Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
The Human Factor: John Hearne Discusses Building Better Survivors
My buddy John Hearne dropping some knowledge bombs. Take a class from him if he’s coming to a range close to you.
TOP 10: The Best Shooting Instructors & Gunfighters of All-Time
If you are a firearms instructor and cannot explain the role each of these men have had in advancing our art, I would submit that you have a vast amount of research to do before you teach your next class.
Assistance With Seeing At Distance
Erick Gelhaus discusses the relative utility of different flashlight beam throw patterns at long range. When I was a cop, I settled on a very similar conclusion. I had an X300 light on my pistol, a Fenix PD35Tac on my gunbelt, and a Streamlight HL-5x in my duty bag for special occasions where I needed a really far beam throw.
Cascade: The Fallen Republic: Book One
What I’m reading…
Michael Bane recommended this one on a recent podcast. His book recommendations haven’t let me down yet.
Selco’s SHTF Reality Check: 5 Deadly Mistakes That Preppers Are Making
Valuable advice from a man who survived the societal collapse of Bosnia during the early 1990s.
Are You Liable for a Passthrough or Missed Shot?
A legal concept most of you have never heard about.
Sinzae Reed fired first before being killed in Columbus shooting, prosecutor says
And speaking of legal issues, I present this case for all the “never talk to the police after a defensive shooting” crowd.
“Initially, witnesses found at the scene — located in the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive — told police they saw Butler get out of a red pickup truck and shoot, hitting Reed twice, before getting back in and driving away. Records showed Butler was initially charged with a single count of murder in Franklin County Municipal Court.
However, the prosecutor said while being interrogated by police, Butler said other witnesses to the shooting would corroborate his claim of self-defense. He did not know them, but gave descriptors for investigators to look for them.
Police then found and interviewed three people who confirmed Reed fired first, according to the prosecutor. All three of them added that after Reed collapsed in the street, they also saw someone approach and remove what they thought was a firearm from his body. The latter detail matched what one initial witness told investigators, but that person only described it as an object.”
I have long advocated following Massad Ayoob’s advice about telling cops that you were attacked and are willing to file charges, describing the suspects and any other potential witnesses, and pointing out evidence that may help your case. If you can limit your statement to these topics, talking to the cops is more likely to help your case than harm it.
With police staffing shortages, even at homicide scenes, cops may not be able to quickly interview all witnesses. The smart witnesses are likely to get the hell away from the scene. The ones remaining might be friends with the dude you shot and be willing to hide the suspect’s gun and lie to the police.
Dry Practice: The Path to Competence and Confidence
Chris Cypert discusses the importance of dry firing.
Dramageddon: The Virtual Civil War
“Dramageddon” is a concept we all need to understand better.
The Universal Revolver Reload
If you don’t know how to quickly reload your defensive revolver, here is a good place to start. And speaking of revolvers, do you know how to diagnose and repair a bent ejector rod?
Emergency Trauma Response Training Course
Last week, I posted some links to free online professional medical training. Here is another free course geared more to the general public. With the easy availability of free online medical training, you have no excuse if you don’t know how to treat a traumatic injury. Most of my readers carry guns because they know that the “professional” police response may not arrive in time to save them. Yet those same folks’ plan for a medical emergency is to “call 911.” I can’t fathom how people can mentally rationalize those two opposite perspectives.
To reinforce this concept, you should read Three Reasons for Medical Training.
While we are discussing medical issues, you might also want to understand why one should never remove a tourniquet in the field.
Strength Training and Getting in Awesome Condition – My Experience
Brilliant physical training advice from a true legend in the field.
Suggested Marksmanship Goals
Jeff Gonzales suggests some minimum competency standards.
Awareness Drill: The Top-Down Scan
The author suggests a novel technique to keep your eyes moving when you are out in public. Situational awareness is important, but there are also other things you can do to reduce your criminal risk profile.
Three Drills For Low Round Count Training
Some great shooting drills if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Another great low round count drill is Dave Spaulding’s classic Three Round Fadeback. If you want to shoot a bit more, try Tim Herron’s Balance Assessment Drill.
That Classic Old FBI .38 Special Load
Taking a look at a classic .38 special load that most folks have forgotten about. You may also like reading the Best .38 Special Ammo for Snubbies.
Bindon Aiming Concept Vs. Occluded Shooting
Do you understand the Bindon Aiming Concept?
7 Pistol-Shooting Tips For People With Arthritis
A physician provides valuable information about strategies arthritic folks can implement to avoid painful shooting sessions. From personal experience, I can also highly recommend topical diclofenac gel (now available without a prescription) before and after your practice sessions.
The Revenant Corps Discreet Stabber
I worry that this won’t cause the level of fight stopping trauma I’d like to see in an edged weapon, but I have to admit it’s a coll idea and may have some limited utility if metal detectors and/or pat down searches are part of your daily life.
Be Cool: How to Hold it Together in the Face of Deadly Threats
Keeping calm in situations of life threatening danger is a survival skill worth cultivating. I think a critical component of developing this capacity is doing hard things.
Pocket Pistols Of The Old West
Most folks don’t understand that even in the heyday of the Old West, the open carry of sidearms was almost universally prohibited in cities. Lots more folks carried these concealed pocket pistols as compared to those who carried 7.5″ barrelled Colt Single Action Army revolvers.
Despite Stigma, Interest Grows For Off-Body Carry Education
Off-body carry basics.
Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you purchase these items, I get a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
