Self Defense - suggestions please

[TheMightyQuinn]

I got to the "sword" comments and laughed so much I couldn't follow the rest of the thread.....

 

[AntiGanda]

Install a couple of these strategically around your property. At 180 they're cheap as chips and if on the boundary (and set up smartly) - they will EITHER give you advanced warning of pending danger. Or they will frighten the bejeezuz out of the inbreekers...

http://www.bangalert.co.za/

I have 4 at home. Linked to the only "soft entry spots" I could identify. And one mounted under my motorbike seat which I connect to a pole a few cm away from where I park my bike. Its only a .22 short blank - but in the middle of the night... Its FEKKING loud !

My cousin showed me these. They are the biggest cr*p you can waste your money on.

 

[skeptic_SA]

My cousin showed me these. They are the biggest cr*p you can waste your money on.

Opinions are like ar$holes.

 

[flippakitten]

Either a firearm or compliance. Anything less than a firearm but more than compliance is going to get you killed.

That's not completely true, compliance can often get your wife raped and family tortured and killed.
Having a gun means for it to be useful, it needs to be easily accessible, which means it's easily accessible to my son.

I would prefer a gun but the responsibility of having a gun are not something I think I want to take on.

 

[Nerfherder]

That's not completely true, compliance can often get your wife raped and family tortured and killed.
Having a gun means for it to be useful, it needs to be easily accessible, which means it's easily accessible to my son.

I would prefer a gun but the responsibility of having a gun are not something I think I want to take on.

Ok, but now we are going in to that territory. Lets not get distracted. People who fight back get killed, anyone in law enforcement will tell you that.
Compliance is your best option 90% of the time because you will be caught unaware. If you see them before they see you then you have an advantage, then a weapon is useful, that is different.

 

[flippakitten]

Ok, but now we are going in to that territory. Lets not get distracted. People who fight back get killed, anyone in law enforcement will tell you that.
Compliance is your best option 90% of the time because you will be caught unaware. If you see them before they see you then you have an advantage, then a weapon is useful, that is different.

That makes sense and is why opinions do count.

Unless you're spider man, there are only two access points into the house and only one access point into the property (unless going through a mass of thornbushes). So there will be advanced warning.

That being said, something like a paintball gun will give them advanced warning as well.

 

[flippakitten]

I live on a small holding in a farming area in cape town. Here is my take on safety :

Crossbow will not help you if you are asleep. They break into your house when you sleep.
Same with paintball gun. In fact, with both the paintball gun and crossbow you will just piss them off if you miss.
Why would you take a toy to a gun fight???

The best thing to do is sharpen up security around your house. eg.

Burglar bars
Good lighting around your house
ADT security
Get involved with your locals(we have a 911 Telegram group)
Get rid of stuff outside that they would like to steal and sell
A dog that sleeps in the house is the best alarm ever.

That's actually very reassuring! Thank you.

Have everything except lightbulbs in the lighting and being involved properly with the locals but when renting, that's a little hard.

 

[Nerfherder]

That makes sense and is why opinions do count.

Unless you're spider man, there are only two access points into the house and only one access point into the property (unless going through a mass of thornbushes). So there will be advanced warning.

That being said, something like a paintball gun will give them advanced warning as well.

Depends if you want them to die or just go away. I think we all want the intruders to be caught and tied up nicely for the police but like you said.... Most of us aren't spiderman

 

[flippakitten]

Install a couple of these strategically around your property. At 180 they're cheap as chips and if on the boundary (and set up smartly) - they will EITHER give you advanced warning of pending danger. Or they will frighten the bejeezuz out of the inbreekers...

http://www.bangalert.co.za/

I have 4 at home. Linked to the only "soft entry spots" I could identify. And one mounted under my motorbike seat which I connect to a pole a few cm away from where I park my bike. Its only a .22 short blank - but in the middle of the night... Its FEKKING loud !

One of these at the bottom of each stair case and across the and across the front gate would serve nicely as a warning system, thanks!

 

[TehStranger]

If you use a toy against someone who is armed you're more likely to end up dead than by complying. What are you chances of being able to do a Bolt impersonation straight after waking up to three guys in your house armed with knives? What are your chances of even being able to deal with one effectively straight after waking up? I would rather be unarmed and take my chances with compliance than try to scare them off with a toy, as by doing so I've now given them all the reason they need to get physical.

Chances are good, I've done it before in a similar situation.

Also, I doubt you've been on the receiving end of rubber balls/mace balls if you consider them a toy. Make no mistake, they can do a significant amount of damage while not killing the guy(s).

Look, I'm all for the fact that your own firearm is the best bet, and that there is a place for compliance. But everything depends on the situation, and taking a black and white view of self defence is only doing yourself a disservice.

 

[AntiGanda]

One of these at the bottom of each stair case and across the and across the front gate would serve nicely as a warning system, thanks!

Keep them out of the rain because they rust. Buy a new tripwire because the included one is thick and black.

They are also not reliable.

Rather pick an imported design or something electronic.

 

[AntiGanda]

Chances are good, I've done it before in a similar situation.

Also, I doubt you've been on the receiving end of rubber balls/mace balls if you consider them a toy. Make no mistake, they can do a significant amount of damage while not killing the guy(s).

Look, I'm all for the fact that your own firearm is the best bet, and that there is a place for compliance. But everything depends on the situation, and taking a black and white view of self defence is only doing yourself a disservice.

You don't seem to understand how bad an idea it is.

The bad guy is pumped on adreniline and may not even notice the stings. He's gonna get really pi$$ed and come at you.

There is also the not so small problem with police and neighbours reporting you for pointing a firearm.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Keep them out of the rain because they rust. Buy a new tripwire because the included one is thick and black.

They are also not reliable.

Rather pick an imported design or something electronic.

Yes. Because electronics love the rain

@OP I've had mine since May 2013 and I've tested each one of them at least 2 or 3 times. Have never had a problem with any. Can't seem to find anything online either suggesting they're problematic. At R180 they're almost a R1000 cheaper than anything imported.

Buy one. Try it. Make up your own mind.

 

[Nerfherder]

Yes. Because electronics love the rain

@OP I've had mine since May 2013 and I've tested each one of them at least 2 or 3 times. Have never had a problem with any. Can't seem to find anything online either suggesting they're problematic. At R180 they're almost a R1000 cheaper than anything imported.

Buy one. Try it. Make up your own mind.

I actually have a really good place for one of those. Thanks for that suggestion !

 

[Progenix Oj101]

Chances are good, I've done it before in a similar situation.

Also, I doubt you've been on the receiving end of rubber balls/mace balls if you consider them a toy. Make no mistake, they can do a significant amount of damage while not killing the guy(s).

Look, I'm all for the fact that your own firearm is the best bet, and that there is a place for compliance. But everything depends on the situation, and taking a black and white view of self defence is only doing yourself a disservice.

That's when they kill you. Please watch this, the perp was maced in the face and shot repeatedly yet still beat the cop's ass. If backup hadn't arrived he would've killed the man who shot him several times.

[video=youtube;23c7ovuSd2U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23c7ovuSd2U[/video]

 

[Nerfherder]

You don't seem to understand how bad an idea it is.

The bad guy is pumped on adreniline and may not even notice the stings. He's gonna get really pi$$ed and come at you.

There is also the not so small problem with police and neighbours reporting you for pointing a firearm.

In a world where there are superhuman zombies who are desperate to eat your brains then yes. That is why a gun does not work that well either, you need to kill to be effective.

Reality is though that most of the time a shock or scare will scare the bejezuss out of an intruder (not a hijacker/armed robber). They don't want to engage you, they want to take your stuff and get out.

 

[Hemi300c]

To everyone promoting the pepper thingy remember that it'll rebound in most cases and then you too will be affected by it and be under attack and be incapacitated.
It's fine for log distances but to use in a confined space it's no a answer.

If you on a plot, in a agricultural area, a license for a gun is easier but you need to be responsible. The laws and the firing thereof are also "different" and one can fire a warning shot if you suspicious of something where in a built up area you'll lose the gun and license very quickly.

You should also consider becoming close and a member of the CPF and their facilities if available. You'll find you'll have alot of support and be more receptive to SAPS etc when needed.

 

[TehStranger]

That's when they kill you. Please watch this, the perp was maced in the face and shot repeatedly yet still beat the cop's ass. If backup hadn't arrived he would've killed the man who shot him several times.

[video=youtube;23c7ovuSd2U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23c7ovuSd2U[/video]

I've seen that numerous times before. It why I started with this:

Yes, there are cases where people high on drugs can shrug it off, but I can tell you now getting hit with a number of mace/rubber balls in quick succession will put down 99% of people out there, or at least chase them away.

There will always be those extreme examples where people are on drugs/freaks of nature/etc., and there it's kill or be killed. But most of the time the criminals you're confronted with are just regular people with a bit of adrenalin pumping.

You seem to be pretty black and white on the topic though.

 

[AntiGanda]

Yes. Because electronics love the rain

@OP I've had mine since May 2013 and I've tested each one of them at least 2 or 3 times. Have never had a problem with any. Can't seem to find anything online either suggesting they're problematic. At R180 they're almost a R1000 cheaper than anything imported.

Buy one. Try it. Make up your own mind.

So you're going to leave an untreated metal object (including a 6" nail and iron washer as firing components) in the rain, armed with a .22 shell (also uncovered) and triggered by a thick piece of string?? If you call that reliable then you're dafter than a brush.

An electronic device is in a case designed for outdoor use and long periods of idle time. Nothing is perfect but I know which one I would pick.

 

[AntiGanda]

I've seen that numerous times before. It why I started with this:



There will always be those extreme examples where people are on drugs/freaks of nature/etc., and there it's kill or be killed. But most of the time the criminals you're confronted with are just regular people with a bit of adrenalin pumping.

You seem to be pretty black and white on the topic though.

These are not "freak" occurrences. Even bullets take time to act. A guy shot in the leg can run 600m (seen it happen) - no blood either.