Ever dream your gun malfunctions?

[Irving]

Ever had a dream that your gun malfunctions? I think EVERY dream I've ever had that had my gun in it, it would not fire. I get click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, mag change, click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, etc. Every time it is the same thing, with variations of who I am defending myself against, or how much my gun is physically coming apart as I try to get it to fire.

It is very frustrating and stressful in the dreams, and it always feels the same. Once or twice the has fired; but those times I end up shooting the equivalent of low velocity pellets, and it just makes the target either angry or laugh.

Anyone else have those?

[Teufelhund]

Oh man, I just had one of these a couple nights ago. I've never had a good dream that I remember, they are always nightmares of being pursued in some form, but this was the first one where my weapon malfunctioned. Being hotly pursued, as usual, I went for the .45 that I know is always condition 1, aimed, squeezed, and "click." Alarm went off a second later.

I disassembled, cleaned, and function-checked every weapon in the house the next day.

[airborneranger]

I haven't but the author of On Killing had a psychological explanation for that. His theory was for combat Soldiers and he explained that if you had those types of dreams that you would have a problem pulling the trigger in combat. He suggested playing paintball or other similar games that gets you used to actually shooting a person.

I usually take those explanations with a grain of salt.

[Irving]

I figure it was just a transfer of a regular anxiety dream where my pants are down, to a situation where my gun doesn't fire.

I honestly do wonder if I'd be able to pull the trigger though.

[BushMasterBoy]

I don't dream.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

My gun always works, but the person never dies. It's like I miss every time.

[lead_magnet]

Mine are always that the trigger gets REALLY REALLY stiff and I have to try so hard just to squeeze it so I miss because it takes both hands just to pull the trigger. I think it's because I used to own a beretta, and it haunts me to this day.

I've also had them about punching people, where it feels like you're punching in water, fists move way too slow and I just kinda rub my fist against thier face.

Now that I put this all together, I think we are all crazy, and Beretta's suck. Prove me wrong.

But really, there is a commonality between these dreams, I wonder what the meaning is. Other than we are all insane.

[Flatline]

Dreams are considered to be reflections of the subconscious by most psychologists. That doesn't mean it's the only thing going on or that it means anything necessarily.

If you are having repeated nightmares about anything it is not a bad a idea to do a bit of self reflection.

Why are you having dreams where you have to defend yourself?
What do you think precipitates FTFs (or other gun malfunctions)? (bad ammo, a bad gun, not maintaining your weapon, ect)
Why do you not stop the bad guy when you do fire at him? (bad aim, bad ammo, concerns about caliber)

None of this is to say that any of this is the cause, of if there is any specific cause. But I can say that it does bother you enough to mention it to other people (and seek confirmation that other people do/do not have the same problem) so it may be something you want to figure out.





I haven't but the author of On Killing had a psychological explanation for that. His theory was for combat Soldiers and he explained that if you had those types of dreams that you would have a problem pulling the trigger in combat. He suggested playing paintball or other similar games that gets you used to actually shooting a person.

I usually take those explanations with a grain of salt.

Keep in mind that On Killing is written more statistically and meant to reflect the military and police structure and that Dave Grossman taught undergraduate psychology at west point. His opinion probably don't translate well to civilian self defense.

[TheBelly]

I dream that the first round fires, but the weapon doesn't cycle. First round hit, guy goes down, but weapon doesn't cycle.

tap-rack-bang.

The weird thing is that, in the dream, it only happens with one gun: GLOCK model 39.

[rustycrusty]

I've also had them about punching people, where it feels like you're punching in water, fists move way too slow and I just kinda rub my fist against thier face.
.

This.

You people are crazy. Guns are dangerous, it's not safe to dream about them.

[clublights]

Mine are always that the trigger gets REALLY REALLY stiff and I have to try so hard just to squeeze it so I miss because it takes both hands just to pull the trigger. I think it's because I used to own a beretta, and it haunts me to this day.

I've also had them about punching people, where it feels like you're punching in water, fists move way too slow and I just kinda rub my fist against thier face.

Now that I put this all together, I think we are all crazy, and Beretta's suck. Prove me wrong.

But really, there is a commonality between these dreams, I wonder what the meaning is. Other than we are all insane.

I've had the ones like this...
but it's with my 1911... I squeeze and squeeze but the gun refuses to go off... I check the safety but it's off already... feels like 100lbs trigger pull so when the gun finally goes off .. it's like damn near 90 degrees off target. I dunno what to blame that feeling on .. my 1911 has a perfectly smooth, light, single action trigger. but it sure sucks when your trying to shoot the bad guy and you can't hit the wall behind him either...

[Clint45]

I used to have recurring dreams where the gun would fire, but the slugs would have no effect.

[Bailey Guns]

I dream of a world where there are no guns, no war and we all get along...

[Coffee]

Seriously...I've dreamed on occasion I was trying to fire a gun and physically couldn't pull the trigger because it was too heavy. But it's been a long time and it's happened maybe only once or twice that I can remember.

[kidicarus13]

I haven't but the author of On Killing had a psychological explanation for that. His theory was for combat Soldiers and he explained that if you had those types of dreams that you would have a problem pulling the trigger in combat. He suggested playing paintball or other similar games that gets you used to actually shooting a person.

I usually take those explanations with a grain of salt.
In Dave Grossman's book, "On Combat", he says these dreams are the result of performance anxiety and can be combated by practice and preparation.

[Scanker19]

I used to have recurring dreams where the gun would fire, but the slugs would have no effect.

This ^^^^ we should have a group session, who's up for a hug?

[J]

Heavy trigger dreams here. Like someone else said, so heavy I have to use both hands, and the aim is way off. Reminds me of trying to use the ultra strong staple guns when I was 8-10. Just barely had the hand strength to squeeze hard enough.

It's amusing that other people have had the exact same one.

[airborneranger]

In Dave Grossman's book, "On Combat", he says these dreams are the result of performance anxiety and can be combated by practice and preparation.

I haven't read that one yet. Playing paintball was example that he used as a way of being better prepared.

Grossman was also an advocate of children being desensitized to killing via video games. He advocated that our youth were becoming more violent because of the violence in video games. More specifically, he went on to say that it was teaching kids to kill. I think there is certainly some truth to that but he took it a bit far.

Did you see his interview on the Today Show from years ago? He wrote crib notes on his hand and was constantly looking down at them. [ROFL1]

[StagLefty]

The voices are worse [Coffee]

[sniper7]

You must be dreaming you own a glock irving![ROFL1]

I don't really dream and have never had anything like that.

Have you ever killed anything? Like at least a small game animal? If not go shoot a rabbit or two, clean it and eat it and see if your dreams change.

[Sawin]

Strangely, I've never had a dream about shooting my guns. I'm sure I probably will tonight now that this seed has been planted. Nevertheless, the "slow-motion" and "heavy" feelings many of you describe are absolutely present in many of mine. Have you ever tried to jump in a dream? How about run as fast as you can? Yeah, I thought so. It's exactly like lead_magnet said, almost like you're restricted by water.

[CareyH]

I have had almost all of these dreams. I thought i was the only one. The one i hate the most is when your gun works and you make your hits, but it has no effect.

[cstone]

No, it's supposed to work that way. It's a safety feature, and we all know the only safety that counts is in your head.

Could be impotence anxiety. I could fit you into my schedule.

Have you considered a vasectomy? Once the magazine is disconnected from the weapon, the weapon is considered safe and may still provide years of useful service.

Be safe.

[Flower]

[Irving]

I've also had a variation of every dream described. I'm not at all worried about any dreams. They're just dreams. Like I said before, I think they are just regular anxiety dreams manifesting themselves in ways tgat reflect my current interests. I've got no qualms with caliber or anything.

[crashdown]

Have that dream a lot...
Usually it involves defending my family. After the gun completely fails, I pull out a folding knife, and the blade folds back on my fingers when using it. Always ends up resorting to hand to hand fighting.... weird that it's kinda common for other people too.

[mcantar18c]

I've had a a few similar ones. The most recent one I can remember, it was me and someone else in a garage (not sure who I just remember someone close to me was there and I had to protect them), I was facing the door to the house waiting. The BG busted through and I shot a pair center mass and he stopped in his tracks, then two bullets come tumbling out of the muzzle and onto the floor.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

You should dream you have a glock I bet it will work

[Ridge]

A couple years ago I had a dream where I had to use my pistol in self defense twice. I had a SIG P6 at the time. In my dream it was first a bunch of pissed off dogs, and then later on a couple weirdos. Both times I shot the targets and they didn't even flinch.

Freaked me out when I woke up. I've owned multiple 9mms, and only ever had that dream with the P6 in my hand.

[Zundfolge]

In dreams where I have to use a gun the trigger pull jumps up to about 25-30lb, gets real gritty and the gun doesn't work half the time (and when it does the bad guys seem to take a full mag dump without effect).

[exxonv]

You should dream you have a glock I bet it will work

Ha! Ha! Ha! I was going to say the same thing :).

[exxonv]

I've had dreams where the firearm I've used is extremely quiet and I'm never sure if it is actually working (and no, it's not a Glock :) ).

Usually a rifle - for some strange reason, bolt action...

[SuperiorDG]

I think your dreams have something to do with a sexual inadequacy. Do you have problems "pulling your trigger?" [UZI]

[josh7328]

I used to have the dreams of dumping a mag into the bad guy with no effect. Lately though, I've been the master of saving the world with one shot stops in my dreams. I agree. We're all crazy.

[Monky]

I've had a few dreams where I was shooting, but never were there any heavy triggers or malfunctions.. the two that I can recall were always smooth.. one involved an AR that magically appeared in my hands after taking fire walking down a gentrified downtown loft like area.. one a home invasion with multiple perps.. shotgun and handgun involved..

I did have a dream once years ago after I went shooting w/ my dad (former LE) and some training w/ his swat buddies.. that I was clearing a house and got ambushed behind a secret door.. took a shotgun blast to the chest.. woke up gasping for air..

I don't put much faith in dreams.. once you've been chased on your bmx bike by a Trex because he wants your fruity pebbles.. well.. can't put much stock in that.

[Irving]

I also have dreams where I brandish my firearm in inappropriate situations.

[exxonv]

I think your dreams have something to do with a sexual inadequacy. Do you have problems "pulling your trigger?" [UZI]

Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm sure you'd like to know! [ROFL3]

[exxonv]

SuperiorDG was on to something!

4kU0XCVey_U&feature

[stevelkinevil]

When I was an LEO I had that dream
About once a month, however these days it's much less frequent

[45XD]

I dreamed about freakin' cobras last night.
I have definitely been watching the Honey Badger video too much...

[Ridge]

I dreamed about freakin' cobras last night.
I have definitely been watching the Honey Badger video too much...

Nothin wrong with dreaming about cobras...

vovQzBbuzbA

[RMAC757]

Sweet.....I'm not crazy.

[Great-Kazoo]

My gun hasn't function right with the meds i've been on, for some time. Just wait kiddies, just wait.........................

[kuench]

I don't put much faith in dreams.. once you've been chased on your bmx bike by a Trex because he wants your fruity pebbles.. well.. can't put much stock in that.
[ROFL2]

[muddywings]

+1 for heavy trigger pull

[glock74]

I've had dreams that I pulled the trigger hard and no bullets came out. Also dreamed about loading my mags for my AK and the bullets wouldn't stay in there.

[Skully]

Ever had a dream that your gun malfunctions? I think EVERY dream I've ever had that had my gun in it, it would not fire. I get click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, mag change, click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, tap-rack-click, etc. Every time it is the same thing, with variations of who I am defending myself against, or how much my gun is physically coming apart as I try to get it to fire.



Mine are always that the trigger gets REALLY REALLY stiff and I have to try so hard just to squeeze it so I miss because it takes both hands just to pull the trigger..


What is funny I was thinking about this the other day. I had a dream where I was trying to ward off some weird zombie alien thing in my dream and my gun kept falling apart as I tried to shoot. ...........have had other dreams where as Lead magnet quoted identical, the trigger was so stiff I could barely pull it.

Odd so many people have similar dreams. Must be the subconscious going over the bad situations of potential malfunctions with a firearm.

[Irving]

So I recently had a dream where I won a gun fight, and in a big way. It was kind of like a movie in that a whole team of bad guys (and girls) was making an aggressive assault on the location I was defending. I was able to neutralize several threats with my first magazine. A main bad guy saw that I was empty and approached me. Without hesitation I reached into my front pocket where I carry my extra mag. He saw me go into my front pocket, but was not expecting me to execute the mag change as quickly as I did, and I was able to best him.

All through this dream I was thinking about how glad I was that I have shot as many IDPA matches as I have, as I reacted automatically without much thought; and I was able to perform, despite the stress and fear. It was so nice to be able to over come my standard anxiety dream. I was doubly surprised because things are very stressful for us right now, with a lot of anxiety. I woke up feeling great and the feeling lasred for most of the day.

[Byte Stryke]

I always Shoot myself in Third person

[baglock1]

I've had just about all of these dreams (except the T-rex getting my fruity pebbles... it was Velociraptors). I usually wake up in the middle of the night and go drink a glass of water on the couch for awhile. Dreams of helplessness like those tend to really screw with my head for a bit. I need 20-30 minutes just to reconcile my emotions with reality.

Having sleep apnea tends to really mess with your dreams. I'll dream I'm drowning and suddenly take a deep, gasping breath only to realize I can breath underwater.

I also had a dream once where no matter how lightly I'd press off the ground while walking, I'd bound ~20' up into the air. I was actually out on a 78' boat and we were in 30'-35' seas out in the Atlantic in December. Trying to sleep in the forecastle wasn't really working for me.

[blacklabel]

My dreams always involve the bullet slowly coming out of the barrel and then falling harmlessly to the floor. It's rather disconcerting.

[GlockDog47]

I have had the dream that I am in a fight. Giving it my all, but it dont even hurt the guy one bit ... scary shit

[Ridge]

When I had my P225, I dreamed where I used it against several opponents, and didn't even phase any of them. It terrified me. I had no faith in the gun after that. Sold it, and haven't had anything like that with any of my other guns...

[Rucker61]

My gun always works, but the person never dies. It's like I miss every time.

This.

[ANADRILL]

Yeah but its because I have been playing too much Fallout New Vegas..:(

[Mountain Man]

Guns failing to fire or being ineffective are common dreams among my co-workers. Get some range time and it will go away.

[sjl6102]

My recurring problem is a 200lb trigger pull. When it finally does fire I have like a 1/fps muzzle velocity. Thanks for confirming that I am not the only one having these crazy "nightmares." I get them rarely but its always the same problem in the dream even if I dream I am using many different guns. I carry an XDs, Sig 938, Beretta 92fs, Glock 19, or my Colt Defender depending on dress and how i feel. I cant say I feel like i have a subliminal insecurity in my firearms. I dont know!

[Pancho Villa]

Rarely (like a half dozen times total in life) I have had dreams where I can pull the trigger but the person I am shooting is impervious to gunfire, or I miss every time.

The last time I lured the person near, ambushed him and gouged his eyes out, figuring if I couldn't kill him I could at least make it impossible for him to follow me as I ran. Pretty gruesome dream but I felt like I at least "won" there...

[sroz]

Can't think of a single time. Then again, I rarely remember my dreams....