Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
Mounting the Pistol-Mounted Optic
Most of the pistol-mounted optic failures I see in class are due to poor mounting practices. In this article, Erick teaches you how to mount your optic correctly.
Before Dawn – Streetwatch: Notes of a Paramedic
While I never worked as a paramedic, I remember this exact feeling when I worked night shift at the start of my career. Watching the sun come up knowing that I was the only available cop on the street from 6 am until the day shift guys marked in-service was a special feeling.
The terror tactic cops fear could hit Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade
Vehicle run-down attacks are still very popular with terrorist groups around the world. Don’t let your guard down during this holiday season. For more information on the topic read this article.
I wish more people understood that criminals are generally not scared of or impressed by your firearm.
If you carry a concealed handgun, check to ensure you aren’t giving any of the listed “tells.” Keeping your armed status a surprise gives you more options than you will have if the world knows you are packing a gun.
Second Amendment: Train Because You Should
“Could you sell the goods you have and the talent you have, to people who can freely buy your goods? Can you step out from under the state or federal feed bag, and instead of depending on government handouts and coercive support, convince people to get your training because it’s good for them, will help them survive, will prepare them for emergencies, will make you look good and honored, make them solid citizens? This is good. Americans commend this.”
Traumatic Injury: Wounds of War
A battlefield medical skills review.
On the topic of medical issues, you should also have an Emergency Dental First Aid Kit.
TIME TO BUY MORE AMMO
I’ve been warning you all about this potential problem for months. Stock up now.
The Problem With Revolvers For Concealed Carry
In my snub revolver classes, I tell my students that the snub is a “one bad guy gun.” I got this idea from Tom Givens, who calls a 1911 a “two bad guy gun.” Let’s look at the typical gunfight:
-Police gunfight hit rates average 20-30%. Armed citizen hit rates may be slightly higher or lower than that.
-On average, it takes two hits from handgun rounds to incapacitate the suspect
-If the snubby carrier is a decent shot, he may hit with two out of five rounds fired
-Both of those rounds will likely be needed to stop the bad guy
-The average gunfight is over in around than five seconds
-A revolver reload with a speedloader is around five seconds for most competent revolver shooters
Do the math. You are probably going to be OK if you only face one attacker. You would have to be a very accurate shooter to effectively hit two different bad guys with the five rounds in your cylinder. You will quickly run out of bullets and the gunfight will be over before you get your gun reloaded.
It’s one of the reasons I like the .22 snubs. Having seven or eight shots makes the little .22 a bit closer to a “two bad guy gun.”
Good Tips for Off Body Concealed Carry Methods – Firearms News
Things to consider before you off-body carry.
Is .357 Magnum Good For Self-Defense?
The .357 magnum has great terminal ballistics. It also has a lot of blast and recoil that slow down followup shots. I don’t personally carry .357 magnum ammo in my carry revolvers unless they have a steel frame and a barrel length of at least three inches. For shorter barrels or lighter guns, I think .38 special ammo is a better choice.
Raw data: Fentanyl overdoses have dropped dramatically
As a cop, I responded to way too many fentanyl overdose cases. This is excellent news.
Be Aware: Situational Awareness Tactics To Spot Threats
Massad Ayoob provides some location specific advice for improving your situational awareness. Need some more Ayoob content? Read his article about locking the wrist when shooting.
What Ifs? – American Handgunner
Ken Hackathorn provides some tips on pre-attack visualization exercises.
New Users Basic Home Defense – S&W Model 10 | Tactical Wire
Although it currently isn’t in vogue to say, if you treat your home defense gun like a fire extinguisher that you just keep on hand for emergencies, you could do far worse than relying on a .38 revolver.
On the topic of revolvers, here are some tips for shooting with them in close quarters.
Concealed Carriers: 5 Ways You Should Be Like the Police!
A follow up to the article I shared last week.
AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release
Some of the nuances involved in operating an AR charging handle.
Self-Defense: Who Calls 911 After A Shooting?
Tips for making a post-shooting 911 call.
NRA Family | Fieldcraft Friday: Five Edible Wild Plants to Forage For
Some easy to identify edible wild plants.
December 7th Keepfiring Defensive Pistol Solutions 1
If you are in the Austin area and looking for a class to tune up your pistol shooting skills, check out this offering by my friend Aaron.
How to Get people to Like You
A post from the former head of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Section. Social skills are an important and often neglected element of self protection training. If you can get people to like you, you can avoid many confrontations. Here’s how to do it. The author’s book It’s Not All About Me is a good read and explains more principles that the articles doesn’t get into.
P&S ModCast 408 – Successes and Failures in Women’s Concealed Carry
A podcast that is full of very useful information if you train female shooters.
Critical Safety Tip: Learn The Four Rules of Gun Safety…Plus One | Tactical Wire
Catching a dropped gun is a universally bad idea.
Is the .380 ACP Still Relevant?
Velocity and ballistic gelatin tests of some common .380 defensive ammo options.
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