Tag Archives: qualification

Center Mass Mythology

FK – As an OJT Combat MP Marine Reservist back in the late 80s or so I had to ‘qualify’ with an old .45. I’m only a ‘decent’ handgun shot but would’ve shot expert but for the gun’s tendency to hit high and to the right. I don’t think it was me so much because I had a good group up there and shot ‘sharpshooter.’ It would’ve been ‘expert’ if I had simply held the sights according to Kentucky windage, allowing for the weapon’s malfunction or mine, whichever, but I was too stubborn and ticked off that uncle sugar would give me such a device to ‘qualify’ with. We are talking about the Marines here but they could spend billions on the aircraft industry and give us grunts crap to work with.

I know this is geared toward simple street self defense but what about when they’re wearing body armor, a situation that is guaranteed to come? I’m asking only because I’ve seen various scenarios discussed over the years. I often think of that scene from ‘Black Hawk Down’ where the Ranger bleeds out from a wound to his groin area. From my years of hunting I know that’s usually what causes death. A hit to the spinal column or brain being more rare or not possible for various reasons.