Disarming someone with a gun is often seen as either a bold fantasy or an act of sheer desperation. But what if there were a structured way to train for it—something that could work under pressure, with real stakes involved? In a recent video titled “Can You REALLY Disarm a Gun?”, a seasoned self-defense expert puts four common disarm techniques through the wringer using live paintball gun simulations. With 30 years of experience training law enforcement, military, and civilians, he set out to answer a tough question: Can these techniques work when things get real?
Why Test Gun Disarms at All?
The motivation behind this project goes beyond curiosity. It’s about testing whether disarming techniques taught in dojos and seminars can actually hold up in fast, high-pressure encounters. For the creator, it’s not just about technique—it’s about accountability. He acknowledges the controversy in the self-defense world: some practitioners see gun disarms as reckless and unrealistic, while others stand by their effectiveness if properly drilled. This split in opinion adds weight to his experiment. Rather than sticking to theory, he chose to find out by subjecting the techniques to stress and speed.
Experience That Shapes Perspective
When someone with three decades of experience tells you they’ve trained everyone from civilians to secret government agencies, it’s clear they’re not just repeating moves from a manual. He shares that some of his trainees have faced real-world situations where their ability to disarm an attacker directly affected whether they lived or died. That kind of firsthand feedback loop—where techniques are tested by people in actual danger—offers insights that theory alone can’t provide. This foundation made him the right candidate to put these moves to the test and provide a clear-eyed view of what works and what doesn’t.
The Setup: Controlled Chaos
To make the test both safe and meaningful, the creator used CO2-powered paintball guns. These are fast, loud, and painful enough to simulate the urgency of a real firearm threat without risking permanent injury. Full head and eye protection were used throughout, and the setup involved firing live rounds during each disarm attempt. The paintballs came quickly, forcing snap decisions and testing the techniques under a layer of real-time pressure that’s often missing from martial arts demonstrations. This added a raw and unpredictable element to each test.
The Four Disarms Tested
He went through four primary disarm scenarios: a gun pointed at the front, a side threat from the left (non-dominant) side, a side threat from the right, and finally, a gun pointed at the back of the head. Each of these was attempted four times. Every scenario presents its own challenges. For example, the gun-to-the-head-from-behind setup removes visual cues, forcing reliance on timing and feel. In that case, he used a subtle peek to determine which hand the attacker was using, adjusting his angle of attack accordingly. It was a calculated risk—but one that proved effective under pressure.
What the Results Really Showed
In total, he successfully cleared all 16 attempts across the different scenarios. It’s important to note that he didn’t chalk this up to luck. Instead, he pointed out that the smooth execution was a result of countless repetitions over the years. He admits that if he had tried this 29 years ago, the outcome would likely have involved getting hit—possibly 75% of the time. That kind of honesty adds credibility to the results. The techniques may have worked for him, but they won’t work for just anyone without putting in serious time and effort.
What Can Be Learned from This?
The big takeaway is not that gun disarms are foolproof or that anyone should rush to try them in real-life situations. What stood out is how consistent practice and mental preparation can drastically improve performance in high-stress scenarios. This isn’t something you can pull off instinctively. It requires controlled repetition, emotional composure, and a deep understanding of timing and body mechanics. The techniques aren’t magic—they’re skills that have to be earned through hours of serious training.
Final Thoughts on Preparedness
Watching someone succeed at a potentially life-saving skill is impressive, but the bigger message is about readiness. Anyone interested in self-defense has to ask whether they’re training hard enough for those make-or-break moments. This video doesn’t promise that disarming a gun is easy or guaranteed. Instead, it shows that with the right mindset and relentless practice, you can significantly increase your odds when seconds count.
If you’re interested in seeing exactly how the techniques were performed, the video includes a link to more detailed breakdowns. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, it’s worth seeing what years of focused training can really accomplish.
