Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
Light Lab Comparator
A very cool website that allows you to directly compare any two flashlights against each other for lumens, candela, and battery life.
How to Save Money on SHOT Show Travel and Lodging
There was a time when I attended every SHOT Show for almost 10 years straight. I’m over it now. As I am likely spending my last couple years on the planet, I’m slowly getting rid of all my cool guy guns and gear rather than buying new stuff. Nothing against SHOT, I just enjoy spending my time and money on other trips that make me happier.
With all that said, if you plan on attending in a couple months, here’s a very informative guideline for saving some money on the trip.
Military Field Manuals
Lots of free military field manuals.
Fear Illusions: How Your Brain Gets Hacked Every Day
Very important information about how fear and anxiety are processed in the brain.
“The world is as scary as you decide it is & as beautiful as you decide. You get to choose.”
Cheap Can be Good! Federal Train + Protect .380 ACP Ballistic Gel Test
It’s difficult to recommend a “best” .380 defensive load. This one actually looks surprisingly good. Here’s one more ballistic gelatin test you might want to watch.
External Hollow Points! G9 Defense – 9mm+P VS .45 ACP with Steel Barrier – Ballistic Gel Test.
Circle K Clerk Stops Four Robbers After Van Smashes Into Store, Then Faces Gun Policy Controversy
This is an unconventional attack strategy. What would you do if you were shopping in the gas station when this happened? While you are on the site, check out 10 Practical Lessons for Concealed Carriers From the Zimmerman Trial
How It Feels To Be Shot
Interesting reading. Eleven people describe their experiences after being shot.
Officers Own Performance. Leaders Own Preparation. Thoughts from a Reader.
A followup to the article I shared last week comparing police officers to professional athletes.
“If leaders want officers to train more, they must make training a priority in practice. They must schedule it, fund it, protect the time and require participation. They must also select capable instructors, identify deficiencies and follow through until officers demonstrate improvement. A chief cannot consistently cancel training to cover routine staffing shortages and then expect officers to believe that preparation matters.
Leadership must also distinguish between an officer who needs coaching and one who refuses to improve. Give officers clear expectations, appropriate instruction, time to practice and useful feedback. Then hold them accountable for meeting the standard. When an officer continues to fall short despite that support, leadership must act.
The question reaches beyond whether officers train enough. Do their leaders build and enforce a culture that expects professional growth, or do they accept minimum compliance?”
Generation Uncoupled: America’s New Gender Divide and the Crisis of Human Connection
What I’m reading…
‘Tis the Season for the Wayward Package Phish
A common scam you should be familiar with.
Never Get Taken To A Second Location | Active Self Protection
This was once very critical piece of self defense advice that commonly circulated around the community. Over the years I’ve seen fewer and fewer instructors teaching the skill sets to avoid being taken to the second crime scene. Think through a scenario like this and have a solid plan to escape.
Feels like old times again here in the future
A realistic assessment of the threat of an EMP attack.
Skin in the Game: Put Your Next Gun Dollar Into the Fight, State First
Uncle Zo discusses the impact that the recent elections have on state gun rights. You might also like Zo’s experience after taking some months off from shooting.
Significant Advantages to the Revolver in Deep Concealment
“While the Glock 26 is, obviously, the more capable fighting gun, being able to quickly, and efficiently, deploy the tool is top priority. Defensive guns are purpose driven tools. I still find that small-frame revolvers serve for deep concealment carry better than anything else. “
For more revolver content, read Hammer Spurs on Concealed Revolvers and Why. and The First Revolver: How We Got From Blackbeard’s Six Pistols to the Six-Shooter.
They’re Coming For GunTube
I have to confess that I am not a huge consumer of gun content on YouTube or any other platforms. Could this insane crackdown mean that people will go back to reading long-form written content like I produce? Doubtful, but a guy can hope. I’ll keep writing so long as you can get away from gun tube and TikTok long enough to read a couple articles a week.
Burn Casualty Resuscitation: When IV Fluids Run Out
Serious burn patients often need IV fluid. What do you do if you don’t have access to IV supplies? Here’s one more article for those of you interested in off grid medical care. Prolonged tourniquet use in extremity trauma: What you need to know.
Defensive Shotgun 5: Don’t Use Birdshot For Self-Defense
I’ve been telling you not to use birdshot for home defense for decades. If you won’t listen to me, maybe you might pay attention to Justin. While you are on his YouTube channel, check out his tribute to someone you might know. You might also like the author’s take on The Holster as Administrative Safety Adjunct.
When Your Pistol Optic Fails, What’s Your Backup Plan?
Jeff Gonzales offers some suggestions in the event you can’t find your pistol red dot sight. You might also like his take on training holsters.