I first came across Tim Power's time travel fantasy novel The Anubis Gates 25 years ago. It is incredibly rich with original ideas, and I have mined the book over the decades for inspiration concerning Call of Cthulhu games that I would run.
There is one idea that I have never used, though.
The central protagonist in The Anubis Gates is being sought by the bad guys because he has some information they need. Fearful lest they capture and torture him, he uses a scarf to tie a pistol around his neck with the muzzle firmly pressed under his chin. The plan is to threaten to kill himself and take the info to the grave if they try any funny business.
I was strongly reminded of that act of desperation and despair when I saw a post over at The Firearm Blog.
I was surprised when I saw the picture, but I was even more surprised to find out that this isn't some sort of joke. Click on that last link to read all about it, and leave a comment if you are so inclined.
So far as my own opinion is concerned, words fail me. But you can probably guess that I don't think it is a good idea.
Comments (11)
I am pleased to hear you say that. I was worried I was being superstitious about disliking that holster.
I have always been a "you don't need an external safety" glock preacher but this seemed to take it a bit far.
Posted by Steve | April 30, 2008 7:05 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 19:05
And I thought the palm-out SOB holster was the most ill considered carry method I'd ever seen!
This really takes the cake.
Joe
Posted by Joe Allen | April 30, 2008 7:24 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 19:24
Seeing this puzzled me--I'd seen this type of holster before, and I don't recall being as shocked and upset by the concept as I was with this one. Looking into it I found that the versions I vaguely remembered were horizontal.
I actually wouldn't worry much about carrying a DAO gun in the vertical version with a covered trigger, as long as I never had to draw it that way. I think this concept could be modified to work with vastly improved safety. Instead of a traditional "barrel comes out last" design, a clamshell where the barrel comes out first by rotating the barrel down during the draw. There would be a sort of "permanent thumb break" over the back of the slide. By the time the trigger was uncovered, the barrel would no longer point at your chin.
Posted by sevesteen | April 30, 2008 9:58 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 21:58
This ranks right up with the turn the sights 90 degree, horizontal gangta-banger spray method, being useful only as disinformation to include in hip-hop gansta-rap movies to educate the wannabe gang bangers in order to increase their chances of getting Darwin awards. Was this thought up by some LAPD "technical advisor" on a movie set and picked up by some stupid white boy?
Posted by ke4sky | May 1, 2008 11:05 AM
Posted on May 1, 2008 11:05
The same company does sell similar rigs in a horizontal orientation.
Much more sane.
Posted by Kristopher | May 1, 2008 1:55 PM
Posted on May 1, 2008 13:55
That's Darwin at work, throwin' a little chlorine into the gene pool.
Posted by Curtis Lowe | May 1, 2008 3:32 PM
Posted on May 1, 2008 15:32
Of course, I'm no expert on guns, but I thought one of the short list of rules was "Never point your gun at something unless you want to shoot it." Am I remembering wrong?
Posted by Steven Den Beste | May 2, 2008 7:11 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 19:11
...I thought one of the short list of rules was "Never point your gun at something unless you want to shoot it." Am I remembering wrong?
No, you are spot on! In fact, that is why I think this device is a really, really bad idea.
I suppose that the guys who buy this holster just don't value their heads all that much.
James
Posted by James R. Rummel | May 2, 2008 9:04 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 21:04
Also I what kind of gun is that I kind of doubt that any gun light enough to be carried on a beaded metal chain comfortably is powerful enough to do a whole lot of good.
Posted by Chris | May 3, 2008 12:51 AM
Posted on May 3, 2008 00:51
Chris: that's a Kel-Tec P32, uses the .32 ACP cartridge. Not all that potent, but better than a sharpened stick, I suppose.
Posted by AlanDP | May 3, 2008 1:24 PM
Posted on May 3, 2008 13:24
P32 huh My cousin has one he told me that it fits great in his pants pocket with a holster designed for pocket carry which is a hell of a lot better place to keep it than on a chain pointed at your head.
Posted by Chris | May 6, 2008 12:40 AM
Posted on May 6, 2008 00:40