Position in relation to door in HD situation

[dcal]

Say the below room is a second floor bedroom that I've decided to stand my ground in. Regardless of cover options, and given the way the door opens which is the best position and why?

 

[AManCalledE]

A: Because the BG will have to open the door further, therefore exposing himself more, before you position will fully come into view.

 

[dcal]

E, this is exactly what I was thinking!

 

[19-3Ben]

depends on what's on the other side of that door. If it's a hallway, I might want to be at B position so that once the BG opens up, I can easily see if there is someone else behind him, and see how many someone else's I might have to deal with. Also if there is something like a staircase that leads into the hallway, then I can see who is coming as they get to the top of the steps and turn into the hallway. Of course, all this is assuming that BG has opened up the door, but I'm leaving that to him.
My answer:A but it depends on what's n the other side of the door. Possibly B.

 

[Lucky]

And if two guys come in the first one is supposed to go straight to his right, away from the hinges, right? That means you've got a bit more time before he scans to you, before the second one comes in and goes straight left.

 

[wayneard3413]

Both A and C have their advantages... A allows you more time before he sees you but you also have to remember that it also means he is farther in your room before you can ID him and look for a weapon

 

[Geno]

Interesting thread. Kudos for proactively planning your family's defense.

I will not post an answer as to what I would do because it would telegraph our saferoom's set up, and our family defense plan. I will simply state that in our saferoom it would make zero difference.

Doc2005

 

[TAB]

It also depends on what your armed with, whats else is in the room, whats your back drop like...

For example I would much rather be behind a dressor on the wall with corner C then in the open on the side with wall A. Also if I was armed with say a AR I would have no prob being on the wall with side A as I could shoot thru the door( even if it was solid core) np, If I was armed with say a 38 or 9 mm... I would rethink that.

 

[Twycross]

I'd go with 'C'. 'B' is just silhouetting yourself against the window, and of the choice between 'A' and 'C', 'C' give you a little bit more 'fatal funnel' time than 'A'.

 

[dcal]

TAB, in my case, furniture can be moved, and it would be a .45 1911. No ARs in NJ.

 

[Tiny in Ohio]

I voted "C" due to the fact that the door does not need to be fully opened for me to see the attacker. I have that extra bit of time to evaluate the situation, and open fire.

 

[Ready2Defend]

B can silhouet you against the window and expose you to threats from the ground outside.
C exposes you to gunfire from a door just partially opened,
A gives more warning to you with the door needing to open more. I would not assume the door (or walls) gives effective cover, only concelement.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Playing the odds that you and the BG are both right-handed, C would give you a shot sooner, and him later. Exposing less of you, and more of him.

 

[DMK]

What's wrong with:

(D) Behind the door

 

[TexasSkyhawk]

A-B-C, in that order.

A gives you the advantage of drawing a site picture as the door is opening while the intruder's picture of the room is limited. The disadvantage to A is that it is in a corner.

B is my second choice because you now have the ability to move three different ways--to the right, to the left, or straight on. Often time, a direct, "bullish" attack on an intruder will sufficiently surprise them just long enough for you to either discharge a round, or make physical contact.

C is my dead last choice for obvious reasons.

Jeff

 

[sacp81170a]

Actually, given a real choice, about halfway between the wall with the door and position A. That position automatically puts you in a dominant area of the room with option to move in any direction but directly back. They don't call it "cornered" for nothing. B silhouettes you, A and C limit your movement. TexasSkyHawk is exactly right about C. It puts you in a place where a right hander can cover you, lets you be seen more quickly, and limits your movement.

If you're positioned in the room halfway toward the door wall from A, you have a good angle on whoever enters the room without being seen. Eyes are drawn naturally to corners, so the best option is to not be there. As the person moves into the room you can flank them, circle, do all sorts of things. If you stand in the corner at A, your only option is to shoot at them before they start shooting at you. "Motionless Operators Ventilate Easily". MOVE.

 

[CryingWolf]

A is the best position in this case, agree with Jeff about corner limiting movement but simply put the BG will be forced to open the door more to see you plus scanning the whole room you will be last to be seen. When you see the BG you could move, even though it seems TV like, to the back of the door (D) and use the door as a weapon in your arsenal if needed. Like Jeff's 'B' option you can use the door to help make physical contact with the BG maybe even pin them while you fill them with holes.

@sacp81170a sort of exactly what I was thinking using the area between A and the door to launch your attack. I still like the idea of trying to engage them at the door. Seems to me if you let them into the room you may lose the battle. The doorway is a natural funnel for fire and places the BG in one location.

 

[B36]

Not enough information. Room size. where is bed located? Lighting? Hall lighting?

 

[sacp81170a]

What's wrong with:

(D) Behind the door

A few things:

1. You can be seen through the gap between door and jamb when it's opened.

2. You can be detected and even attacked by swinging the door open violently.

3. You're still in a corner and you've cut your reaction distance.

That said, behind the door is still a better place than B or C simply because you may not be immediately in the BG's field of view immediately upon them entering the room. One key thing that hasn't been discussed: we all seem to be basing our positioning with the assumption that the person entering the room "knows what they're doing", i.e., we think they'll react like we may have been trained to react. There's no rule that says that they can't stay outside the door after it's been opened and simply blast away into the room.

In that circumstance, any position that places you out of any angle of fire from outside the room is better than A, B or C. Hence, my argument for a position farther away from the back of the room, not in the middle of it, but far enough away to give you some time and space to maneuver should they come in through the door.

Look at the attached image:

From position E you have a clear field of fire on C.

From position F you have clear fields of fire on B and C.

From position G you have clear fields of fire on A.

Best placement in the room? Any of the angles not covered by E, F, and G that give you reaction time and don't limit your movement. The D I've placed gives you good odds of not being seen immediately, room to move, and you're out of the fields of fire from outside the room. Granted, if the door were completely open you might be in G's field of fire, but at least you have a better chance than A, B or C. You can adjust your distance a little closer to the front wall, just don't get all the way up in the corner. If the room is dark, you have a better chance from D also. Dark corners would draw my fire if I were simply trying to supress anyone I thought was there and didn't care who I hit.

This is also a really good place to use your combat crouch or kneeling position. You make yourself a smaller target, avoid silhouetting yourself, and put the BG('s) up where they may be silhouetted by any ambient light. Prone is not a good idea since, again, it limits your mobility too much.

 

[El Tejon]

A, but move me up forward like a rook on a chessboard.

 

[Noxx]

In your posit, I would choose A.

However I agree with Doc, in that if you've given this much thought to it, go ahead and invest a little time in home improvement to make your situation a whole lot better than any of these options.

 

[dcal]

Great replies guys.

Noxx, I'm still just a renter, saving my pennies for a home. So home improvement is out for right now.

sacp, you make an excellent point. D looks like a solid place allowing for displacement if necessary.

 

[Noxx]

I hear ya Dc, that is one of the major drags of renting.

When you do saddle yourself with a mortgage, lots of folks here can give you some top notch advice on reinforcement / security.

 

[JamisJockey]

Place a large dresser next to the door. In a pinch, you can tip it over on its side to barricade the door.

 

[sacp81170a]

A, but move me up forward like a rook on a chessboard.

Okay, as long as you don't ride your horse like a silly English ka-nigit.