Bookworm wrote:ShneekeyTheLost wrote:Bookworm wrote:Optimum knife range is the same as optimum handgun range.
Who told you such a silly thing?
Optimum knife range is from 'in a grapple' to around five or ten feet. Optimum handgun range is 20-50 feet.
Handguns in melee are dangerous, because people still seem to think they can still pull the trigger and hit something relevant in a grapple. Having a handgun in hand in a grapple just means you're short one hand when it comes to applying joint locks. About the only thing it's good for at that point is a fist-load. A knife? Can slit a throat just fine.
Several folks, including at least two ex Special Forces (one from Korea and shortly after). 15 feet. In that range, someone with a knife can move to grapple range, and you have maximum accuracy in adrenaline combat with a handgun.
My Daddy, who was a combat medic in a MASH Unit during Seoul during Vietnam, my Uncle, who was in the Jungle during Vietnam, and my Stepdad, also in the Jungle, during Vietnam would disagree with their assessment, as well as my sons Godmothers husband, who was in multiple tours during the last war, and all of them taught me a lot of self-defense tactics regarding gun v. knife.
While I was there for the Marine Corps Ball, one of the Gunny's at USMC Camp LeJeune back just after 9/11 also helped me with a few HTH v. firearm maneuvers when I expressed interest in how the military would teach self-defense courses to civilians if it ended up becoming a standard(that was a thing being considered after 9/11).
The next morning I found out. I also did said exercises in five-inch stilettos and a very fitted evening gown that I had worn to the Ball. He was rather shocked at how fast my shoes came off and became improvised weapons when he managed to knock the knife away(which was exactly one in ten attempts).
I also tried being the aggressor with the handgun(after changing to trainers, jeans and tee), and knife won every time shorter range, even when I did manage to "discharge" it(paint pistol), and that was when I was in my prime, with flawless reflexes and timing with firearms(I'd have to practise a bit to regain my edge). Most I did was wound an arm, and the knife wielder still got me with the off-hand.
Only with some distance/seconds with obstacles and expert training(and I had training), did the pistol ever win.
I cannot see an untrained person with a firearm winning in this scenario unless very lucky. Knives and other sharp objects make very effective improvised weapons.
These are just my experiences, and I unfortunately did have to utilise them quite a few times after training(that was one of the hazards of working in places like Gary and Cabrini Green), and am eternally grateful for all of that training.
It's also why I'm always pushing for firearms training and safety before ownership, and for mandatory self-defense training of our youth.
Yanno how some people have Angels/Devils for a conscience? I have a Dark Elf ShadowKnight and a Half Elf Ranger for mine. The really bad part is when they agree on something.
Aphyon chu kissa whol l'jaed.
--Safyr Drathmir