Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER
Tom’s excellent monthly newsletter.
The Tactical Truth About Thompsons
My former police department owned a Thompson 1928. When I started work there, the police chief kept it locked in a closet in his office in case he needed it. Breaking it out on open range sessions was always a crowd pleaser.
Zeroing Optics for Supersonic and Subsonic Ammo
Where should you zero your defensive pistol optic?
Tips on Choosing Ammunition for Your Concealed-Carry Revolver
Good gelatin testing and velocity information for you .32mag/.327 mag fans.
Ever heard of the Glock 82?
I had no idea that this was the first Glock. For more Glock info, check out this piece from Massad Ayoob.
Napkin math on the NFA market once tax stamps are free
How will tax-free silencers affect the market?
Gas vs. Inertia Semi-Auto Shotguns
An article that explains the differences between gas and inertia operated semi auto shotguns as well as describing the relative advantages of each system.
A Non-AK Guy’s Adventure with an AK: PSA AK-101 AKM Review
Some AK knowledge.
What is SAR (Search and Rescue) and how to not become a customer – part 1
This article is worth reading even if you don’t play in the wilderness.
Should You Add a Weapon-Mounted Light to Your Micro-Compact Pistol?
Jeff’s thoughts on lights for small pistols.
Why You Feel At Home In A Crisis
A more optimistic look at our current tribulations. Crises force positive adaptation. I’ve been training to master the art of thriving in states of violence and chaos for more than 40 years. So have many of you. It’s time for those of us who have put in the work to flourish and to carry our loved ones through the fire.
10 Must Have Revolver Accessories
Excellent revolver advice from Caleb.
How to safely walk your dog while armed
Dog walking safety. I heartily second the author’s recommendation about carrying pepper spray. You are at far more risk of being attacked by another territorial or loose dog than another human. When my dog was alive, I kept a can of POM spray (note keychain attachment rather than pocket clip) attached to her leash.
Why You Should Use Visual Range Control
Why VISIBLE stop/start signals are superior to auditory signals in the context of firearms training.
The Three S Test
Do your favorite techniques pass Dave’s tests?
Dead Giveaways You’re About To Be Attacked
Steve Tarani shares some attacker threat cues and body language basics.
My Best Travel Packing Tips (Plus the Random Stuff I Swear By)
Excellent minimalist travel packing recommendations from two friends who travel even more than I do.
6 Reasons Why You Should Carry Defensive Tools in Front of the Hips
Salvatore articulates some of the reason I carry my defensive weapons in the front of my body.
First 30 Seconds: The Active Shooter Problem
This is currently the best book on the market about school shootings. Ed just dropped the Kindle version (linked above). This is a graduate level of education on the topic and is the culmination of an entire lifetime of full time research. You can now buy that wisdom for less than $4.00. Buy the book.
The Psychology of Deterring Attackers–Part 2
An older interview from ACLDN covering critically important information from the late Dr. Aprill. In the current newsletter issue, ACLDN interviews Alex Ooley about family safety. Both interviews are worth your time.
Brother Can You Spare a Magazine?
Shane digs deeply into the concept of carrying extra ammunition for your defensive handgun.
Status Check Time
Prudent preparations in response to daily chaos.
WHY BEING AN ASSHOLE CAN BE A VALUABLE LIFE SKILL
I’ve long been able to “flip the asshole switch” and become unpleasant if necessary, but I prefer not to live in that condition. This article discusses the value in being disagreeable.
Context Isn’t Just a “Thing”, Its Everything!
“Your training needs to match the reality of your world, not the latest match or video. Practice everything, but not at the expense of what your life needs.”
Some Suture Basics For The Off-Grid Medic
I teach suturing in some of my medical classes because of demand, not because I think it is exceptionally useful. People want to learn to sew other people up, even if under most circumstances a novice is better off with steri-strips, tissue glue, or staples.
If you want to learn some suture basics read this article as well as Part Two.
If you’d rather learn these skills in person, come to the Grid Down Wound Care class I have scheduled in Texas.
Building an EDC Medical Kit You’ll Actually Carry
Continuing with the medical theme, in this article Zo shares his experiences with ankle medical carry.
Breaking: LA Supreme Court Overturns Kayla Giles Conviction
Paul does a deep dive into some of the issues involved with self defense “insurance.”
Some of the above links are affiliate links. I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.
