CNS, Revisited

03 July 08

Bottom line on pistol-shot placement, from Dr Jim Williams, my good friend and colleague, and author of the authoritative text on the subject, Tactical Anatomy:

"Like you, I advocate shooting the brainstem when such an opportunity presents itself, but it is unlikely to be the best primary target in most handgun-fights.

I wonder if some people have taken away the message from my lectures that I am insisting on, or even advocating, brainstem shots. Not so! To the contrary, I emphasize the difficulty of the brainstem shot, but then go on to explain exactly where the brainstem is, so when you are compelled by circumstance to attempt such a shot, you've got at least some chance of success!

I also emphasize the large number of cases in my files where offenders received solid hits to the head from handgun bullets, bullets that subsequently penetrated the skull transected central portions of the brain, but still failed to shut down the offender's attack. Unlike rifle bullets, handgun bullets seldom generate a temporary cavity sufficient to 'burst' the brain, the waya rifle bullet does. Hence, the need to specifically target the portions of the brain where the offender 'lives and breathes', ie: the brainstem.

The large number of incidents where offenders have been shot in the cheekbone or forehead, and the bullet has subsequently reflected off sloping bone surfaces, failing to even enter, much less penetrate, the cranial vault, have been the result of people training to hit the 'eye-box' on two-dimensional, cardboard targets that are nice enough to stand motionless until it is convenient for the shooter to engage them.

High chest/mediastinum is still our best primary pistol target, because it's big, and there's lots of vital stuff in there that can stop the offender's attack, albeit not instantly.

Lateral pelvis is a viable alternative, and much easier to hit than the brainstem. Hits to the lateral pelvis, though seldom fatal in the short term, compromise the offender's mobility and greatly decrease the effectiveness of his return fire. As such, the lateral pelvis is our second choice.

Brainstem shots should be considered only as a third option."

And, this sage comment from friend and colleague, Dr Dave Kahn:

"As someone who knows anatomy, I'd liken most brainstem shots on a mobile aggressor to hitting a tossed baseball, while jogging! If you've reduced yourself to having to have a brainstem strike as your only option, you're in deep mud."

Comment: Deep indeed!

/John

Back-up Pistol

03 July 08

10-24 Hideout Holsters:

I've been testing 10-24's Concealed Body-Armor Backup Holster. Several similar product have been produced over the years, but this one is the best so far.

When you're wearing soft body-armor routinely, the 10-24 allows youto carry aback-up pistol in a place where you can get to it quickly, with either hand. It rides comfortably and takes much of the discomfort and drudgery out of carrying a back-up pistol.

Get hold of Peter at 10 24 Products.com

Recommended!

/John