Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
Upcoming PMO Study and Shooting Standards Comparison
An excellent podcast covering a lot of the current debates in the shooting industry.
They mention the chart above which compares various shooting drills/tests with regards to difficulty. Where do your skill levels fall?
The research suggests that if you are solidly into the “good” category, you probably have a high enough skill level to prevail in most gunfights. Right now I’m at the far right side of “good” with occasional dips into “great” depending on the test. I’m happy with that level of performance and am looking to maintain it rather than spending time on the diminishing returns of getting significantly better.
If you feel similarly, you may like my article discussing when you are “good enough.”
Long Guns & Handheld Lights
If you don’t have a light mounted to your defensive long gun, you should be exploring some of these hand held flashlight positions.
Here’s What I Keep in My Hospital Go-Bag – The Organic Prepper
My questionable decision-making abilities combined with a very adventurous spirit has ensured that I’ve spent more time in the hospital than the average person. If it’s not an absolutely dire emergency, you’ll want to pack some items that will make your hospital stay a bit more pleasant. I’d also suggest that you bring any OTC meds that you normally take. I use melatonin as a sleep aid. In my last hospital stay, it became quite onerous to get the doctors and nurses to give me some, even though the doc wrote on my chart I could request it as needed. Things like that, allergy meds, eye drops and any kind of other personal care items are useful to bring with you.
The Shotgun DOPE Card
A great idea if you use more than one shotgun or multiple types of ammunition for defensive purposes. Once you get your shotgun patterned, try shooting The Shotgun Speed Drill.
Armed Robber Vs ENTIRE Restaurant | Active Self Protection
If you were the victim here, what is your plan? “I’d just shoot him” is probably the wrong answer unless you’ve practiced deflecting the bad guy’s gun and drawing at the same time. Could you get to your gun in its normal carry position from a seated position? What if you were another patron of the restaurant rather than the victim? Would you get involved?
Things to think about.
Ayoob: Do You Make These 1911 Mistakes?
Mas gives some solid 1911 advice. You might also like his take on vehicle attacks. Read Self-Defense and the Law: Do Vehicle Assaults Warrant Armed Defense?
Maintenance Musings for the Wheelgunner
BrYan’s tips for cleaning and lubing your revolver.
What if I Told You That Vehicles Don’t Have Blind Spots?
Important information for all drivers…how to adjust your mirrors so that you don’t have a “blind spot.”
Active Shooter Issues
For my cop readers, when you should transition into rescue mode in an active shooter event. You should also read The Most Dangerous Part of the Call May Be the Drive There .
The Man of Zero: A Guide to Primal Power, Boundless Sex, and the Freedom Beyond Ambition
What I’m reading…
David Deida is one of my favorite authors/teachers. With that said, this book is VERY different from his others. It’s written primarily for middle-aged (and older) men. Being of that demographic, I really like it. You might want to read the reviews on Goodreads before purchasing it.
LE Armor’s Take On The Glock Gen 6
For those of you thinking about upgrading your Glock to the latest generation.
Modern Day Gunfighting Lawmen
Read about some legends.
The 4 Tests Predators Run on Targets
Learn about the ways criminals use tests to reduce your suspicion and work towards a dominant position to reduce your ability to resist.
The Avoidance Mindset: Why the Best Self-Defense Story Is One Where Nothing Happens
Continuing the theme from the video in the last link.
“The best self-defense story I’ve read recently is one where nothing happened.”
I heartily agree. If you do as well, you may like a book about that idea to which I contributed a chapter.
Shifting Point of Impact? Sun of a Gun!
Something even many of you experienced shooters may not know.
Hiking with Trekking Poles
I became a convert when hiking poles saved my ass when I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro back in 2008. I don’t think I could have made it out of the woods after my horrific knee injury a couple of years ago without a trekking pole. Read more about the topic here.
Tiny Screws, Big Problems
“Across three years of field support data, the overwhelming majority of operational interruptions were not catastrophic firearm failures. Instead, they involved optics, mounting systems, batteries, holsters, assembly issues, maintenance oversights, and increasingly complex accessory integrations.
The firearm itself frequently remained functional, but the surrounding system did not. Across the collected incidents:
- 25% involved optics or electronics
- 20% involved holsters and mounting systems
- 10% involved hardware and small parts failures
- Additional incidents stemmed from assembly errors, maintenance deficiencies, or user-interface challenges involving increasingly sophisticated equipment configurations”
“Speed will come…”
“Slow is not smooth. Slow is slow. Smooth is smooth. Fast is fast. You have to make smooth, fast. It’s not going to happen on its own.”
Legal Considerations Of Self-Defense In A Riot
Very good legal information from the late Marty Hayes.
Crazy for Carrying a .22 LR Pistol For Defense? Ballistic Test – .22 LR VS .380 ACP – Federal Punch
You might be surprised by these results. And on the topic of “mouse guns” you may also like Why I Love .32 ACP.
21 Important Questions & Answers About the AK-47
All your AK-47 questions answered.
Beware the Involuntary Trigger Squeeze
This is information that all shooters must understand, but few actually do. There are circumstances that cause an involuntary clenching of the fist. If you experience one and your trigger finger is anywhere near the trigger, you will inadvertently fire your gun. If you are interested in more information, check out my article on the topic.
Copy of a Copy of a Copycat Shooter
Lots of information is starting to come out about the two San Diego mosque shooters. For more details see San Diego Islamic Center School Shooting.
These shooters are starting to sound like generic copies of each other. Thus far in the USA, we’ve only seen a handful of active killer incidents involving more than one shooter. Here’s my prediction. As the killers become more radicalized by their online contacts, I think we will start seeing more “team attacks” like this one in the future.
Self-Defense For The Mobility-Challenged
A topic that doesn’t get as much press as it deserves. Whether it’s from old age or a temporary injury, there’s a good chance we will all become disabled at some point in our lives.
Quote to Ponder:
“I hate the way people use slide presentations instead of thinking. People would confront a problem by creating a presentation. I wanted them to engage, to hash things out at the table, rather than show a bunch of slides. People who know what they’re talking about don’t need PowerPoint.”
– Steve Jobs
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