Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
My 2.5″ Model 19 is my favorite revolver. If I could only have one pistol for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t feel undergunned with this one.
Safely Passing the Gun
Tatiana discusses some hand switching techniques. There is absolutely nothing wrong with what she is teaching. I prefer to pass the gun “up to down” rather than “side to side” for a bit more security in a stressful encounter.
Stance Nonsense
If you are spending a lot of time correcting your student’s foot position, you are doing it wrong.
What Really Happens In A Gunfight?
The conclusions from Dave Spaulding’s thirty+ year investigation of lethal force incidents. If you are a Dave Spaulding fan, you’ll also like his sensible advice on holstering your pistol.
How To Decrease The Cost of Use By 98% While Also Increasing The Brightness of Your Existing Tactical Flashlight
A useful hack to make your tactical flashlights both brighter and cheaper to operate.
Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Round-Up
If you are a revolver shooter (or want to learn how to run a revolver well), this is the seminar you need to take. I’m teaching classes on one-handed revolver shooting, close quarters revolver shooting, and best practices for reloading with speed strips.
This is also probably one of the least expensive ways to train at Gunsite. The class is nearing capacity, but at last count we have room for about 15 more students.
It’s a great chance to learn from eight of the top revolver instructors in the world (and me).
Something Other Than Objective Risk Motivates Defensive Gun Ownership
The final video in Dr. Yamane’s series.
Box Breathing: The Military Secret To Managing Stressful Situations
A very simple breathing exercise to calm yourself down when you are feeling stressed. If you want some more advanced breathing exercises check out this podcast from Aubrey Marcus. I found some of the suggestions very valuable.
Carjacking Thwarted By Quick Car Moves
A lot of you have taken various “vehicle combatives” or “shooting from a car” classes. For most folks, I think those classes are almost useless. This is an example of how best to use your car in a dangerous situation.
Skills Check: Single-Hand Stackup
Too many people neglect one-handed shooting practice. Want another test? Try the Prairie Fire Competition.
Pistol vs Carbine and differences in ammunition performance, updated.
A look at the differences in both expansion and penetration of some common defensive rounds when fired from both a pistol and a carbine.
Why You Should Carry A Concealed Weapon
I’m guessing that most of my readers have already made the decision to carry a firearm whenever it is possible to do so. If you have not yet made this decision, read Tom’s words in this article.
Why There’s No Off Ramp: Police Firearms Training Prevents De-escalation
“Traditional training tends to develop lengthy skill sequences (e.g., drawing and firing a specified number of rounds). The neural networks are developed in such a way that the physical characteristics of the circuits preclude communication with other brain processes. This can inhibit de-escalation during circumstances when it should be possible. In these cases it is likely the methods of training that produce the failure.
This is one reason why we need to change how we train. The brain circuits responsible for shooting and other use of force skills need the capacity for exiting to a different course of action built into them from the ground up.
As alternatives such as de-escalation, verbal engagement, mobility, use of cover, anatomical transitions for different shot placement (failure to stop or a subject with armor), use of less-lethal tools, etc. are learned, they should be incorporated into skills training. This should happen not once in a blue moon, but consistently throughout skill development and enhancement training. Unknown skill performance (little to no pre-defined sequencing) should become a primary feature of training.”
Thanks to Jonathan Low for sending me the link. Check out his site for more quality gun content.
Profile: Jelly Bryce—Oklahoma Gunfighter
This is a good introduction to the legendary exploits of Jelly Bryce. I’ve written about Mr. Bryce before. He is someone with whom to be familiar if you are studying the history of defensive shooting. The best book I’ve found about Jelly is Legendary Lawman. It’s well worth your perusal.
If you are a fan of firearms history, you may also like Eight of the Most Iconic Old West Revolvers and The Disappointing Yet Understandable Fate Of Top-Break Revolvers.
Do it anyway
“As to the issue of actually dealing with doing some physical actions in a class, or pushing your strength and fitness limits, it is irrelevant. I know of no legitimate teacher of this sort of thing who expects everyone student to perform at a professional athlete level. I certainly don’t, and I know my brothers in the Shivworks Collective don’t either. Not do excellent teachers like Chuck Haggard, Greg Ellifritz, Guy Schnitzler, Steve Moses, Ben of Redbeard Combatives, or the other handful of real instructors out there.”
Great Question: If You Notice, Should You Tell Someone That They’re Printing?
I would hope that none of my readers would ever tell a stranger that he was printing if you notice it in public. You can’t make the assumption that everyone carrying a gun is a lawful and responsible concealed carrier. Bad guys print too. Do you want to be the one to tell the dude about to commit an armed robbery that his gun is printing? How do you think that will go for you?
Even if the printer is not a criminal, he may not care that he is printing. There are lots of ignorant gun owners who poorly conceal their guns because they want people to notice and feel scared. It’s sad, but it’s quite common. Who wants to engage an idiot like that in a debate?
If you see someone printing, just keep that knowledge to yourself and either keep an eye on the guy or vacate the premises.
Federal FliteControl — Top Tier Defensive Ammo
By far the best defensive buckshot round on the market. If you would rather depend on slugs, read Shotgun Basics: Slugs.
What to Look for in a Firearms Trainer
Does your firearms trainer meet these criteria?
The Truly Modern Lever Gun!
Michael’s commentary about the changing ways in which attackers choose their victims is right on point. Listen to his explanation starting at the 32:00 minute mark. If the levergun content attracted you, check out Tactical Lever Gun: Marlin 1894 CST.
Stephen Jenkinson – Master Storyteller | Elevating Consciousness Podcast #17
Your bit of deep thinking for the day.
One of my favorite authors is Stephen Jenkinson. He has a Masters degree from Harvard’s Divinity school as well as a graduate social work degree. He spent his career working as a hospital palliative care specialist and knows more about dying than anyone I’ve met or read.
This is an interview with him. Go to the 1:13:00 spot and listen for 10 minutes to get a better perspective of the meaning of your own death and how you can use it to make the world a better place.
Legal Firearm Sales at State Level and Rates of Violent Crime, Property Crime, and Homicides
“Robust analysis does not identify an association between increased lawful firearm sales and rates of crime or homicide. Based on this, it is unclear if efforts to limit lawful firearm sales would have any effect on rates of crime, homicide, or injuries from violence committed with firearms.”
Warning Signs to Watch For in Your Rifle
Very useful information for anyone who shoots rifles.
Adaptive Rifle
What I’m reading….
A 25 Round Shotgun Practice Routine
You are practicing with your shotgun, aren’t you?
Some of the above links (from Amazon.com) are affiliate links. If you purchase these items, I get a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
