Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Standards (Part VIII – Trainer Standards) Claude Werner presents a cogent and valuable perspective about the issue of “standards” in the firearms training community. How to Become a Firearms Instructor A good article containing […]
The Portland Train Stabbings
Written by: Greg Ellifritz Undoubtedly, by now you’ve seen or heard about the stabbing incident in Portland last week. If you aren’t familiar with the case, click this link for a description. In essence, a man who appears to be mentally ill begins screaming at and insulting two teenage Muslim (one was wearing […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- May 26, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Stealth Travel “We should always do the legal thing, we should always do the moral thing, we should always do the right thing – but above all, we should do the SMART thing. With […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- May 19, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Maximal Effective Range of Buckshot A very well done study comparing some common shotgun buckshot loads. While the data is useful, I would argue that looking for “maximal effective range” in a shotgun isn’t […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- May 12, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Identifying & Clearing The Revolver Squib Load No matter if you are shooting revolvers or autopistols, all shooters should be able to immediately recognize the sound/feel of a squib load and know to stop […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- May 5, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Why Do I Need a Rifle? Words of wisdom from a very experienced SWAT cop and trainer. “We carry handguns to defend ourselves and our loved ones from an unexpected deadly threat. When we […]
Lock Your Damn Doors- 2017 Edition
Written by: Greg Ellifritz Three years ago, I wrote an article titled Lock Your Damn Doors. In that article I looked at a month’s worth of burglary and theft reports from the city where I worked and tracked how many theft victims had left their houses or cars unlocked before the thefts occurred. […]
Hardwire Tactical “Super Test” Shooting Drill
Written by: Greg Ellifritz Hardwire Tactical recently posted a new shooting drill on their Facebook page. It is a drill that is indoor range friendly (no drawing from a holster), quick to shoot and easy to remember. It should serve as a great option for those of you looking to track baseline […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- April 28, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Survival Weapons: The AK Rifle An informative dissertation on the AK family of rifles. Blast from the Past: Popular Police Speedloaders of the 1970s School is in session if you want to learn […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- April 21, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. An AR for Home Defense? Clay, Drywall, Raw Meat & A Myth Busted! Do you think that loading your defensive shotgun with birdshot or loading varmint rounds in your AR-15 will prevent overpenetration through […]
Holloway’s Raiders
Written by: Greg Ellifritz On Tom Givens’ recommendation, I recently read the book Holloway’s Raiders by Capt.E.R. Walt. It was a great book and described a special unit of the Dallas police department designed to stop armed robberies of small convenience and liquor stores. The publisher’s book description is as follows: “More than […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- April 14, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Teaching Situational Awareness to Kids Some games designed to make your children pay more attention to their surroundings. The Best Self-Defense Ammo, Voted by You, and One Takes Home 45% of the […]
More on the Body’s “Freeze” Response
A couple weeks ago, I reposted an article summarizing the groundbreaking research John Hearne has done on the body’s “freeze” response in stressful situations. John is a long time Federal law enforcement officer, firearms trainer for Rangemaster, and one of the most thorough researchers I know. After publishing the article, John emailed me with some […]
Cop Pistolwhips a Burglary Suspect
Written by: Greg Ellifritz The internet has been abuzz with comments on the surveillance video of a cop who knocked out a burglary suspect by pistol whipping him across the face. The burglary suspect initially complied and but then began to struggle with the officer, eventually taking the officer’s back and gouging his eyes. […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- April 7, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. Vertical Fetal Position Jeff calls hugging your cover “the vertical fetal position.” It’s a bad idea. Stay at least arms’ length away from your cover unless you are defending against an elevated threat. […]
Maryland School Shooting Thwarted
Written by: Greg Ellifritz Last week we had a planned school shooting thwarted in the state of Maryland after the intervention from concerned parents. This is how it is supposed to work! Let’s take a look at the event and see what we can learn. What’s especially curious about this particular incident was […]
Guns and Gear Issues from Saturday’s Class
Written by: Greg Ellifritz I don’t really understand the appeal, but posts like this one where I describe which gear works and which gear doesn’t work are universally the most widely read articles on my site. Instead of reading my reports, most of you would be better off running your own gear hard in […]
Weekend Knowledge Dump- March 31, 2017
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. A gun on your nightstand isn’t the best idea, no matter who says so Grant provides some sound advice about staging defensive weapons in the house. I would also recommend having a solid […]
SBS Reviews a Recent Class
Written by: Greg Ellifritz The Short Barrel Shepherd released his 3 x3 video review of the class I taught at Rangemaster last week. The class was titled “Armed Citizen Response to Terrorist Bombing Incidents.” It was a two hour lecture that covered information about how terrorist and suicide bombers operate, what their bombs look […]
Rangemaster Roundup
Written by: Greg Ellifritz Last weekend I taught a class at the Rangemaster Tactical Conference titled “Armed Citizen Response to Terrorist Bombings.” That was my fourth annual class at Rangemaster. I plan on teaching at the conference as long as they will have me. It’s really one of the best conferences in the country. […]