Elmer Keith Wisdom: Never Bluff With A Gun

Never bluff with a gun. If you are a trained gun fighter, then leave your gun alone until such time as you may need it. Leave it in the holster until you know you have to use it, and then shoot to kill or disable your adversary.

“Sixguns” (1961) pic.twitter.com/UPdID7ZyPS

— Elmer Keith (@MagnumKeith) August 21, 2026

By NC ScoutPublished On: August 21, 2026Categories: Uncategorized1 Comment

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

One Comment

Oughtsix August 22, 2026 at 11:27

Fundamental doctrine of defensive use of firearms. “Flourishing” a firearm is pretty much universally interpreted as threatening, escalating and tantamount to assault. Doing so limits any further attempt to deescalate the situation, which should be the first priority, along with retreating/leaving the scene if possible. If you have to shoot to save life, then draw and shoot. Which is why training the draw stroke, under pressure and from concealment, is as essential as shooting.