Tactically Clearing Stairs With A Firearm

[JGD1985]

Watching Clint Smith I feel safer already.

[Alexn1067]

I think this guy has seen Boondock Saints too many times

[robs104]

@Alexn1067 I think you were dropped on your head as a baby too many times... This guy is a legend, he is one of the top 5 (at least) trainers in the country.

[Alexn1067]

@robs104 how about you lighten the hell up, it was a joke....go buy a poster of Clint Smith and pray to it every night before you go to bed

[robs104]

@robs104 What makes you think I don't already! :)

[MadTarnsman]

I went last year to get my CCW, which I got, and my friend kept coming up with really Micky Mouse reasons for not going....not having one....etc....etc. He's a big 2nd Amendment man like me and we've got a fair share of guns so I really don't get it. It's just self defense but taken out of the home and applied everywhere. Clint's videos are great and I watch'em a lot.

[newbie20111]

Step up ,search ,SCAN AND DIE 

[Alexn1067]

as a dude defending my house, I will probably never have to clear stairs in my home, if anything, I'll be the dude at the top with my .45 or a TV lol

[camoaz]

Yeah definatley gotta worry about cement, blacks anr refrigirators.... 3:04

[evilthiswaycomes]

Get off the stairs or die!!!

[Josephcarlsonstrom]

lol like the excorcist chick

[larrysafetykam]

"360" awareness

[espulu]

I love these people who think they will actually need skills like this

[JoeDurobot]

@espulu Yeah I guess if you dont have stairs in your house its not much use but many people have stairs in their house and in that case that skill is needed for home defense.

[mou224]

@espulu I think some cops do

[r2d23678]

@espulu I love sheep's like you.

[ulfhunden]

@espulu I love these people who who think they will never need skills like these. They're usually the one who piss themselves and start screaming like a banshee whenever violence does happen.

[masivatak]

so I'm trying to shed some light on the enigmatic surefire light lanyards can you help?

[John234pwns]

You drop the light, it's still attached to your hand. Simple?

[JimTL1000R]

Life isn't XBOX360 you fucking monkey? What if there are innocent people upstairs?

[John234pwns]

Monkey is a bit of a compliment in this case...

[Choumichel]

@JimTL1000R give the guy credit for making me laugh hard, hahaha.

[6packbrad]

then kill some u like/love like family or if u have children wich i hope u dont being that irrispossible

[Tac3r]

Watch out for that wall at 3:32 :P

[blackquiver]

i was taught never to leave the sight of the firearm......it moves with my head....then he said partner....witch he is right.....but question like ereyone els.................refridgera­tors?....cement blocks?......i m not quite sure what he was gettin at.....maybe just being funnie..cause it is a serious scenerio...children.....wife..­..husban....inocent ppl.........even if its an intruder..still in cavliain element

[rocket881]

He's saying somebody might either shoot down the stairs, or throw shit down the stairs to get an advantage through distraction and/or confusion.

Aside from terrible English, are you really that dense?

[Skippy8806]

Correct, he was talking about objects people have been known to throw down stairwells, I believe the refrigerator was in New York City, as he said.

[EyesThatSodomize]

What does he say at 3:04 ??

Something about 'friderators and blacks and cement.

[beefyramos]

search for muzzles, cement blocks and refrigerators.

thats what he said

[nutnpretty]

Clint says it like it is!

[12GaugeLosAngeles]

try to clear a stair, for what? maybe something really important (children) to even risk trying to go upstairs, if that was a NORMAL home owner, and they needed to get to the second floor, and the meet and gunman outside their kids room, they would... probably not run and maybe try to save their kids before themselves.

[shobia99]

wow.. clint i would only attempt a stair clearing by myself only if i really had to..a stair clearing almost looks like a it should be done as a tactical team job to me..but kudos to you for giving us the truth as it is...

[jpblackbelt]

Actually I've seen some of his videos (and just came back from a Thunder Ranch course) the first thing he tells you about clearing doors, hallways, and stairs is "I don't want you to do it." It's dangerous... you're better off letting them come to you. Then he'll say "If you REALLY HAVE to do it... this is how you do it."

[shobia99]

That makes alot of sense. The thing is being prepared for a whole range of situations actually promotes responsible gun ownership. What if your loved one's life depended on your ability to tactically clear a hall of stairwell? I actually like what clint and ohters like him are doing... i really thing that you guys should protect your second ammendment rights. Where i come from we dont have such rights and it is one's class which determines eligibility to defend one's life.... so sad

[rocket881]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the intended audience is law enforcement, not home owners. As a home owner, chasing after an armed intruder who may be holding one of your family members hostage just has no favorable outcome. Generally, you are better off giving them the material things that they want and allowing them to leave. If after giving them everything material and all you have left to give is your life, then, further offensive action is required, however, that's last resort.

[shobia99]

Yeah, I understand your point...I think viewers really need to remember that many defensive tactics rarely involve putting oneself in unnecessary risk taking. However i think we can all agree that despite being armed and well trained, we can still be called upon to intervene in nightmarish situations; clearing a stairwell in the scenario described in the clip being just one of them

[rocket881]

It's certainly something to prepare for, but I wouldn't put it at the top of the list haha

Generally, among law enforcement, fire, first responders, any such people, one's personal safety is of high priority. For example, a Paramedic isn't going to risk their life to pull somebody from a flaming car because it only makes the situation worse if they are seriously hurt in the process. Firemen too take only calculated risks, and while a lot of what they do seems heroic, it's still based on risk.

[bennayboi01]

The goal is to blow their head off BEFORE they hold your family hostage and take everything you own. Youre hardly chasing them down when theyre inside your home. And it should be noted even if you take the passive route and offer no resistance and give them what they want, they still might kill your whole family for kicks.

[rocket881]

Good luck with that, once you reach legal age to own a handgun in your state.

[bennayboi01]

Shotguns are cheaper and more effective than handguns.

[rocket881]

So it's dark and there's a person coming down the stairs. You don't know if it's your boyfriend (which I'm sure you have) or an intruder. Gonna let fly with that shotty and ask questions later?

Or what about when you go around that first landing.. try to get your Rem 870 or Bennelli around that banister while still keeping the muzzle in front of you and the gun at the ready.

Welcome to the "fatal funnel." See you at the church, son. But you won't see me.

[bennayboi01]

Dont shoot unidentified humans inside your home. If you think theres an intruder take out the shotgun and identify via flashlight.

[6packbrad]

flash ligts are not good they give away ur positionj try and use a 5million candle power spotlight in the hall or house to illuminate so u dont give the position away

[6packbrad]

but more easy to get knocked out ur hand due to the large stock/butt but u will scare the shite out any one with the sound of a pump action loading

[Seaprimate]

@rocket881 actually, once they have you held hostage, your chance of survival diminishes. if they tie you up, they can kill you and you have no chance of defense. If everyone can escape the house, then do that. But your reaction should be fight or flight... never put yourself at the mercy of the intruder unless you absolutely have no choice, or if you believe 100% without a doubt that its the best thing to do. If they'll shoot at you running away, they'll probably have shot you complying too.

[CoolConejo]

IF there was ever a situation i would not want to be in, it would be A Stair Clearing.

[ShatteredHawk]

Seriously...If i had a two story house with a narrow stairwell like that or any for that matter...I would have to be using a Shotgun. Shit I live in a 1 bed apt and I have a mossberg sitting right by my bed with saftey on and full tube but not one in the camber.

[rocket881]

While it seems like a shotty is the way to go, an 18-20" barrel is too big to maneuver effectively from in front of you to upwards, and might leave your ass showing.

Even a little stubby Saiga 12 or sawed off is slower to move and get on target than a handgun.

[ShatteredHawk]

I see that point..I guess Clearing Stairs is just a bitch all around.

[1usc2]

Honestly, unless I wasn't upstairs already I would not climb up unless absolutely nescessary. No need to be robo cop. A big disadvantage when opponent is above you looking down.

Another technique if opponent already expects you coming is rapid fire while briskly climbing stairs. Not the best technique but cause lots of confusion for the enemy.

[EntryStackEnthusiast]

Yup, stairs=elevated fatal funnel.

[kurlis]

nothing worse that squeaky stairs when there's no sounds

[11134566778]

@kurlis i hate squeaky stairs

[EricGrubb]

Pretty good technique, but in some situations, sound can play a big role. If it's absolutely, completely silent, I think there are situations in which getting up the stairs before an enemy can make them a tough obstacle to clear is a valid option.

[sigmasquadleader]

Nice. I love Clint Smith. He's very down to earth.