A question I have been pondering for awhile, and am comfy enough (yay rum) to broach to the brain trust. . .
For more years than I really care to admit at my post middle-aged juncture, I have run point both on risky patrol entries and as a member of a part-time SWAT team in a rural area. With the following disclaimers of
1) I am NOT the ****
2) I do not know all, and am not looking to start an argument over my way VS whatever
3) I sure as heck ain't the end all and be all in entries, SWAT, patrol, or police work in general...
4) I don't hold a candle to the guys who do this as a full time gig
I am routinely first in the door when it is opened by whatever means, and have been offered a wide range of armaments to make entry with. To what is often the dismay of my teammates, I have always declined a larger and more powerful platform in lieu of my trusty sidearm (Glock 22 with a taclight)
My reasoning: The vast majority of the time, being first in, I encounter people who are either obedient (immediately hit the floor on command) or non-obedient non-resisting (non-combative but need assisting to the floor) or resisting but unarmed who need put on the floor (slam), and having a free hand and easily retained weapon has been helpful with that. On the occasion I have encountered armed subjects, they've thrown down and given up immediately so I've not yet had a shots fired on entry, just 'assists' and slams.
My theory: if I need to shoot, at across a room distances my sidearm will serve as an effective immediate action. If faced with armored or covered targets, I always made sure my second in was a partner with a long gun I had trained closely with, and he knew if I yelled a particular word I was going to drop and roll so he could light them up.
The question to those who care to answer; what is your preferred entry tool and why?
Purely interested to hear other's stories and reasoning who care to share, on the chance theirs may impact my own. I'm not in the business of questioning your choices or convincing you mine is better.
Stay safe out there, brothers and sisters. :hugs:
For more years than I really care to admit at my post middle-aged juncture, I have run point both on risky patrol entries and as a member of a part-time SWAT team in a rural area. With the following disclaimers of
1) I am NOT the ****
2) I do not know all, and am not looking to start an argument over my way VS whatever
3) I sure as heck ain't the end all and be all in entries, SWAT, patrol, or police work in general...
4) I don't hold a candle to the guys who do this as a full time gig
I am routinely first in the door when it is opened by whatever means, and have been offered a wide range of armaments to make entry with. To what is often the dismay of my teammates, I have always declined a larger and more powerful platform in lieu of my trusty sidearm (Glock 22 with a taclight)
My reasoning: The vast majority of the time, being first in, I encounter people who are either obedient (immediately hit the floor on command) or non-obedient non-resisting (non-combative but need assisting to the floor) or resisting but unarmed who need put on the floor (slam), and having a free hand and easily retained weapon has been helpful with that. On the occasion I have encountered armed subjects, they've thrown down and given up immediately so I've not yet had a shots fired on entry, just 'assists' and slams.
My theory: if I need to shoot, at across a room distances my sidearm will serve as an effective immediate action. If faced with armored or covered targets, I always made sure my second in was a partner with a long gun I had trained closely with, and he knew if I yelled a particular word I was going to drop and roll so he could light them up.
The question to those who care to answer; what is your preferred entry tool and why?
Purely interested to hear other's stories and reasoning who care to share, on the chance theirs may impact my own. I'm not in the business of questioning your choices or convincing you mine is better.
Stay safe out there, brothers and sisters. :hugs: