I've only had to point the muzzle of a loaded pistol at a person once. Remember it like it was yesterday, although it's been 22 years. I was working under the dash of my vehicle (intermittent light problem) in an empty truck stop parking area, and heard a Harley pull-up, at later than 1 AM. Didn't think much of it, until I watched him pick-up a huge truck tire iron, and head my direction with it...not good, I thought. I was still lying across the door frame under the steering wheel, with my legs outside the car. I reached for my weapon about the time he appeared at the door with the iron. He was intermittently gripping it, as if he were getting ready to inflict some major damage, as I quickly cocked the pistol in his presence (he saw it, at that moment) pointed it at him, and told him matter of factly, to drop it, or die. He did, got back on his motorcycle quickly, and disappeared into the night. He left so quickly, I didn't get extracted from the car to get his tag number.
I remember having no reservation to do what I had to do. I was almost calm, about it, until later (few minutes), when the full scope of the incident had time to sink in. Started shaking, as evidently the adrenaline had kicked into high gear. I couldn't sleep that night or the next, it upset me so.
I would have no hesitation to protect myself, if the opportunity reared its ugly head again. None at all.
Charles
