Here are a few links to articles and videos I found interesting this week. Some are intellectual. Some are informative. Some are just fun. If you have some free time, check them out this weekend.
The Realities of Combat Marksmanship
The reality of combat marksmanship is that both speed AND accuracy are important.
Warning: Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics May Cause Permanent Nerve Damage
Due to their broad coverage, the floroquinolone antibiotics are often prescribed for a wilderness or austere setting. They (mostly Cipro and Levaquin) are also given to travelers going to third world countries. The FDA just posted a new black box warning on these drugs because they cause peripheral nueropathy in some patients.
A Gun Map That’s a Little Different
A nice map of all the countries of the world showing which gun their military carries.
It’s Nothing Personal…
A very good article about the reasons why we get defensive about our workout programs. Although the article is primarily about fitness, I see the same issues in the firearms and training world as well.
Does research support the use of foam rolling?
All the science you could ever want to see about foam rolling. The best roller for you bigger guys is the Rumble Roller.
Gray Man Strategies 101
Stop wearing your “tactical” clothes in public! Blending in will be a valuable skill to have in the future…
You May Be Strong . . . But Are You Tough?
There is a difference between being strong and being tough. This is a good article that explains how to cultivate tenacity. For me, I think two very identifiable activities have done the most to enhance my mental toughness. The first is doing main-site CrossFit workouts as prescribed for six years. Say what you want about CrossFit’s downsides, there is no doubt that it will force you to get tougher. The other thing is completing very difficult and demanding tasks in the outdoors. When you know you can sleep on the ground in sub-zero weather or summit the highest mountain in Africa while deathly ill, smaller challenges don’t matter so much.
The Myth of the .38 Snub Nose Revolver as a Good First Gun
As much as I like the .38 snub, I have to admit that this author is right. They are VERY hard to shoot well. People choose them for size and simplicity, but they end up with a horrible gun with which to learn. If a new gun owner is willing to take the time and effort to master the slightly more complex manual of arms of a semi-auto pistol, a Glock or M&P will be a better choice.
If someone won’t practice, doesn’t want to learn anything, and just wants a gun to throw in a drawer for protection at home, I think a revolver is a better choice…but not a small one. Get a used S&W Model 10 or 12 with either a 2″ or 4″ barrel. That gun is built on a slightly larger frame and is easier to hold. It has a leaf spring on the trigger rather than a coil spring, making it easier to shoot. It also holds six shots instead of five. And the best thing about it is that even in today’s inflated gun market, you can still find these old revolvers for less than $250.
Firearms and cold weather considerations
As the weather gets colder, here are some things to consider about your defensive firearms…
A fun shooting drill from Pat McNamara.
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