Once spent about 40 minutes with both gun and knife defense.
Even counter attacks and disarms were stressful and sucked big time.
Technically it is supposed to be fun and benefitial. But these techniques are always covered after very stressful drills, and even with rubber/plastic weapons are visually unpleasant when it’s pointed at you.
I sometimes feel the best defense I will ever make in real situation may be in very distressful situation with relatively unnatural method(saying I will meet opponent’s resistance). Just my thoughts.