Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
The Danger of Higher Ready Positions
Let’s start with a deep dive on the topic of pointing guns at people. In addition to the link above, you’ll also want to check out:
Get Your Random Thoughts! Random Thoughts, Here!
This is my biggest ‘don’t’ when it comes to police firearms training
I agree that cops have a history of pointing guns at people unnecessarily. With that said, I wonder if we aren’t going a bit too far. Read Pointing Guns at People to see my thoughts on the topic.
Shoot Smaller Handguns Better
Massad Ayoob provides some tips for shooting smaller revolvers better.
Detroit cop fights off two men trying to steal his gun at gas station
Watch this quick video to see how lawless life in the modern urban environment can be. If you are open carrying in a place like this, you are insane. This isn’t an isolated occurence. Watch Suspect Takes Officers Gun: Two Officers Injured as well.
The Lucky Gunner Home Defense Shotgun Skills Test
A shooting drill for you shotgunners. You handgunners might add this quick drill to your next range practice session.
Tips & Techniques: When Adjusting Sights, Remember “FORS”
A simple acronym to help you remember which direction to move your sights.
Reloading On The Fly
Tamara Keel gives us an overview of revolver reloading methods.
Routine Cleaning and Lubrication
Since we are talking revolvers, you might like this article on how to properly clean and lubricate them. On the same site, you may also like to read The Average Gun Owner.
Making Ready
Things to do before stepping up to the line on the range or walking out of your house for the day.
Why Don’t Cops Train Independently?
I actually did research on this exact topic for the capstone requirement for getting my graduate degree. I actually surveyed six different police agencies and asked all of their officers why they choose not to pursue outside defensive tactics training.
The most common responses the officers gave for avoiding outside training were the issues of time and money. Interestingly enough, when I asked a followup question about how likely would they be to pursue outside training if the department paid for it and allowed you to do it on duty hours, most still said “no.” They say it’s time and money, but it really isn’t.
My personal opinion? I think a cop has to feel confident in his empty hand fighting abilities in order to effectively work the streets and arrest bad guys. If officers didn’t think they could win most physical confrontations then they wouldn’t have the courage to do their job every day.
I think taking martial arts training is likely to show them the reality of just how deficient their combatives skill set is. Officers don’t want to suffer the ego hit requiring them to admit that they can’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag.
Rather than taking the time to learn some skills, it’s easier to just pretend your skill set isn’t deficient in the first place.
The Tape Trick: Red Dot Training for Beginners
Something to try if you are having difficulty finding your dot.
Yes, You CAN Travel with Your Firearm this Summer. But Plan Ahead
Some tips for summer travel. If you are flying with guns, read this article as well.
Lies…Damn Lies…and Police Leaders
“In 2019, 89% of municipal police departments, consisting of 97% of the population, submitted crime data to the FBI but by 2021, the population represented in the crime data had dropped to 65% when just 63% of the agencies reported their crime. It hasn’t improved much since and in 2023, cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City did not submit their crime data.
Do you think that may affect the national crime stats just a little….
It should be no surprise that the worse offenders are not exactly coming from safe states. New Jersey reported crime from just 177 of their 578 agencies and Pennsylvania only reported crime from 40 of the 1504 agencies while just half of California reported crime.”
How To Clear a Double Feed Malfunction
Good advice about proper procedures for clearing double feeds. You won’t have to lock the slide to the rear as a first step on all guns. Some magazines provide enough purchase that they can be physically ripped out of the gun without locking back the slide. In general practice, however, I think this is the better way to do things.
Back to School with Flashlights 101
Lumens vs. Lux vs. Candela
How To Carry Tourniquets, Vital Kit, In The Summer
Carrying med gear in summer clothing.
On the topic of medicine, you may also want to read Capillary Refill Time: Theoretical but not sound.
AR-15 Barrel Twist Rate Explained
Talking AR-15 twist rates.
Hit Probability of Selected 12 Gauge Buckshot Cartridges as a Function of Distance from the Weapon
A very deep dive into a lot of shotgun information that many folks haven’t ever considered. For more shotgun content, read Shotgun Chokes, Barrel Modifications, and Ammo Selection. See the same site’s The Effects of Choke and the Vang Comp System as well. Please keep in mind that using the full choke in combination with shotgun slugs may damage your barrel or choke tube.
Himmelwright Pistol and Revolver Shooting Targets
Karl Rehn gives us a lesson in pistol shooting history.
Attorney Selection: An Excerpt From Deadly Force, 2nd Edition
Your attorney for a self defense shooting probably shouldn’t be the guy who does your wills and taxes.
Shooting One-Handed: Why It’s Important for Concealed Carry
I think most people should be doing more one-handed shooting.
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.
