indiandave
Member
I have a dream that I confronted buy a bad guy in my living room. All my shots hit him but to no effect. then I wake up. My other recurring dream involves a hot blonde and a tub full of jello. 
Bad dreams involving failed self defense with guns?
- Thread starter Sean Dempsey
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I have this newer bullpup rifle. It will frequently offer a feed or extract problem. Any time that happens at the range, a dream involving said rifle does follow. Really should send that thing out to be evaluated, because the dream only occurs after a problem with that one rifle.
I really don't like that dream. Yep, should call the armorer.
I really don't like that dream. Yep, should call the armorer.
Louisiana Carry
Member
I had alot of failure to fire dreams before I got my Glocks and my AR15. Now, not a one. 
cambeul41
Member
I have had only three successful shoots in dream: one bear, one alligator -- and Grendel.
Typically, when the gun fails to fire or I can't pull the trigger, i go berserk and use the gun as a thrusting weapon; or I use a knife violently and effectively.
Typically, when the gun fails to fire or I can't pull the trigger, i go berserk and use the gun as a thrusting weapon; or I use a knife violently and effectively.
Cosmoline
Member
I had it happen in real life, against a squirrel. I had to shoot him a total of four times to drop him! I'm glad they don't come in jumbo size.
FerFAL
Member
Used to have them a lot. Malfunctions, slow motion bullets, hitting people and achieving nothing.
But I haven’t had them in years. Had them when I first started shooting and thinking about self defense I guess.
On the other hand, my wife still has dreams about people braking in and me making a bloody mess out of the intruders.
FerFAL
But I haven’t had them in years. Had them when I first started shooting and thinking about self defense I guess.
On the other hand, my wife still has dreams about people braking in and me making a bloody mess out of the intruders.
FerFAL
Ric in Richmond
Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2006
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- 92
Yup.....
Click, Click, Rack, Tap, click, click
At least I get to practice rack, tap, bang every once in a while and I seem to be good at it under pressure (at least in my dreams).
BTW I seem to always find cover in my dreams too....
Analyze away!!
Click, Click, Rack, Tap, click, click
At least I get to practice rack, tap, bang every once in a while and I seem to be good at it under pressure (at least in my dreams).
BTW I seem to always find cover in my dreams too....
Analyze away!!
Nothing with guns yet, but for several years I've had a recurring dream where I need to run away either to get away from some danger or to get help and I can't because it feels like my legs are really heavy.
Edit: Actually, I just remembered that there was one dream where I fired at a bad guy and the bullets were going through him and not hurting him. I think that's the only one though. All my dreams where I'm not completely incapable of dealing with a terrible situation are really mundane. Like running errands or taking my truck to the mechanic kind of mundane. Maybe I just don't remember my good dreams.
Edit: Actually, I just remembered that there was one dream where I fired at a bad guy and the bullets were going through him and not hurting him. I think that's the only one though. All my dreams where I'm not completely incapable of dealing with a terrible situation are really mundane. Like running errands or taking my truck to the mechanic kind of mundane. Maybe I just don't remember my good dreams.
3KillerBs
Member
That's just the ordinary, garden-variety nightmare.
No different really than the "first day of school and can't find my homeroom" dream, the "new job is not the one I was actually hired for and I can't do anything they are telling me to do" dream, the "monster is behind me and I can only run in slow motion dream", or the "no matter how hard I hit the bully he just laughs at me" dream.
Perfectly normal. Perfectly human. Utterly irrelevant to any variation of reality.
I find that it often works to consciously re-set the dream situation and work it through forward with everything going correctly. For example, in the "thousand-pound trigger" variation you might drop that piece of junk gun and draw your "real" gun -- the one with the really nice trigger job and the inexhaustible supply of never-failing hollowpoint ammo.
No different really than the "first day of school and can't find my homeroom" dream, the "new job is not the one I was actually hired for and I can't do anything they are telling me to do" dream, the "monster is behind me and I can only run in slow motion dream", or the "no matter how hard I hit the bully he just laughs at me" dream.
Perfectly normal. Perfectly human. Utterly irrelevant to any variation of reality.
I find that it often works to consciously re-set the dream situation and work it through forward with everything going correctly. For example, in the "thousand-pound trigger" variation you might drop that piece of junk gun and draw your "real" gun -- the one with the really nice trigger job and the inexhaustible supply of never-failing hollowpoint ammo.
MedWheeler
Member
I had 'em a lot as a cop, and found others that did, too. Mine was always the same scenario: I'm walking a back alley rattling doors at night when I come across someone attempting entry to a business' back door. I try to confront him, and he pulls a gun. I yell at him to drop it, but he keeps bringing it to bear. I have mine on him, and I fire. He goes down, the gun coming loose from his hand. As he lies there on his back, I see he is not dead, and he reaches for the gun again. I keep yelling "don't you go for that gun!". He continues, and I am forced to shoot again. The images are very graphic; I can see the bullets hitting him, and him jerking with each impact. But, after each round of shots, he keeps going for the weapon. I wake up before he manages to get a shot off, though.
I think part of the dream make-up was some insecurity with the ammunition my department issued then: 95gr Winchester Silvertips (.38 Special +P). I knew this was not a potent cartridge choice. I even had that confirmed taking out a wild boar that was running loose in a neighborhood. Took three close-range shots from my wheelgun, then dove into a canal, where it drowned!
One other cop I knew had dreams in which he'd fire at an adversary, but the bullets would just roll from the muzzle, falling at his feet. He'd end up swinging the weapon, trying to fling the bullets at his target.
I actually remember reading an article about this entitled "Cop Dreams" in an issue of "Police" magazine, probably around 1990 or so. Guess it was a well-recognized phenomenon.
I think part of the dream make-up was some insecurity with the ammunition my department issued then: 95gr Winchester Silvertips (.38 Special +P). I knew this was not a potent cartridge choice. I even had that confirmed taking out a wild boar that was running loose in a neighborhood. Took three close-range shots from my wheelgun, then dove into a canal, where it drowned!
One other cop I knew had dreams in which he'd fire at an adversary, but the bullets would just roll from the muzzle, falling at his feet. He'd end up swinging the weapon, trying to fling the bullets at his target.
I actually remember reading an article about this entitled "Cop Dreams" in an issue of "Police" magazine, probably around 1990 or so. Guess it was a well-recognized phenomenon.
Geronimo45
Member
I think it's partly your trust or lack thereof in your weapon that effects said dreams.
As for me, I always win. I think I even won the recent dream that involved somebody toting a SPAS.
I do lose against SPECTRE, though. I guess I'm not classified a 00 in those dreams, so no weapon...
As for me, I always win. I think I even won the recent dream that involved somebody toting a SPAS.
I do lose against SPECTRE, though. I guess I'm not classified a 00 in those dreams, so no weapon...
Seriously, thanks for this thread. I've often thought I was the only one affected by these.
They are not common, but very unsettling. In mine the common theme is that I have a firearm that appears to work fine, but the bullets sort of poot out of it at about 20fps, causing no damage.
I'd say I have a dream like this about once a month, maybe less. I usually wake up feeling shaky and unsettled.
They are not common, but very unsettling. In mine the common theme is that I have a firearm that appears to work fine, but the bullets sort of poot out of it at about 20fps, causing no damage.
I'd say I have a dream like this about once a month, maybe less. I usually wake up feeling shaky and unsettled.
22-rimfire
Member
I disagree. It is the basic lack of trust in yourself. The gun only is an extension of your basic feelings about your self.
I never have dreams about self defense. It is something that never enters my sleeping mind.
Stevie-Ray
Member
This comes up a lot. My dreams vary greatly about the defensive use of a gun. Sometimes they don't work, sometimes they work perfectly but the perp is super-human, sometimes everything works and I'm the hero. I never really pay attention to it. Well, except that the failures have a tendency to force me back to the range, just to make sure the guns and I are working properly, and that's a good thing.
I never really pay attention to it. Well, except that the failures have a tendency to force me back to the range, just to make sure the guns and I are working properly, and that's a good thing.Sean Dempsey
Member
I think what jars me the most isn't the dreams, but the feeling I get upon waking up.
It's the aftertaste of the dream, where I think "What if I really couldn't protect them?" I guess thats why they call them nightmares - you experience the real emotion of a fictional fear. I have some mild PTSD, and my wife has severe PTSD from horrific sexual abuse, so I feel this huge pressure to protect, but I can't go back in time and protect her from 8 years of child rape.
At any rate - I went and ordered a HK USP .45 Compact today since that's the gun I wanted in my dream (been looking at it since april 07). Hopefully putting a few hundred rounds through it this weekend will help build my confidence in being able to move my index finger 1 inch.
It's the aftertaste of the dream, where I think "What if I really couldn't protect them?" I guess thats why they call them nightmares - you experience the real emotion of a fictional fear. I have some mild PTSD, and my wife has severe PTSD from horrific sexual abuse, so I feel this huge pressure to protect, but I can't go back in time and protect her from 8 years of child rape.
At any rate - I went and ordered a HK USP .45 Compact today since that's the gun I wanted in my dream
(been looking at it since april 07). Hopefully putting a few hundred rounds through it this weekend will help build my confidence in being able to move my index finger 1 inch.
Stevie-Ray
Member
Well, so dreams can be beneficial after all.
Nice choice. It's mine also, for HD.Ive had similar dreams where I couldn't find bullets for a gun, or they would be the wrong caliber.
If you drink caffeine before you go to sleep you can enter a lucid state of dream. It gives you some control of your REM sleep.
The best stuff I have found for inducing lucid dreaming is a South American tea called "Yerba Mate". You can buy it at mexican shops or on the internet.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/yerba_mate/yerba_mate.shtml
If you drink caffeine before you go to sleep you can enter a lucid state of dream. It gives you some control of your REM sleep.
The best stuff I have found for inducing lucid dreaming is a South American tea called "Yerba Mate". You can buy it at mexican shops or on the internet.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/yerba_mate/yerba_mate.shtml
FerFAL
Member
I drink a lot of mate, didn’t know it makes any difference.
It is quite relaxing.
FerFAL
It is quite relaxing.
FerFAL
GigaBuist
Member
Oh yeah, I get 'em too. Trigger pull on a Glock so heavy that it takes me 2-3 seconds to get off a shot and it misses. I wake up about the time that the attacker makes contact.
The worst part about these dreams, for me, is that I waken before my body's paralysis wears off. Problem: I sleep with my eyes open. They're literally tied open. So, I start seeing shadows and stuff on the bedroom ceiling while my brain is dealing with going from a nightmare to reality.
It's not uncommon for it to result in me vocalizing, rather loudly, the tail end of something along the lines of "Frick no" or "Frick you" as I awake. Scares the crap out of me and the woman both.
The worst part about these dreams, for me, is that I waken before my body's paralysis wears off. Problem: I sleep with my eyes open. They're literally tied open. So, I start seeing shadows and stuff on the bedroom ceiling while my brain is dealing with going from a nightmare to reality.
It's not uncommon for it to result in me vocalizing, rather loudly, the tail end of something along the lines of "Frick no" or "Frick you" as I awake. Scares the crap out of me and the woman both.
FourTeeFive
Member
Lay off the pizza right before bedtime...
wyosasquatch
Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Messages
- 49
Now I Do....
I didn't before but with your power of suggestion....
Thank you very much
I didn't before but with your power of suggestion....
Thank you very much
Steve Raacke
Member
Thank you for starting this thread. I have had dreams in which I was unable to pull the trigger (100lb trigger pull) or I'm able to squeeze off one round but unable to get the gun to fire a second time and the threat is still present. I never realized how common this sort of dream was. Now I know I'm not the only one who has this sort of nightmare. For me, the only way to deal with the stress of having a dream like that is to take the gun which I dreamed had malfunctioned and go to the range and fire it. Otherwise I'm stuck remimbering my dream and worrying if my gun will fail to fire when I need it.
Sylvan-Forge
Member
Bizzare dreams
I've had a couple crap-trigger/low-ammo dreams that occured when I had an overly long period of time between training sessions. Maybe to much junkfood before bedtime as well
It seems under those conditions are the only times I've had dreams that featured ineffectual firearm use.
Last one was defending against some zombie-like horde of ne'er-do-wells intent on sacking our redoubt. Had to fall back because the AR was low on ammo and didn't have time to load the one mag I had with the pocket full of loose ammo or stripper-clips (stripper-clips ***?). After snatching a shell-shocked compratriot through the window and calling "fall back!" to another compat, I found myself in a narrow hallway, suddenly all by my lonesome.
Into the hallway strides this dapper looking gent with perfect hair and spotless clothing. He smiled at me (perfect teeth) and said "I see you are out of ammo .. go ahead and hit me", so I think 'ok then' and give him the best I can give with a butt-stroke from the AR right upside his melon .. it felt like hitting a brick wall. He didn't even blink. Still wearing that damned smile, he says "I seemed to have misplaced something, please excuse me." I say "like hell! .... what the hell are you?". He replied, "I'm just a garage demon".
Incredulous, I laughed at that and just let him pass.
.
I've had a couple crap-trigger/low-ammo dreams that occured when I had an overly long period of time between training sessions. Maybe to much junkfood before bedtime as well
It seems under those conditions are the only times I've had dreams that featured ineffectual firearm use.
Last one was defending against some zombie-like horde of ne'er-do-wells intent on sacking our redoubt. Had to fall back because the AR was low on ammo and didn't have time to load the one mag I had with the pocket full of loose ammo or stripper-clips (stripper-clips ***?). After snatching a shell-shocked compratriot through the window and calling "fall back!" to another compat, I found myself in a narrow hallway, suddenly all by my lonesome.
Into the hallway strides this dapper looking gent with perfect hair and spotless clothing. He smiled at me (perfect teeth) and said "I see you are out of ammo .. go ahead and hit me", so I think 'ok then' and give him the best I can give with a butt-stroke from the AR right upside his melon .. it felt like hitting a brick wall. He didn't even blink. Still wearing that damned smile, he says "I seemed to have misplaced something, please excuse me." I say "like hell! .... what the hell are you?". He replied, "I'm just a garage demon".
Incredulous, I laughed at that and just let him pass.
.
Kind of Blued
Member
I haven't had anything of the sort interestingly enough, although I'm not sure if I'm in the minority, or others who can't relate simply aren't posting.
I've come to the point where I simply wake myself up when I realize that my dream is not an enjoyable one. I'm able to do this probably 50% of the time from what I remember.
It's actually quite fun. I'll wake myself up, look at the clock, notice I have a couple hours before I have to get up, laugh a bit, and think or say "That was stupid", or "Huh..."
I then smile and plop my head back down, excited that I get to sleep some more, and excited to see if my brain comes up with anything else.
I've come to the point where I simply wake myself up when I realize that my dream is not an enjoyable one. I'm able to do this probably 50% of the time from what I remember.
It's actually quite fun. I'll wake myself up, look at the clock, notice I have a couple hours before I have to get up, laugh a bit, and think or say "That was stupid", or "Huh..."
I then smile and plop my head back down, excited that I get to sleep some more, and excited to see if my brain comes up with anything else.
Deus Machina
Member
Never a gun dream, but a couple other SD dreams.
Forced to throw punches but they feel weak even to me. Or using my pocket knife and it just doesn't cut.
What sucked is that at one point the latter of those two progressed past nightmare into night terror--Body still paralyzed from that part of the brain remaining shut off, unable to wake up but fully aware of both the real world and (even considering the feeling of dread my otherwise unoccupied brain often works up behind closed eyes) the most horrifying monster of my subconscious ever.
And fists did nothing, and a pocket knife cut but got dulled, and it didn't stop. And I remember it definitely made a very thorough contact, and I had crossed from dream to awake enough to feel the conceived pain.
I tore out of the paralysis sweat-soaked, trembling, sobbing, and with a very sharp memory of agony. Worst night of my life, and I wasn't right for days.
So, now when I have the usual BG-in-my-house dream, and I wake up in the middle, I just look at the clock and go back to sleep.
Forced to throw punches but they feel weak even to me. Or using my pocket knife and it just doesn't cut.
What sucked is that at one point the latter of those two progressed past nightmare into night terror--Body still paralyzed from that part of the brain remaining shut off, unable to wake up but fully aware of both the real world and (even considering the feeling of dread my otherwise unoccupied brain often works up behind closed eyes) the most horrifying monster of my subconscious ever.
And fists did nothing, and a pocket knife cut but got dulled, and it didn't stop. And I remember it definitely made a very thorough contact, and I had crossed from dream to awake enough to feel the conceived pain.
I tore out of the paralysis sweat-soaked, trembling, sobbing, and with a very sharp memory of agony. Worst night of my life, and I wasn't right for days.
So, now when I have the usual BG-in-my-house dream, and I wake up in the middle, I just look at the clock and go back to sleep.
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