My Front Door Opened Unexpectedly at 3a.m......

MAD DOG · February 7, 2001, 08:16 PM

I was sound asleep. Right up until the front door opened noisily at three AM this morning...

Wide awake, instant condition RED... listen... deep breath, chamber check 1911. Stick spare mag in mouth. (No mag pouch on my BVDs)
Flashlight in hand, trigger finger straight, exfil bedroom, move down hallway to front room, slice the pie as I gain access to front room enfilade...

I light up my 19 year old son, back late from a study group at the college.
"Dad, the front door is sticking again. Sorry about the noise."

Another deep breath, pull underwear from buttcrack... "Go get a damned oil can!"

Despite the *potential* for tragedy, this experience re-enforced for me the need for training, training, training.
The need to have a clear head when going into combat.
Thanks to LOTS of training, my family is all safely intact, and I dial 911 only AFTER TSHTF and the smoke has cleared.

My son was not a bit rattled by the event, because he KNOWS that I shoot only when necessary, only when I have an identified target.

I must admit I had a hard time getting back to sleep though...

John Forsyth · February 7, 2001, 08:47 PM

Tell your son to use the phone and call that he is coming in. I used to work in the oil fields, came in at all hours of the night. Always called the wife when I was about 10 minutes from the house to let her know it was me. I did not want to be shot when I came in the front door. Better to be safe.

George Hill · February 7, 2001, 09:05 PM

Get that door fixed...

Yup - Proper training and conditioning... Use of white light... Finger off trigger... ID the target...

**Don Gwinn** · February 7, 2001, 10:26 PM

Might I suggest a TCW (Tactical Clearance of Wedgie) be performed before exfiltrating the bedroom for maximum comfort and minimum chance of a butt-discomfort-related ND?

Of course, second-guessing is easy--what matters is that your family is safe and your buttcrack free of invading fabric. Good job.

Double Naught Spy · February 7, 2001, 10:53 PM

Just something to consider for future reference and not meant as a critique of what you did. Sometimes it is really just a little easier to turn on the lights than to try to clear your house using a flashlight. It is easier to see if all is well with the rooms in question being fully illuminated. Of course, it is up to you to decide when it is tactically to your advantage to do so, but it is your house and you know where all the switches are. That being said, I would have my flashlight as well.

taco · February 8, 2001, 12:50 AM

Sounds like you need a dog.

AAChang · February 8, 2001, 01:25 AM

That'll remind me to call my mom before i go home in the middle of the night again

Doc Hudson · February 8, 2001, 01:27 AM

When I was 19, I learned to enter the house late at night turning on lights and making a modicum of noise. I learned that lesson the hard way.

My Dad was in the hospital, and there had been a number of burglaries in the area. I asked Mom to be sure to have her Chief's Special near by while she was alone.

That Friday night, I came home from college very late, and not altogether sober. My good intention was to enter the house quietly in the dark and go to bed without waking Mom.

By the time I had taken off my hat and coat and was halfway across the living room, I heard Mom at the end ot the hallway. She said, "Who's There?"

I answered, "It's me Mom." I must have been speaking more softly than usual.

Again, and more tense, came, "Who's there?"

Again I answered calmly, "It's me Mom."

Then came a stern, "I'm not asking again. Who's there?"

In a low bellow, I responded, "Mom it's me!"

Then came a grudging, "Well turn on the light then."

When I did, there was my Mom at the end of the hallway with her Chief's Special pointed right at my beltbuckle.

That was the last time I tried to sneak into the house.

I suggest your son learn from the example.

Doc Hudson

David Scott · February 8, 2001, 08:48 AM

Practical suggestion: Get a nylon mag pouch, and maybe a nylon pouch for your mini-flashlight, and sew them both to an elastic wristband so you can slip them on your arm when you have to deploy without pockets.

Jim V · February 8, 2001, 09:58 PM

whilst I was sleeping my back door smashed open, shattering the glass. Somewhere/time between the time the door hit the wall and the last piece of glass hit the floor I found myself standing 3 foot from my bed, glasses on, feet in slippers and my C&L 1911 in hand (finger off the trigger). Once I figured that I had not shut the door tightly and teh wind blew it open, the shakes started but while I thought it was going to get real noisy I was calm.

Most of the time I have to sorta hunt for the glasses with the light on to find 'em.

joebogey · February 8, 2001, 11:26 PM

As a teenager, I tried to sneak in after a night of drinking with friends. Had it made until I started through the kitchen and fell over the oven door my Mom had left open for heat in the kitchen that night. So much for stealth. Not good for shinbones either.

WalterGAII · February 8, 2001, 11:55 PM

Mad Dog: How many people have you actually shot on purpose? (Or accidentally, come to think of it?)

jimc · February 9, 2001, 01:04 AM

you would be surprised how many people DO NOT have a flash light in hand when checking out a "noise" just the lack of not having one if an "incident" occured could make a big difference in the outcome of the police investigation.
second the get a dog post too

buzz_knox · February 9, 2001, 08:18 AM

I was home with the flu Monday and was in the shower when my burglar alarm went off. I jumped out, saw that the door was still latched . . . and realized that they'd scheduled maintenance for Monday. Doh! I will be keeping a firearm in the bathroom from now on.

Quick thought for a thread: Best CBW (concealed bathroom weapon)? Which is better for toilet duty: 9 or .45?

On a related note, it is really important to let people know when you'll be home late. My father came home late one night and didn't want to wake my mother so he just got into his "natural bed apparel", and walked to the bed. My mother happened to awaken at that moment and . . . well, the bed was waist high. You get the idea. As I understand it, my father had to fight for his life all the while yelling "it's me! It's me!"

Pardon me, I've got to go crack up now. Please, no one tell Mom I told that story to the world . . . again. She hates that story.

Doc Hudson · February 9, 2001, 10:10 AM

re: Best CBW (concealed bathroom weapon)

Caliber is less important than rust resistance. What ever you choose, make it either stainless steel, or polymer and stainless.

Doc Hudson

MAD DOG · February 9, 2001, 12:45 PM

Not nearly enough on purpose, but I pray continuously for the good Lord to send more recreant sinners my way...

None by "accident".

Mute · February 9, 2001, 01:03 PM

Mad Dog,

Might I suggest the Modern Wedgie stance for dealing with invaders. You bendover showing the adversary your uncomfortable wedgie to disorient and distract, and blast their worthless a$$e$ while they are falling on the floor laughing their a$$e$ off.

MAD DOG · February 10, 2001, 12:17 AM

I prefer the tried and true Weaver Wedgie, wherein one obtains additional support for the weapon with the tensioning of the underwear over the firing grip.
The newer isoscowedgie gives me a headache...

bookkie · February 10, 2001, 03:00 PM

I'm really surprised that no one has made the following suggestion.

The main purpose of being armed is the protection of self and loved ones. At our house we do not get up and explore the house. We remained concealed in designated defensible positions and wait. If there is a BG in the house, they are going to be very surprised when they enter our bedroom. Full beam of light in the face, followed by lead if they are not recognized. The only thing they will be able to see is a flashlight, gun and two eyeballs peering from behind a barricade. I would much rather face a BG on ground of my choosing, rather than trying to search the house, where they can pick and choose where they are going to ambush me.

Monkeyleg · February 10, 2001, 05:36 PM

Good advice, Richard. But my wife and I sleep in separate rooms, because we both snore and I often lie awake all night.

Anyway, year before last my wife had rearranged the books on a wicker shelf in her room It's a steel frame with six glass shelves 20" long. In the middle of the night, the top one shifted and all six came crashing down along with the books. It sounded like an explosion. My wife was screaming bloody murder, and I was racing down the stairs gun in hand. Once the shaking stopped, I was surprised that I'd done all the gun stuff right: finger off trigger, hadn't swept the room with it or pointed it at my wife, didn't shoot my foot.

I don't recall any wedgies, though.

Dick

MAD DOG · February 10, 2001, 06:45 PM

I have a family of seven.
All but myself are HEAVY sleepers. Attempting to drag five or six deadweight sleeping bodies from three rooms would take a lot longer and be much more dangerous than sweeping the house for BGs.

gjwandkids · February 10, 2001, 08:17 PM

I hear you there Mad dog. You could set a bomb off and my family wouldn't even twitch. We have a four bedroom house, and there isn't a logistically sound way I could get them all into a safe place. Sweeping the house is a much more practical option in my case. Besides I live in a 70 year old house with the original hardwood floors and doors. All of which squeak in their own distinctive way. I just listen for the squeaks and know exactly where everyone is. Man I love old houses.

Ed Brunner · February 10, 2001, 08:21 PM

Monkeyleg makes a good point. It is absolutely necessary to practice practice and practice. Then when under stress etc you can function well without a lot of thought.

dvc · February 10, 2001, 08:30 PM

It took a great deal of effort to get my floor boards to squeak in specific areas of my house.

Then I made the mistake of letting a girlfriend move in a few years ago. After she moved in, the first words out of her mouth were "You really need to get those floors fixed, the squeaks are annoying.".

Needless to say, she didn't stay long.

OkieGentleman · February 10, 2001, 09:53 PM

I had an Oklahoma City PO tell this one on himself to gales of laughter from everyone present.

He was working the midnight shift. Well his wife had this little rat sized dog that she loved but he and the dog hate each other. The dog's name was Ralph if memory serves me right. Well he gets to work and has been on duty for an hour or so when he remembers something he had forgotten at home. He goes by his house about 2AM, quietly lets himself in the back door. The dog meets him at the door with lots of barking and growling. He says to Ralph "Shut up dog", when he walks around the corner into the hallway he bumps into the end of the 12ga riot gun the wife has leveled at his head. While she is still sighting down the barrel she says "His name is Ralph and I suggest you use it".

His next comment was "Now when I tell that damn dog to shut I call him by his name".

So remember if you are going to tell the hound to shut up use his name.

February 7, 2001, 08:47 PM	#2
John Forsyth Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 378	Tell your son to use the phone and call that he is coming in. I used to work in the oil fields, came in at all hours of the night. Always called the wife when I was about 10 minutes from the house to let her know it was me. I did not want to be shot when I came in the front door. Better to be safe. __________________ John

February 7, 2001, 10:26 PM	#4
Don Gwinn Staff Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,914	Might I suggest a TCW (Tactical Clearance of Wedgie) be performed before exfiltrating the bedroom for maximum comfort and minimum chance of a butt-discomfort-related ND? Of course, second-guessing is easy--what matters is that your family is safe and your buttcrack free of invading fabric. Good job. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don Gwinn: Chicago Gun Rights Examiner

February 8, 2001, 09:58 PM	#10
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,044	One winter's night........ whilst I was sleeping my back door smashed open, shattering the glass. Somewhere/time between the time the door hit the wall and the last piece of glass hit the floor I found myself standing 3 foot from my bed, glasses on, feet in slippers and my C&L 1911 in hand (finger off the trigger). Once I figured that I had not shut the door tightly and teh wind blew it open, the shakes started but while I thought it was going to get real noisy I was calm. Most of the time I have to sorta hunt for the glasses with the light on to find 'em. __________________ *MOLON LABE* If it ain't metal, single stack & single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like. 1911 Forum THE TUBBY CURMUDGEON

February 9, 2001, 12:45 PM	#16
MAD DOG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona. Posts: 857	Mad Dog: How many people have you actually shot on purpose? (Or accidentally, come to Not nearly enough on purpose, but I pray continuously for the good Lord to send more recreant sinners my way... None by "accident".

February 10, 2001, 03:00 PM	#19
bookkie Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 1999 Location: Arbuckle, CA, usa Posts: 1,277	I'm really surprised that no one has made the following suggestion. The main purpose of being armed is the protection of self and loved ones. At our house we do not get up and explore the house. We remained concealed in designated defensible positions and wait. If there is a BG in the house, they are going to be very surprised when they enter our bedroom. Full beam of light in the face, followed by lead if they are not recognized. The only thing they will be able to see is a flashlight, gun and two eyeballs peering from behind a barricade. I would much rather face a BG on ground of my choosing, rather than trying to search the house, where they can pick and choose where they are going to ambush me. __________________ Richard The debate is not about guns, but rather who has the ultimate power to rule, the People or Government. RKBA!

February 7, 2001, 08:16 PM	#1
MAD DOG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona. Posts: 857	I was sound asleep. Right up until the front door opened noisily at three AM this morning... Wide awake, instant condition RED... listen... deep breath, chamber check 1911. Stick spare mag in mouth. (No mag pouch on my BVDs) Flashlight in hand, trigger finger straight, exfil bedroom, move down hallway to front room, slice the pie as I gain access to front room enfilade... I light up my 19 year old son, back late from a study group at the college. "Dad, the front door is sticking again. Sorry about the noise." Another deep breath, pull underwear from buttcrack... "Go get a damned oil can!" Despite the potential for tragedy, this experience re-enforced for me the need for training, training, training. The need to have a clear head when going into combat. Thanks to LOTS of training, my family is all safely intact, and I dial 911 only AFTER TSHTF and the smoke has cleared. My son was not a bit rattled by the event, because he KNOWS that I shoot only when necessary, only when I have an identified target. I must admit I had a hard time getting back to sleep though...

February 7, 2001, 09:05 PM	#3
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Lapoint, Utah Posts: 11,479	Get that door fixed... Yup - Proper training and conditioning... Use of white light... Finger off trigger... ID the target...

February 7, 2001, 10:53 PM	#5
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Posts: 6,046	Just something to consider for future reference and not meant as a critique of what you did. Sometimes it is really just a little easier to turn on the lights than to try to clear your house using a flashlight. It is easier to see if all is well with the rooms in question being fully illuminated. Of course, it is up to you to decide when it is tactically to your advantage to do so, but it is your house and you know where all the switches are. That being said, I would have my flashlight as well.

February 8, 2001, 12:50 AM	#6
taco Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 936	Sounds like you need a dog.

February 8, 2001, 01:25 AM	#7
AAChang Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 255	That'll remind me to call my mom before i go home in the middle of the night again

February 8, 2001, 01:27 AM	#8
Doc Hudson Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Location: Mississippi Delta Posts: 637	When I was 19, I learned to enter the house late at night turning on lights and making a modicum of noise. I learned that lesson the hard way. My Dad was in the hospital, and there had been a number of burglaries in the area. I asked Mom to be sure to have her Chief's Special near by while she was alone. That Friday night, I came home from college very late, and not altogether sober. My good intention was to enter the house quietly in the dark and go to bed without waking Mom. By the time I had taken off my hat and coat and was halfway across the living room, I heard Mom at the end ot the hallway. She said, "Who's There?" I answered, "It's me Mom." I must have been speaking more softly than usual. Again, and more tense, came, "Who's there?" Again I answered calmly, "It's me Mom." Then came a stern, "I'm not asking again. Who's there?" In a low bellow, I responded, "Mom it's me!" Then came a grudging, "Well turn on the light then." When I did, there was my Mom at the end of the hallway with her Chief's Special pointed right at my beltbuckle. That was the last time I tried to sneak into the house. I suggest your son learn from the example. Doc Hudson

February 8, 2001, 08:48 AM	#9
David Scott Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2000 Posts: 2,458	Practical suggestion: Get a nylon mag pouch, and maybe a nylon pouch for your mini-flashlight, and sew them both to an elastic wristband so you can slip them on your arm when you have to deploy without pockets.

February 8, 2001, 11:26 PM	#11
joebogey Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Posts: 211	As a teenager, I tried to sneak in after a night of drinking with friends. Had it made until I started through the kitchen and fell over the oven door my Mom had left open for heat in the kitchen that night. So much for stealth. Not good for shinbones either.

February 8, 2001, 11:55 PM	#12
WalterGAII Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,517	Mad Dog: How many people have you actually shot on purpose? (Or accidentally, come to think of it?)

February 9, 2001, 01:04 AM	#13
jimc Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: colo Posts: 379	you would be surprised how many people DO NOT have a flash light in hand when checking out a "noise" just the lack of not having one if an "incident" occured could make a big difference in the outcome of the police investigation. second the get a dog post too

February 9, 2001, 08:18 AM	#14
buzz_knox Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 1999 Location: Knoxville, in the Free State of Tennesse Posts: 4,194	I was home with the flu Monday and was in the shower when my burglar alarm went off. I jumped out, saw that the door was still latched . . . and realized that they'd scheduled maintenance for Monday. Doh! I will be keeping a firearm in the bathroom from now on. Quick thought for a thread: Best CBW (concealed bathroom weapon)? Which is better for toilet duty: 9 or .45? On a related note, it is really important to let people know when you'll be home late. My father came home late one night and didn't want to wake my mother so he just got into his "natural bed apparel", and walked to the bed. My mother happened to awaken at that moment and . . . well, the bed was waist high. You get the idea. As I understand it, my father had to fight for his life all the while yelling "it's me! It's me!" Pardon me, I've got to go crack up now. Please, no one tell Mom I told that story to the world . . . again. She hates that story.

February 9, 2001, 10:10 AM	#15
Doc Hudson Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2001 Location: Mississippi Delta Posts: 637	re: Best CBW (concealed bathroom weapon) Caliber is less important than rust resistance. What ever you choose, make it either stainless steel, or polymer and stainless. Doc Hudson

February 9, 2001, 01:03 PM	#17
Mute Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 1998 Location: Diamond Bar, CA Posts: 855	Mad Dog, Might I suggest the Modern Wedgie stance for dealing with invaders. You bendover showing the adversary your uncomfortable wedgie to disorient and distract, and blast their worthless a$$e$ while they are falling on the floor laughing their a$$e$ off.

February 10, 2001, 12:17 AM	#18
MAD DOG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona. Posts: 857	I prefer the tried and true Weaver Wedgie, wherein one obtains additional support for the weapon with the tensioning of the underwear over the firing grip. The newer isoscowedgie gives me a headache...

February 10, 2001, 05:36 PM	#20
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,621	Good advice, Richard. But my wife and I sleep in separate rooms, because we both snore and I often lie awake all night. Anyway, year before last my wife had rearranged the books on a wicker shelf in her room It's a steel frame with six glass shelves 20" long. In the middle of the night, the top one shifted and all six came crashing down along with the books. It sounded like an explosion. My wife was screaming bloody murder, and I was racing down the stairs gun in hand. Once the shaking stopped, I was surprised that I'd done all the gun stuff right: finger off trigger, hadn't swept the room with it or pointed it at my wife, didn't shoot my foot. I don't recall any wedgies, though. Dick

February 10, 2001, 06:45 PM	#21
MAD DOG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona. Posts: 857	I have a family of seven. All but myself are HEAVY sleepers. Attempting to drag five or six deadweight sleeping bodies from three rooms would take a lot longer and be much more dangerous than sweeping the house for BGs.

February 10, 2001, 08:17 PM	#22
gjwandkids Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2000 Posts: 248	I hear you there Mad dog. You could set a bomb off and my family wouldn't even twitch. We have a four bedroom house, and there isn't a logistically sound way I could get them all into a safe place. Sweeping the house is a much more practical option in my case. Besides I live in a 70 year old house with the original hardwood floors and doors. All of which squeak in their own distinctive way. I just listen for the squeaks and know exactly where everyone is. Man I love old houses. __________________ Wendi-Mother of 6 (So Far) If you don't like what the government is doing, why are your children in government schools? The fact that my neighbor may abuse his freedom does not give government the right to take away mine.

February 10, 2001, 08:21 PM	#23
Ed Brunner Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1998 Location: Natchez, MS, USA Posts: 2,574	Monkeyleg makes a good point. It is absolutely necessary to practice practice and practice. Then when under stress etc you can function well without a lot of thought. __________________ MOLON LABE UNTIL IT'S OVER! Ed

February 10, 2001, 08:30 PM	#24
dvc Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 1999 Posts: 382	It took a great deal of effort to get my floor boards to squeak in specific areas of my house. Then I made the mistake of letting a girlfriend move in a few years ago. After she moved in, the first words out of her mouth were "You really need to get those floors fixed, the squeaks are annoying.". Needless to say, she didn't stay long.

February 10, 2001, 09:53 PM	#25
OkieGentleman Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 1999 Location: OKC Metro Posts: 432	Shut up dog! I had an Oklahoma City PO tell this one on himself to gales of laughter from everyone present. He was working the midnight shift. Well his wife had this little rat sized dog that she loved but he and the dog hate each other. The dog's name was Ralph if memory serves me right. Well he gets to work and has been on duty for an hour or so when he remembers something he had forgotten at home. He goes by his house about 2AM, quietly lets himself in the back door. The dog meets him at the door with lots of barking and growling. He says to Ralph "Shut up dog", when he walks around the corner into the hallway he bumps into the end of the 12ga riot gun the wife has leveled at his head. While she is still sighting down the barrel she says "His name is Ralph and I suggest you use it". His next comment was "Now when I tell that damn dog to shut I call him by his name". So remember if you are going to tell the hound to shut up use his name.