Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
6 Lessons Learned About Appendix Carry
If any of you are considering changing your mode of carry. For more concealment advice, watch 3 Basic Tools to Reduce Printing and learn about these important principles.
30 Super Carry Ballistics Gel Testing
Don’t expect any expansion from this not so super cartridge. For more surprising results check out this test of 143 different loads through four layers of denim.
State of the Dot
Thoughts on dots…
Shooting for Accuracy: 20 Expert Tips
Doesn’t everyone want to shoot better?
The Year Of Wrath
Solid advice from Kevin.
Tactical Subterfuge, or the Art of BS
Being very verbally adept is the hallmark of a student who has prepared for every possible eventuality. It’s cool to be able to shoot one-hole groups with your pistol. It’s cooler to verbally dissuade an attacker so that you don’t have to draw your gun.
NIJ Releases New Classifications For Body Armor
I’m happy to say that I haven’t worn my body armor a single time since I retired from my cop job. For those of you still in the game, it might be useful to familiarize yourself with the latest armor standards.
Using a Ladder In Your Firearms Training
Range props don’t have to be expensive. I’ve run training classes where I’ve used a picnic table in the same way. I think Clive Shepherd (former NRA LE instructor) pioneered this idea 30 years ago by using a folding chair on the range for his classes.
After you get tuned up using the ladder, try The Florida Police Handgun Qual – Sunshine Shooting.
Want a shotgun drill? Try The Shotgun Skills Gauge.
Concealed Carry Corner: The Good and Bad of Winter Carry
Since I moved to central Texas, I really don’t experience this thing called “winter” anymore. For those of you less fortunate, this article might be useful.
A Hotter Way to Strip
I first learned about putting gaps between the rounds I carry in a speedloader in a Michael de Bethencourt class about 10 years ago. The previously linked article explains Michael’s strategy. I now run mine like Tamara suggests using the Tuff Products eight-shot strip.
While you are on Tamar’s page, you’ll also want to read When You Need a Backup Gun.
Low Light Tactics for the Regular Person
A lot of information about light management during a self defense scenario.
VILE
What I’m reading…
Leadership Ethics: No Longer Required?
Having personally endured the wrath of corrupt politicians and their flunkies in police leadership roles, I can attest to the fact that this article is on point. There might be a reason the first three letters in “lieutenant” are “lie.”
Woman Shot and Killed After Approaching Morris Officers With Knife
As we are talking about police work, do you want to see the current state of law enforcement? These are the quality officers who will be responding to your 911 call.
No one had a fucking clue what to do in this relatively simple scenario. The female cop is an absolute disgrace. When they decided on the approach that she would perform the role of “less lethal” that meant she was tasked with pepper spraying or Tasing the suspect if the opportunity presented itself while the male officer would be ready with a firearm in case that didn’t work.
She did absolutely nothing, even when the other officer screamed at her to use the Taser.
The male was just as bad. He didn’t try anything other than backing straight up and eventually shooting the female with the knife.
After the woman was shot, the officers didn’t even attempt any medical aid or even call for an ambulance.
The shooter just walked away from the scene to cry and tried to get the backup officer to take his gun.
The backup officer sent the shooter to sit alone in his car as if scolding a petulant child. He had no clue what to do after the shooting either.
Staggering ineptitude all around. This is only going to get worse. You better prepare to take care of yourself, because these officers aren’t fit for the job.
I would urge my cop friends to use this video as a brief training exercise, even if it just with yourself and a couple fellow officers. Watch what these officers did and brainstorm better options.
Mistaken Identity Shootings
Some critical survival tips for you CCW licensees or off duty cops who engage with an active killer. Think hard about “Ring Two- the Welcoming Committee” as described in the article. Besides not being seen with gun in hand and seeking cover, that might be your best bet to avoid being shot by responding cops.
Snubbies — It’s Not Just You
“Is the snub-nosed revolver mechanically accurate enough to make long-distance hits? Absolutely. Will the layperson be able to do so? Not without some serious practice!”
If you like snubs, you may also enjoy Colt Snubbies.
Massad Ayoob Examines Ankle Holsters For Backup Guns
Mas has some great ankle carry advice. I second his recommendation to avoid the “stork draw” technique. One of the officers at my former department accidentally shot himself in the leg with a Glock 26 while trying the “stork.” He lost his balance and had a sympathetic grip response. Boom. It was a pretty nasty wound that entered in his shin and exited the bottom of his foot. I promise that you really don’t want to do that to yourself.
For more Ayoob content, read Snubbies The Four Formats
Pat Rogers’ Memorial Revolver Round-Up
A great write up of one of my favorite training events.
Mastering Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Responsible Concealed Carry
Most of my students can shoot their guns fairly well. Where they fail in defensive encounters generally involves being unable to control their tempers or having such poor emotional intelligence that they misinterpret some emotional communication as threat cues.
First Defensive Knife Use I Have Ever Seen Caught On Camera
As most of you know, I teach knife classes. I think they can make an adequate weapon in some circumstance. As John points out, there are some limitations. You must understand that most of the time if you stab or slash someone, the fight might not end quickly.
This Is How You Would Lose a Gunfight
“At best, your firearm is an extension of your will. It simply doesn’t matter what sort of gun you have or the fact that you have a high degree of proficiency if you don’t see a threat unfolding, or you fail to take action you are at serious risk.”
The unpredictability of ballistic injuries
My friend Dr. Andy Anderson presents a case showing that the path a bullet takes through the human body is extremely unpredictable.
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.
