested because I don't do well with high capacity magazines due to my hand size (1911 is perfect for me).

TacticalDefense1911 · January 1, 2009, 09:40 PM

I believe the average is somewhere between 2-5 shots. Just carry reloads with your single stack and you should be fine for any encounter.

RINGKINGS · January 1, 2009, 09:48 PM

The Average
3 Shots
3 Seconds
3 Yards

I Dont Know How Accurate This Is .. But It Seems Reasonable If You Read A Lot Of Accounts Of Sd Occurrences.

**Brian Pfleuger** · January 1, 2009, 09:54 PM

If you've got some reading time, the "How Many Spare Mags?" thread will certainly give you the opinions.

January 1, 2009, 08:09 PM	#1
lwestatbus Member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Posts: 63	How Many Shots Typically Fired in Self Defense Situation I was coming up to this forum to post this question when I found Whirlwind's interesting post Armed Citizen Analysis which discussed the issue based on an analysis of the Armed Citizen feature. I thought I'd post it anyway to see if anyone had additional information. Does anyone have any information on how many shots are typically fired by the defender in a self defense scenario involving an armed civilian? Or what is the range of the number of shots fired? Any stories about a civilian being overwhelmed/killed after running out of ammunition? I saw an interesting discussion on number of magazines being caried with a pretty wide range being reported. I'm also interested because I don't do well with high capacity magazines due to my hand size (1911 is perfect for me).

January 1, 2009, 09:48 PM	#3
RINGKINGS Member Join Date: November 22, 2008 Posts: 37	Rule Of 3's The Average 3 Shots 3 Seconds 3 Yards I Dont Know How Accurate This Is .. But It Seems Reasonable If You Read A Lot Of Accounts Of Sd Occurrences.

January 1, 2009, 09:54 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,670	If you've got some reading time, the "How Many Spare Mags?" thread will certainly give you the opinions. __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. ----- He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

January 1, 2009, 09:40 PM	#2
TacticalDefense1911 Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,264	I believe the average is somewhere between 2-5 shots. Just carry reloads with your single stack and you should be fine for any encounter.