Knife vs. Firearm: A Reality Check – Transcript & Key Findings
Reality check: Knife vs. firearm – why “I’ll just pull out my Glock” is deceptive.
This page summarizes a video from the Einsatz Coach channel and provides a transcript – as a contribution to… Accessibility and objective clarification about an often misunderstood risk.
The following content is not a guide to action and does not replace official advice or individual assessment. They serve to educate and prevent. In a threatening situation, the following applies: create distance, avoid danger zones, get help.
Brief summary
In this video, Dennis (former police officer and tactical trainer) and his team test the reality of knife attacks against firearms. at different distances ( 1 m, 3 m, 7 m ). The central point: The widespread practice of "I'll just draw my weapon" is not practical. often far removed from reality – not only because of technology and time, but also because of stress, decision-making inhibitions and risks to third parties.
Many people underestimate how quickly an attack at close range can escalate – and how difficult it is to react “correctly” under stress. Crucial factors are perception, distance, movement , and the early avoidance of risky situations.
Key takeaways
- 1 meter: The test shows that the shooter has virtually no chance of reacting in time.
- 3 meters: Here too, the attacker often "wins" – the distance feels greater than it actually is in terms of dynamics.
- 7 meters: This is considered a critical limit – even then, an attacker can still reach the goal despite being hit.
- Time factor: Brewing times (e.g. ~2.5 seconds) can feel like an eternity under stress.
- Mental inhibition: Decisions under stress (yes/no/maybe) and concern for uninvolved parties delay reactions.
- No movie effect: Hits do not mean that an attacker stops immediately (“man-stopping effect” is overrated).
- Conclusion: Up to ~7 meters it is extremely dangerous – even professionals are massively challenged.
Transcript (time stamps)
Note: The transcript has been slightly smoothed (format/paragraphs), but the content is based on the wording provided.
[00:00] There were 6, 7, 8 police officers. The hesitation to shoot – yes, no, maybe? Will I hit a colleague, won't I, will I hit an innocent bystander? A colleague was stabbed in the head with a knife, and yet they didn't shoot immediately. None of us can imagine what was going through the minds of those officers.
[01:13] We're going to test knives against firearms at various distances. If you're saying, "I'll just pull out my Glock," that's far from reality. The knife is the most dangerous weapon on the street. We'll use rubber bullets and a marker as a knife substitute to mark injuries.
[01:44] We'll start with a distance of 1 meter. That's pretty realistic, since the knife is a close-combat weapon. Theoretically: How many seconds will it take before you can draw and fire? It depends on how you carry it – concealed, it always takes longer than openly in a holster.
[03:22] We are testing the brewing time.
[03:30] 2.5 seconds. That's an eternity.
[04:15] Test at 1 meter: No chance for the shooter. The attacker hits the target immediately. This "inner surrender" often occurs when the first stab lands.
[05:24] Test at 3 meters: That feels like a lot of distance, but in a dynamic situation it's very little.
[06:50] Even at a distance of 3 meters, the attacker manages to mark the shooter before he can effectively defend himself. The shooter also emphasizes the risk to bystanders in the background.
[08:56] (Commercial break for cut-resistant clothing) Dennis explains that cuts are often underestimated because they sever tendons and muscles, immediately reducing the ability to defend oneself.
[10:49] Test at 7 meters: That's the officially imposed limit. Up to 7 meters you hardly stand a chance.
[11:42] In this attempt, the attacker is hit, but still manages to advance to the shooter.
[12:14] Dennis explains the "stopping effect": You don't fall back 3 meters like in the movie. It takes seconds for the body to become immobile. As long as the attack continues, the defense must also continue.
[13:48] Final test at 7 meters at maximum speed:
[14:00] This time the shooter wins narrowly, as he moves out of the line of fire and lands several hits.
[14:18] Conclusion: Up to 7 meters it is extremely dangerous. The test shows that even a professional is massively challenged under stress.
Source & Accessibility
The transcript was provided to make the video's content accessible to people with hearing impairments. Original video (YouTube): "KNIFE vs. FIREARM in a REALITY TEST!" – Coach in Action
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