http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogList.aspx?id=15AmericanRifleman.org blogger Paul Rackley is an NRA Pistol and Personal Protection Instructor and proponent of being prepared for anything. In the RackAttack, he shares tips and tactics for training and on-the-street self-defense safety. (c) 2010 All rights reserved.5http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/perishable-skillsWed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Many don&rsquo;t realize it, but shooting is a perishable skill that must be continuously renewed through practice and training. Every expert recommends regular range time to both improve and maintain accuracy and the skills needed to ward off a deadly attack. This is constantly proven by the thousands of rounds fired every year by competitors to stay at the top of their fields. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While most of us can&rsquo;t afford the money or time to fire that number of rounds, regular range time is needed to ensure that muscle memory stays at current levels, and even more to improve on those skills. In addition, it is important to learn your carry gun, as firearms, while similar in many regards, are not all the same with controls located in different locations and working in different ways; a 1911 safety lever is disengaged by pressing it down while the safety on a Beretta 92 must be moved up before firing. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Even if time is an issue, or lack of ammunition, dry fire practice, with or without a training laser, is better than nothing and can be done almost anywhere. On a regular basis, I unload my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, stand in front of a mirror and practice drawing and firing. Also, whenever I swap guns or carry methods, whether for testing purposes or because I just want to carry something different, I spend a few minutes locking the muscle memory in my mind for that day. I don&rsquo;t ever want to reach for my gun because of a situation to discover that it is somewhere else, which could cause me to lose precious seconds, and change the desired outcome. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Life is busy. With two youngsters clamoring for my time, I&rsquo;m well aware that heading to the range for training is sometimes difficult. However, since part of my job as a father, husband and honest citizen is ensuring that my skills are up to the task, I make time for both dry- and live-fire practice. You should too. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/perishable-skills#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/fallen-officersTue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.fbi.gov/" target="_blank">FBI</a> has released its preliminary numbers of law enforcement officers that were killed in the line of duty in 2012. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While every officer&rsquo;s death is tragic, the numbers were down from 2011, both in officers killed by suspects and accidents, which is good. Unfortunately, according to the <a href="http://www.odmp.org/" target="_blank">Officer Down Memorial Page website</a>, 2013 deaths are up in both categories. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Law enforcement officers are an important part of America&rsquo;s first responders and provide a crucial service to citizens. Officers often have to be a mix of hero, Samaritan, protector, witness, investigator and healer. Not everyone can do this job, and those who do deserve to be commended for their sacrifices, especially those who sacrifice all. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to provide tribute to fallen officers, but one way to thank officers for everything they do is to be respectful when meeting one for whatever reason. They are just doing their jobs, and one day, their jobs may be saving you. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The full report will be published in Uniform Crime Reporting Program's publication, &ldquo;Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2012,&rdquo; and will be available on the <a title="See the FBI press release for more details. " href="http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-releases-2012-preliminary-statistics-for-law-enforcement-officers-killed-in-the-line-of-duty" target="_blank">FBI website</a> in the fall. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/fallen-officers#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-cell-phoneTue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The best self-defense tool to come out since the handgun is the cell phone. Hear me out before you start screaming or burning me in effigy, OK? Believe me, I was one of the last holdouts on cell phones because I pictured an electronic collar, tracking me, knowing everywhere I went. But regardless of my paranoia issues, I now consider a cell phone as second in importance of daily carry gear. No. 1 is my <a title="The RackAttack carries a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">For many a cell is the primary self-defense tool, even if they don&rsquo;t consider it that way, as it is the only way they have to call the police for protection. For concealed-carry advocates, it is even more important. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you ever have to draw your handgun in a defensive situation, you want to be the person on the phone to the police to provide details about the event. Witnesses will probably also be calling police, but if all they see is a person holding a gun without understanding the reason, their version might not be accurate through no fault of their own. They are only telling what they see. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You can also use your phone to take photos of the scene to document the situation. This could provide important information to the police for the investigation, and prove that you were in the right. This is especially important to show that the attacker had a weapon, because if it disappears due to friends of the assailant walking it away, you could end up in the defense chair, rather than the witness chair, during a trial.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Many consider a cell phone to be a useful item for games, music and to stay in contact with friends and family, and it is, but for those who refuse to be a victim, it is so much more. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-cell-phone#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-lasers-edgeWed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Even though I started as a skeptic, I became a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Joys-of-Lasers/" target="_blank">fan of lasers</a> after trying them a few years ago. Since then I&rsquo;ve attached lasers from various manufacturers to five handguns and one rifle, and can&rsquo;t believe that I ever doubted their need. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Lasers provide fast target acquisition in almost any situation, and are especially useful at times where sights can&rsquo;t be used, such as from the ground or in low light. Three of my current lasers are from <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a>, including the one on my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">carry gun</a>, and I love the speed and accuracy that they add to any shooting situation. Even thought I spend most of my time training without the laser to better improve my mechanics, I do train with my lasers to ensure that I&rsquo;m completely familiar with these tools. I have also watched the excellent training videos that Crimson Trace has produced&mdash;The Art of Survival and The Laser&rsquo;s Edge. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Art of Survival has been out for a few years, providing useful tips to shooters on self-defense and how to use a laser. <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/company/the-lasers-edge/" target="_blank">The Laser&rsquo;s Edge</a> is new, and expands on the benefits of lasers by discussing target visibility, training with lasers, accuracy while moving and other self-defense tactics for lasers. Both are available from Crimson Trace for free, and every shooter, whether using lasers or not, should consider viewing these excellent videos that feature industry experts like Julie Golob, Todd Jarrett, Dave Starin and NRA Publications contributor Richard Mann. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-lasers-edge#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/trigger-pullMon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">When talk of triggers arise, everyone always says light is best. This is true whether the discussion is about rifles or handguns. You have to have a light trigger pull for accuracy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Personally, I&rsquo;ve always preferred smooth. I would rather have a smooth pull with very little take up that breaks cleanly every time than one that is just light, as I&rsquo;ve found that smooth and crisp usually makes the trigger feel much lighter anyway. Sure the whole world can be found in some triggers, but how much difference does that really make? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now that is not to say that I want a heavy trigger pull. It&rsquo;s just that I have found that in most cases a firearm can outshoot the shooter, and that a 1 to 2 pound reduction in trigger pull is not going to make that much of a difference in most shooters&rsquo; groups. There is even a point where the trigger pull can be reduced beyond a shooter&rsquo;s ability, making it a safety hazard. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I once was doing some fact checking for an article that listed a trigger pull on a rifle in ounces. I thought it was a typo; it wasn&rsquo;t. A small custom riflemaker had lowered its trigger to a mere 3 ounces. My first thought was: &ldquo;Wow! That is a light trigger.&rdquo; My second thought was: &ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t want that trigger on any gun I owned.&rdquo; It was just too light, and I still don&rsquo;t believe I&rsquo;m good enough for a trigger of that degree to make a difference. In fact, I believe that it would only probably cause me problems. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Extremely light triggers can be even more trouble in self-defense handguns. Speed is crucial in defensive situations, and even though the finger should remain the trigger until the sights are on target, a trigger pull that is too light could possibly depress as the finger enters the guard, causing a miss at a critical time. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I like a good trigger, but to me a smooth trigger is a good trigger. <a title="Check out the RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">My Kimber</a> registers at just under 6 pounds, while my AR, with a drop-in <a href="https://www.timneytriggers.com/" target="_blank">Timney</a> trigger, pops the gauge at 4 pounds even. My favorite deer rifle was a <a href="http://www.remington.com/" target="_blank">Remington</a> 700 in .30-06 Sprg. on which I strapped into an <a href="https://www.hsprecision.com/shop2/" target="_blank">H-S Precision</a> stock. With good ammo, that gun could produce 3/4-inch groups all day, every day, and I once used it to take a deer at 325 yards without a rest. Its trigger was smooth and crisp with almost no slack in the take up, and it registered at an even 6 pounds.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/trigger-pull#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/store-owner-catches-crookFri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">After three months of having his business burglarized on a regular basis, a California business owner <a title="Read the full story. " href="http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/04/08/oroville-business-owner-fights-back-after-string-of-burglaries-catches-suspect/" target="_blank">decided to fight back</a> with his legally permitted firearm. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Darin Fowler had tried fencing and security cameras to prevent the break-ins, but when he continued to lose product he decided to stay overnight to try and catch the perpetrators. In the early morning hours of Fowler heard a noise and confronted the burglar with a handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">According to Fowler, the potential thief was very compliant when he saw the gun, and waited quietly for police to arrive and take him into custody. It&rsquo;s just amazing how something as simple as having the ability to protect oneself and one&rsquo;s property stops crime. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/store-owner-catches-crook#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/laser-training-systemsWed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While I&rsquo;ve always been a proponent of dry firing for the early stages of skill development, the recent lack of ammunition in stores has forced me spend a lot more time pulling a trigger on an empty handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While there are many theories on the recent disappearance of ammo, I really don&rsquo;t know why ammo seems to be so hard to find. I do, however, lend a lot of credibility to Mark Keefe&rsquo;s <a title="Read the Keefe Report on the recent ammo shortages. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/where-has-the-ammo-gone/" target="_blank">well-reasoned idea</a> that shooters are buying everything they can get their hands on out of fear of running out. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of the reason for the ammo shortage, I&rsquo;m having a hard time finding ammo for training, which creates a real damper on my shooting lifestyle. I like to train weekly, if possible, and lately that has been impractical. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As such, I&rsquo;ve been conducting dry-fire training using some of the available laser targeting systems on the market. Lately, I&rsquo;ve been working with the <a href="http://www.ocats.com/optical-computer-aided-training-ocat-system-overview" target="_blank">Optical Computer Aided Training</a> (OCAT) System from OutWest Systems. The OCAT System works as both a laser and live-fire training system by using a camera to mark your shots and record them on a laptop computer. Using a laser module, the system even records your movement as you squeeze the trigger, and it includes a shot timer for multiple shot strings under pressure. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The OCAT is definitely more expensive than some other laser systems&mdash;the basic model retails for $495, and you still need a computer&mdash;but with the ability to record live fire, even with rifles at longer ranges, the OCAT is a much more advanced training system than most. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m still in the early stages of trying out the OCAT System, but so far I really like what it can do. Sure, it&rsquo;s expensive, but it can provide trigger time without costing hard to find ammo. Right now, that might be good thing. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/laser-training-systems#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/grandmother-winsFri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Once again a firearm has proven to be the great equalizer when a <a title="Read the full story. " href="http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/Grandmother-holds-burglar-at-gunpoint-until-police-arrive/-/101214/19572196/-/10sfton/-/index.html" target="_blank">grandmother of 10</a> from Spokane, Wash., used a gun to hold a would-be burglar for police. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The suspect had been spotted earlier trying to enter another residence by a neighbor, who called police and scared him off, before the suspect broke into the home of Sandy Mize. While a K-9 unit was tracking the suspect, Mize confronted the man, firing a warning shot, before he fled out the back straight into the K-9 unit that arrested him. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The suspect was obviously determined to rob someone that night since he fled from one location to break into another. While I don&rsquo;t really agree with the idea of a warning shot, there are too many things that could go wrong, there is no doubt this lady did the world a favor and helped take a bad guy off the streets. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/grandmother-wins#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/behind-survival-trialWed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Back in February, I had the opportunity to attend one of the most interesting events I&rsquo;ve ever seen: Survival Trial III: Winterborn. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Held at the <a href="http://www.nrawc.org/" target="_blank">NRA Whittington Center</a>, Survival Trial is an adventure race where two-person teams use urban and rural survival skills to compete in challenges. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I&rsquo;ve already featured Survival Trial in a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/survival-trial/" target="_blank">blog</a> and a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=234&amp;id=2145" target="_blank">photo gallery</a>&mdash;also look for the upcoming feature article in <a href="http://www.shootingillustrated.com/" target="_blank"><em>Shooting Illustrated</em></a>&mdash;organizer Jon Weiler sent me a recently uploaded <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQyCCZF8pG4&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> on Survival Trial. He sent it because it shows parts of my interview with him before the event. It also shows an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the work required for an event of this magnitude. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you&rsquo;ve ever wanted a challenge, you should consider <a href="http://www.survivaltrial.com/" target="_blank">Survival Trial</a>. However, you had better start looking now; it fills up really quickly. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Below is the view from the mountains around the Whittington Center, which is part of the Survival Trial arena.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></em></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="Whittington Center" src="../../Webcontent/gallery/241/2020WhittingtonCenterMount_web.jpg" alt="Whittington Center" width="644" height="313" /><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/behind-survival-trial#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/opening-the-doorTue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In what authorities are calling a clear-cut case of "self-defense,&rdquo; a retired Washington D.C. police officer shot and killed an intruder in the early morning hours of March 31. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">According to the <a title="Read the whole news story. " href="http://www.wusa9.com/news/maryland/article/252267/189/Retired-DC-Police-Officer-Kills-Suspected-Home-Invader-Another-Flees" target="_blank">news reports</a>, a Calvert County, Maryland resident heard loud bangs on his door, retrieved a handgun and opened the door to find two men standing there holding weapons. When the door opened, the men made threatening gestures toward the resident. In fear for his life, the resident fired several shots, killing one suspect and forcing the other to flee.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now this is about as good an ending as can be expected in this type of situation; the homeowner was not injured or charged with any crime. Some might say that he acted foolishly when he opened the door in the early morning hours to loud banging, but having grown up in the South, I actually understand. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I recommend that most people should call through their door it and check the peephole viewer, and to never open the door to suspicious characters, I don&rsquo;t actually follow my own advice on that one. I&rsquo;m going to open the door, and have many times, regardless of the time of day because someone might need help. Over the years, I have pulled people out of ditches, made a few &ldquo;please come get me&rdquo; phone calls and once even drove a couple of women in a bad situation to a shelter. I&rsquo;ve also run off a few people who thought they could con someone out of money with a sob story, and even followed one guy to the neighbors, also cousins, after he didn&rsquo;t take a hint. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I also understand because I&rsquo;ve been the guy knocking on a door in the wee hours trying to get some help. Believe it or not, there was a time when we didn&rsquo;t all carry cell phones. Also, while cell phones are great, they can lose service or become broken, forcing people to search for help. Only you can decide the best course of action in this type of situation. For myself, I&rsquo;m going to answer the door, but I&rsquo;ll do with a gun in hand. Tell me how you would handle this type of situation. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/opening-the-door#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-vunerable-timeThu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">A public restroom is one of the strangest places in which to stay aware. While I can&rsquo;t discuss how it is with ladies, in a men&rsquo;s restroom, we are practically programmed to mind our own business and keep our eyes straight forward at all times. Unfortunately, this means we&rsquo;re not paying very much attention to our surroundings. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Because of this, we are leaving ourselves open to attack during one of our most vulnerable times. When standing at the urinal, you are facing a wall, and unable to see what is happening behind you. Bathrooms are also one of the few places where it is completely illegal to have any type of monitoring devices&mdash;this is a good thing considering the activities. All this combines into an almost perfect situation for an attack. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While it is nearly impossible to avoid public restrooms completely, there are a few ways to reduce the risk, without being too over the top. First, be aware of where the mirrors are located, and, if possible, use them to observe others walking in and access their danger levels. Also, many restrooms have mirrored tile, allowing you to watch a reflection of what is happening behind you and view potentially aggressive actions. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If neither is available, you can always head to a stall, where you can face the door, and have easy access to your defensive handgun. Of course, this also means that you won&rsquo;t be able to move very quickly, but you also can&rsquo;t be attacked from behind. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-vunerable-time#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/marine-saves-womanFri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In Wisconsin, a Marine veteran that was practicing legal concealed carry <a href="http://fox6now.com/2013/03/12/marine-with-concealed-carry-permit-stops-man-from-beating-woman/" target="_blank">stopped a man from beating his ex-girlfriend</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">No shots were fired, or needed, from Charlie Blackmore&rsquo;s handgun, even though the suspect&mdash;who had been stalking the woman&mdash;tried several times to close with the concerned citizen. Blackmore called police and held the suspect until the authorities could arrive and take him into custody. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Another great example of why law-bidding citizens should have the right to carry a concealed handgun. There is no way of knowing how this might have ended had Blackmore been unwilling or unable to help. I, for one, am really glad won&rsquo;t ever know. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/marine-saves-woman#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/long-gun-storageWed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Storage is an important part of owning firearms. In addition to ensuring your guns stay out of the hands of criminals or other undesirables, proper storage prevents unauthorized access that can result in an accidental discharge. The problem is keeping a firearm secure while allowing access in a situation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While there are many small, fast-access safes for securing handguns, some people prefer using a shotgun or a rifle as a home-defense gun. Unfortunately, there are few fast-access ways to store a long gun. A safe keeps it secure, but can be difficult to access in a stressful situation, and laying a gun under the bed or in the closet leaves it exposed to unauthorized access. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.secureittactical.com/" target="_blank">SecureIt Tactical</a>, a company that primarily builds storage systems for the military, has come up with a solution called the F.A.S.T. Box. Built to hold a shotgun, or even an AR with optic and magazine, the F.A.S.T. Box is 47 1/4-inches long, 13-inches deep and 6 1/2-inches wide, and features all-steel construction and a programmable push-button lock. It can be mounted to a bed frame or closet wall, and it has heavy duty foam to protect the gun and allow quiet removal. Another neat feature is that the F.A.S.T. Box is stackable to secure multiple firearms with quick access, and can even bolt together to prevent someone from just carrying the box away. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/long-gun-storage#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-a-gun-problemTue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">So many people claim that without guns we wouldn&rsquo;t have senseless violence in society. If that&rsquo;s so, then please someone explain to me this story about a <a href="http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Dunkin-Donuts-Attack-Ax-Man-Arrested-New-Britain-195687051.html" target="_blank">guy attacking a Dunkin&rsquo; Donuts with an axe</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This disturbed person wasn&rsquo;t using a firearm, but was still able to wreak havoc on the store and scare innocent customers. Luckily, no one was injured and the police were able to detain the suspect, but what are the chances of seeing this on the national news. We won&rsquo;t because this story doesn&rsquo;t properly explain how guns are the problem. This story shows that violence is a societal problem that can&rsquo;t be stopped by banning firearms. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-a-gun-problem#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/survival-trialThu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">A large part of self-defense is simple surviving. Sure, you want to be able to overcome all situations, but walking away unharmed will do for most of us, which is why we spend so much time training and learning. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, it&rsquo;s hard to know if we&rsquo;re really up for the challenges that we could face in the real world, especially considering the direction the world seems to be heading right now. Could you really handle being stuck in the middle of the wilderness, fight off a robbery in progress or pull a friend to safety? If you want to find out, then you should check out <a href="http://www.survivaltrial.com/" target="_blank">Survival Trial</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the weekend, I was in New Mexico at the <a href="http://www.nrawc.org/index.html" target="_blank">NRA Whittington Center</a> to observe <a title="View the entire photo gallery on Survival Trial III: Winterborn. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=234&amp;id=2145" target="_blank">Survival Trial III: Winterborn</a>. One of the more interesting events I&rsquo;ve ever attended, Survival Trial is a 24-hour adventure race through the high desert and mountains around Raton that also implements mental, physical and shooting challenges for contestants, which is how they earn points. Since the challenges were spread across 130,000 acres, I was unable to view every one, but I saw enough to realize that Survival Trial is about testing all skills needed for survival, both urban and backcountry. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Using only a map and compass, contestants (two-person teams) had to traverse from challenge to challenge, determining the best route and dealing with the night and extreme cold of February. Each team had to carry a required amount of equipment, they could carry an additional that they wanted, which consisted of both survival and fighting gear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The brainchild of Jon Weiler, CEO of <a href="http://www.professionalmarksmen.com/" target="_blank">Professional Marksmen Inc.</a>, Survival Trial is a learning experience wrapped in one very large test of skills. While most would think that Survival Trial is designed specifically for military operators, it was mostly civilians that made up the five brave teams that dared to face the mountains in winter. I personally would love to see if I have what it takes to be a survivor, but after a decade behind a desk, I&rsquo;m not ready right now. We&rsquo;ll see about next year. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/survival-trial#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-about-fightingFri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Self-defense is about fighting, not shooting, even though fighting might lead to the need to fire your gun. But there are, in fact, many situations where a gun can&rsquo;t, or shouldn&rsquo;t, be used. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You might not be able to reach your gun because you&rsquo;re using your hands to defend against an attacker, or the situation just might not call for such force. In these cases, knowing how to use hand-to-hand techniques can be critical. While it&rsquo;s not necessary to be an expert in the martial arts in these situations, if would be beneficial to know a few self-defense moves to protect yourself. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To start, consider attending a self-defense course, where you can learn some basic skills such as SING (solar plexus, instep, nose, groin). Sure, we laughed when Sandra Bullock performed this on stage in &ldquo;Miss Congeniality,&rdquo; but the concept is valid, as these are four places where everyone is susceptible to pain. Also, consider using parts of your body that are more effective than your hands (yes, I know if looks cool in the movies, but your hands can be easily damaged in a fight), such as your elbows, knees and head. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While practicing, think about the potential ways someone might attack, such as a choke hold, bear hug or double shirt grab. Learn a few moves for a variety of attacks, and practice regularly, with a partner if possible, to retain proficiency. In addition to a class, there are many online resources that can explain basic moves, but you must consider your ability and physical shape. Some people might not be able to do some moves, but there are simple ones that anyone can perform. And if all else fails, hit them with a chair. That&rsquo;s also fighting. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-about-fighting#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/drawing-from-the-groundThu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The ideal solution to a bad situation is to be aware and get out of the area. The next best is to be aware and face the situation on both feet, with your gun in your hand. But even the best laid plans can fall to the wayside during a life and death struggle. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You might be caught unaware and end up on the floor, defeding your life. In this situation, you must be able to draw your handgun from a compromising position, and to do this effectively under stress, you must practice--dry practice, of course. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you&rsquo;re lying on your back, and you carry strong side, you will not be able to reach your gun unless you roll to your weak side, allowing your elbow to curl back so your hand can secure a shooting grip. A pocket holster has the same deficiencies, and requires the same move. An ankle holster provides an easier reach from your back, and even raises your foot to defend against the attacker, but can be tricky to access if lying on your stomach. A shoulder holster also works OK if you&rsquo;re on your back, but be nearly unreachable if your are face down. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of how you carry, knowing how to draw from any position can save your life. So, unload your gun and try drawing from the many positions on the ground that you could be forced into, and you&rsquo;ll be ready if you just happen to hit the ground. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/drawing-from-the-ground#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-sad-sacrificeWed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While I doubt many <a title="Miami father dies to protect his daughter. " href="http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/21009845051362/man-dies-protecting-daughter-in-home-invasion/" target="_blank">fathers would be unwilling to make this sacrifice</a>, I can&rsquo;t help but think that if this man would have had a gun and some training, he could have prevailed over the aggressors. It&rsquo;s obvious that this Miami father had the courage, he fought with two armed assailants, but he didn&rsquo;t have the tools. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The police spokeswoman used the correct terminology when she called the men that did this &ldquo;beasts.&rdquo; Unfortunately, they got away, but the father did save his little girl. Stories like this are why we purchase firearms and get training to use them. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Talk to your friends and family and explain to them that having a firearm, and knowing how to use it, provides an edge over the people who have no regard for law or humanity. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-sad-sacrifice#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/factoring-in-stressWed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">So many self-defense advocates feel they up to the task of defending their homes in a home invasion, believing that they can handle the situation with cool determination. However, many forget how much stress levels increase in an unfamiliar situation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Just because you can quickly enter your vault to reach your home-defense gun in full light, when everything is safe and secure, doesn&rsquo;t mean that you can do the same when you think someone unwanted is in your home. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A while back, I <a title="Learn what happened to the RackAttack. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/conducting-drills/" target="_blank">revealed that my home alarm</a> went off about midnight, waking the family and indicating that my front door was open. While my home plan worked for the most part, I did run into one small problem: It took three tries to properly enter my electronic safe&rsquo;s code to obtain my Colt 1991. While this only added a few seconds to my response time, that time could have made a difference if I was facing a determined attacker. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The stress of the unknown made me rush the code, which caused a small problem, and made realize how much stress must be factored into the equation. Even knowing that even if the person ignored the screaming alarm, he or she still had to pass through two gates on the stairs before reaching the family, I still rushed the process. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Since then, I&rsquo;ve been trying to implement stress into my training. In fact, since then I&rsquo;ve been diving into my safe in the dark at random times. It&rsquo;s still not easy, as without danger, my mind still knows that it is a drill. How do you induce stress into your training? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/factoring-in-stress#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/eddie-eagleFri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://eddieeagle.nra.org/" target="_blank">Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program</a> works. I know this because a good friend of mine used it to teach his sons about firearms. I&rsquo;m planning on using it to teach my kids about what to do if they come across an unsecured, unsupervised firearm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The concept is as simple as Stop, Drop and Roll, which every kid knows is what you should do if you catch on fire. If you see a gun: STOP! Don&rsquo;t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult. These simple words can save so many lives. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">More evidence that Eddie Eagle works is that it was created in 1988, and since then firearm related accidents have steadily declined. And now, the Eddie Eagle Program has reached its 26 millionth child by working with educators, law enforcement agencies and civic organizations to educate children about firearms and what to do around firearms. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In many ways, the program reduces the mystique about firearms that so many kids have because of TV, movies and video games, which doesn&rsquo;t often portray safe handling. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This is a program that works, and NRA offers free Eddie Eagle materials to any law enforcement agency, hospital or educational facility across the nation. Funds raised through <a href="http://www.friendsofnra.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">Friends of NRA</a> and distributed through <a href="http://www.nrafoundation.org/" target="_blank">The NRA Foundation</a> enable budget-strapped schools and police departments to teach the program at minimal or no cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Many people talk about protecting kids, but for 24 years, NRA has run a program that actually reaches millions of children with a proper message. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/eddie-eagle#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/fundamentals-win-fightsFri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The reason that experts are constantly training is that repetition builds fundamentals, and fundamentals are the foundation of good marksmanship. Not having to think about how to line up the sights, reload or clear a malfunction, allow users to be faster at responding to a deadly threat, and can be the difference between winning and losing a fight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are also fundamentals for self-defense situations. Recently, Tiger McKee, director of <a href="http://www.shootrite.org/" target="_blank">Shootrite Firearms Academy</a>, discussed <a title="Read Tiger's story on Defensive Fundamentals. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/defensive-fundamentals/" target="_blank">defensive fundamentals</a>, such as communication, movement and cover. These also have to be practiced in order to be conducted properly when under the stress of an attack.&nbsp; You don&rsquo;t want your first time using a defensive skill to be during an attack.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you&rsquo;re range doesn&rsquo;t allow this type of training, you can practice using a dummy gun in your home, which also helps you fine tune your <a title="Learn how to prepare for home-defense. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/preparing-for-home-defense/" target="_blank">home-defense plan</a> with your family. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/fundamentals-win-fights#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-slide-stopTue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">For years, when training and competing, I used the slide stop on my 1911s to return the slide to battery when conducting a speed reload. I had found that I could more quickly obtain my shooting grip in this way. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">At the same time, I had always wondered why so many experts on TV always pulled the slide to the rear to load a semi-auto handgun. It seemed slower, which defeated the purpose of the speed reload in my mind. Discussions with other shooters revealed that they also preferred using the slide stop in most circumstances, and that they also admitted ignorance of why some would prefer pulling the slide. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It took a phone call with Tiger McKee of <a href="http://www.shootrite.org/" target="_blank">Shootrite</a> and a trip to <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a> to make me truly understand the reasoning. First, the name of the part is the slide stop, not slide release. To me, that is semantics, so it wasn&rsquo;t a convincer. However, the next two contained stronger reasoning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The 1911 has a large, easy to reach slide stop, but many of today&rsquo;s newer designs have a much harder to hit slide stop, such as a Glock or Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P. So, by always pulling the slide to the rear, a shooter is training to work with every semi-auto pistol, not just the ones that he or she is familiar with. Also, pulling the slide fully to the rear adds about a quarter inch of additional spring power to ensure the gun returns to battery. While this might not be needed in every case, Murphy&rsquo;s Law always seems to take effect at the worst possible time, which would mean when you really need the gun to work.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Since then, I have started training in speed reloads by pulling the slide. It still seems a little slower, but it also seems to be the better choice. Which do you use? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-slide-stop#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/kakadu-concealment-jacketFri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to conceal a handgun. Most of the best ways involve the handgun remaining on the person, but sometimes that is unfeasible for a variety of reasons. Women often carry in purses or bags, while some men also prefer to carry off their bodies in briefcases, day books, bags or even jackets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the past couple of months, I&rsquo;ve been testing the <a href="http://www.kakaduimports.com/Aviators_Bomber_Jacket_p/10mb07.htm" target="_blank">Aviators Bomber Jacket</a> and Satchel Bag from <a href="http://www.kakaduimports.com/default.asp" target="_blank">Kakadu Imports</a>. Both are designed for conceal carry with special compartments for carrying guns and gear. Here are my views of the jacket. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Kakadu Aviators Bomber Jacket is made of 10-ounce canvas for durability and is currently available in two colors&mdash;loden green and tobacco. While I don&rsquo;t consider myself to know anything about style, the green jacket suited me fine for all casual uses like running to the store or tinkering around the house. It&rsquo;s warm enough to handle the cold, as long as there is some activity level, without being so warm that you have to remove it the moment you walk indoors, which is important if the jacket is holding a gun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The jacket features dual hand-warmer pockets, along with flap pockets and two interior pockets for carrying sunglasses or other small objects. However, it&rsquo;s the dual concealment pockets that make the jacket interesting. Just on the inside of the zipper on both sides is a slit for a pocket that is held together with a small Velcro section. The interior of the pocket flares in and down into a fairly large compartment where three pieces of elastic fabric are sewn to the inside liner. The furthest back, almost in line of a shoulder holster, can hold a variety of handguns. I personally tried three handguns in these loops&mdash;a <a title="The RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber Ultra Carry</a>, a Colt 1991 and a <a title="The RackAttack's backup. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-backup/" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson J-frame .38 Spl.</a> All three carried well, especially when paired with a smaller piece of elastic fabric designed to loop over and hold the gun in place. The other two pieces of fabric can hold two magazines or other essential gear, such as a flashlight. These compartments allow the user to carry a full-size semi-auto and up to four spare magazines, two guns with two magazines each or many other combinations. The jacket also comes with concealment shields to break up the outline, but I removed them as I felt the bulkiness of the jacket was enough. My only problem with the jacket was when trying to start the zipper. Sometimes it just didn&rsquo;t want to attach properly. However, there were no problems when yanking the zipper down to access the gun compartment. Once started, the zipper went up and down easily. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I mostly used the jacket to carry my J-frame backup in addition to my strong-side primary. It carried well, and I had no problems drawing during training, even though it allows for a considerably slower draw than many other methods of carry. It does, however, pair itself to a very discreet draw. This is a deep concealment method designed as a comfortable way to always be armed. If used as a primary carry method, the user must be extra vigilant, and be prepared to slip a hand into the compartment to grasp the handgun. Starting with the hand on the gun really speeds up the presentation, but it&rsquo;s still slower than my Kimber slipping out of my <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">Milt Sparks VersaMax II</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I like this jacket and would recommend it as an excellent backup carry method during the colder months, and even a primary for quick trips when you want to carry. I especially liked it for a car, as I could very easily access the compartment while sitting, even when wearing a seatbelt.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="Kakadu Import Aviator Bomber Jacket" src="../../Webcontent/gallery/224/2018KakaduImportsJacket_web.jpg" alt="Kakadu Import Aviator Bomber Jacket" width="644" height="325" /><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/kakadu-concealment-jacket#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/rule-no-oneWed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m always concerned that people have to be reminded to follow basic firearm safety rules. It seems like it should be common sense, especially rule 1: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While other safety rules are equally important, following this one would prevent all injuries pursuant from breaking the other firearm safety rules. If a gun is pointed in a safe direction, even if it is unintentionally fired, no one would get hurt. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The problem is there is no single safe direction when handling firearms. If you&rsquo;re in the first floor of a multiple story home or building, up is not a safe direction as you don&rsquo;t know who or what is above you, just as down is not safe if you&rsquo;re higher up in the building. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Gun handlers must constantly be aware of their location, as well as everything that is going on around them to ensure that the firearm being handled always points in a safe direction. This includes when attaching or removing a firearm in a holster, and never forget that the safe direction can change, quickly. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/rule-no-one#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/corneringTue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While in most circumstances of a home invasion, your best bet is to arm yourself, gather the family in a locked room and call the police, there are times and situations where you might have to clear your home. In those situations, you may have to go around a corner or through a doorway, and it&rsquo;s better to practice those moves beforehand. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In the movies, you always see actors pressed against corners before popping around cover to the open areas or kicking down a door and charging through without regard. As with most movie scenes, these moves are for some kind of dramatic effect, and are just plain wrong. First, while a corner can serve as cover, it&rsquo;s better to have some distance between you and the corner to prevent debris from striking you if your opponent fires and hits the corner. Second, jumping around a corner into an unknown situation is a good way to lose a fight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Going around a corner should be slow and methodical, so you can view what is in the room while taking advantage of available cover. Stay back from the cover and take one small step at a time without crossing your feet. Work the corner in sections similar to a pie wedge, and if the area contains two corners, such as when coming down a hall into an open room, work one side, back up and move to the opposite side of the hall to work the other side. Never completely expose yourself until you know the room is clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Going through a door is done the same way, except that you have to open the door if it is closed. In this situation, open the door with your support hand and back away to work the corners. If the door doesn&rsquo;t want to stay open, you can use your foot to keep it open as you pie the corner. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As you train, don&rsquo;t forget that it will likely be dark when you&rsquo;re doing this, so practice with a <a title="Learn some basic flashlight techniques. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/basic-flashlight-techniques/" target="_blank">light</a>, but remember that a light can revel your location, so be sure to hit the light, scan and release light before you move. Never stand in the same place where you just shined a light.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/cornering#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/use-the-car-alarmMon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Ken from North Carolina recently offered an excellent tip on deterring intruders; keep your car keys, with the automatic key fob attached, next to your bed. If you believe your home is being broken into, set off the panic button. The noise and lights should scare off a burglar and alert your neighbors, who you should know and have coordinated with to some degree. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This can also work if you perceive a threat when away from your home. It won&rsquo;t dissuade a determined attack by someone with hate in the heart, but it just might bring enough attention to the situation to run off some criminals. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Share your tips for staying safe, and the person submitting the best one will get a <a href="http://www.versacarry.com/" target="_blank">VersaCarry</a> ambidextrous holster for a compact .380 ACP. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/use-the-car-alarm#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/shopping-tipsTue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">This time of year typically&nbsp;sees an increase in robberies, as there are more people out, it gets dark earlier and almost everyone is in a hurry. Fortunately,&nbsp;there are simple things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim. In&nbsp;other words: Slow down.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Rushing through stores and into&nbsp;a parking lot&nbsp;while&nbsp;carrying numerous packages and on the cell phone planning dinner might save you minutes (fewer than five), but stress levels rise&nbsp;and safety decreases. In my opinion, multitasking to that level is just not worth it. If you&rsquo;re stressed, you&rsquo;re won&rsquo;t be happy, and if you&rsquo;re attacked, you really won&rsquo;t be happy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Before heading out for the parties, the dinners and the shopping that so many of us are involved in this time of year, make a commitment to stay safe by following these tips, and be sure to talk to your loved ones about this. Nobody wants to go to the hospital or funeral home over the holidays. And of course, these tips are&nbsp;useful year round. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Check your backseat before entering any vehicle. <br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Take a good look at anyone that is lingering in your vicinity, especially when headed to your car. <br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Listen to your inner voice. If something feels wrong, head back inside. <br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Look up often when loading packages into the car, as well as when attaching your seatbelt. The average person can move 10 yards (30 feet) in just a second or two. <br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Never walk to your car while using a cell phone, especially at night when vision is limited. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Your best strategy for staying safe is to make yourself a more difficult target so someone with bad intentions&nbsp;will think twice before deciding to victimize you. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/shopping-tips#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/night-bagMon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">A few weeks ago, my <a title="Find out what happened to the household. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/conducting-drills/" target="_blank">security system went off</a> around midnight. My <a title="Learn to develop your own home-defense plan. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/preparing-for-home-defense/" target="_blank">home-defense plan</a> worked smoothly, as I quickly obtained my home gun, along with a flashlight, and took up post at the top of the stairs, while my wife grabbed our daughter and retreated to our bedroom and took up her gun. The incident ended up being nothing, thankfully, but it started me dissecting my plan for flaws. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Overall, as I said, the plan worked, and would have been very effective against the standard break in. I did, however, realize that if the incident had turned into a prolonged fight, I wasn&rsquo;t as prepared as I could have been. When I went in search of the problem, I didn&rsquo;t have a spare magazine in case the round count went above eight, a spare flashlight in case of battery failure nor did I have a spare key to thrown down to police so they could enter the premises. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This made me realize that I needed a night bag to have everything needed in one place in case of a home invasion. While I was prepared for the most part, there is always a way to be more prepared for disaster, and my next step to build a night bag. I&rsquo;m considering my options, and am interested in discovering what you use, and would recommend. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/night-bag#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/tunnel-visionFri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Most of us have experienced tunnel vision at some point in our lives, concentrating on one object so hard that everything else just sort of fades away. In most circumstances it&rsquo;s only a minor annoyance or even a funny occurrence. But in a self-defense situation, it can be a major problem. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">First, there may be multiple attackers, and while you&rsquo;re locked in on the guy standing in front of you, and attacker in back can take you out. You have to stay aware of who and what is around you, even when confronting an attacker. For this you must listen to all of your senses, including your ears and nose. Feet pounding the pavement and changes in scents can indicate another attacker that you may have to deal with, or it could be someone trying to get away from the danger. You must be able to discern the difference and be prepared for whatever comes along. Also, tunnel vision can cause you to overlook innocent bystanders that could be harmed by you or the attackers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Staying aware provides you with options, such as moving to cover or to an area that prevents innocents from being hurt in crossfire. The best decision might be to fight, but it might also be to not fight. Losing yourself to everything other than the danger standing in front eliminates your options and your greatest self-defense tool&mdash;your mind. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/tunnel-vision#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/movie-coverWed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m always amazed at how Hollywood seems to believe that couches, plank walls and interior doors can serve as cover for the hero and stop bullets. Don&rsquo;t they have anyone who understands even the basics of ballistics, or the different between cover and concealment? I&rsquo;m assuming not since heroes and heroines never get hit when hiding behind concealment, while the villain gets blown away when crouching behind cover. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">My biggest fear in most of these situations is that Hollywood has convinced some people that concealment is cover. You can hide behind both concealment and cover, but only cover protects you from being hit by an attacker&rsquo;s bullets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">And while concealment is better than nothing in a dangerous situation, cover is always better because it hides and protects you. However, you must know what can be cover. Here are a few items that should not be used as cover that seems to stop bullets in the movies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">&bull; &nbsp;&nbsp; Doors <br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sheetrock walls<br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Couches<br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Car doors<br />&bull;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Appliances (these might stop a bullet, but most are just sheet metal)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Finding complete cover can be difficult, which is why you should always be looking for better cover in a fight. And, when the opportunity arises, head for the exit.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/movie-cover#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/conducting-drillsWed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The step after developing a home-defense plan is testing that plan to determine if everyone understands assigned duties and will react in the proper manner. In fact, to truly test your defenses, multiple tests should be conducted, but the most illuminating is the one held in the middle of the night. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">That is when you will discover any deficiencies and where extra discussion and planning is required. The problem is creating a test that tests everyone, as one person always knows. The other night I discovered how to conduct that drill, though I&rsquo;m not sure I would recommend this method. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A little after midnight, my security alarm activated, awakening the entire family with a piercing siren. Within seconds I was pulling my home gun from my small safe and checking the monitor to find out that the front door had been breached. From there it was a two-person sprint as my wife headed for the kid&rsquo;s room while I took up a post at the top of the stairs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Once the family was safely in the bedroom, I determined the front door was open with light streaming through and revealing nothing. I ended up searching the house and determining that either the front door lock was picked and the alarm scared off the burglar, or I forgot to lock the front door and the wind blew it open. I&rsquo;m leaning toward the wind theory. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This mistake of mine did reveal that my home-defense plan worked and I couldn&rsquo;t be prouder of my wife and daughter who both showed a lot of courage in an unknown situation.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/conducting-drills#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/almost-too-muchFri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve long preached awareness as one of the most crucial elements of self-defense for the simple fact that if you don&rsquo;t know that danger is near, you can&rsquo;t defend against it, regardless of training. And since my primary objective is keeping me and mine safe, I want to be the first to recognize potential danger so I can make an informed decision for future actions. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To this end, I scan every location and mark every person&rsquo;s danger potential. I consider myself good at this, and have even been quite proud that I&rsquo;ve been able to continue my awareness levels while also watching a very active two-year-old. However, the other day I was just about overwhelmed. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">After three days indoors due to Hurricane Sandy, everyone in the household was going a little stir crazy. We decided to head to our local mall to get out, get supper and let the little one run around in the play area; we were not the only ones who thought of this. I turned the girl loose and obtained a corner to provide as much cover as possible while observing her antics, along with my fellow shoppers. There were a lot of kids running, jumping and climbing on the equipment, with parents and caregivers watching. I quickly connected most of the kids to an adult, allowing me to render them as minor characters in my mind&rsquo;s drama. There were a couple of kids that I couldn&rsquo;t match to anyone, which, due to my nature, required additional attention. This was the reason for my dilemma. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I was trying to observe those passing by, while ensuring that nothing happened to the children I was watching, especially my own. I must say that I was quite grateful when my wife returned from shopping, providing me with an additional set of eyes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In what type of situations have you found that there was almost too much going on for proper observation? Share your stories and maybe we can determine some tips for everyone to use.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/almost-too-much#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-water-of-lifeThu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In the aftermath of Sandy, more people are realizing that there are many levels of preparedness. While many have supplies for a few days, long-term survival should also be considered. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The human body can last a long time without food, but clean water is a requirement for life. It lubricates the body and helps regulate body temperature. Dehydration can set in very quickly without adequate supplies. For that reason, you should always have a two to three day supply for every person in your household. But, what are you going to do if a disaster lasts longer than that? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to purify water for drinking in disaster scenarios, including water purification tablets and filters. Tablets are small, easily portable and last a long time in unsealed bottles, but they absolutely ruin the taste. Boiling for at least a minute works well, but also makes the water taste funny. Filters are the fastest and easiest way to purify water, but you shouldn&rsquo;t rely on filters that you use in the kitchen to reduce chlorine. Consider purchasing the outdoor filters that backpackers use in the wilds, such as the <a href="http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-backcountry-series-products/katadyn-hiker-pro-microfilter/" target="_blank">Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter</a>, which can be obtained through online retailers like <a href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=6196" target="_blank">Cheaper Than Dirt</a>. These filters eliminate bacteria, while keeping the water tasting like water. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I keep both tablets and a filter in my go bags, alongside my food, medical supplies and defensive materials. It&rsquo;s great to be prepared for disasters that cause problems, but you should also be prepared in case the situation becomes an apocalypse. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-water-of-life#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/green-laserguardsWed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">It seems like everyone is going green these days, recycling and driving hybrid cars. Now even <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> is joining the craze by introducing a green laser Laserguard. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">For years, red was the chosen laser for self-defense, meaning it was the only type of laser available. Red lasers have efficiently served military, police and civilians for years, especially in dark situations where red really stands out. But in bright sunlight, red lasers can be difficult to see unless the target is close at hand. That is why green lasers are the latest fashion in the gun industry. Green is much easier to see in lighted conditions, as it is closer to the visible color spectrum for the human eye. Unfortunately, green laser diodes are larger, hotter and less energy efficient than red diodes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">That is why Crimson Trace has introduced its first green laser in the Laserguard series. The Laserguard allows the use of the larger diodes required. It&rsquo;s going to take a few more advances in the field before Lasergrips go green.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, the question is: Are green lasers easy to see and use? To my eye, the answer is yes. In side by side comparisons of two Laserguards&mdash;one red, one green&mdash;green excelled over red in almost all lighting situations at 50 yards. Only in complete darkness did red run pretty much equal to green, but it didn&rsquo;t run any better. Green seemed a little easier to see, but the differences were pretty negligible. But as the light increased, red became more difficult to see becoming near useless in full indoor light, and completely invisible in daylight. Green, on the other hand, was visible in the lit-up range and could even be used on a bright sunny day at self-defense range. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Currently, green laser Laserguards are available for full-size and compact <a href="http://us.glock.com/" target="_blank">Glocks</a>, <a href="http://www.springfield-armory.com/" target="_blank">Springfield</a> XDs and XD(M)s and <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> and <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=750001&amp;catalogId=750051&amp;content=11001" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a> 1911s for $299, which is only about $80 more than the red Laserguards. I&rsquo;m guessing that more will be coming.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/green-laserguards#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/tactical-shirtsTue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Everything seems to be tactical these days, even <a title="Read this story on Tactical Clothing. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2199&amp;cid=4" target="_blank">clothes</a>. While I often wear tactical pants from a variety of manufacturers, I have always disliked the shirts: They were heavy, uncomfortable, hard to fit and, as my grandmother would say, ugly as sin, especially since they were only available in the military-like colors of green, black and tan. I have a couple that I seldom, if ever, wear, and I would in no way recommend them to you or anyone else. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">For the longest time, companies seemed to think that adding pockets for gear made a shirt tactical. This, of course, is not the case. A tactical shirt should be well thought out and comfortable for its intended use, which starts with concealing the fact that the wearer is carrying a gun. Next, it should be made of high-tech materials to keep the wearer dry and comfortable regardless of the level of activity. Finally, it should look like a shirt someone would actually wear in the real world. I am not going to wear a heavy, oversized, cotton-canvas shirt with zippers and pockets everywhere to purchase groceries or for anything else for that matter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Thankfully, clothing companies have realized that the tactical shirt market is more than pockets. Currently, there is a nice selection of shirts designed around conceal-carry that actually look decent and are comfortable to wear. We need more companies and lines in this market, but I&rsquo;ve been wearing the <a href="http://www.woolrich.com/woolrich/browse/productDetail.jsp?icProduct=44446&amp;icParent=subCategory&amp;icSort=&amp;icColor=COY&amp;icCategory=MM_cat240008" target="_blank">Woolrich Tactical Elite Performance Polo</a>, and have found it to be comfortable and as stylish as I need a shirt that goes with a nice pair of tactical pants. Its lightweight, sweat wicking and tucks well around my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>. Basically, it&rsquo;s a little more though out polo shirt with a few extras.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/tactical-shirts#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-in-the-eyesTue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best ways to avoid a confrontation is to project an image of strength. If your head is up, showing that you are aware of what is happening in your surroundings, then you are less likely to be attacked. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Eye contact is a crucial element of this projection of strength. If you look at someone&rsquo;s eyes, then you also see the face, which can make potential attackers nervous about you being able to identify them to the police. It also shows that you are confident and sure of yourself, forcing them to wonder why. Eye contact is an important prevention tool of which few truly take advantage. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I learned this lesson walking around New York City back in 2003. For three months I explored the Big Apple, and while I found the people quite nice and helpful (if you made the first effort), I was amazed at how few would actually look others in the eye. This was especially prevalent when riding the subway system, which is where my demented sense of humor really flared. I would quietly sit peeking at others and if one ever glanced my way, I would peer straight into his or her eyes. In every instance, the person would spin away and never look in my direction again. I swear I thought a couple was going to break their necks in the process. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Another time, while strolling through Central Park with my <a title="See the cameras offered by Nikon. " href="http://www.nikon.com/" target="_blank">Nikon</a> 6006 and telephoto lens hanging from my neck, I noticed a scruffy-looking man walking toward me had a dead bead on my camera, all the while edging closer to my side of the sidewalk. At about 15 feet, he looked up from the camera at my face, and found me staring straight into his eyes. He immediately looked away, and returned to the other side. As he passed me, I stopped and turned around. After continuing for a few steps, he looked back to find me watching him. He kept going, and so did I. However, we both continued to look back until we were out of sight of each other. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now I can&rsquo;t say for sure if this guy had bad intentions, but I let him know that I wasn&rsquo;t going to be an easy mark, which just might have prevented a potential situation from becoming real. A major part of self-defense is avoidance of situations where you would have to defend yourself, and eye contact can give you a real edge.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/its-in-the-eyes#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-guns-nameTue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In the movie &ldquo;Full Metal Jacket,&rdquo; marines named their rifles as a symbol of closeness with the one thing that could save their lives. Of course, they also slept with their guns, which is a completely different issue that I&rsquo;m not going to touch. But the act of naming a firearm can provide a familiarity with a specific firearm, and it can be a lot of fun. A gun's name can be serious, lighthearted or downright ludicrous. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve known a lot of hunters and shooters who have given their guns names like Black Thunder, Thumper and Old Painless. I&rsquo;ve also heard names like AT&amp;T, because of the slogan &ldquo;Reach out and touch someone.&rdquo; Of course, there are many that can&rsquo;t be used in polite company, but that is part of the fun of naming a gun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">So far, I&rsquo;ve only named two of my firearms&mdash;my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> Ultra Carry and my <a href="http://www.ruger.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ruger</a> LCP. I call my Kimber &ldquo;baby&rdquo; to remind me to treat it right and it will always take care of me, and my LCP is named &ldquo;Peanut,&rdquo; mainly because the name irritates my wife. What can I say, I&rsquo;m a guy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Naming a gun can be a very personal issue that involves showing respect to the gun, as well as others if you&rsquo;re so inclined, and it usually makes a great story. Share your gun&rsquo;s name and story behind that name, and the best one will receive a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster that fits most .38 snubbies. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/a-guns-name#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/carry-vestFri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">For years, gunwriters have been emphatic in their opinion that vests used by concealed-gun carriers practically scream "gun." But I&rsquo;m not so certain. Sure, tactical vests are unneeded in almost every situation that doesn&rsquo;t require kicking down a door, but that doesn&rsquo;t mean that all vests are bad for carry advocates. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, vests are quite popular, considering how many companies produce and sell them in fleece, denim, leather and down-filled nylon. With so many different types available, why would anyone assume that only gun owners wear vests? Leather vests are often worn in the West in dressier situations, and in the Midwest, down vests are used for additional warmth during the three seasons that are not hot. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I personally love fleece vests in the fall and spring for the both their lightweight warmth and effectiveness in concealing a gun. I have a <a href="http://www.ducks.org/" target="_blank">Ducks Unlimited</a> vest in black that I have worn in many places, and I really don&rsquo;t think anyone has ever realized that I&rsquo;m carrying, especially with the DU logo emblazened on the chest. Vests with sports team logos are another way to disquise that you're carrying. I&rsquo;m currently searching for one for alma mater, Ole Miss, to supplement my wardrobe. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Vests can be a useful tool for covering your gun while still being fashionable. Companies like <a href="http://www.cabelas.com/" target="_blank">Cabela's</a>, <a href="http://www.woolrich.com/woolrich/" target="_blank">Woolrich</a> and even the <a href="http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/Products.aspx?c=6" target="_blank">NRA Store</a> sell quite a variety, including some with a holster sewn into the vest.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/carry-vest#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/work-place-planThu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While work place violence is rare, it can happen and survival is greatly increased by having a plan. You should have at least two preplanned escape routes in case one is blocked and always know the fastest way to those routes from wherever you are located at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In case you can&rsquo;t get out, you should also have a secure location where you can lock the door and hide, and know the location of items that could be used to fight in an emergency. Chair and fire extinguishers can be swung, and ceramic coffee mugs also make excellent projectiles in a pinch, if you&rsquo;re not allowed to carry concealed in your place of work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Another tip is keeping your cell phone on your person for calling the authorities rather than leaving it at your work station. The more information that the police have in situations such as these, the better they can plan to eliminate the threat and save lives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You have developed a home plan for keeping your family safe, so why wouldn&rsquo;t you have a work plan? You spend a lot of time there and want to always make it home safely.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/work-place-plan#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/do-you-have-to-fireTue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">When I can, I read the comments of the <a title="Get self-defense tips from the RackAttack. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogList.aspx?cid=25&amp;id=15" target="_blank">RackAttack</a> to discover any questions that readers might have, and to better understand what people are interested in learning about self-defense and firearms. Unfortunately, I sometimes overlook a question, but run across it later when trying to come up with fresh ideas, which is what this piece is about. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In my <a title="Read the RackAttack's Power of Words blog. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-power-of-words/" target="_blank">Power of Words</a> blog a reader asked: &ldquo;Can you pull a gun on an attacker and not shoot?&rdquo; The simple answer is yes, of course you can. In fact, it&rsquo;s better if you can end an attack without firing. The act of pressing a trigger in a situation instantly involves federal and state law, which could include you having to pay for an attorney to defend your actions. You also have to consider missed or pass through shots that could cause damage to property and injuries to people. That is one of the main reasons that training is so highly recommended for those who carry a handgun for protection. Training makes you more aware of your surroundings, including potential backstop hazards. It&rsquo;s often in your best interest to allow a retreating attacker to leave unscathed in both the legal sense and for your own piece of mind. Drawing your gun does not mean you have to shoot. You can let him go before calling the police to report the incident and provide an accurate description of the perpetrator. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now this is not to say that you shouldn&rsquo;t fire if the need arises, but to make you aware that not every situation requires a trigger press. There are many times when the act of drawing a gun and showing that you&rsquo;re willing to defend yourself is enough to deter an attack. This is why I believe that always having a gun is more important than the gun&rsquo;s caliber. Most criminals don&rsquo;t want to get shot anymore than you do. There are, however, a few who are uncaring or so drugged out that they will continue the attack, which is why I carry a .45. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/do-you-have-to-fire#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/kimber-soloTue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve heard a lot of complaints about the <a title="Read a full review. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/kimber-solo-review/" target="_blank">Kimber Solo</a> not functioning properly. As a gunwriter, a curious person and a fan of Kimber, I decided to find out if the fussing was accurate. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">First, I talked to some of the others in the office. A couple of people said they had had issues with the Solo not feeding with certain magazines. It seemed as if some magazines worked fine, while others caused the slide to lock back even though there were rounds in the magazine. Looking at the magazines, I thought that some were slightly longer in length than others. Surmising that this could be the problem, I measured every magazine we had in house. A caliper showed that all the magazines were within .01 inches of each other, meaning this is probably not the problem.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Next, I headed to the range with a Solo, six magazines and a few boxes of 9 mm ammunition. I quickly noticed that while the Solo&rsquo;s magazines are rated for six rounds, putting in that sixth cartridge took some strength. Also, the top round would be crooked in the magazine unless care was taken to get it just right. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">After seating the magazine in the gun, I pulled the slide fully to the rear and let it go. The gun did not go into battery. Instead, it caught about half way forward, and required a hard shove to seat the round. Once loaded, however, it ran all six rounds without a problem. In fact, every magazine worked perfectly, even when conducting follow up drills from the low-ready position. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I ran more than 100 rounds through the Solo without a single malfunction while firing. I even tried limp wristing to force a malfunction to no avail. The only problem I had was when trying to load the gun with a fully loaded magazine. While the gun would strip a round, it would usually require a push to put the gun into battery. This was not a problem if there were only five rounds in the magazine. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">With the results I received, my first thoughts run to <a title="The RackAttack discusses breaking in a handgun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/breaking-in-a-gun/" target="_blank">break in period</a>. I personally believe that most handguns need to have a few hundred rounds run through them before they will run properly, especially guns that have tight tolerances, such as Kimbers. And this includes magazines. I won&rsquo;t carry a gun for self-defense until I have become completely familiar with it, which requires a few boxes at the very least, and I prefer 300 to 400 hundred. That&rsquo;s about how many it took to get my <a title="Learn about the RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">carry gun</a>, which is a <a title="Visit the homepage of Kimber. " href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, in perfect working order. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/kimber-solo#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/preparedness-monthFri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">As September is National Preparedness Month, this is a good time to take a look at your emergency plans and ask some important questions. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do you have supplies?</strong><br />Many disasters can knock out utilities, such as power, water and gas. While some situations require evacuation, most you just have to wait it out until the electricity comes back. For these types of situations, you should have seven to 10 days of non-perishable food, water and a way to cook. Cans of soup, dry pastas, dehydrated meals and MREs will keep your family fed, and last for long periods of time. You can also purchase meal kits from online companies like <a href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=6195" target="_blank">Cheaper Than Dirt</a> that are designed specifically for long-term storage. You should also have some type of camp stove for cooking, and a full gas can, just in case you do have to go somewhere. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do you have a kit? </strong><br />Better known as a <a title="Learn how to make a Bug Out Bag. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/bug-out-bag-survival-kits/" target="_blank">bug out bag</a> in the shooting community, a survival kit is an important tool in emergency situations, such as includes hurricanes, a wild fires or a complete breakdown of society. Regardless of the emergency that arises, a kit with a first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, fire making materials, food and water can help you and your family better handle a situation. You should also have some long-term storable food, such as dehydrated meals. Mine includes a handgun and ammunition for both that gun and the one I normally carry.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Do you have a plan? </strong><br />Having supplies is good for lasting out a storm, but where would you go if you have to evacuate? Sometimes you have to completely leave the area due to fire, floods or winds, and have to find a place to stay. If the authorities have set up shelters, then that is an option, but then you&rsquo;re packed into an area with possibly hundreds of people you don&rsquo;t know. It might be better to know a couple of quick routes to the homes of family or friends where you can stay, or you can check into a hotel. In this case, cash is still the best commodity for staying off the streets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Are you informed?</strong> <br />Finally, you need to stay informed about changes in situations. If you have power, the local news usually handles disasters with constant coverage, but if you don&rsquo;t have power, that is mute. A small battery powered radio will keep you in the know, but it might be better to consider an emergency radio with a crank power source, which can be purchased for under $50. Some even come with an emergency light. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Survival is so much more than owning a gun and knowing how to defend yourself. It&rsquo;s keeping you and your family alive and safe no matter what. Find out more about being prepared at the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/beready/" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website</a>, or <a href="http://www.ready.gov/" target="_blank">Ready.gov</a>, and let me know your tricks for being prepared for anything.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/preparedness-month#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/breaking-in-a-gunThu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">As a gunwriter, my ear is often bent with complaints about firearms not working straight out of the box, especially handguns, specifically high-quality 1911 handguns. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As a carrier of a <a title="Visit the homepage of Kimber. " href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> Ultra Carry 1911 in .45 ACP, I&rsquo;m obviously an advocate of 1911s, and while I understand the desire to have a gun work as advertised, I&rsquo;ve always wondered why shooters never think about break in on handguns. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Most products with tight tolerances require a break-in period. I know my Kimber did. When I first purchased my <a title="Read more about the RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Ultra Carry</a>, it worked fine with FMJ ammunition, but had some issues with hollow points not feeding properly. Most hollow-point rounds worked fine, but occasionally, I would have a feed malfunction. A friend of mine had the same issues when he first purchased his Springfield Micro Compact in .45. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It took a few hundred rounds for the gun to properly function with hollow points, and as I put more rounds through it, the gun continued to become more reliable. Today, my Kimber will eat any type of .45 ammunition without a hiccup, whether it&rsquo;s spotless after a cleaning or filthy from a day of training. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Being able to function without a break-in period is part of the fascination of polymer guns. And while polymer guns are excellent firearms, they don&rsquo;t have the tolerances required of steel guns, which is why these guns work straight out of the box. However, before I carry any gun that I&rsquo;m going to rely on to protect my life in a violent attack, I&rsquo;m going to run a few hundred rounds, of different types of ammunition, through it. Call it breaking it in or just getting familiar with it, but I want to know my gun will work, no matter what.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/breaking-in-a-gun#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/armed-and-presentThu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Everyday there are examples of armed citizens using firearms to defend life and property, often not their own. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In Texas, a great gun state, a <a title="View the news story. " href="http://www.woai.com/mostpopular/story/Armed-bystander-stops-stabbing-outside-school/6zTYMpy8pUOeyrbElEBOTQ.cspx" target="_blank">woman was confronted by her husband</a> outside of the school where their son attends. In the midst of an argument, the man pulled a knife and stabbed his wife several times. A bystander drew his legally carried handgun and stopped the attack and held the man for the authorities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While the woman is in critical condition, had the bystander not been carrying that day, she would probably be dead, and others could have been hurt.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/armed-and-present#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/first-aid-and-kitsThu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Defense is more than carrying and training with a gun. It is being prepared to fight and survive, which includes having a basic understanding of first aid. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Anyone can stick an adhesive bandage on a cut, but do you know what to do if a loved one is truly hurt? Or what if you have been shot by a bad guy and you are the only thing between him and your family? Could you staunch the wound long enough to provide your family with a few more minutes to prepare or run? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While you don&rsquo;t need to know everything there is about combat medicine, it would be a good idea to take First Aid and CPR classes. In addition to teaching you what to do if your kid breaks his or her leg, you can learn how to assess a wound, properly dress it and how not to panic in a life threatening situation, which is probably the most crucial of survival skills. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Also, the skills learned will be extremely useful if the world implodes in some sort of apocalypse. And in that sense, you need a first aid kit. I actually recommend multiple first aid kits, compact kits for every vehicle and go bag, with a larger kit for home.&nbsp; When you bandage a skinned knee, simply replace what you used. And while there are many compact kits available from the box stores, you can find everything you will ever need at online retailers like <a title="View some of the kits available from Cheaper Than Dirt. " href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemListing.aspx?catid=6198" target="_blank">Cheaper Than Dirt</a>, including near military grade trauma kits and supplemental items such as bags of Quick Clot. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Keeping a first aid kit around will make you a hero when your family obtains a small boo boo (yes, I have a small child), and taking a class will make you prepared for most of the injuries you will face.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/first-aid-and-kits#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/think-like-a-criminalWed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best ways to protect your home and family is by thinking like a criminal. Criminals don&rsquo;t think like honest people; if they did, they wouldn&rsquo;t be criminals. In most cases, they are looking for what they think is an easy way of life&mdash;living off the efforts of others&mdash;and they are usually quite lazy. They are looking for an easy way to make a quick buck, rather than working for it. The harder you make it for them, the more likely they will move on to the next victim. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to make it harder for criminals to gain access to your home and family. Some simple ways include installing a home security system, installing multiple locks on doors and windows, and planting unfriendly plants around the house, such as Holly bushes. You can also figure out how you would break into your own home, and take steps to prevent that entry from being possible. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">On the street, try and determine how you would attack yourself, if so inclined, and stay constantly aware of these methods. If you constantly plan how you would repel an attack, then it is much easier to implement that plan and keep yourself safe. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Looking at your property and person like a criminal would, helps you stay ahead of any potential problems in your security plan.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/think-like-a-criminal#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/peripheral-visionTue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best ways to keep an eye on what is happening around you is with peripheral vision. A lot can be seen from the corner of the eye, especially movement, and it is great way to watch someone without raising suspicion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It is often shown in the movies, where the aging spy is divulging trade secrets to an apprentice. In most cases, the skills shown are almost beyond belief, and pretty much only possible on the Silver Screen, but there are many items in the world to help you stay aware. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Mirrors or other reflective objects, even windows from the right angle, can be used to watch behind you in most situations. You can also use reflective finishes on walls in restrooms to ensure no one attacks from behind at a time when you are pretty vulnerable, as well as the glass that covers the sports page in many bathrooms. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In most situations, you can use these reflective objects to notice potential threats (every unknown person is a potential threat), so you can <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/code-words/" target="_blank">assess</a> the person and either dismiss as no danger or prepare countermeasures. And while this is in no way definite, watch for fast motions that can signify bad intentions. Anything that makes you suspicious should be assessed with your full attention. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It may be nothing more someone in a hurry, but if I hear motion coming up behind me, I turn and give it my full attention until I determine there is not a threat. And that is where reflective devices come in handy; they let you know what needs to be assessed.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/peripheral-vision#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/backup-sightsFri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The availability of affordable lasers, lights and optics make the AR-15 a viable firearm for many uses. It is easy to customize this reliable operating system for both indoor and outdoor uses, such as when a fight extends to outside the home.&nbsp; Today&rsquo;s optics are especially useful with the onset of riflescopes designed for the .223 Rem./5.56 round. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">However, optics can fail, and if you&rsquo;re in the middle of a deadly attack, you need a backup plan. While one solution is to fall back to a handgun, if you have backup sights on your rifle, you can continue to utilize its available firepower. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are different ways to utilize backup sights on a rifle&mdash;flip mounts, sights on top of optics and side-mounted sights, such as the <a title="Visit the home of XS Sights. " href="http://www.xssights.com/index.php" target="_blank">XS Sight Systems</a> XTI (Xpress Threat Interdiction). The XTI are angled-mounted sights that attach to the side Picatinny rail of AR-15 rifles. They are designed for the fast-target acquisition required of CQB. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I recently mounted a set of XTI sights to my AR for both CQB and as backup sights. They attached easily to the quad rail, but were a little harder to sight, as you have to made sure that you&rsquo;re always holding the same sight picture with the rifle at an angle. Once sighted though, these sights worked well for close targets and out to farther distances. To swap to them, you only have to rotate the rifle about 45 degrees and take aim. My only complaint is that I would prefer them to be about an 1/8-inch higher for easier acquisition, even thought I understand the point of having them low is to prevent them from hanging up at an inopportune time. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">What type of backup sights do you use and why?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/backup-sights#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/stress-drillWed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Being able to center punch the 10 ring on a target is good, but being able to do it under pressure is what you need to be able to do in a self-defense situation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, most people only find out if they can do it while stressed at the worst possible time&mdash;during a life and death struggle. Of course, there aren&rsquo;t many ways of implementing stress into a training session, but it is possible. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While you can add some pressure to your shooting through competitions, such as IDPA, IPSC and even cowboy action, another way to have a partner time your string at the range. This can be done with a stopwatch, but a shot timer is better and more accurate, and can be picked up for a little over a $100. Trying to beat a known time increases pressure, especially if competing against said partner. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The pressure of competing is good and can increase your skills, but you can amp it up even with the human voice. Having your partner stand behind you and scream instructions, orders or anything that comes to mind puts you into a stress mode like few other things. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I call this a stress drill, and I got the idea from a story told by one of my NRA instructors. His range was often used by the local police for training. During a back up malfunction drill, one of the officers dropped his service handgun, drew his back up and started firing. On the second shot, the gun malfunctioned. Rather than manipulate the gun, the officer went into a low ready position to wait out the string. The officer running the drill got behind him and started screaming get it done continuously. By the time the officer was able to get his handgun back in working mode and fire, he was practically crying from the stress. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It made me realize that the human voice is one of the best stress-inducing tools for making the situation as real as possible, and I implement it as often as possible into training. Try it and let me know if it works for you.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/stress-drill#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dont-rushTue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I often trash movies for poor handling of firearms, but there is a saying that I've heard in movies that is correct when it comes to drawing a handgun: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Rushing leads to misses, and you can&rsquo;t miss fast enough to lose in a gunfight. Your draw should be smooth and practiced to the point that it is completely natural. You should practice your draw often, both at the range (if possible) and with an unloaded handgun in front of a mirror. Here, you can see your mistakes and learn how to smoothly draw, aim and press the trigger. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you carry in multiple locations, try practicing a couple of draws when you strap on in the morning with an empty gun. This will help you remember where your gun is located and provide the smoothest way to bring it into play if needed. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dont-rush#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/communicationFri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While you may be alone when a deadly attack occurs, attacks can easily happen when you&rsquo;re with other people, such as with your family. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In these situations, you need to be able to communicate instructions so that everyone comes out safe. Communication in a stressful situation can be difficult if you haven&rsquo;t practiced. The next time at the range, try yelling instructions while on the firing line. Your groups just might change, meaning that you need more practice shouting and shooting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Also, work out some instruction for family members before you possibly end up in a life and death situation. If everyone knows what you do, you increase teamwork and your likelihood of surviving the encounter. This is especially crucial if more than one family member goes armed. Every family member should know beforehand what his or her job is in a situation, even if it is just run and hide.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/communication#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/cafe-defenseWed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Two punks learned the hard way that Florida has some pretty good conceal carry and self-defense laws when they tried to rob an Internet caf&eacute; and a 71-year-old customer sent them packing with a few shots from his legally carried handgun, which you can <a title="Watch the security camera video. " href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/18/florida-customer-shoots-suspects-during-internet-cafe-robbery/" target="_blank">see in this video</a>. <br /><br />Florida has long led the country in common sense self-defense laws, and as you can see, those laws work. Oh, and by the way, the police caught the suspects. This is why we carry guns. The hero here didn&rsquo;t know if or when he would ever need his gun, but he carried daily and had it the day it was needed.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/cafe-defense#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/take-a-pictureMon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last week, a friend of mine shared a tip on <a title="Follow AmericanRifleman.org on Facebook. " href="http://www.facebook.com/AmericanRifleman" target="_blank">Facebook</a> that makes a lot of sense for parents: Take a photo of your child with your phone whenever you go to an event.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This provides a recent photo of the child, which you may not have on your person, and what the child is wearing on that day. If the child ends up getting lost or worse, you will have crucial information to help the authorities find him or her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In child abductions, time and information are important factors, as statistics show that the first three hours are crucial to recovery, according to the Office of Justice Programs. You can also help locate other missing children by signing up for <a title="Sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts. " href="https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp" target="_blank">Wireless Amber Alerts</a>.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/take-a-picture#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/preparednessThu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">With the recent storms knocking out power and causing general disruption of services throughout the Northeast, it made me think about how few people are prepared for disasters of any kind. In northern Virginia, many were out of power for up to a week, losing refrigerated food and having to deal with record temperatures without the benefit of air conditioning. Some areas even had water problems and in at least one county, 911 went down. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve always felt that protecting your family is more than carrying a gun and training for a deadly attack; it includes being prepared for anything, such as power outages, riots and the breakdown of society. And this should be done in layers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone should have flashlights, batteries, candles, canned food, a camp stove, a first aid kit and a few gallons of water for those times when Mother Nature reminds us that we&rsquo;re not that powerful. It doesn&rsquo;t take much to be prepared for a few days without electricity. While being without TV and Internet can be a pain, neither is a necessity of life like food and water. It&rsquo;s also a good idea to have few gallons of gasoline in case of emergencies that shut down the stations. <br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The next level includes a firearm for each member of the family, along with at least a few hundred rounds of ammunition and some long-term storage of food, such as dehydrated meals or MREs. Here is also where you might want to consider a medical kit from a company like <a title="Check out all the survival gear from Cheaper Than Dirt. " href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Cheaper Than Dirt</a> with a larger supply of bandages and enough medications to last two weeks or more. Some of this gear should be contained in a small backpack in case you have to leave quickly, such as one from <a href="http://www.cdnninvestments.com/assuge.html" target="_blank">ASAP Survival Gear</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The last level is where we hope for the best while preparing for the worst; the complete breakdown of society as we know it. We&rsquo;ve seen the movies but is there any way of knowing what could really happen? No, which is why this is more of a place for a plan rather than equipment&mdash;every family member should have a <a title="See what you should always have ready. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/bug-out-bag-survival-kits/" target="_blank">bug-out bag</a> though&mdash;because no amount of gear is going to last, especially if you&rsquo;re carrying it with you. You should know beforehand whether you&rsquo;re going to hole up in a bunker, head for the deep woods or possibly travel to family and friends to form a group. You don&rsquo;t want the first time you think about this to be a couple of days into the event, and the plan should be easily adaptable.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/preparedness#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/taking-on-the-zombiesWed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Zombies, and the gear to take them out, have become the rage throughout the firearms and shooting accessories industries. While companies like <a title="View the homepage of Hornady. " href="http://www.hornady.com/" target="_blank">Hornady</a> and <a title="View all the products by LaserLyte. " href="http://www.laserlyte.com/" target="_blank">LaserLyte</a> have caught some slack for creating products that some people claim as useless or a joke, the companies are only following the market, and producing what sells. If ZombieMax ammo and the multitude of neon green products weren&rsquo;t selling, they wouldn&rsquo;t still be out and available. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">When zombie products first started to appear on the market, I thought they were interesting, especially the targets. Then, I thought <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/hornady-releases-zombie-max/" target="_blank">ZombieMax</a> was an awesome marketing campaign by Hornady and that the <a title="Learn more about the DPMS Outbreak Omega. " href="http://www.outbreakomega.com/" target="_blank">Outbreak Omega</a> Shoot would be a lot of fun to attend. Later, I was getting a little tired of zombie products, while still liking the concept that has introduced a lot of newcomers to shooting through the fun of these products. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now there is even a <a title="Learn more about the Zombie Survival course. " href="http://www.zombiesurvivalcourse.com/index.html" target="_blank">Zombie Survival Course</a> created by a group in New Jersey. I&rsquo;m not advocating this group; in fact, I know nothing about them beyond the website, but I really like the idea of a training class based around defending against zombies. The skills easily transfer over to the real world, and it makes the course fun for more than just the diehard survivalists. My only complaint is that I didn&rsquo;t think of it first. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Provide your thoughts on zombies and whether it&rsquo;s funny or faux pas. Be succinct and polite because the best answer wins a LaserLyte Zombie Pistol Bayonet. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="DPMS Outbreak Omega Shoot" src="../../Webcontent/gallery/178/2030zombie2web.jpg" alt="DPMS Outbreak Omega Shoot" width="644" height="429" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This photo was provided by <em>Shooting Illustrated</em> Editor-in-Chief Guy Sagi, who attended this year's Outbreak Omega. See more photos on SI's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shooting-Illustrated/363147449221" target="_blank">facebook</a> page. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/taking-on-the-zombies#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-backupTue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve been trying to figure out what gun I want to carry as a backup. I first considered getting another <a title="Learn more about Ruger. " href="http://www.ruger.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ruger</a> LCP, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted a wheelgun in .38 Spl. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Part of the reason was that .38 Spl. is a better stopping round than the .380 ACP, especially when loaded with <a title="Visit the homepage of Hornady. " href="http://www.hornady.com/" target="_blank">Hornady</a> Critical Defense, but the main reason was that I haven&rsquo;t ever owned a .38. In fact,my only revolver is a </span><span style="font-size: small;">Vaquero in .45 Colt, which happened to be my first handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The next step was determining which five-shot .38 best would serve my purpose, as there are numerous gunmakers producing .38s. I knew I wanted to be able to use +P ammunition, I knew I wanted a metal gun and I knew I wanted one from a major manufacturer. This reduced my choices a little, but not much. In the end, I went with a <a title="Visit the homepage of Smith &amp; Wesson. " href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?catalogId=750051&amp;content=11001&amp;langId=-1&amp;storeId=750001" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a> Airweight with a matte silver finish.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">S&amp;W&rsquo;s designation for this little gun is the <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764937_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y" target="_blank">637</a>, and it comes with a synthetic rubber grip and fixed sights, while weighing a mere 15 ounces. It also comes with a hammer, which not every shooter wants on a carry gun. Now I know that I will probably never use the gun in single-action mode in either a situation or training. However, it&rsquo;s the "probably" that made me go with the hammer version of this gun. If I ever come across a situation where the hammer would be useful, then I want it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I have already attached a <a title="Visit LaserLyte. " href="http://www.laserlyte.com/" target="_blank">LaserLyte</a> CK-SWAT laser, sighted it in for 15 yards and run the gun through some of its paces. So far accuracy has been excellent, but I haven&rsquo;t stepped back from self-defense ranges with it yet. As far as carrying it, I&rsquo;m bouncing between a <a href="http://www.usgalco.com/" target="_blank">Galco</a> ankle holster, when carried as a backup, and a <a title="Check out this slick pocket holster. " href="http://www.tuffproducts.com/product.php?productid=16252&amp;cat=268&amp;page=1" target="_blank">Tuff Products Pocket-Roo</a> for quick errands. However, I recently trusted it as my primary for a trip to the hardware store because I have already determined it to be reliable and accurate enough to trust with my life. I mean hey, it&rsquo;s a Smith. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you carry a backup? And if so, what do you carry? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-backup#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/pmc-starfireMon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you remember Starfire hollow points? Starfires were popular for the rib-and-flute design, ensuring penetration and expansion, before disappearing from the market. To be honest, I haven&rsquo;t thought about them in years, but representatives from <a title="Learn more about PMC ammunition. " href="http://www.pmcammo.com/" target="_blank">PMC Ammunition</a> visited the office to exhibit its products, and, to my surprise, the catalog showed the self-defense round originally designed by Tom Burczynski. <br /><br />It&rsquo;s now available again, along with a few other varieties of ammunition from PMC, including a line of hunting loads and a military-grade X-TAC rifle line. PMC has also come out with eRange and Frangible lines for training, and has expanded its popular Bronze FMJ loads. <br /><br />PMC is getting back into the U.S. commercial market in a big way, and will soon be available in most of the big-box stores and online retailers, such as <a title="Find almost any ammunition you need at Cheaper Than Dirt. " href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Default.aspx">Cheaper Than Dirt</a>. I&rsquo;m really looking forward to running some Starfires through my Kimber, as I carried these loads back when they were available. How many remember Starfire hollow points, and would consider purchasing some for self-defense now that they are back?<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/pmc-starfire#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/lasers-instant-versus-controlWed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While there is no doubt that lasers are great tools for self-defense, there is a bit of an argument about instant-on versus push-button control. Some shooters prefer <a title="Visit the homepage of Crimson Trace. " href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> because the laser activates when you grip the handgun, while others favor more control over the activation of the laser like the control button on <a title="View all of the products available from LaserMax. " href="http://www.lasermax.com/" target="_blank">LaserMax</a> lasers. <br /><br />In meetings with a variety of laser producing companies, I have learned the validity of both sides of the argument, and have come to believe that for the most part, preference is determined by need. <br /><br />The instant-on of Crimson Trace Lasergrips is fast and instinctive, without needing any additional motion to interfere with the use of the laser. This is good for situations where you need the laser immediately, such as when under attack on the street or in a store. In a surprise attack situation, the instant-on of the LaserGrips no thinking and naturally draws your eyes. I personally have a set on my <a title="View all the 1911s available from Kimber. " href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> 1911, as well as my <a title="Learn about the RackAttack's home-defense gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-home-gun/" target="_blank">Colt 1991</a>. The downside of this type is if you grip the gun, the laser activates, which can give away your position if you&rsquo;re trying to stay hidden. Now with a little bit of practice, you can grip the gun without activating the laser, or use your finger, which should be above the trigger, to cover the laser. However, in that situation, the laser could still be seen, and is where button-activated lasers shine, or rather don&rsquo;t shine. <br /><br />Inside of a home or business at night with bad guys roaming is when you want complete control over your laser. You might be able to call 911 and wait for the cavalry to arrive if they don&rsquo;t know you&rsquo;re there, or not know exactly where, but if your laser activates in the dark, your plan could quickly change. <br /><br />Also, the activation button of lasers like the <a title="Watch this video on the LaserMax products that are available for 2012. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/videos/new-from-lasermax-2012/" target="_blank">LaserMax</a> Guide Rod is quick if you train with your gear, which all shooters should as if their lives depend on it, as it does. I have LaserMax products on two personal firearms, and just attached a Genesis Rechargeable Green laser to a gun I&rsquo;m reviewing (you&rsquo;ll see that later), and I even have a <a title="Visit the homepage of LaserLyte. " href="http://www.laserlyte.com/" target="_blank">LaserLyte</a> attached to my backup, which you&rsquo;ll also learn about soon. <br /><br />As you can probably tell, <a title="Read the RackAttack's blog on the Joys of Lasers. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Joys-of-Lasers/" target="_blank">I like lasers</a>, and have them on many of my firearms. They are a great tool for both training and self-defense, but you have to decide which features best serve your needs. I personally recommend push-button activation for home-defense firearms and other guns that you could use in a tactical type situation. But, I prefer instant-activation on my carry gun. Tell me what type of laser is you&rsquo;re favorite and why, and one commenter will be chosen to receive either a laser/pen combo or a Zombie pistol bayonet, both from LaserLyte. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/lasers-instant-versus-control#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ctd-tactical-penFri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">There are times when you just can&rsquo;t carry a gun. It might be because you&rsquo;re in a place where it&rsquo;s not legal, such as when flying or in a public building, but sometimes it&rsquo;s just a matter of inconvenience. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">At those times, it&rsquo;s beneficial to have something to defend yourself that&rsquo;s easy to carry, doesn&rsquo;t cause suspicion and is legal no matter what. I often bash movies for lack of reality in life and death situations, such as the hero standing straight up in the middle of a firefight or racking the slide to provide the element of danger (oh my, it&rsquo;s now loaded). But every now and then, the movies do provide tips that can be useful to self-defense advocates, such as when Matt Damon used a pen to defend against a bad guy in the &ldquo;Borne Identity&rdquo;, especially now that manufacturers make tactical pens designed around self-defense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Columbia River Knife &amp; Tool CRKT Tao Pen from <a title="Get all of your shooting and self-defense accesories from Cheaper Than Dirt. " href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Cheaper Than Dirt</a> is made of 6061 aluminum, and is hard-anodized and grooved for a sure grip and to provide a strong striking force when necessary. It measures 5.75 inches in length and weighs a mere 1.7 ounces, allowing it to be easily carried. If truly called for, the top can be removed for stabbing into soft tissue. The pen is good looking with a brown finish and bright aluminum colored grooves for only $36. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Using a pen for self-defense doesn&rsquo;t require a lot of training, it is advisable to at least practice with it a little bit, primarily drawing it and flicking the top off to revel the point. And while a pen will never have capabilities of a handgun, it&rsquo;s hard to sign your name with a pistol.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ctd-tactical-pen#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/point-shootingThu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Comments on my discussion about <a title="Read about Sighted Fire. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/sighted-fire/" target="_blank">Sighted Fire</a> have made me decide to respond. Using sights is, and always will be, the best way to hit an intended target. However, there are times when point shooting is the best option, and self-defense shooters should train for these situations. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">One situation is when the assailant is too close for you to extend your arms into shooting position. Situational awareness will prevent this most of the time, but it is impractical to assume that this will always be the case, and you will be prudent to train for this scenario. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In this drill, the draw is the same&mdash;assuming you&rsquo;re carrying <a title="Learn more about strong-side conceal carry. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/concealed-carry-strong-side/" target="_blank">strong side</a>&mdash;except you fire after you rock the gun toward the assailant. This is basically firing from the hip and is effective if the target is in your face. However, you have to remember to keep your support hand out of the way of the gun. This can be done by always bringing the support hand to the chest when drawing, as recommended by most experts. From there, you are ensured of protecting your support hand, and it is in position to block an attack, whether from the side or above. This is one of the reasons that strong-side carry is highly recommended, as it is difficult to present from other carry methods when under close attack. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Point shooting is also why I advocate <a title="Read the Joys of Lasers. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Joys-of-Lasers/" target="_blank">lasers for all shooters</a>. A laser provides sighted fire, even when you&rsquo;re not using the sights. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/point-shooting#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/lightguard-doesnt-fit-colt-1991Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While swapping the <a title="See the RackAttack's first thougts on the Lightguard. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/crimson-trace-1911-lightguard/" target="_blank">Lightguard</a> from my Kimber to my Colt, I discovered that Crimson Trace&rsquo;s listing as it is for <a title="View the exact wording on the Crimson Trace website. " href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/type/lightguard/01-7100" target="_blank">Kimber, Ruger and Smith &amp; Wesson 1911s</a> was accurate. The trigger guard on my Colt is just slightly too thick. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The information was there, but I really thought it would attach fine. If you&rsquo;re thinking about getting one, be sure it will fit your 1911 before leaving the store. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/lightguard-doesnt-fit-colt-1991#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/printingMon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the weekend, I attended a block party to get acquainted with my neighbors. While talking to a guy about a variety of topics, I noticed that a neighbor, who had recently moved into the area, was a police officer. I mentioned it, and the guy I was talking to said that he thought I also was a cop since I was carrying. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I was shocked. I have never had anyone notice, or at least mention, that I was carrying a gun. I asked how he knew, and he said I saw the butt sticking out the back of my shirt. I knew it was a possibility, as I was helping with the festivities and moving around a lot to get people drinks or food. At the same time, no one else noticed, or had any idea. This included the neighbors I have known for a while and talk to often.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This led to a discussion about situational awareness, which this guy had, and firearms, and made me realize that maybe I have become too lax in my concealment. The last few days I&rsquo;ve been checking myself in the mirror to make sure that I&rsquo;m not printing. While I believe that open carry should be legal, I also believe the most effective handgun is the one that no one knows about. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/printing#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/crimson-trace-1911-lightguardThu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last year, I had an opportunity to try out the <a title="See of the firearm accessories from Crimson Trace. " href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trac</a>e Lightguard at <a title="Visit the homepage of Gunsite. " href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a> in a variety of night exercises. At the time, the only handgun that the new Lightguard was available for was the Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P. While there, a few of us writer types asked when a Lightguard would be coming for 1911 handguns. The only answer we received from Crimson Trace representative <a title="Learn more about this first winner of Top Shot. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/top-shot-winner-becomes-us-citizen/" target="_blank">Iain Harrison</a> was a smile, which we took as it was coming; he just wasn&rsquo;t sure when. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Then, a few months ago, Crimson Trace announced that the 1911 LIghtguard was coming and would be available soon. I got mine last week. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Lightguard is a small but powerful gunlight designed to attach to the trigger guard of semi-auto handguns, resting just below the dust cover in a similar fashion of the Laserguard for compact handguns like the Ruger LCP. It attaches very easily to most 1911 pistols and is locked into place with the included wrench via three small screws, providing 130 lumens from its single CR2 Lithium battery for two hours of run time, according to Crimson Trace.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Shortly after receiving the Lightguard, I fastened it to my <a title="Learn more about the RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber Ultra Carry</a> and stuck the whole rig into a <a title="Learn more about this holster that allows the use of lights and lasers. " href="http://www.springtacholsters.com/" target="_blank">SpringTac holster</a>, which I&rsquo;ll discuss later. The instinctive activation of the light worked easily, in fact, maybe too easily. It was difficult to not activate the light during initial drills, as the button was just above the activator of my Lasergrips and simply holding the gun sent the light streaming. It took a little while to figure out the proper ready grip that didn&rsquo;t activate the light prematurely. It wasn&rsquo;t difficult, but it did take a little bit of thought. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Early testing in a dark range showed the light powerful enough to light up a target zone quite well, which isn&rsquo;t surprising as I shined myself before attaching it to my gun and it produced spots in a bright room and completely blinded me when I tried it in a closet. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now the Lightguard is really good for viewing, and I shot with pretty accuracy at 20 yards. However, I would like the beam to be a little tighter, and in side by side comparison with my <a title="Check out the SureFire backup. " href="http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/e1b-backup.html" target="_blank">SureFire 110 lumen Backup</a>, the handheld light was noticeably brighter, but that might have been a factor of focus rather than lumens. The SureFire has a tighter beam for longer distances, while the Crimson Trace is wider for viewing more, kind of like field of view in a variable-powered scope. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless, I really like the Lightguard. It&rsquo;s small and lightweight, without the bulkiness of most gunlights, allowing it to fit in much smaller holsters, including the IWB holster I&rsquo;ve been carrying it in. I will admit though, that I think I&rsquo;m going to attach the Lightguard to my Colt as I can&rsquo;t tuck my shirt around the SpringTac holster and I just really don&rsquo;t like carrying open. I just don&rsquo;t want people knowing I&rsquo;m carrying a gun.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="Crimson Trace 1911 Lightguard" src="../../Webcontent/gallery/168/20251911Lightguard_web.jpg" alt="Crimson Trace 1911 Lightguard" width="644" height="430" /><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/crimson-trace-1911-lightguard#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/sighted-fireThu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The best way to ensure that you will hit what you&rsquo;re aiming at is to use the sights that are included on every handgun built. It&rsquo;s amazing how manufacturers are able to put those little indents and raised platforms on a gun in such a way that you would think they had been doing this for centuries and might have an idea of how to build guns. Oh, wait, they have and they do. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Sights are designed to be used, and regardless of how many times Hollywood shows the hero flinging a shot from the hip and hitting the bad guy from way out, it doesn&rsquo;t work in most situations. It is best to learn to use the sights and allow muscle memory to take over in a dangerous situation. The more you practice, the faster and smoother the sights will come up to eye level, allowing you to hit your target. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You should start with a basic slow-fire string, and slowly speed up the rate of fire, keeping the shots in about a 10-inch circle on the target. From there, go to the low-ready position and quickly raise the gun to take a single shot. Then, increase the round count by one until you are accurately putting a full load into that same circle. If you ever start having flyers, slow down and go back to where you were still nailing the 10 ring. Finally, if your range allows it, conduct the same drill from holster retention. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Getting the gun out of the holster with the sights aligned on the target reduces the chances of a miss, and in a dangerous situation, you can&rsquo;t miss fast enough to win. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/sighted-fire#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/daughters-at-the-rangeTue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Taking our sons, nephews and male friends to the range to learn about shooting just seems like the right thing to do. But often, we leave the girls at home on those days that we pile guns and gear into the truck for a day of plinking. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The thing is that the fairer sex often enjoys shooting as much as anyone, even more than some boys I have known. Many females are better shots than males because of their lower center of gravity, and because they listen. Many boys feel they should know how to shoot because it&rsquo;s a &ldquo;guy&rdquo; thing, and because they&rsquo;ve seen so many movies portraying the use of firearms (I&rsquo;ll get into that some other time). </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the best shooters I&rsquo;ve ever known have been women; I even met Olympic Gold Medalist <a title="Learn more about Kim Rhode. " href="http://kimrhode.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kim Rhode</a> a few years back, and no one can say that girl can&rsquo;t shoot. Also, the fastest growing segment of the shooting world is women. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As such, girls should be given the chance to learn shooting and safe gun handling; they might need the information to save their lives someday. So, on June 9, 2012, consider participating in the inaugural <a title="Learn more about the National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day. " href="http://nationaltakeyourdaughtertotherangeday.com/" target="_blank">National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day</a>. There are numerous ranges taking part in this event, but even if there isn&rsquo;t one in your area, consider taking a girl shooting at your local range. It doesn&rsquo;t have to be just your daughter. I've taught a lot of women to shoot, and I even took my wife shooting on our third date. I am also really looking forward to teaching my baby girl how to shoot. There is no way that I'm going to exclude her just because some don't consider it to be "girly."<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/daughters-at-the-range#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ground-trainingWed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Have you ever thought how would you draw and fire from the ground? If not, you should. The first time you fire a gun while lying on your back should not be in a self-defense situation. Think about it. When you&rsquo;re standing with your arms stretched out holding your handgun, you don&rsquo;t have to worry about hitting any other part of your body. When you&rsquo;re on the ground, who knows what might get in the way. And what if you&rsquo;re lying on your gun and can&rsquo;t reach it from that position? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While ground training can be conducted alone, it&rsquo;s best with a partner who devises scenarios from which you determine the best course of action. It&rsquo;s also best to start with an inert blue gun or a double and triple checked unloaded handgun in a concealed holster before conducting live-fire exercises. Of course, some ranges don&rsquo;t allow this type of training, so you might be limited to dry practice. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Start by lying in various positions with the handgun (inert) out and ready. From here, you can determine the best way to defend yourself without putting your limbs in danger&mdash;your feet, knees and legs are most often the parts that will get in the way. If you can, always draw your legs up and fire from between the knees, with practice you can even spin while on your back to confront the attacker. Later add in drawing a gun from the holster, while conducting the same drills. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Next, have your partner stand back and provide a situation where you will be on the ground: i.e. an attacker has knocked you to your back and is coming straight at you. In this situation, draw your handgun, you might have to roll slightly to the side, while bringing up your legs up and fire from between your knees. Then conduct the same drill, but the attacker is coming from the side, or behind you. You should also include situations where you fall in odd and uncomfortable ways, using mats to keep from hurting yourself, and don&rsquo;t forget about multiple attackers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In the movies, the good guy always gets the bad guy while standing straight up, but the reality is that not every situation allows us to remain on our feet&mdash;it&rsquo;s often best not to&mdash;so it is to our advantage to train from the ground. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img title="Ground Shooting Back" src="../../Webcontent/gallery/166/2040GroundShooting_add.jpg" alt="Ground Shooting Back" width="644" height="646" /><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ground-training#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/contorted-positionsThu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">So often, training involves standing before a target and putting rounds into center mass of that target. But, do you really think that a true self-defense situation will be like &ldquo;High Noon,&rdquo; and you&rsquo;re going to be Gary Cooper facing down the bad guy in the middle of Main Street?<br /><br />That&rsquo;s not the reality, as most perpetrators, while probably lazy or they would get a job, are crafty when it comes to breaking the law and hurting people. Most are willing to lie, steal and harm, so cheating in a fight wouldn&rsquo;t bother them very much. They are going to use anything and everything to their advantage, such as jumping out from behind concealment in surprise. <br /><br />Regardless of your <a title="Learn about Col. Jeff Cooper's awareness color code. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2604&amp;cid=25" target="_blank">situational awareness</a>, there is no way to predict when or where an attack may arise. As such, you should practice drawing and firing from a variety of contorted positions that you could be forced into in a dangerous situation, including from the ground, possibly bent over and behind you. You should especially practice these positions with the gun in only one hand, as you might be fighting off the attacker with the other. Next time, I will discuss a training situation you can try. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/contorted-positions#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/distractionsWed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I have discovered the greatest distraction to <a title="Check out Paul Rackley's blog on Watching your Six. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/watch-your-six/" target="_blank">awareness</a> and, for me at least, it&rsquo;s not a cell phone. It&rsquo;s my little girl.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the past 19 months, I have realized that it is much harder to stay focused on potential threats considering the amount of time and attention that a young one needs. This bothers me, even more so as, like most parents, one of my main goals in life is&nbsp;to keep her safe and sound. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the most vulnerable times with a young child is when putting him or her into that wonderful contraption called&nbsp;the car seat, especially when the little one doesn&rsquo;t have the mind to go into it. It can take a lot of concentration to wrestle an active little one into the straps, combine the clips and thread the seat belt through the connectors, leaving you open to attack. Because of this, I have adjusted my standard routine. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I have always taken a good look around before approaching my vehicle, I now take extra care to look around, sometimes even walking past the car to ensure no one is hiding between the gaps. I also plant my back against the open door as best I can to provide some protection for my blind side and to&nbsp;use my peripheral vision to keep a look out for an approaching person. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Another time when it is difficult for me&nbsp;to stay aware is when I&rsquo;m outside playing with my kid. Like most children, she desires my attention pretty much all the&nbsp;time, and when I&rsquo;m not providing it, she is determined&nbsp;to get that attention one way or another, or quickly take off toward something she shouldn&rsquo;t. Either way, my attention is diverted, limiting my ability to protect her from everything from an unlikely attack or,&nbsp;more likely, an approaching car. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">So, if you ever see me not paying close attention to where I&rsquo;m heading, it&rsquo;s probably because of a cute little blonde girl who I&rsquo;m trying to keep in sight. At least it&rsquo;s not a cell phone. Share your biggest distraction and how you solved it,&nbsp;and if it&rsquo;s determined you have the best one, I&rsquo;ll send you a very <a title="Check out the home of Versa Carry. " href="http://www.versacarry.com/" target="_blank">interesting holster for a 9 mm pistol</a>. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/distractions#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/nothing-to-loseWed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Once again, a young punk thought being elderly meant being unable and got <a title="Read the full news story. " href="http://www.myfoxny.com/story/18021569/elderly-sisters-fight-off-carjacker" target="_blank">taken down</a> because of it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In Hamilton, N.J., not far from Trenton, a 27-year-old man hid in a car with a knife and tried to carjack two ladies, 93- and 94-years old respectively. And when they got through with him, I&rsquo;m guessing he wishes he had been respectful.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Instead, after being run off by the two maidens, and being filmed in the process, Sergio Fernando Solorzano-Vasquez was arrested and charged with attempted carjacking, aggregated assault and weapons charges.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I learned at a very young age not to mess with older people because they&rsquo;ve lived good lives and have nothing to lose. I'm sure glad I remember that lesson. </span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/nothing-to-lose#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/watch-your-sixFri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the easiest ways to be attacked when out and about is from behind. There are countless stories about blitz attacks coming from behind where the victim never sees the attacker&rsquo;s face and is unable to identify the perpetrator. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This can happen in a multitude of ways, though most often in areas where there are objects that the assailant can hide behind, such as cars in a parking lot. Regardless of tools and training, if you don&rsquo;t see someone coming up from behind, you won&rsquo;t be able to defend yourself. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Because of this, you must be especially <a title="Learn the Cooper Color Code. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2604&amp;cid=25" target="_blank">aware</a> of what is going on behind you. To do this you should look behind you often, sit facing the door in restaurants and always take a careful look around before entering your vehicle, paying special attention to corners and shadows where assailants can hide, and always know who is around you in crowded locations. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I often glance back to see if anyone is paying particular attention to my party, watching to see if anyone suspicious walks into the restaurant I&rsquo;m visiting and stroll past my vehicle to see if anyone is crouching down to hide. I will even walk a perimeter around my car if I have a feeling that something is just not right. All you have to do is pretend as if you forgot where your car is parked. It&rsquo;s always better to look somewhat foolish than to allow someone to get in your six. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/watch-your-six#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/granny-got-a-gunTue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Once again an elderly lady has proven that a firearm is a great equalizer against unsavory elements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">According to <a title="Read the whole story in The Telegraph. " href="http://www.macon.com/2012/04/23/2000577/i-carry-a-gun-all-the-time-says.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> in Macon, Ga., LuLu Campbell, a 57 year-old grandmother, was accosted by two men trying to rob her at gunpoint in the wee hours of the morning outside her daughter&rsquo;s home. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The two assailants yelled for her to unlock her truck&rsquo;s door and give them money. Instead she pulled her .38 Spl. revolver and exchanged fire with the robbers, hitting one of the men in the chest. Even though the men fired several shots, riddling her Tundra truck with bullets, none hit the convenience store owner, who drove away from the incident and called police, who apprehended the wounded suspect. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Campbell, a convenience store owner, owns several firearms and is always armed and, obviously, ready to defend her life. I&rsquo;m real proud of her resilience. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/granny-got-a-gun#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/center-of-mass-tuckable-holsterThu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve long been a student of holsters, especially as technology has advanced in holster manufacture. I study them, looking for both flaws and improvements over previous models. Plus, I&rsquo;m always in search of the perfect holster. It&rsquo;s not out there yet, and it probably never will be, but I will continue the search.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Years ago, when I first started looking for holsters, there were two main categories&mdash;high-end leather and inexpensive cloth. There were also some mid-range models, but they were hard to find before the Internet. Later, Kydex came out and became the rage with many shooters, especially in competition circles. Back then, however, Kydex holsters were too bulky to make good concealed-carry holsters except in winter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Today, holster manufacturers have developed ways to combine kydex and leather into excellent affordable holsters, which brings me to the latest holster I have obtained for testing&mdash;the <a title="View the Center of Mass homepage for more information. " href="http://comholsters.com/index.php" target="_blank">Center of Mass</a> In the Waist Band Tuckable. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The COM IWB Tuckable is a two-piece molded Kydex holster with a sweat guard, dual leather straps, front sight groove and two tension screws available for a variety of handgun models, including my <a title="Read about Paul Rackley's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber Ultra Carry</a>. The tuckable chamber is molded and bolted to the main section of the holster via the tension screws, and easily holds a shirt for deep concealment. The holster held my Kimber securely, with no fear of the gun coming loose even during strenuous activity. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">My one complaint is the leather belt straps, which were overly large (1 3/4 inches), allowing the holster to shift, and too soft in my opinion. After talking to Rick Palmer of Center of Mass, LLC, I learned that they are working on it and that 1 1/2-inch straps were also available, even though the website doesn&rsquo;t have them listed. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The COM IWB Tuckable is available for a wide variety of popular semi-auto and revolver handguns with either a straight or 7 degree cant for $65. I really liked this holster, especially for what you get for the price. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/center-of-mass-tuckable-holster#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/firearm-travelers-guide-2012Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">As someone who prefers to carry a concealed handgun everywhere I go, I spend a lot of time researching the laws of the various states in which I travel. There are websites that have compiled the laws that regulate concealed carry by state, which are a fairly good place to start. However, I&rsquo;m always unsure of how up-to-date these websites really are, especially as I have often found mistakes listed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I use these websites as a quick reference, my favorite source for firearm laws is the Traveler&rsquo;s Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In its 16th edition, the Traveler&rsquo;s Guide provides an in-depth look at concealed-carry and firearm transport laws, as well as officer notification laws in all 50 states. In it, Scott Kappas, a lawyer and firearms supporter, succinctly explains the 85 changes in firearm laws from the 2011 edition, including implementation of the Castle Doctrine in five states, reciprocity among the states, open carry and constitutional carry. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As firearm laws can differ greatly from state to state, it&rsquo;s beneficial to know how to legally carry before you travel through one. And, it&rsquo;s not a bad idea to have a reference along that can be checked whether or not there is Internet or phone service available.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The Traveler&rsquo;s Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States is available for $13.95 at <a title="Visit the homepage of the Traverler's Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. " href="http://www.gunlawguide.com/" target="_blank">Gunlawguide.com</a>, or can be purchased at the <a title="Visit the homepage of the NRA Store. " href="http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=15&amp;p=PB+01566&amp;ct=e" target="_blank">NRA Store</a>. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/firearm-travelers-guide-2012#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/when-to-reloadTue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">If you ever get in a self-defense situation, you might have to reload to continue the fight. There are two types of reloads&mdash;the speed load and the tactical reload. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The speed load is conducted when the gun has been run completely empty, while the tactical reload is when the shooter tops off the handgun at an opportune moment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Most concealed-carry advocates practice both types of reloads to be prepared in case the situation ever arises. While standing at the range and popping a fresh magazine or speed loader into a gun will help develop speed, it won&rsquo;t be realistic in an actual situation as it is never advisable to reload unless you&rsquo;re behind cover, or at least concealment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to practice reloads from cover, such as kneeling behind the shooting bench at your range or setting up barriers to represent cover, but I prefer to practice with dummy rounds around the house. This provides as real a scenario as possible, and helps determine good cover in a location where it might be needed. Training outside, while beneficial, is more difficult as your neighbors might not understand the situation. But this can be remedied by participating in shooting groups such as the <a title="Learn more about the IDPA. " href="http://www.idpa.com/" target="_blank">International Defensive Pistol Association</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You should also practical reloading on the move, as most fights are not stationary events even though it is best to utilize cover in most situations. Train for every situation, and you will be ready if it ever happens. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/when-to-reload#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/spare-ammoMon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">According to statistics, most self-defense situations follow the &ldquo;Rules of Threes,&rdquo; meaning the fight will happen at 3 yards with three shots fired and last about three seconds. But, a gunfight is not a statistic, which is why most experts recommend training for a drawn out fight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, one requirement of a prolonged fight is ammo. If you only have the rounds that are in the gun, then you are limiting you ability to continue the engagement and had better have a backup plan for getting out of there. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Even service-size handguns can only hold so many rounds, and most of us carry more concealable handguns anyway that only hold between six and 10 rounds, depending on the caliber. My personal gun holds seven plus one rounds of .45 ACP, which means I have enough rounds for most situations, but I still carry a spare magazine that ups the ante to 15 rounds of flying ashtray ammunition. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now, spare ammunition should be included in every self-defense plan from walking down the street to barricading oneself in a bedroom while waiting on the police to respond. Today&rsquo;s tactical shotguns can be fitted with shell holders, AR magazines can be attached together and there are numerous pouches for carrying a spare magazines or speed loaders, such as these from <a href="http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/#dd-mag-carriers" target="_blank">CrossBreed</a> and <a href="http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=2416&amp;CatalogID=450" target="_blank">Galco</a>. Of course, you can also rely on a <a title="Learn more about a New York Reload." href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/new-york-reload/" target="_blank">New York Reload</a>. Personally, I prefer to cover all the bases. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/spare-ammo#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/beyond-the-targetWed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Fundamental Rules of Safe Gun Handling are often called the three ALWAYS.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">&bull;&nbsp;ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. <br />&bull;&nbsp;ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. <br />&bull;&nbsp;ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">These three rules cover the majority of safety violations conducted by most people. There are other safety rules, one of which is being covered here. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The fourth gun safety rule is &ldquo;know the target and what is beyond.&rdquo; This rule should be practiced by shooters and hunters alike, but is especially critical in urban areas where self-defense situations most often arise. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of the number of movies in which it is portrayed, a bullet doesn&rsquo;t magically disappear if it misses the intended target. Rather, it will continue to travel at great speed until it hits something substantial. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Carrying a gun is both a right and a responsibility. Always follow firearm safety rules, including knowing your target and what is beyond. This can be accomplished through awareness&mdash;watching for both potential assailants and bystanders&mdash;though it means constant vigilance on your part. This is part of the responsibility. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/beyond-the-target#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/retractable-batonFri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">My recent discussions on <a title="Find out why the Paul Rackley wasn't carrying a handgun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/unarmed-defense/" target="_blank">Unarmed Defense</a> and <a title="Learn what the RackAttack thinks about Pepper Spray." href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-use-of-pepper-spray/" target="_blank">Pepper Spray</a> got me to thinking about other useful items that can be carried for self-defense in lieu of, or in conjunction with, a handgun. One that seems particularly useful is a retractable baton. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the last dozen years or so, many police departments have swapped from nightsticks to retractable batons because of their size, weight and versatility. A baton is smaller and lighter than a nightstick, which allows officers to always have a baton on their belts for quick use&nbsp;rather than having to remove it every time they climb into their cruisers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This same lightweight and versatility makes a baton an excellent self-defense tool for civilians, where legal to carry. With a quick flick of the wrist, a baton can be expanded for either striking or blocking, or even just warning off a potential attacker, as most seek easy targets. Even in the hands of an untrained individual, a baton can be used to ward off both two- and four-legged attackers, without the need of lethal force</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The problem with batons is that not every state allows their use by civilians. Surprisingly, more states allow concealed handguns than allow a person to carry a baton, and even in states where they&rsquo;re legal, some cities restrict their use. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2ASP52210-1.html" target="_blank">ASP Baton from Cheaper Than Dirt</a> is made of 4140 steel tubing, which is stronger than 4130 steel tubing, making the ASP Baton stronger, straighter and more flexible. It&rsquo;s locks via friction and comes with a foam handle for user comfort. A baton is a handy tool for those wishing to supplement their self-defense plans with a non-lethal option, or for those who are uncomfortable carrying a handgun. Just make sure you check your local laws.&nbsp; <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/retractable-baton#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/crime-appTue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">There&rsquo;s an app for almost everything from checking spelling to determining where to aim for long-distant shots. And there is now an app for crime. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">CrimePush is an iPhone, iPad or&nbsp;iPod touch&nbsp;application that permits the user to easily and anonymously&nbsp;report crimes in progress with a package of information, such as location and description, and allow for both photos and videos to be sent for evidence. Of course the <a title="Learn more about the Crime App. " href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/crimepush/id491623054?mt=8" target="_blank">description in the iTunes Store</a> says it&rsquo;s a Beta version, which means it&rsquo;s still in the testing phase, but anything that makes reporting crime easier has to be good idea. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This app won&rsquo;t take the place of awareness or a good self-defense plan that includes a way to protect yourself, but every crime prevention tool helps. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/crime-app#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dress-for-carryFri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Reader Question:</strong> Do you dress around a particular gun that&nbsp;you are most comfortable carrying or do you have different guns you would carry based on the season?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Answer:</strong> Covering a concealed handgun from the world is an important factor of concealed carry, especially in states where the unintentional showing of a gun can cause the carrier problems. Not long ago, I discussed how I changed the way I dressed to accommodate carrying a concealed handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To answer this question, I dress around carrying on my strong side in an IWB holster. If I&rsquo;m carrying my <a title="Learn more about Kimber 1911 handguns. " href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> Ultra Carry, I usually have it in a <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">Milt Sparks</a> Versa Max II. I&nbsp;sometimes carry a <a href="http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/Colt1991Series.aspx" target="_blank">Colt 1991</a> in a <a href="http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/" target="_blank">CrossBreed SuperTuck</a>, which is also the rig I use when I shoot in IDPA matches. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I believe in carrying the same gun, at least the same type of gun, in the same way at all times, which is why I usually have a 1911-style handgun in .45 ACP. The only time that I break from this belief is when I step outside to do a quick errand, such as getting something from the truck, checking the mail or picking up a single item at the store. On those times, I will drop an LCP into a pocket holster and head out the door. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In conclusion, I do not change handguns according to the season. I decided a long time ago, that I wanted to carry a .45, and I dress accordingly. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dress-for-carry#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/car-tipsThu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">There has been a lot of discussion on AmericanRifleman.org about Jim Wilson&rsquo;s <a title="Read Jim Wilson's Carrying in the Car story. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/carry-conceal-in-car/" target="_blank">Carrying in the Car</a> story, which made me decide to share a few of my own tips for keeping safe behind the wheel.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">&bull;&nbsp;Step one is vigilance. Know what vehicles are around you and where they are in relation to you, and always know if someone is on foot or has stepped out of a vehicle.&nbsp; <br />&bull;&nbsp;Pull your cover garment out from inside the seatbelt. This keeps your shirt or jacket from becoming entangled with the seat if you have to reach quickly for your gun. <br />&bull;&nbsp;Keep your distance from the car in front of you. This provides some level of movement with the vehicle, which could give you an extra few seconds. <br />&bull;&nbsp;Keep a small go-bag with additional equipment&mdash;ammunition, magazines, flashlight, first-aid kit, food and water&mdash;in the vehicle in case of a prolonged fight. This can also be used as a survival kit if you become stranded if you add flares and blankets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I personally believe that a gun specifically set up as a car gun is the best way to ensure safety in a vehicle, but this isn&rsquo;t always feasible. What is your favorite way to carry a gun in a car? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/car-tips#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-use-of-pepper-sprayTue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In regard to my <a title="Unarmed defense tips from Paul Rackley." href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/unarmed-defense/" target="_blank">Unarmed Defense</a> blog, questions were asked about my thoughts about pepper spray, and why I was not carrying any when visiting Las Vegas for <a title="See new guns and gear in our SHOT Show blog. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/2012-Shot-Show-Blog" target="_blank">SHOT</a> Show. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">My thoughts on pepper stray are simple: Any tool that can be utilized to keep body and soul safe should be considered and used if that is your best option. Up until recently, my wife carried a <a title="The Kimber PepperBlaster is a non-lethal self-defense tool. " href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/pepperblaster" target="_blank">Kimber PepperBlaster</a> in her purse. The reason she doesn&rsquo;t still have it is because it had a use by date, which had expired, and I decided to kick it off in my in-law&rsquo;s backyard in South Carolina over Thanksgiving. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The PepperBlaster sent both shots the promised 12 to 14 feet, which really is all I can say about it since no one would let me hit them with it, including myself. I cannot testify to its strength, but believe that it would stop the average attacker. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now as to why I wasn&rsquo;t carrying pepper spray in Vegas? That is a simple question. Taking pepper spray onto a plane requires the same hassles of traveling with a gun&mdash;must be in checked luggage and declared&mdash;or possibly more if it is pressurized. If I was going to go through that, I might have well have carried my <a title="The RackAttack's carry gun. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I don&rsquo;t carry pepper spray because I carry a gun. In most places that I can&rsquo;t carry a gun, I can&rsquo;t carry pepper spray. However, I would love to know, without taking a shot of it, what being hit with pepper spray is like. Can anyone describe that feeling? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-use-of-pepper-spray#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/unarmed-defenseTue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of intention, there are times when carrying a handgun for self-defense is difficult, if not impossible. This might be because you&rsquo;re somewhere it is illegal to carry, or because it is too much of a hassle. I didn&rsquo;t carry my Kimber with me to <a title="Check out AmericanRifleman.org's SHOT Show coverage. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/2012-Shot-Show-Blog" target="_blank">SHOT Show</a>, which was a difficult decision, but even without it, I still considered myself safe because I also practice unarmed defense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Unarmed defense is the act of defending yourself without a handgun, and it is a critical skill for all self-defense advocates. One thing, unarmed defense does not mean you only use your hands and feet. In every situation, whether armed or not, I&rsquo;m constantly looking around for cover, concealment, escape routes and potential self-defense tools&mdash;this can be a chair, a pen, a flashlight or even a water bottle. Martial Arts is another great way to learn unarmed defense, in fact, I&rsquo;m hoping to get back into a class soon. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I always carry a <a title="Learn more about the SureFire Backup" href="http://www.surefire.com/E1B-Backup" target="_blank">SureFire Backup</a> in my pocket, along with a knife, for both illumination and to hit an attacker if the need arises. Both of these items were with me at SHOT Show. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I ended up having to spend an additional day in Las Vegas because of weather, and decided to make the best of it and visited Freemont Street. Since Freemont is a popular tourist attraction, it is considered a safe area. However, I like to explore and ended up walking through some less-desirable areas on my way back to the hotel. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I didn&rsquo;t have a handgun for defense, I was observant, aware and carrying a couple of unarmed defense tools, including a water bottle that could be used as a club or thrown to help me make my escape. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You should always be aware of potential self-defense tools, even if you&rsquo;re carrying. You never know when a non-gun item might be your best defense. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/unarmed-defense#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/new-placesWed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m continuing the story about how deciding to carry a gun full time changed certain segments of my life, such as <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/changes-in-style/" target="_blank">how I dress</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">At the time, I lived in South Carolina, very near the Georgia border, and like most people, I liked to go out to dinner from time to time. However, South Carolina law prevents persons carrying a concealed handgun from entering restaurants that serve alcohol. Because of this law, I quit going to nice restaurants in South Carolina, preferring to drive the 30-odd miles to Augusta, Ga., which allows concealed carry in restaurants if the person doesn&rsquo;t drink. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I would still enter fast food places, and other restaurants that didn&rsquo;t serve alcohol, but my decision to always carry forced me to spend money in Georgia, rather than my home state. Virginia, where I live now, also allows conceal carry in restaurants that serve alcohol if the permit holder does not drink alcohol, but since I often visit South Carolina, I still have to consider if I&rsquo;m willing to forgo carrying my Kimber Ultra Carry or drive across the state line. I prefer to take a drive. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">What have you changed to ensure that you can always carry a concealed handgun? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/new-places#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/back-from-shotThu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Returning from SHOT Show requires sorting through a lot of information about new products to determine the coming year&rsquo;s content. It can be difficult because SHOT is where so many manufacturers introduce new products. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The editors of <a title="The best website for gun and gear reviews. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/" target="_blank">AmericanRifleman.org</a> and <a title="Hunting and gear stories from the best in the industry. " href="http://www.americanhunter.org/Default.aspx?cid=40" target="_blank">AmericanHunter.org</a> have to determine which products that you, our readers, want to see in articles, videos and blogs. This includes firearms, holsters, flashlights, clothing, ammunition and optics, as well as numerous other accessories that can benefit shooters and hunters. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While we sort through this information, I thought I would share a few of the coolest products I saw during the 2012 SHOT Show in no certain order. And while I normally stick to self-defense products in my blog, I&rsquo;m going to cover all manner of products here. Please keep in mind that the SHOT Show is very large, and it is impossible to see everything. These are the products that I personally saw and held. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>SIG Sauer Spartan 1911</strong>&mdash;Sure, there are more 1911 handguns available than I can even remember, but as a lover of John Browning&rsquo;s classic pistol, the <a title="Blog about the Spartan from SHOT. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/sig-sauer-spartan-1911/" target="_blank">SIG Sauer Spartan</a> is one I would like to own. The Spartan is a full-size .45 ACP handgun with all of the features that we&rsquo;ve come to expect in a high-quality 1911. What makes this gun stand out is the finish, which SIG calls oil-brushed bronze. According to the rep I spoke to, the idea for this colorization came from faucet industry. Regardless, the color, along with the lettering, will make this gun stand out at the range. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Nikon P223</strong>&mdash;With the success of the M223 riflescope, <a href="http://www.nikonhunting.com/products/riflescopes/p-223" target="_blank">Nikon</a> has introduced another scope designed for AR-type rifles, with a much nicer price. The <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/nikon-p223-shot/" target="_blank">P223</a> comes with the BDC reticle, fully multi-coated lens, zero-turret return system and generous eye relief, all for $149. It&rsquo;s available in two versions: the 3x32 BDC Carbine and 3-9x40 BDC 600.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Knight TK2000</strong>&mdash;I&rsquo;ve always loved turkey hunting, and I really like turkey hunts that limit access via draw or firearm allowed. A few years ago, I went on a Corps of Engineers hunt that only allowed primitive weapons, such as a bow or muzzleloading shotgun, especially since I was one of two people who showed up with a Knight TK2000. I was very disappointed when Knight Rifles went out of business, and was equally thrilled when I heard that a group had decided to bring this icon back to the outdoor industry because I really thought the <a title="Knight Rifles TK2000 turkey hunting shotgun. " href="http://www.knightrifles.com/tk2000/" target="_blank">TK2000</a> would be an early offering. And, I was right. The new Knight Rifles company has brought back one of the best turkey hunting shotguns on the market. <br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>L.L. Bean Safety Hat and Vest Combo</strong>&mdash;When I started deer hunting with my father, I didn&rsquo;t know a lot about what I was doing, but I did realize that the cheap, plastic orange vest I was wearing made too much noise. Unfortunately, like most fathers, he wasn&rsquo;t going to buy me a good vest until he knew I was going to enjoy hunting. <a href="http://www.llbean.com/" target="_blank">L.L. Bean</a> has made that mute by introducing a safety hat and vest combo for only $19.95. These high-quality vest and caps are available in hunter orange or bright yellow for those wanting to be safe without looking like they&rsquo;ve just walked out of the woods.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Personal Security Products Zap Cane</strong>&mdash;Whether or not you carry a handgun, personal safety is an issue for every law-bidding citizen.&nbsp;The <a href="http://www.psproducts.com/v2/products_3.html" target="_blank">Personal Security Products Zap Cane</a> is an option for those who don&rsquo;t want something that goes bang. The Zap Cane is adjustable from 32 to 36 inches, can handle up to 250 pounds, has a flashlight and emits 1 million volts of personal security. All one has to do is flip the safety and press the button to ward off an attacker, be it man or beast.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>ThermaCELL Heated Insoles</strong>&mdash;My hands usually get cold long before my feet do, but there have been a few times when I could&rsquo;ve used a little something extra, such as when standing waist deep in ice-covered water. These <a href="http://www.thermacell.com/heated-insoles-foot-warmers" target="_blank">Heated Insoles by ThermaCELL</a> turn almost any type of footwear into heated boots or shoes. The Heated Insoles are water resistant, controlled by a remote and customizable to most foot sizes. While not cheap, these feet warmers provide two levels of warmth&mdash;100 degrees or 110 degrees&mdash;without getting too hot. <br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Cammo Brothers Mag Loader</strong>&mdash;I&rsquo;ve used a lot of magazine loaders over the years, most of which never received a second opportunity to impress me. This loader, however, made me do a double take. The <a href="http://cammobrothers.com/MagLoader_sfs.pdf" target="_blank">Cammo Brothers Mag Loader</a> is similar to some of the high-priced bench loaders used by many, but this one is small enough to fit into a range bag. The Mag Loader is made of nylon fiberglass, loads 20 rounds at a time and has versions to fit most 5.56 and 7.62 magazines.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/back-from-shot#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/river-rock-delta-light-ballThu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Flash bangs have long been a important tool for law enforcement officers to distract and disorient hostiles in dangerous situations. The concussive force expelled by flash bangs provides crucial seconds that can be the different between life and death of officers, hostages and suspects. However, this same concussive force has the potential to cause harm to everyone within its blast range. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This is part of the argument <a href="http://www.riverrockledlights.com/" target="_blank">River Rock Designs</a> is using to get law enforcement to take a look at the DELTA (Dynamic Entry Lighted Tactical Accessory) Light Ball. I haven&rsquo;t even gotten to see one in real life and I already see huge potential for home defense. I want one of these in my safe next to <a title="Paul Rackley's home defense gun" href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-home-gun/" target="_blank">my Colt</a>. In fact, I want two of them. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The DELTA Light Ball is built with a tough polycarbonate outer shell and disorients bad guys with a 400 lumen strobe effect, ending with full illumination of the target area. The DELTA can be thrown through windows and even&nbsp;used in conjunction with flash bangs by police and military. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">"The DELTA Light Ball will make many rescue, search and entry scenarios much safer for all involved, and yet still affords the use of more aggressive devices if necessary,&rdquo; said John Sedovic, president River Rock Lights.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While designed for law enforcment and military, the River Rock DELTA Light Ball will be available to civilians. The only question is when. Hopefully, I will be able to follow up on this story with actual results from testing this in a variety of situations. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/river-rock-delta-light-ball#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/changes-in-styleWed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Carrying a handgun might&nbsp;require that you change some of your everyday habits, like possibly eating at different restaurants, not entering certain stores and, if you&rsquo;re really serious about always carrying refraining from traveling to or within states that have unfriendly gun laws. It can also&nbsp;change the way you dress. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you carry in a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/concealed-carry-shoulder-systems/" target="_blank">shoulder holster</a>, you&nbsp;must always wear a jacket or shirt that allows access to your arm. If you decide to&nbsp;carry <a title="How to carry strong side. " href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/concealed-carry-strong-side/" target="_blank">IWB</a>, like I do, you have to buy bigger pants. Luckily, I&rsquo;ve always been slender, so going up in pants size didn&rsquo;t bother me; I had to do it&nbsp;to be able to carry a gun the way I wanted to. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Currently, I buy 34- to 36-inch-waist pants, unless I&rsquo;m buying <a title="Cheaper Than Dirt" href="http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/TAC7034-1.html" target="_blank">TAC-pants</a> with the stretchy waist, which is something I recommend to everyone. Tac-pants are comfortable, tough and have room for everything I want to carry, and they look good with an un-tucked shirt. Did I mention that they are comfortable? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">On a normal work day, I wear slacks with a dress shirt tucked around my Kimber. The loops on my Milt Sparks show, but I&rsquo;ve found that I can cover them pretty well by fluffing the shirt. Drawing from this outfit requires a sharp pull, which must be practiced, on the shirt to get it out from around the gun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">On the typical weekend, I&rsquo;m out and about in either blue jeans or TAC-pants and either, depending on the season, a lightweight shirt or long-sleeved T-shirt. This outfit provides for decent concealment while&nbsp;allowing easy access to my <a title="My Carry Gun" href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>. I can even get under the shirt and draw my gun without using my free hand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Some people say that the clothes make the man. Personally, I don&rsquo;t care; I just want to carry a gun. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/changes-in-style#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-went-with-strong-sideWed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">It was much easier deciding to carry a handgun on a daily basis than it was deciding how to carry that handgun. I knew I wanted it accessible, but well hidden, and I had to be able to train with the system. I also knew that I wanted to <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">carry my Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I started with three carry options&mdash;shoulder, small-of-the-back and strong side. This was quickly reduced to two as I didn&rsquo;t want to have to wear a coat every day. This left SOB and strong side, which I researched to determine which would be best for me. Both styles provide excellent cover and easy access. The deciding factor was that most ranges do not allow drawing from SOB. If I couldn&rsquo;t train from my holster choice, then it wasn&rsquo;t the choice I wanted. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The only decision left was whether to carry inside or outside of my waistband. Carrying IWB would require changing the way I dress, but it would also allow for deeper concealment as the handgun would be pulled closer to the body. In the end, I decided on IWB and ordered a <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">Milt Sparks</a> Versa Max II. Currently, I carry one of two handguns&mdash;both 1911s&mdash;depending on the situation and time of year.&nbsp; I still carry my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> in my VersaMax, but I also like to carry my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/friends-of-nra-2011-gun-of-year/" target="_blank">Colt 1991</a> in a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/Video.aspx?vid=2443&amp;cid=23" target="_blank">CrossBreed SuperTuck</a> during the winter months. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-went-with-strong-side#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-decision-to-carryThu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I obtained my first CWP back in the mid &lsquo;90s in Mississippi. This was during the early stage of the Brady Bill, so at the time I wanted the permit more for purchasing a firearm than carrying one, as Mississippi allowed CWP holders to forego NICS check. In fact, there were only a few occasions when I actually carried a handgun on my person that didn&rsquo;t involve hunting or horseback riding. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I spent years being allowed to carry a handgun, but almost never doing so. But to be honest, at that point of my life it was probably better that I didn&rsquo;t carry. I was in my mid 20s, single and still a little immature in many ways&mdash;hitting too many bars and drinking way too many barley pops. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It wasn&rsquo;t until I was living in South Carolina that I decided to start carrying on a daily basis. And no, I didn&rsquo;t have a close call that made me rethink my carrying practices. I had simple grown up and made a conscious decision that there are bad people in this world, and there needs to be others with the means and&nbsp;wherewithal to stand up to them. I knew I had the&nbsp;wherewithal, so I only needed the means. And since I believe in bringing agun to a knife fight, there was only one option open for my needs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, this decision meant I had to make some changes in parts if my life, such as how I dressed, where I could go and even where I ate, but that is for later. For now, why did you decide to carry concealed?<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-decision-to-carry#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/be-extra-vigilantWed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, many of us forget to be as vigilant as we should. I am as guilty of this as anyone, and sometimes have to remind myself to scan my surroundings while trying to control a 15-month-old grabbing at everything within her reach.&nbsp; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Most of those around you are just honest folks trying to get done with their business so they can get home to celebrate with family and friends. However, bad elements know that many of us are distracted and desire to take advantage of people being busy and the stores being full of hassled shoppers going to and fro in a frenzied state. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This is when you have to be extra vigilant to be sure that you and yours do not become some Department of Justice statistic.&nbsp; Be sure to check around your car, know who is around you and always have an escape route in mind in case the unforeseeable happens. Of course, one thing that is really nice about this time of year, the bulky clothing being worn to ward off the season&rsquo;s chill, allows for larger carry guns without the fear of printing. I hope everyone has a happy and safe Christmas. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/be-extra-vigilant#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/close-encountersWed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Distance is a friend, especially in self-defense situations. The more distance between you and a bad guy, the more you control the outcome of the situation. Unfortunately, since the attacker usually picks the location, distance is not always under your control. For this reason, you should consider in-your-face situations during training. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Ask yourself: What would I do if a guy comes around a corner and pulls a knife or a gun? Then, think through the situation and your response, such as possibly having to fire from the hip. Have you practiced firing from that position? Could you hit a target, even a close target, from that position? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, there are other factors that can be included in this situation. Are you alone or with family? Are your hands full of packages? Is this really a life and death situation? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The next time you&rsquo;re at the range try this drill for close encounters. From about 3 yards away, try firing from the hip. Start with slow, controlled fire, before slowly implementing this into your draw.&nbsp; Make accuracy, precision and safety your main priorities. Speed will come later, as will distance. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/close-encounters#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/why-not-any-caliberTue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Quite often I&rsquo;m asked my opinion on the best gun and caliber for self-defense. My standard answer is: &ldquo;Whatever gun you have on you.&rdquo; The person usually then asks if that if that means it is OK to carry a .22 LR.&nbsp; To which I reply no, and I&rsquo;m about to tell you why. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The .22 LR is a very deadly round. Many emergency room doctors will tell you that a .22 caliber gunshot is one of the worst to come in, because, quite often, a .22 LR will ricochet inside the body causing many small, hard-to-find wound channels. The surgeries for these wounds can take hours and as often as not, the victims bleed out and die. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now, if.22 LR is such a deadly round, then why am I so against it? It&rsquo;s because there is a good chance that a&nbsp;.22 LR will not stop an attack. Who cares if the guy dies after he has beaten you to death? The only ones who should carry a .22 are those who can handle nothing else, and even then I would still recommend carrying a larger caliber. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A .22 caliber handgun&nbsp;will stop the assailant that would flee from any&nbsp;gun. But, it will not, under most circumstances, stop a determined attacker. And yes, I do know that .22s have stopped attackers intent on killing, but it doesn&rsquo;t change&nbsp;the fact&nbsp;that I wouldn&rsquo;t bet my life on one. Now, would I get some morbid satisfaction from knowing that I took my attacker with me? Probably, but I would get much more knowing he didn&rsquo;t take me with him.&nbsp; <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/why-not-any-caliber#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-sergeantMon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">If you are ever put in a life or death situation, your adrenalin will spike, causing parts of your body to decrease activity while other parts increase. Your heart will also start pumping harder to increase the oxygen to your brain and muscles. This is the body&rsquo;s response to extreme stress. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Because of this, most self-defense experts recommend introducing stress into your training. But, how can you introduce stress without actually putting a life in danger? </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">One way is through competition like IDPA or 3-gun, while another is through physical activity such as the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/two-minute-torture-drill/" target="_blank">Two-Minute Torture Drill</a>. You can also try Force-on-Force scenario training with airsoft guns. However, my favorite way of introducing stress into training comes from a story told to me by another NRA Certified Instructor, and it is very simple and requires no additional cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This instructor was letting the local police force use his range for some training, including stoppage drills that called for a New York Reload if a service gun malfunctioned. During the drills, one officer experienced a stoppage and, as per instructed, dropped his service pistol and went for his backup. Unfortunately, it too malfunctioned after one round. Well, the officer decided that it just wasn&rsquo;t his day and he knelt down to wait out the shooting string. This did not sit well with the sergeant running the drills. The sergeant walked up and started screaming &ldquo;Get it done&rdquo; repeatedly from behind the officer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The officer quickly tried to manipulate the handgun back to working order, but, because he was flustered from the screaming going on inches from his head, continued to have problems. In fact, it took the officer several minutes get the gun going and finish the string. Afterwards, according to the other instructor, the officer looked downright exhausted and almost beaten. The stress of the situation had really gotten to him. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As shown in what I call The Sergeant, <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-power-of-words/" target="_blank">words</a> used with the proper inflection can greatly add stress to a training environment. Just make sure the people around you at the range know what you&rsquo;re doing. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-sergeant#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/to-shoot-or-not-to-shootThu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">According to a comment on my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-power-of-words/" target="_blank">Power of Words</a> blog, there seems to be a misconception among some that if you draw a gun in a self-defense situation, you have to fire it. This can&rsquo;t be further from the truth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The point of a firearm in a self-defense situation is to stop the attack. If an attacker sees that you have a firearm and runs away, you do not fire. You only fire &ldquo;if&rdquo; your life, or someone else&rsquo;s life, is in imminent danger of death or serious injury.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A guy holding a baseball bat that is screaming obscenities at you from 50 yards away is not an imminent threat, even though he is someone to keep an eye on. In this situation you should be able to easily get away and call the police.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now, if that same guy was only 30 feet away, you are in a completely different situation. However, it still doesn&rsquo;t justify pulling the trigger, though I would be in a heightened state of alert and mentally preparing myself for that outcome. Here, you should be backing away while trying to diffuse the situation. The best scenario is for you to get away without anyone getting hurt. But you should be prepared to defend yourself if it the aggressor decides to take it to the next level. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/to-shoot-or-not-to-shoot#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-power-of-wordsFri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Words have power that can be used both for good and evil. Encouraging words can build a person&rsquo;s self esteem, while insulting words can hurt someone for years or even decades. And commanding words can save someone&rsquo;s life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Just because you are holding a handgun on a potential attacker does not mean the situation is over. Hardened criminals seem to be able to smell fear and can usually tell if a person is reluctant to pull the trigger. They perceive this as weakness because they often don&rsquo;t understand how average citizens can put such a high value on human life. Because of this, some assailants might believe you are bluffing. You can convince them otherwise with the power of words. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Verbal commands can be as important in a self-defense situation as a gun, and you should practice the commands you are liable to use in a situation at the range. Words like STOP, GET DOWN and I HAVE A GUN spoken with authority can be the difference between giving a description to the police and explaining why you had to pull the trigger. But, you have to put power in those words. Next time you&rsquo;re at the range, practice verbal commands and be powerful with them. They&nbsp;could keep you having to use your gun. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-power-of-words#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/california-lady-defends-homeTue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Last week, a <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/very-afraid-66-year-old-woman-shoots-and-kills-home-intruder/" target="_blank">66-year-old northern California woman defended</a> herself in a dangerous situation and proved, once again, that firearms are a great equalizer against those who prey on the elderly. And while there are certain aspects that I thought she could have handled differently, this lady did many things right in a very stressful encounter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To start, I loved that she had a motion-activated light at her door. Because the light is automatic, it catches potential intruders by surprise, while providing light for someone to see without having to be near the door. Next, she had a security screen door. These doors are designed to prevent entry and while they are not fool proof, they are an excellent tool for providing additional time for implementing a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/make-a-plan/" target="_blank">defense plan</a>. Then, she had the phone in her hand when she went to the door and she stood by the frame and called out rather than just opening the door. Even a slightly cracked door is easier to get into than a closed one, and unless your door has a steel plate on the inside, you&rsquo;re probably safer by the frame. But, you&rsquo;re safer still if you called from a few feet from the door and then immediately move a few feet to the right or left. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Up to this point, she has done an excellent job of being willing to help someone in need while ensuring her safety, but I would have gone to the door with my gun in hand. The person knocking on the door could be a scared driver who just broke down and needs help, but safety should be your first concern and anyone who comes to your door at night should be considered potentially dangerous. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now, as soon as she realized this man had bad intentions, she called the police, as she should, and headed for her gun. When the intruder tried to break in, she fired two warning shots. Of course, I would also have to break from her on this point as well. I don&rsquo;t fire warning shots for two reasons. One, it wastes ammunition I might need, and two, every bullet fired must stop somewhere. Most of us have neighbors in fairly close proximity and I don&rsquo;t want a stray bullet to hurt an innocent or cause any other type of damage. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">In the end, the homeowner prevailed over the just-released-that-morning criminal because she remained calm and did what she had to do. Of course, we call all learn from these type of situations. What would you do if you heard a knock on your front door at midnight? Think it through now, because you don&rsquo;t want to be trying to figure it out when it happens. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/california-lady-defends-home#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/aim-center-massTue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">You always hear self-defense experts say that you should train to hit the center-of-mass so that it will be instinctive during a confrontation. I&rsquo;ve said this myself many times, both written and verbally. But, what exactly is center-of-mass in a self-defense situation?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Center-of-mass in all situations is the center of what you can see. This could be the center of the body if the perpetrator is in the open, or it could be a very small section of the head and chest if he or she is behind cover. It might even be the hand holding the gun if that is all you can see. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Quickly identifying your point of aim and knowing how to hit it are two important skills for self-defense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">You can train for this by covering different sections of your targets to simulate your attacker using cover. This can be done by putting the target behind a barricade, covering part of it with cardboard or even adding a line with a marker. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Next time you&rsquo;re at the range, try limiting your center-of-mass aim point on your target. Start with the gun at the low-ready position, and once you have that mastered, add drawing from retention to the equation if your range allows it. This will help prepare you for confrontations on the street. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/aim-center-mass#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/absolutely-everywhereThu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I can&rsquo;t believe number the times I&rsquo;ve been accused of being paranoid because I carry a gun for self-defense, and train with that gun in case I&rsquo;m every required to draw in defense of life. And I&rsquo;m not talking about people who discover my career and have questions about firearms and self-defense. I&rsquo;m talking family. In fact, I&rsquo;m not even sure my father understands my reasoning. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">However, yesterday&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/us/2011/10/12/gunman-reportedly-kills-6-injures-3-at-hair-salon/#slide=1" target="_blank">attack in a California hair salon</a> proves my point that a bad situation can happen anywhere and if you&rsquo;re not prepared, you can&rsquo;t stop it. Another example is where a Maryland woman stole knives from a Target and then <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/md-woman-charged-in-target-parking-lot-stabbing/2011/10/12/gIQAjQwyeL_blog.html" target="_blank">attacked another woman</a> with those knives in the store&rsquo;s parking lot. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It&rsquo;s na&iuml;ve to believe that every bad situation can be completely stopped, but if these situations had happened in more gun-friendly states, casualties could have been reduced by one person with the means and wherewithal to step in. If you&rsquo;re going to carry, then carry EVERYWHERE it is legal. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/absolutely-everywhere#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/accuracyThu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">So much emphasis is put on accuracy in the shooting world. We all want to put small, hole-touching groups in our targets when at the range. As a gunwriter, I spend hours at the range trying to wring out the best possible groups to learn the true accuracy of a firearm, whether rifle or handgun, by eliminating as many human factors as possible. However, tiny groups won&rsquo;t save your life if you can&rsquo;t do it with speed. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The questions are: What is real-world, self-defense accuracy, and how do you achieve it?&nbsp; Over the next few weeks, I&rsquo;m going to try and answer these questions. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Since self-defense is about stopping an attack, self-defense accuracy is about hitting enough of the target to stop an attack. Does this mean you have to be able to put 10 rounds in the 10 ring from retention in less that five seconds? No, it doesn&rsquo;t, but speed is important during an attack. And while experts disagree on any exact measure, if you can put two to three rounds into center mass of what you can see of your target in as many seconds, you should have a fighting chance against most attackers. Of course, it would be great is you could do this much faster than that, but one round a second from retention is the beginning of self-defense accuracy.&nbsp; <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/accuracy#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-would-have-brought-my-rifleMon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is so much for which we have to compromise when carrying concealed. We have to compromise in clothing selection and where we carry while following laws, and even what we carry. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many compromise in caliber to carry a lighter, more-easily concealed handgun, but we&rsquo;re also compromising when we carry a handgun when a rifle is a much better fighting tool. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now this is not a piece about what caliber is best for concealed carry or even what gun is best. I believe any gun is better than no gun. Instead, this is about one of those e-mails that get sent around the Internet that I recently received from a friend. I couldn&rsquo;t help but think that the email put carrying a gun for self-defense into perspective. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">The story is about a Sheriff who receives a meritorious award for his many years of service to the community. During the reception, a lady notices that the Sheriff is wearing his sidearm. The lady asks whether the Sheriff has his handgun because he is expecting trouble. The Sheriff looks at the woman and replies: &ldquo;No Ma&rsquo;am. If I was expecting trouble I would have brought my rifle.&rdquo; </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn&rsquo;t it amazing how often forwarded e-mails, which are probably not true, make such a great point? My carry gun is for when I can&rsquo;t use my rifle, or, if possible, to fight my way to my rifle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-would-have-brought-my-rifle#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/constant-trainingTue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Over the weekend, I competed in a charity trap tournament to benefit <a href="http://www.patriotspath.org/" target="_blank">Patriots&rsquo; Path Foundation</a>, which raises funds to help veterans settle back into normal life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The event was a lot of fun with entertainment by <a href="http://longshotgirl.com/" target="_blank">Julie Ingram</a> and special appearances by Col. Oliver North, Edward J.&nbsp;Land Jr., NRA Secretary, Ty Brown&mdash;my wife said he was on some reality TV show and is now singing country music&mdash;and Cpl. Dakota Meyer of the Marine Corps, who will be awarded the Medal of Honor on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. Seeing a real American hero right before shooting my highest trap score ever was just great. But of course, none of that is the purpose of this blog, which is that you can, and should, train everywhere. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While standing on the trap line with my team awaiting my turn to shoot, I realized that I was missing an excellent opportunity to train on single-shell reloads with my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=56&amp;id=324" target="_blank">870</a>. From then on, I kept the shell in my left hand and when my turn arrived, I would drop the shell into the open chamber by going under the action, run forward the breech and aim in one fluid motion. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A&nbsp;shotgun is an <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/worst-of-the-best/" target="_blank">excellent self-defense firearm</a>, but most only hold five rounds max. So, being able to reload quickly is an important skill in an extended situation. And if you&rsquo;ve ever watch 3-gun shooters, you&rsquo;ve seen that after they run the shotgun empty, they reload one shell at a time, and they do it really quickly. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Next time you&rsquo;re loading up your shotgun try popping the shell in without looking using your support hand while going up on target. This can be done on the dove field, in the squirrel woods and on the trap line. What are some more ways that you can implement training into other activities? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/constant-training#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-bill-drillFri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The Bill Drill is intended to improve speed and accuracy in self-defense shooting by teaching trigger control, sight tracking, recoil management and sight picture. There is some controversy as to who actually developed the Bill Drill, but it we&rsquo;re pretty sure it was one of the Bills, as in Jordan, Rogers, or Wilson. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As with most shooting drills, the concept is easy. All you have to do is put six rounds into an <a href="http://www.ipsc.org/" target="_blank">IPSC</a> target at 7 yards as quickly and accurately as possible from retention. Of course, actually conducting the drill correctly is a little harder. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To do the Bill Drill properly, you must manage the gun&rsquo;s recoil while following the sights with your eyes and firing as soon as the front sight aligns with the A zone on the target. The best tips I can provide is to start slow, follow the fundamentals and pay particular attention to the front sight. As confidence builds, speed up. When you can conduct the Bill Drill in three to four seconds, you are becoming a good shooter. When you&rsquo;re closer to two seconds, you&rsquo;re becoming a really good shooter. You can also add additional difficulty by having a friend give you the go signal. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While most ranges permit this type of drill, if you&rsquo;re range does not allow drawing a handgun from a holster, your next best option is to begin at the low-ready position. Get some ammunition, get some targets and be sure to implement self-defense training into your shooting sessions. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-bill-drill#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/bad-situationWed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In my blog on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/light-discipline/" target="_blank">light discipline</a>, a reader commented that advising someone to search with a light is wrong and unsafe, and in many situations he is right. However, I personally think that each person must make that decision for himself. I cannot tell someone exactly how to protect his or her family and home because I don&rsquo;t have enough information about the person&rsquo;s home or skill level. My job is to provide hints, strategies and training tips to make you think so you can survive a deadly encounter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I agree that most people should probably not go in search of an intruder. But what if someone has to go in search of a child who has gotten out of bed? This is why you have to train for every scenario, including missions you don&rsquo;t really want to do. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">During training at <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a>, I was&nbsp;presented with a fictitious<span style="font-family: &quot;Verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">&nbsp;</span>scenario in which a friend calls me saying he has intruders in his house. &ldquo;The police are 45 minutes away and he needs help now. It&rsquo;s a bad situation, in fact, it&rsquo;s a suicide mission, but he&rsquo;s a friend. Go get him.&rdquo; I went into the shoot house knowing that this was not something I would normally do, but also knowing that I would do it for a friend who needed my help. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I believe that we should train for every possible outcome in a situation, even if the main plan is to barricade the bedroom door and call the police. There are too many variables that can change a situation, and you should be able to handle all of them. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">What do you think? <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/bad-situation#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/light-disciplineMon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While many know that it is unwise to flip on the lights when going to investigate a potential burglar in the home, many these same people will continuously run a flashlight when searching their homes. This is bad light discipline. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A good light lets you search while revealing any potential intruders, but it also reveals your position. It&rsquo;s better light discipline to use a flashlight with a momentary button to quickly scan the room before letting the light go off and quickly stepping to the side. I repeat: <em>After every scan, turn off the light and quickly, but&nbsp;quietly, move one to two steps to the side.</em> This ensures that if a bad guy charges or fires toward the light, you will not be there to feel the brunt of the attack. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Practice light discipline in a dark room with an unloaded or inert gun to ensure you can hold, aim and fire while holding a light, and be sure to scan quickly and to move every time the light goes out. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/light-discipline#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/prepared-not-paranoidTue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">We have received many, many comments on <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/" target="_blank">AmericanRifleman.org</a> since implementing comments on article, blogs and videos. Some have been stimulating, some have been questionable and some have made us rethink ideas that we believed were clear. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A recent comment made me believe that the purpose of my blog is not completely clear to all, even though I think the commenter realized what I am trying to do.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m not really paranoid, at least as far as you know. Rather, I consider myself to be prepared like a <a href="http://www.scouting.org/" target="_blank">Boy Scout</a>, which is acceptable since I was a Boy Scout many years ago. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">No, I&rsquo;m not paranoid and I&rsquo;m not trying to make people see bogeymen behind every street corner. The <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogList.aspx?cid=25&amp;id=15" target="_blank">RackAttack</a> blog is about getting you to think about your safety, along with the safety of your family. I can&rsquo;t tell you how to defend yourself or your home because every home and every person is different with different skills. I carry a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber Ultra Carry</a> in .45 ACP in a Milt Sparks VersaMax II holster with a spare magazine everywhere it is legal to do so, but that might be more that you can, or want, to handle. You might prefer a <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=750001&amp;catalogId=750051&amp;content=11001" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a> Chief&rsquo;s Special in .38 Spl. or one of the new .380s, and there is nothing wrong with that. How I would handle a situation, might not work for you, but if I can get you to thinking about a situation to develop a plan, then I&rsquo;ve done my job. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to John for putting me onto this topic. And as far as your question, Utah is the only state that currently allows concealed carry on all public colleges and universities with a permit. There are, however, some states that leave the concealed-carry decision up to each college or university, though, of course, most states outright ban concealed carry on all public schools. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/prepared-not-paranoid#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/aggressive-mobsThu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">With the current riots&nbsp;in England being featured nightly on the news, flash mobs are quickly becoming a real safety concern. It is even becoming an issue here with attacks at the Wisconsin State Fair last week, among other criminal acts committed by large groups of people. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The first concern with riots is that they can happen anywhere and anytime, but primarily happen in areas where people congregate in large groups. The biggest concern, however, is how to protect yourself and your family if you happen to be caught in one. As with most self-defense scenarios, the best way to survive an aggressive mob is by being aware of the situation and to avoid it by heading the other way. But since these riots can happen quickly, avoidance might be impossible. You should always know the quickest way out of every area and have multiple escape plans to ensure your safety. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">But at the same time you should also be prepared to stand up to a crowd as a last resort. If you have to fight find a location with a good backstop so you can only be approached from one direction. This gives you at least some tactical advantage, as you cannot be attacked from behind. At this point you should call the police, provide them with the situation and your location and decide the best way to fight.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">It seems as if riots are beginning to occur in places once considered to be safe. The problem is group mentality. It only takes an aggressive few to turn ordinary people into a mob. Since never leaving your home is not an option, having a plan could be your only hope. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/aggressive-mobs#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/why-a-back-upTue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">In my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/back-it-up/" target="_blank">last blog</a> about back-up guns, I received a couple of comments about how one gun is enough if you maintain it and make your shots count. One reader also said that you&rsquo;ll probably never be faced with multiple attackers anyway. This made me realize that some don&rsquo;t understand why a person would carry a second handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">I don&rsquo;t want a back-up gun because I&rsquo;m a bad shot or because I think I&rsquo;m going to be set upon by&nbsp;a gang of&nbsp;assailants every other day. I want a back up for the same reason I carry my primary gun. I have a very small chance of ever needing to defend myself in a self-defense situation</span><span style="font-size: small;">, but I still carry a gun daily. And even if I am attacked and have to use my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, I&rsquo;ll probably only have to fire two or three rounds, but I still carry a spare magazine. I also clean and maintain my .45 ACP on a regular basis, but it is a mechanical device and can malfunction. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you see what I&rsquo;m getting at? It&rsquo;s all about <a href="http://www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-laws.html" target="_blank">Murphy&rsquo;s Law</a>. You don&rsquo;t carry a back-up gun&nbsp;because you think you&rsquo;ll actually&nbsp;need it. You carry a back up for the "one time" that all the stars line up against you. It&rsquo;s the insurance for your insurance. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/why-a-back-up#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/back-it-upWed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Two guns are one, one gun is none. This saying has bounced around for years on gun forums as the reason to always carry a backup gun. Some self-defense advocates on the forums even take it further and claim that three guns are two. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While I&rsquo;m not sure I completely understand that one, unless they&rsquo;re talking about the rifle I keep in the truck, I am a large advocate of backup guns. Of course, I don&rsquo;t currently have one, but that is not entirely my fault. A few years ago when <a href="http://www.ruger.com/index.html" target="_blank">Ruger</a> came out with the <a href="http://www.ruger.com/products/lcp/models.html" target="_blank">LCP</a>, I bought two. One was purchased as a compact purse gun for my wife, while the other became my backup. That was until I let my mother-in-law shoot one of these little guns. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Since then, I&rsquo;ve been without a backup gun, but I&rsquo;m considering getting another LCP, especially since there is now a NRA version of the LCP and it counts toward the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/ruger-million-gun-challenge-first-donation/" target="_blank">Ruger Million Dollar Challenge to Benefit NRA</a>. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Do you carry a backup? If so, what is it, and what do you recommend I look into getting as a backup and why? I've got a prize for the person with the best answer, be it funny or serious. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/back-it-up#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/bring-on-the-zombiesTue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Recently, I was in the range trying out the new Aimpoint PRO when I wondered if my scope/rifle combination would work against a zombie horde. Since <a href="http://www.championtarget.com/" target="_blank">Champion</a> introduced its new VisiColor Zombie targets at the Outbreak Omega 4 zombie shoot in July, I decided to find out. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The new VisiColor Zombie targets are all manners of cool with two different colors revealing hits. As head shots are the only ones that matter against zombies, the head splatters green when hit while the body shows a more difficult to see orange upon contact. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Beyond the cool factor of these targets, I also see the benefits for self-defense advocates, as here is an excellent tool for working on failure drills. Go ahead, slow that zombie down with a double tap before finishing the job by shooting green. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">All seriousness aside, these targets are a lot of fun and are available in <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=123&amp;id=1077" target="_blank">eight different&nbsp;situations</a> including single and double attacks and even victim protection. I am now ready for the zombie apocalypse.<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/bring-on-the-zombies#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/failure-drillThu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/self-defense-pistol-101/" target="_blank">Failure Drill</a> consists of three shots designed to ensure that an attacker is stopped by putting two shots into center of mass with a final shot to the head. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While most attackers can be deterred by the simple act of drawing a gun, and most others with a single shot or two, the Failure Drill stops those few attackers that just don&rsquo;t stop due to adrenalin, motivation or drug use. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The idea is simple. Fire two shots into the center-of-mass to stop the attack, but if these don&rsquo;t do the job, it should at least slow the attacker down long enough to fire a carefully aimed shot to the head. While this seems like common sense, most people automatically refer back to however they typically shoot at the range when under the stress of an attack. This is why the failure drill is so important. If you normally only fire at the center of mass at the range, then you will probably only fire at the center of mass during an attack. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Start the failure drill with the gun in your holster concealed by a cover garment with a silhouette target about 5 to 7 yards away. Have a friend time your efforts along with telling you to go. At the mark, draw and fire two rounds into center mass, then transition and fire one shot to the head. Most shooters will take around 3 to 4 seconds to perform this drill, while a good shooter can shave it down to below three. If you can do it in around two seconds, you&rsquo;re good. <br /></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/failure-drill#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-speed-drawWed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;">How fast can you draw and fire two shots? Can you do it before an attacker can get to you? You might be surprised. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to FBI standards, 21 feet is the distance that an agent can engage an attacker with a knife. This is this the distance that a trained agent can defend his or her life. Now, what do you think are your chances? Try this drill to determine how fast you can draw and fire when an attacker is charging toward you.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>The Speed Draw <br /></strong>This drill requires two people&mdash;a runner and a shooter&mdash;two objects that can be easily found on the ground and a silhouette target. <br />&bull;&nbsp;The shooter stands facing the target about 7 yards (21 feet) away with the gun in the holster concealed by a cover garment.<br />&bull;&nbsp;The runner stands facing in the opposite direction of the target to the side of the shooter and just far enough in front that the shooter can see him or her in the peripheral vision. <br />&bull;&nbsp;The runner should be holding two objects that can be easily found on the ground, one in each hand. <br />&bull;&nbsp;When both parties are ready, the runner takes off running in the opposite direction of the target. <br />&bull;&nbsp;As soon as the shooter sees the runner take off, he or she draws and fires two rounds center mass of the target. <br />&bull;&nbsp;At each shot, the runner drops one of the items. <br />&bull;&nbsp;Once finished, make safe, holster and measure the distance. <br />&bull;&nbsp;Then, swap roles and repeat. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve conducted this drill many times as both the shooter and the runner as an example in my classes. Even against a skilled shooter, most runners can reach around 24 feet before the first shot and almost 30 feet by the second. Provides a good reason to practice your draw, doesn&rsquo;t it?</span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-speed-draw#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-nikon-cupTue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently attended Nikon&rsquo;s Invitational Shootout, where contestants from across the country&mdash;mostly sales reps and behind-the-counter dealers&mdash;competed for the first Nikon Cup. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over two days, participants used a variety of Nikon optics, some of which are very new, in shooting and hunting scenarios designed to showcase the capabilities of <a href="http://www.nikonhunting.com/" target="_blank">Nikon</a> optics and rangefinders, along with the <a href="http://www.nikonhunting.com/spoton" target="_blank">Spot On Ballistic Match Technology</a>. The event was also meant to help store workers better determine which Nikon optic would best serve their customers' needs. Here are my early thoughts on these precision pieces of shooting equipment. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>M223</strong> <br />Teams of two had to use CMMG AR-15s mounted with Nikon M223 1-4x20 scopes with Point Blank reticles to try and flip a 3-gun shotgun spinner. Flipping a spinner designed for a 1-ounce slug with rifles chambered in .223 Rem. took timing and teamwork, and really showcased the transitioning speed of the M223. There are three models of the M223 available, but I believe I like the lowest-powered scope best, as it provides an excellent tactical rifle scope for close to medium targets, and even further with better eyes than mine. This is a scope that I&rsquo;m going to seriously consider putting on my AR for tactical use. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Slug Hunter 3-9x40 BDC 200</strong> <br />Using a Browning mounted with a Nikon Slug Hunter 3-9x40 BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) scope sighted at 50 yards, I had to fire two 20-gauge slugs at deer targets at varying ranges. The second and third circles on the BDC reticle drove the slugs straight into the 5-inch kill zone. While I would have preferred distances that required more calculation, this would be an excellent scope choice for shotgun-only hunting areas. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Prostaff Rimfire</strong> <br />The Nikon Prostaff Rimfire was mounted on a CMMG AR in .22 LR to defend against zombie prairie dogs that were advancing via a Target Tracker, a remote-controlled targeting system. The Rimfire was fast and accurate, and was matched well to the rifle, allowing me to easily defeat the undead intruders with time to spare. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Prostaff 3-9-40 with BDC reticle</strong> <br />It was&nbsp;the long-range targets that showed the true value of the BDC reticle and Spot On technology. Using a Browning .308 Win., participants fired at 10 targets at differing ranges out to more than 500 yards. While the wind was a factor, hold-over was near perfect with most misses being to the left or right of the targets because of wind, which was gusting up to about 10 to 15 m.p.h. The Spot On program showed precise hold-over after entering the scope and ammunition used, and even had placements for weather conditions. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Omega 3-9x40 300 BDC</strong> <br />The Omega scopes are designed specifically for muzzleloading rifles, and when sighted in at a determined range allow for compensation out to the farthest range on most muzzleloaders. This was another place where the range of the deer targets didn&rsquo;t show the capabilities of the scope and rifle, but did prove how easy the BDC reticle works when you know where to hold. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Bolt XR 3x32</strong> <br />The Bolt XR might have been the coolest scope used during this event. Sighted for 20 yards on a crossbow shooting a bolt at around 307 fps, the circles designed for compensating at 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards were dead on, and even people with very little crossbow experience were able to easily nail the targets once the range was determined through a rangefinder.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/the-nikon-cup#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/protect-your-feetFri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are lot things I do and don&rsquo;t do because of my self-defense philosophy. I don&rsquo;t wear <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/leave-the-headphones-at-home/" target="_blank">earphones</a> when exercising. I always look in the backseat of my car before entering. I always <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/avoiding-confrontation/" target="_blank">observe a store</a> before walking in to make a purchase, and I&rsquo;m always aware of my surroundings and am constantly planning for situations that can occur in the location where I&rsquo;m at. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While some people would call this being paranoid, I call it being prepared. I decided a long time ago that I was not going to become a victim to some degenerate who has no regard for other&rsquo;s property or life. However, this tip might reach over to the paranoid side of the line. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">What I&rsquo;m talking about is flip flops. My hatred of flip flops is well known to my family and friends, and some of them think this might be going a little far. Yes, I do dislike the funny little clopping noise flip flops make as someone walks, but my dislike goes further. Yes, flip flops are considered to be cool and comfortable during the summer months, but they have to be the worst footwear for self-defense situations. In fact, it is my belief that flip flops actually make a person a target. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, you can&rsquo;t move quickly in flip flops. Flip flops can also easily trip you up or fly off your feet when moving quickly, limiting your fight or flight response to an attack. Second, flip flops leave your feet open to attack. An assailant can easily stomp the feet of someone in this open-toed footwear, breaking toes and limiting that person&rsquo;s response. I know I have no problem stomping feet in a fight. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Substantial footwear is an important part of keeping yourself safe. While wearing real shoes, you can move away from danger or stand and fight with fist, feet or gun. Keep yourself safe by wearing real shoes or boots and leave the flip flops for what they were designed, the beach and shower.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/protect-your-feet#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/pull-the-slideMon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;ve often wondered why the TV self-defense experts always rack the slide when performing a speed reload on a semi-auto handgun rather than releasing the slide via the slide stop. I always though it was to provide that extra eighth-of-an-inch of spring power to ensure the gun went fully into battery. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since this has never been an issue with my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, I&rsquo;ve always used my thumb on my support hand to release the slide stop, bringing the gun into battery. I&rsquo;ve always felt this technique is faster since my thumb could release the slide stop with my hand on the grip in my shooting position. I have used this technique in numerous competitions where reloads were required and in hours of training without ever having the gun fail to go into battery. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, when I was at <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a>, Ed Stock was running us through both tactical and speed reloads and he specifically said to release the slide by pulling it back after inserting the magazine. This was my opportunity to ask why he recommended pulling the slide rather than using the slide stop. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">He answered: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a slide stop, not a slide release. And, we train for every handgun.&rdquo; </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">His philosophy made sense as not every handgun has an easily accessible slide stop. The slide stop on the <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&amp;storeId=750001&amp;catalogId=750051&amp;content=11001" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a> M&amp;Ps we were using is much smaller than the one on my Kimber, and as such, would be much harder to release under pressure, especially with sweaty or grimy hands. Many other handgun models also have small slide stops that could be difficult to release when needed most, so eliminating that element ensures consistent speed when reloading regardless of the model of handgun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">How do you return the gun to battery when reloading?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/pull-the-slide#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/avoidanceWed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">There is one sure fire way to always survive an attack on the streets&mdash;avoidance. If you can avoid a confrontation, you will survive a confrontation. While carrying a concealed handgun means you can probably go anywhere with confidence, it doesn&rsquo;t mean you should. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A handgun should only be used for self-defense and then with extreme discretion. It&rsquo;s not your job to try to rid the world of bad people&mdash;that is the job of the police. Your job is to protect yourself and your family in the unlikely event that you are attacked. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">One of the best ways to utilize avoidance is through awareness. If you know what is happening around you then you can avoid potentially bad situations, such as not walking into the middle of a store robbery or by waiting to see if a sinister-looking person is about to cause problems before heading that way. And, if you actually see a crime in progress, the first thing you should do after making sure your family is not in danger is call the police. Then, you can assess the situation and determine if further action is required to preserve life.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/avoidance#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/shooting-the-500-smith-wessonThu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In between all of the training, the recent attendees at Gunsite had some time to shoot a few rounds into ballistic gel for fun and to view the effectiveness of <a href="http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php" target="_blank">DoubleTap</a> ammunition. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it came time for a volunteer to drop the hammer on a <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765449_-1_757898_757896_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y" target="_blank">.500 Smith &amp; Wesson</a>, Top Shot winner Iain Harrison stepped up to experience the power of this big-bore revolver. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Harrison does an excellent job of handling the recoil of the .500, as shown in this video, which ripped through the gel and sent a camera, set up to the catch the shot from the front, soaring 20 feet into the air. The shock of the bullet hitting the gel&nbsp;ruined the camera and battery, and I still haven&rsquo;t heard whether the card survived. If it did, I really want to see the footage.</span></p> <p> <object width="358" height="321" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/CbQvdCidfaM?hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CbQvdCidfaM?hl=en&amp;fs=1" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> </object> </p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/shooting-the-500-smith-wesson#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/gunsite-lightgaurdMon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the sun went down, the <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> Lightquards came out, but not before we conducted several shooting&nbsp;strings without lights or lasers in fairly dark conditions. Considering my abysmal night vision&mdash;there is a reason why <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/let-there-be-light/" target="_blank">I always carry a flashlight</a>&mdash;I discovered that I am a much better shot in low-light situations than I ever would have thought. Even though I couldn&rsquo;t use the sights and could only see an outline of the target, I was able to keep the majority of my shots in the center-of-mass ring at 7 yards.<br /><br />Of course, once the Lightguards were turned on, the targets were much more identifiable and my shots began drilling the center-of-mass once again.<br /><br /><img title="lightguard" src="http://www.americanrifleman.org/home-carousel/images/dscn0142.jpg" alt="lightguard" width="644" height="400" /><br /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Crimson Trace Lightguard mounts around the trigger guard under the barrel, similar to the Laserguard, and is very powerful considering its small, lightweight size. Our first exposure to the Lightguard was a very basic shoot-and-move drill. At the instructor&rsquo;s command, we drew, fired two rounds center-of-mass, let the light go out and took one step to the side. The instant-on of the Lightguard was great for lighting up the target, but releasing the grip to let the light go out took a little longer to master, but I'm talking minutes, not hours.</span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/gunsite-lightgaurd#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/training-for-realTue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">The first lesson I learned about Gunsite is that it does not teach shooting or marksmanship. Gunsite is a fighting training academy. Everything the instructors teach is as if you are defending your life against an assailant. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">After every shooting series, shooters are required to follow the target down in case additional shots are required and scan the area for other attackers before holstering the gun. In fact, the instructors loudly stated that we should only holster when we are absolutely sure the fight is over. If there is any doubt, you should stay at the low ready position and continue scanning for trouble. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The second lesson I learned is that I need to slow down and work on my trigger control at close range. I was fast and accurate on center-of-mass during both single and double strings, but when we moved on to two center-of-mass shots with one high finishing shot, I had problems putting my rounds into the small triangle zone indicating a good hit. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Because of this, Instructor Ed Stock conducted a drill with me where he had me squeeze off an aimed shot with his finger between mine and the trigger. Stock quickly determined that I was rushing the trigger rather than letting the shot catch me by surprise. While I would like to believe that some of this could have been that I was using an unfamiliar handgun, I know this is not the case.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/training-for-real#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-have-arrivedMon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morning comes early in the Arizona desert, especially if you&rsquo;re on D.C. time. Well, it gives me time to reflect on the upcoming day&rsquo;s events. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">After arriving at <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a>, we will attend to the administrative requirements, which include a safety briefing&mdash;everyone can always use a refresher when it come to firearms safety&mdash;before getting to know our equipment and fellow attendees. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the primary purpose of this event is to test and evaluate the new <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> Lightguard under real low-light conditions, we will also be seeing a new red-dot handgun scope from <a href="http://www.trijicon.com/na_en/index.php" target="_blank">Trijicon</a> and new holsters from Galco, including, according to another attendee, a light-compatible IWB holster. This is one rumor that I hope is true.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-have-arrived#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/low-light-at-gunsiteThu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don&rsquo;t know if it was luck or fate, but my last blog on lights was a fitting topic since I will soon be heading to <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/main/" target="_blank">Gunsite</a> to attend a low-light training class with <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> and <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?catalogId=750051&amp;content=11001&amp;langId=-1&amp;storeId=750001" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a>. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I, along with a few other gun writers, will be trying out some new products and receiving instruction from one of the premier gun-training academies. I have been told that if we can&rsquo;t break at least one of these new items we be playing with, our host will be disappointed.&nbsp;Well, my father always said I could screw up an anvil with a feather. Guess I'll get to test that theory. &nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I&rsquo;ve always felt that low-light techniques are extremely important to the average self-defense advocate. Most break-ins happen when people are at work, but&nbsp;a lot home invasions happen in the dark of night. Because of this, it is important to know how to use a flashlight to your best advantage. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what I&rsquo;m going to learn at the firearms school built by the late and great Col. Jeff Cooper. While it has been a long time since Col. Cooper has been involved with the academy, Gunsite&rsquo;s training principles have remained true to Cooper&rsquo;s vision and I&rsquo;m looking forward to learning from men and women who have dedicated their lives to promoting self-defense, and plan to pass this information on to you as best I can.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/low-light-at-gunsite#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/let-there-be-lightTue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">After posting my last blog on <a href="&lt;script type=&quot;text/javascript&quot; language=&quot;JavaScript&quot;&gt;" target="_blank">My Home Gun</a>, I was asked by a reader whether I preferred to have the light attached to my gun or held in my support hand. My answer to this question is yes. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want good high-output flashlights everywhere. I want lights on my firearms and in my hands. As I explained last time, I recently put a BLACKHAWK! <a href="http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Night-Ops-Xiphos-NT-Weapon-Mounted-Light,503,40.htm" target="_blank">Night-Ops XIPHOS NT</a> light on my home-defense handgun. Well, I also have flashlights located in places where I might need a light. In my truck, I have a SureFire L1 along with a Maglight. In my survival kit, I have a <a href="http://www.bushnell.com/products/other-products/flashlights/hd-flashlights/100400C/" target="_blank">Bushnell HD Torch</a>, and in my pocket I carry a <a href="http://www.surefire.com/E1B-Backup" target="_blank">SureFire E1B Backup</a>. I also have multiple inexpensive flashlights hidden around the house just in case the lights go out and I don&rsquo;t have my light on me. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I try to always carry a flashlight and it has come in very useful many times. Just a few weeks ago, I used my pocket flashlight to illuminate the way for a lady having a difficult time traversing a dark stairwell while getting on a ride at Universal Studios in Orlando. I have also helped numerous people find items dropped under seats on planes or in movie theaters over the years. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As for the question of whether I prefer a light on the gun or in the hand, I believe both have its uses. My home gun has a light attached, which is how I prefer if I&rsquo;m clearing my home. I want my support hand free to open doors, block blows from attackers or snatch my kid and run without losing access to light. However, I also train using hand-held flashlights for use outside the home and in case my gun light goes out for whatever reason. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I consider a flashlight to be almost as important as my gun, and I&rsquo;m never very far from one.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/let-there-be-light#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-home-gunMon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While some shooters have an all-around gun for both concealed-carry and home defense, I prefer to have separate handguns for specific purposes. While there is nothing wrong with having one gun for both&mdash;this ensures you know this handgun intimately&mdash;I favor my home-defense gun to be set up exactly how I want without having to attach or remove accessories when I arrive or leave home. This also allows me to secure my home-defense firearm in the same location at all time. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">To eliminate the problem of having to manipulate a less familiar firearm in an intense situation, my home-defense handgun is of the same caliber and style as my concealed-carry gun. A while back, I explained what I <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun/" target="_blank">carry on a daily basis</a>. Now, I&rsquo;m going to discuss my home-defense gun, since I recently finished setting it up. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>The Home Gun</strong> <br />My home gun is a Colt 1991A1 in .45 ACP that I bought from a friend a few years back. At the time I purchased the gun, I was often competing in local International Defense Pistol Association matches and wanted a larger version of my carry gun in the same caliber for these matches. Later, I decided to set this gun up for home-defense with <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> LaserGrips, a <a href="http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&amp;func=displ&amp;strfnbr=6&amp;prrfnbr=23518&amp;sesent=0,0&amp;search_id=2709370" target="_blank">SureFire MR07 Adapter Rail</a>&mdash;since my Colt doesn&rsquo;t have an accessory rail&mdash;and a <a href="http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Night-Ops-Xiphos-NT-Weapon-Mounted-Light,503,40.htm" target="_blank">BLACKHAWK! Night-Ops XIPHOS NT</a> light. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This set-up has the same controls as my carry gun, as well as the same caliber. The laser is sighted for 25 yards, which simplifies shooting across a room under pressure, and the light is easy to operate and powerful enough to provide ample illumination in the dark while blinding any potential attacker. What do&nbsp;you have for home defense?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/my-home-gun#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/drawing-from-concealmentFri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most important element of a self-defense situation is learning when you should, or shouldn&rsquo;t, draw your handgun. The next most important element is the actual drawing of your gun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Police and open-carry participants have an advantage over the concealed-carry crowd when it comes to drawing a handgun; there is nothing between them and their handguns to complicate the draw. Concealed-carry practitioners; however, must work their way around or through a concealment garment, such as a shirt, jacket or vest, and draw that gun through said garment. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now with practice, drawing from concealment is not difficult. In fact, in most cases drawing from concealment only requires an extra motion or two. The problem lies in that no one wears the same clothes, or even type of clothes, every single day. Due to style, weather and other clothing factors, most of us wear a variety of different clothes. This means that the draw must change slightly depending on the type of cover garment and how the gun is carried. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Practice is the only way to ensure a fast, smooth draw when needed, and since cover garments change almost daily due to a variety of factors, practice should be conducted often, if not daily. Consider adding in a couple of minutes to your daily routine to practice drawing with an unloaded gun, and remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/drawing-from-concealment#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/check-your-equipmentTue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">Here is an <a href="http://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/safety-warning-worn-leather-holsters-can-cause-accidental-discharges/" target="_blank">excellent example</a>, sent to me by Tiger McKee of <a href="http://www.shootrite.org/" target="_blank">Shootrite Academy</a>, of why you should often check your concealed-carry equipment for potential malfunctions. The holster in question was worn beyond use, allowing a section of it to bunch in the trigger guard causing an unintentional discharge. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The only good news about this safety example is that no one was seriously injured. As soon as you can safely do so, check your equipment to ensure that it is in good repair, and replace anything that is worn. This includes holsters, lights, lasers and the handgun itself. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As concealed-carry advocates is our responsibility to keep our equipment maintained to ensure that this doesn&rsquo;t happen to us. We as gun owners are representatives of the Second Amendment and should go above and beyond to make sure that safety is our No. 1 goal. Afterall, why else are we carrying?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/check-your-equipment#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/beauty-queen-ends-robberyWed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to Fox News, Meghan Brown is one <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/22/armed-beauty-queen-fatally-shoots-intruder-florida-home-invasion/?test=faces" target="_blank">beauty queen you don&rsquo;t want to mess with</a>, which she proved when she used her pink .38 Spl. revolver to end the ill-chosen career of a robber when the said criminal forced his way in a home she shares with her fianc&eacute;. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While this is a story where the right people ultimately won, I&rsquo;m curious why the fianc&eacute; would place a huge "attack me" sign on Brown&rsquo;s shoulders? I mean it&rsquo;s obvious they were targeted for their wealth. Did he really have to brag about the value of her engagement ring? </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope she carries that pink pistol everywhere. She may need it.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/beauty-queen-ends-robbery#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/uncle-mikes-reflex-holsterWed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Retention is an important part of carrying concealed. A gun&nbsp;that falls&nbsp;out while a peson is&nbsp;performing normal duties is embarrassing and could have legal implications. Having your handgun pulled from its holster by an unauthorized user could get you killed. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://unclemikes.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Uncle Mike&rsquo;s</a> recently developed a concealable holster with a very simple retention system that should prevent both scenarios. It&rsquo;s called the <a href="http://unclemikes.com/products/reflex_holsters.html" target="_blank">Reflex</a> holster, and it&rsquo;s a Kydex outside-the-waistband, strong-side holster with a spring-style knob that holds a gun securely until needed, whether for training or a real-life situation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Reflex can be attached by belt loops or via an adjustable paddle. Drawing from the Reflex is simple with only a minute adjustment in the draw as there is no button to push or cover to move. To draw, all one has to do is twist the butt of the handgun toward the rear of the body. This releases the tension on the knob, allowing the gun to be drawn. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Early testing reveals the Reflex to be almost instinctive, which is probably from where the name Reflex came. The draw is quite smooth with almost no change to my technique, but I haven&rsquo;t tried the holster under pressure, which will be its real test. Can a person remember to slightly twist the hand during the draw while under the pressure of self-defense? I personally think yes, but we&rsquo;ll find out soon as I'm going to testing the Reflex once I dearl with some logistical issues. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">So far, the only thing I don&rsquo;t like about the Reflex is that it is an OWB holster. Even though the belt loop pulls the gun close to the body, I still believe my IWB <a href="http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/IWB/tabid/56/CategoryID/1/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName" target="_blank">CrossBreed SuperTuck</a> better conceals under the light shirts I prefer in the summer. I would love to see an IWB leather/Kydex hybrid version that provides the concealment I prefer with a real retention option.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/uncle-mikes-reflex-holster#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/distraction-of-the-cell-phoneMon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A reader made a very accurate comment on my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/leave-the-headphones-at-home/" target="_blank">headphones blog</a> about how distracted people become when talking on a cell phone. I personally believe that this is an understatement. There are people who don&rsquo;t realize that they&rsquo;re still in this world when talking or texting on a cell phone. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are videos all over the Internet of people paying more attention to their cell phones than what&rsquo;s going on around them or even where they&rsquo;re going. I&rsquo;ve watched videos of people walking into street signs and traffic, and even one of a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyb3x95AHrQ" target="_blank">lady walking right into a fountain</a> while texting on her cell phone. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now I&rsquo;m an advocate of cell phones as an important self-defense tool. Today&rsquo;s cell phones can be used to take photos or video of perpetrators and evidence in addition to calling the police if you&rsquo;re forced into a self-defensive situation. However, a cell phone is a tool to make life more convenient, not a toy that is more important than anything else including personal safety. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Laws have been passed making both texting and talking on a handheld cell phone illegal while driving, and there has even been talk about making texting while walking on sidewalks illegal in some major cities. I find it fascinating that we have to implement these types of laws because I can&rsquo;t be the only person whose parents taught him to pay attention to where he&rsquo;s going. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cell phones are nice convenience in a fast-paced world, and a great device for obtaining help in a variety of situations, but they shouldn&rsquo;t become a constant distraction. I would figure that more people would pay attention just so they wouldn&rsquo;t become the next joke on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/distraction-of-the-cell-phone#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/leave-the-headphones-at-homeTue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the weather has warmed, I&rsquo;ve started noticing more people out running and walking for exercise. While staying in shape is a good way to ensure a long healthy life, I can&rsquo;t help but notice how many are committing, at least to my way of thinking, a major awareness sin. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">What I&rsquo;m talking about is the number of runners I notice trotting along the road listening to music via earphones. Now, I&rsquo;m well aware that music can help some people power through their workouts, I can&rsquo;t help but wonder how they are paying attention to their surroundings when they are rocking out with no idea of what is coming up from behind. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This could be as simple as a bicycle, which could crash into them, all the way up to an assailant with bad intentions. How can a person be focused on safety, be it road safety to self-defense, if that person can&rsquo;t hear what is happening around them? This is especially frustrating to me when I see young, pretty women doing this in my area, when I know that there have been some attacks nearby. In fact, just this week, the police caught the man known as the&nbsp;East Coast Rapist, who attacked several Virginia women. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a subject that should be broached with everyone who likes to exercise outdoors. Be sure to talk to your loved ones about staying aware at all times, and get them to leave the music at home.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/leave-the-headphones-at-home#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/defensive-pizza-deliveryFri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three would-be robbers in Detroit recently had the tables turned on them by a pizza delivery guy who was prepared to fend off their attack. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/police:-pizza-delivery-man-fights-back-after-being-ambushed,-kills-robber" target="_blank">news report</a> doesn&rsquo;t name the non-victim who used a handgun to protect his life while performing his job on the east side of Motor City, which is probably a good thing. This was a planned attack where three assailants ordered a pizza delivered to a vacant house. I have no idea if the driver noticed that something was wrong and prepared himself, or if he was just constantly vigilant of his surroundings, but either way he came out on top. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">What I liked most was that the manager of Papa&rsquo;s Pizza told <a href="http://www.wxyz.com/" target="_blank">WXYZ Action News</a> that not only did he have a permit to carry a concealed handgun, but that many of his drivers did as well. It&rsquo;s nice to see a company that allows its employees to express their Second Amendment rights and defend their lives in a potentially dangerous job. If I lived in Detroit, this would be my pizza parlor.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/defensive-pizza-delivery#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/introducing-pressueWed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many elements of self-defense can be imitated in training. Certain scenarios, like low-light situations,&nbsp;can be&nbsp;realistically created&nbsp;to test skills and raise the stakes exponentially. However, it&rsquo;s difficult to implement one of the biggest factors of self-defense: pressure. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pressure forces mistakes, fumbling and tunnel vision in self-defense situations. The reason we train is to be able to overcome these mistakes if we are ever forced to defend a life. Over the years, instructors have figured out a variety of ways to increase pressure in training, such as&nbsp;force-on-force with air soft guns. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Force-on-force drills provide realism in training scenarios&nbsp;and can be designed for a variety of situations or even to force a desired ending, like retreat as the only option. The only problem with force-on-force drills is that most of us don&rsquo;t have to time, people, money or facilities to really conduct them correctly. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, pressure can also be introduced on a standard range with the use of a stopwatch. Just by timing speed in reloads, controlled pairs and shooting from retention, stress is added to the situation. If you want to improve self-defense skills, time them and see if you have what it takes to conduct under pressure.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/introducing-pressue#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dicussing-the-beretta-px4-stormMon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While best known for shotguns and for supplying the primary sidearm of the U.S. military, <a href="http://www.berettausa.com/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Beretta</a> also produces a polymer-frame pistol called the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/beretta-px4-and-cx4/" target="_blank">Px4 Storm</a>. Available in three sizes&mdash;full, compact and subcompact&mdash;and three calibers, the Px4 Storm features a rotary barrel lockup in the full-size and compact and a tilting barrel lockup in the subcompact. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first thing that jumps out at me is the covered barrel since it is so different from the open-barrel M9 (92FS) that is well known to the shooting public. However, there other features that make this gun nice to handle, such as the ergonomic grip and three changeable backstraps, which allow the gun to be adjusted to fit almost any hand. It should be noted that Beretta has kept the controls similar to the 92FS, which should make transitioning to the Px4 Storm quite easy for anyone familiar with the military&rsquo;s standard issue pistol or its civilian counterpart. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mark Keefe, American Rifleman magazine Editor in Chief, recently talked with Beretta&rsquo;s Ben Cook about the Px4 Storm. <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/videos/beretta-px4-storm/" target="_blank">See what he learned</a>, and check back for AmericanRifleman.org&rsquo;s upcoming review of the Px4 Storm subcompact in 9 mm.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dicussing-the-beretta-px4-storm#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/gun-traveling-lawsMon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Winter isn&rsquo;t best time for traveling, but since <a href="http://www.groundhog.org/" target="_blank">Phil</a> didn&rsquo;t see his shadow the other day, perhaps&nbsp;spring is right around the corner. And with nicer weather, travelers will soon start hitting the roads. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Concealed-carry advocates travel just like everyone else for both work and pleasure, and many carry for self-defense when away from their home states. While most states allow some form of concealed carry, the laws often differ, and some states don&rsquo;t recognize permits from other states. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keeping up with firearm laws as you travel can be difficult and confusing, as you have to know in which states you can carry, as well as the various places that you can or can&rsquo;t carry a concealed handgun into. Some states allow carrying into a restaurant that serves alcohol as long as the user isn&rsquo;t drinking, while others don&rsquo;t allow any firearms into places that serve alcohol for on-premise consumption. There are some states where you can carry into a rest stop, and others you can&rsquo;t. You have to know the laws of the state that you&rsquo;re in, or trouble could follow out of innocent ignorance. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are numerous resources for learning the various gun laws among states. One of which is the Traveler&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001566" target="_blank">Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States</a>. Here, the NRA compiles the gun laws of every state for easy, portable reference. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another is the Internet. My favorite site is the <a href="http://test.carryconcealed.net/packngo/index.php" target="_blank">Pack-n-Go website</a>, which lets you enter your permit and the states that you&rsquo;ll be traveling through to find out where you can legally carry a gun either concealed or open. The only problem is that laws can change, and it is up to you to know whether or not the information is good. As any cop will tell you, ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the law.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/gun-traveling-laws#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-wish-i-could-buy-them-a-gunFri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">I recently saw a <a href="http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/02/02/an-elderly-couples-defiant-stand-against-armed-robber/" target="_blank">news report</a> out of Minnesota about an elderly couple who overpowered a masked intruder who was trying to rob them in their home. The bad guy quickly found out that he had chosen the wrong house to rob when the couple fought back and sent him packing. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">A quote from the story reminded me why you never mess with older people. The World War II veteran told WCCO-TV that he was &ldquo;damn near 92 years old. So, I&rsquo;ve lived my life. He&rsquo;s got his ahead of him, and it might not be too rosy, you know?&rdquo; </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">While this couple won the fight, and I&rsquo;m so proud that they did, I can&rsquo;t help but wonder what could have happened if the intruder had been better armed. I also wonder what would have happened if the couple would have had a gun handy. In either case, it would have benefited them to have a gun for home-defense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Today&rsquo;s seniors watched the world change around them, and were an integral part of history as it was being made. They deserve to be respected rather than attacked, and I wish I could buy them all a&nbsp;gun.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/i-wish-i-could-buy-them-a-gun#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/quashing-raging-judge-rumorsWed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The rumor mill has been grinding away since SHOT that the new 28-gauge Taurus Raging Judge has been declared a National Firearms Act item by the ATF and would not be coming out. As is often the case with rumors, this is not true according to <em>American Rifleman</em> Editor-in-Chief Mark Keefe. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">&rdquo;This is simply not the case. Taurus President and CEO Bob Morrison invited officials from the ATF's Technology Branch to discuss some of the firm's new product introductions. "I asked them to come and give some advice," Morrison said. By all accounts the meeting was cordial, professional, and not a "raid" or "gotcha" as erroneously reported elsewhere. No determination on the gun's status was made at the show. Remember, to even be in the United States at all, the prototype had to be cleared by ATF for importation. On the 28 gauge Raging Judge revolver, Taurus sought ATF's advice on some modifications to the gun and is the process of implementing the results of those suggestions. This is a very common practice; gun manufacturers and importers regularly work with ATF as the firearm industry's regulatory agency. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">&rdquo;Also, despite rumors to the contrary, the .45 Colt/.410 Bore lever-action Ranch Hand with the rifled barrel is good to go for importation, as is the 28 gauge Circuit Judge. You'll see them later on this year, as well as the 28 gauge Raging Judge with minor modifications. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">&rdquo;Rumors also abound regarding an impending ATF ruling regarding shotguns and "sporting purposes," but they have nothing to do with the 28-gauge Raging Judge.&rdquo;</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/quashing-raging-judge-rumors#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/self-defense-accuracyTue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most handguns shooters spend countless hours trying to get the smallest possible group in the 10-ring on a target. Many of us are practically obsessed with accuracy, but accuracy and self-defense accuracy are quite different. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In most self-defense situations, an attacker is anywhere from point-blank range out to about 30 feet away. If attacked in your home, you&rsquo;ll never shoot at a longer distance than the length of your largest room. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In that type of situation, you will not have time to line up your sights, take a deep breath, let half of it out and squeeze the trigger. In many ways, self-defense shooting is similar to shotgunning in that it is &ldquo;flash shooting.&rdquo; You lock your eyes on the target as you line up the gun and pull the trigger until you stop the attack. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This type of shooting does not lend itself to pretty groups on paper, but that&rsquo;s not the point. The point of self-defense shooting is protecting life and limb. All you have to be able to do is consistently hit a 1-foot square representing center-of-mass on a target at a variety of ranges out to about 30 feet. That is self-defense accuracy.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/self-defense-accuracy#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/cover-versus-concealmentThu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like most guys, I love a good shoot&rsquo;um up movie, but I&rsquo;m always irritated when the protagonist dives behind a couch, or some other flimsy object, right before the bad guy sprays the object with bullets. And even though the object would have never stopped a bullet&mdash;much less multiple bullets&mdash;the hero jumps up unharmed and drops the bad guy with a well-placed shot. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The irritation doesn&rsquo;t come from the actual movie scene. I know it&rsquo;s just a movie, but I&rsquo;m always curious about how many people see that and believe that a couch, sheet rock wall or interior door can stop a large-caliber pistol round. These objects provide good concealment, but they&rsquo;re not cover, and hiding behind them in a lethal-force encounter is not the best idea, though they can be better than nothing. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Concealment is any object that can be hidden behind such as a wall, table, couch or door. In your own home, concealment can be useful since you are intimate with your surroundings, which provides some tactical advantage. From concealment you can watch for potential dangers while keeping yourself hidden from view. Almost any large object can be used as concealment. However, concealment will not stop a bullet if you are fired upon by an intruder. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cover, on the other hand, provides both concealment and protection from attack. Cover can be a reinforced door, a book case with books, a refrigerator or some other item thick enough to stop a bullet. When developing your home-defense plan, be sure to take into account cover versus concealment and leave the couch for the movies.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/cover-versus-concealment#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/mental-trainingWed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of the amount of time spent or number of rounds fired in training, many gun owners are unprepared for a deadly force encounter&mdash;mentally unprepared. The idea of defending one&rsquo;s life or home seems very simple, but if you haven&rsquo;t thought it through completely, you might hesitate at a time that could get you seriously hurt or worse. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being prepared is more than carrying and knowing how to use a handgun. You have to prepare your mind for the fact that you might have to save your life by pulling a trigger. That fact should be considered before you ever start carrying a gun. If you have religious or moral beliefs that prohibit this, then you probably shouldn&rsquo;t be carrying a gun, since a determined attacker would only take it away with evil purposes in mind. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">After that decision has been made, mental preparedness is also needed to determine what to do in a given situation. This is where awareness comes into play. I&rsquo;m constantly looking for potential dangers and determining what I would do in that situation. It can be as simple as heading for the back door in a hurry up to barricading your family behind cover to running in to handle the situation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mental training is a constant action in the mind that can provide a tactical advantage over an assailant since you don&rsquo;t have to think about what to do. You have already made your plan. All you have to do is put your plan into action.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/mental-training#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/groundworkThu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">While it&rsquo;s important to stay on your feet in a fight, a lot of things can go wrong when you&rsquo;re attacked, such as being knocked to the ground. If this happened could you defend yourself? If you haven&rsquo;t practiced drawing and shooting from the ground, it&rsquo;s highly unlikely. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">As with most new tactics it&rsquo;s best to begin groundwork with an unloaded or dummy gun. Start by lying on your back and drawing from your standard holster. The location of your holster determines the motion needed to draw and aim. I&rsquo;ve found that an ankle holster works well in this situation, as does a shoulder holster. However, drawing from a small-of-the-back holster in this position is near impossible, and that&rsquo;s if you don&rsquo;t hurt yourself when the gun smacks your vertebrae as you hit the ground. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Since I usually carry on my strong side, I practice by rolling to my weak side to allow my elbow to go back far enough to make the draw. From there I can fire one handed, roll back over to my front to stand or drop down to aim from the ground with both hands using my knees for support. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The actual firing from the ground is the hardest part to practice since many ranges are not set up for this type of training. Unfortunately, firing from the ground is extremely important because the position is so different from the stance that we&rsquo;re used to firing from, and body parts (legs and knees) can get in the way if you&rsquo;re not muzzle conscious. Since I&nbsp;don&rsquo;t always have access to a range where I can fire from the ground, I often train in my living room with an unloaded handgun and a <a href="http://www.laserlyte.com/Laser_Training_System/LT-PRO/LT-PRO.html" target="_blank">LaserLyte LT-Pro Pistol Laser Trainer</a>, which allows me to know where I would hit if I was firing a loaded handgun. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Once you&rsquo;ve mastered drawing and firing from your back, advance the training by starting on your feet and falling backwards, but be sure to use a mat.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/groundwork#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/non-lethal-devicesMon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I personally believe in carrying a concealed handgun at all times; however, there are times when I can&rsquo;t for either legal or calculated reasons. There are also people who, for whatever reason, desire a means of protection that isn&rsquo;t a gun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While there are numerous less-than-lethal ways to protect oneself, I&rsquo;ve never been a big fan of these devices. I've always felt whistles and personal alarms are more for calling for help than self-defense, while stun guns and most pepper sprays require letting the attacker get too&nbsp;close before deployment. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, a couple of years ago I found a pepper sprayer that I was willing to give a try&mdash;the <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/less-lethal/" target="_blank">Kimber Pepper Blaster</a>, which is not an improved spray bottle shooting a pepper mist out to 5 feet or so. The Pepper Blaster fires two charges of a chemical compound at 90 mph out to 13 feet. This gives you an additional 8 feet of room between you and an attacker, which could help you get away. The Pepper Blaster is compact for a pocket or purse, comes with a small pistol grip for improved handling and is completely legal to carry in many situations (check state and local laws). </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kimber also has a larger version called the JPX Jet Protector that delivers two concentrated blasts of irritating chemicals at speeds of 270 mph out to 23 feet, and includes a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories and can be recharged by purchasing additional magazines. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While firearms are the best tools for self-defense, they&rsquo;re not for everyone. For those who can&rsquo;t or won&rsquo;t carry a gun, the Pepper Blaster is a good alternative.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/non-lethal-devices#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/avoiding-confrontationThu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">One way to protect yourself and your family is by avoiding confrontations through awareness and attitude. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Awareness is needed to be able to know when a situation could be brewing that you should avoid by leaving the area or by not going into the area in the first place. Pausing before entering a building or looking down an aisle at the grocery store can help you know what is happening before you walk into the middle of a bad situation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Attitude is needed in two very different ways. The first way that attitude comes in handy is through projection. You need to project that you are not an easy victim. Most bad guys are interested in an easy score and will not even consider attacking someone who looks like he or she is able and willing to fight back. The other way that attitude is crucial to avoiding confrontation is by being the bigger person. There is no reason to get involved in a bad situation because of ego. If the would-be assailant is trying to impress people watching, walk away and let the person feel big. You know you could have handled it, so there is no reason to prove it to anyone. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Just because you&rsquo;re carrying a concealed handgun does not mean that you should get involved. There could be legal issues, as well as a misunderstanding of the situation, which could cause many problems that you don&rsquo;t want. Remember, your job is to protect you and yours.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/avoiding-confrontation#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/check-the-backseatTue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">With so many people going out at night during this time of year, I want to remind everyone of a simple habit that could save your life&mdash;checking the backseat before getting into your car. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We see it all the time in movies and on T.V.; a person is in a rush or has something on his or her mind and just opens the car door, climbs behind the wheel and turns the key right before a friend, foe or even a maniac jumps up from behind. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I&rsquo;m always surprised, and mad, when this happens because checking the backseat is such a simple thing to do. I can&rsquo;t remember the last time I got in a car when I didn&rsquo;t look in the backseat. I even check the backend of my regular-cab truck before getting behind the wheel, even knowing that it wouldn&rsquo;t be a good idea for someone to hide back there (think hard acceleration with a brake slam). </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before heading out this year for shopping, dinner or a family gathering, make a conscious decision to pay attention to your surroundings, particularly to the backseat of your car.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/check-the-backseat#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/code-wordsMon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size: small;">With the holiday shopping season upon us, I want to concentrate on some simple, overlooked ways to keep our families safe.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The first is the use of code words that instantly explain certain situations that could be dangerous.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">One example could be: You&rsquo;re in a restaurant having dinner when you notice two guys walking through the parking lot carrying suspiciously long packages. How do you get your family safely out of there without a bunch of questions? You do it with a code word developed for the situation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The code word used between my wife and myself for this type of situation is <em>forthwith</em> as in: &ldquo;We need to leave, <em>forthwith</em>.&rdquo; That simple word tells my wife that we need to pick up our child and leave immediately with no questions asked.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Another code word we use let&rsquo;s my wife tell me that there is something that she wants me to pay attention to. It could be as simple as a burly guy looking too intense, but if my wife wants to point something out to me she says <em>assess</em> as in: &ldquo;<em>Assess</em> that guy coming from my left.&rdquo; This tells me that there is something I might not have noticed, since nobody can see in all directions, and that I need to determine if this is a potential threat and my response to it. Most of the time it&rsquo;s nothing in both situations, but while I&rsquo;m willing to risk my life for another, I will not risk my family&rsquo;s. My job is to keep them safe.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Now for full disclosure, I cannot claim "forthwith" as my own. I learned that one from Tom Gresham, host of <a href="http://www.guntalk.com/site.php" target="_blank">Gun Talk</a>, who learned it from self-defense guru <a href="http://www.ayoob.com/index.html" target="_blank">Massad Ayoob</a>. And from forthwith emerged assess, which I do claim as my own. I&rsquo;m even developing some others to teach my little girl as she comes of age.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Next, I&rsquo;m going to discuss a pet peeve of mine that they show all the time on T.V. and&nbsp;in the movies that can be prevented with a very simple habit.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/code-words#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/concealed-or-openWed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the comments section of my <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/how-do-you-cover/" target="_blank">last blog</a>, I was asked if I had to carry concealed when hunting. Well, the answer is no. In a lot of states, you can carry open when hunting, and in Virginia, where I currently live, open carry is completely legal. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, the only way I would carry a handgun openly is if it was required by law. Now, I&rsquo;m all for the right to carry a gun anyway a person wants&mdash;<a href="http://www.opencarry.org/" target="_blank">open</a> or concealed&mdash;but I want my gun hidden from view at all times. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">First and foremost, I don&rsquo;t want someone seeing my Kimber, coming up behind me and taking it before I can react. I like to think that I would win that kind of struggle, but who knows and it only takes one mistake to get someone killed. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Second, I like the element of surprise. If I draw during a store robbery or other situation, it will be in the most inconspicuous way to give me an advantage, and only to defend someone&rsquo;s life. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Third, I like that the few people who know I always carry, have no idea when I don&rsquo;t. The people who know me just assume I&rsquo;m carrying. Whether that&rsquo;s an advantage of any kind, I don&rsquo;t know, but I like it. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Which do you prefer? Open or concealed?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/concealed-or-open#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/how-do-you-coverMon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the weekend, I was pheasant hunting with a buddy down at <a href="http://www.rosehillgamepreserve.com/" target="_blank">Rose Hill Game Preserve</a>. As always, I was carrying my Kimber in my <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">Milt Sparks</a> VersaMax II. The morning started cool, but as it warmed up, I had to remove a layer and&nbsp;ended up only covering with my upland game vest. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we got back to the main lodge, I took off my vest to help with the birds, which exposed my .45 to the world. Jimmy, our guide, noticed after a little while and started asking me the usual questions about concealed carry, open carry and ways to carry. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The conversation got me to thinking about the many ways we cover up our handguns, such as a shirt, vest or jacket, to keep people from realizing we're armed.&nbsp;Even though it won&rsquo;t be a big deal until it warms up next year, I&rsquo;m curious about the various ways to cover a handgun that is carried somewhere on the waist. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tell me what you have done to make sure no one realizes you're carrying a concealed handgun on your waist. This includes from people like me who are always looking to see something out of the ordinary and have a good idea of what to look for. Come up with the best idea, and I&rsquo;ll send you a <a href="http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?ProductID=3046&amp;GunID=175" target="_blank">Galco IWB</a> holster for a 3-inch 1911.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/how-do-you-cover#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/one-handed-tap-rackWed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the most difficult drills simulates clearing a stoppage with a single hand because the other hand has received an injury during a fight. However, the concept is still the same regardless of the type of stoppage; you still have to rack the slide while maintaining control over the handgun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The proper way to clear a stovepipe is the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Tap-Rack/" target="_blank">Tap &amp; Rack</a>, but how can this be done with only one hand? The rear sights of most handguns protrude above the slide. If you can get a good purchase on a hard object with the rear sight, you can rack the slide by pressing forward&mdash;hard. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A single-handed Tap &amp; Rack can, with practice, be conducted by hitting the bottom of the magazine against a hard object, such as a table or the ground. You can even smack it against yourself in a pinch, but doing that does hurt because you have to perform a good, hard hit. Then, rack the slide by hooking the rear sight against the edge of an object with little give in it. A table, wall corner or even a tree works if you put enough downward pressure, but my favorite way to rack the slide one-handed is with the top of the holster since I always carry in a holster and know it will be there if I need it. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As always, be sure to start slowly before working up speed and be sure to use <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dummy-rounds/" target="_blank">dummy ammunition</a> for safety.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/one-handed-tap-rack#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/baby-uplulaFri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week, I was in Kansas at the <a href="http://www.flintoak.com/" target="_blank">Flint Oak Hunting Club</a> meeting with some representatives from Bushnell, Uncle Mike&rsquo;s, Final Approach, Butler Creek and others. I was there to get an early look at some of the new products coming out over the next few months, though we also had opportunities to bust clays and pheasants. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While there I saw some interesting products, unfortunately, I can&rsquo;t reveal much of what we saw, including one product from <a href="http://www.unclemikes.com/" target="_blank">Uncle Mike&rsquo;s</a> that I&rsquo;m just dying to get my hands on. However, one I can talk about&nbsp;is a neat little reloader that I picked up called the <a href="http://www.butler-creek.com/products/lula_pistol_loader.html" target="_blank">Baby UpLULU</a>. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Baby UpLULU from <a href="http://www.butler-creek.com/" target="_blank">Butler Creek</a> is a .380 ACP and under version of the UpLULU, which is the first handgun reloader that I&rsquo;ve ever used that actually worked. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course all this fits since the original <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/videos/lula-magazine-speed-loader/" target="_blank">LULU Loader</a> is the fastest loading and unloading tool I&rsquo;ve ever seen. I have one for my DPMS and I now have a Baby UpLULA for my LCP. Guess I need to get one for my Kimber, huh?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/baby-uplula#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/include-the-familyFri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quite often, I end up in discussions about both home- and self-defense with friends and even strangers because of where I work. This is obviously not a problem as these are passions of mine. Well, not long ago, I was discussing self-defense tactics with a friend and I asked him about his <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/make-a-plan/" target="_blank">home-defense plan</a>. The basic idea was: What would you do <em>if</em>? </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">He spent a few minutes describing in good detail his plans for various situations, and for the most part, he had good, well-thought-out plans for defending his home. However, I stumped him with a single question that he had never even considered before. What is the rest of the family doing during these planned situations? </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">It never crossed his mind that every family member plays a role in a home-defense plan, which might be as simple as your spouse calls the police while you assess the situation, or he or she could back you up as you clear the house. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">All this depends on the skills and abilities of family members, but they shouldn&rsquo;t be an afterthought. Every member should know his or her role during a situation, including the children. Of course, the children&rsquo;s role is to stay out of the way and hide, but you have to explain, in full detail, what they should do if an intruder is in the house. You teach your kids what to do in a fire, why not teach them what to do in the equally&nbsp;unlikely event of&nbsp;a home invasion.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/include-the-family#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/make-a-planWed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">It&rsquo;s a real simple question. What are you going to do if someone kicks down your door? The standard response of a gun owner is: I&rsquo;m going to grab my gun and take care of the situation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, have you really thought out what you&rsquo;re going to do in various situations? Have you really made a plan that takes into account the many variables of a home invasion? If the invader is a punk who doesn&rsquo;t really know what he&rsquo;s doing, then grabbing a gun and running down the hall could very possibly be all that is needed. But, what if this is not some random robbery, or if the attacker has some skill and knowledge of what he or she is doing? Have you integrated that possibility into your plan? There could even be multiple assailants, which can really change everything about the situation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other factors that should be thought out beforehand include how many family members are in the home and where they are located at the time. If you&rsquo;re home alone, your best bet is to hole up in a room with a single entrance and call the police. But, if your child is down the hall, you have to make sure the child is safe, and the best way to do that is by planning ahead. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The best plan might be for you and your spouse to make a tactical advance to the child&rsquo;s room, where you stay until the police are there. However, it might be better for one, or both, of you to bring the child back to your room. Without key knowledge of the home and the skills of the owners, I can&rsquo;t tell anyone what is best for them. But I can tell everyone that a plan is best when it&rsquo;s made early and practiced often.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/make-a-plan#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/single-handed-revolverWed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last time, I explained a drill for reloading a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/single-handed/" target="_blank">semi-auto pistol with one hand</a>. However, not everyone carries a semi-auto. Some people prefer the reliability of a wheelgun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loading a revolver with one hand is similar to loading a pistol; you still have to drop the empty cases, reach for spare cartridges, load the gun and close the action to get back into the fight, but there are few twists. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main twists are dropping the empty cases and filling the cylinder with fresh cartridges. Most of us use one hand to hold the gun while using the other eject and reload , but in the current example, one hand is disabled. The trick to loading a revolver with one hand is control. You have to be able to move your hand around multiple times without dropping the gun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The only way I&rsquo;ve found to manipulate a revolver for a one-handed reload is by pressing the gun against my body when relocating my hand on the gun. After opening the cylinder, I press the grip against my side&mdash;at all times keeping the barrel pointed in a safe direction&mdash;before moving my thumb around and into the open cylinder. Then, I reach my fingers around the frame to press the ejector rod. Once the cases have dropped free, I spin the gun in my hand and stick it into the holster, or into my belt, with the grip facing forward keeping the cylinder on the outside. From there, I load the gun and twist my arm to grip the handle so I can draw and flip the cylinder closed&mdash;this should only be done in training or a real-life situation&mdash;before returning to the target. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As with all training drills, be sure to use <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dummy-rounds/" target="_blank">dummy ammunition</a>, especially when the training that is more about gun manipulation than shooting.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/single-handed-revolver#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/single-handedTue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing how to manipulate a handgun with one hand is an import skill, which involves more than just hitting the target. In a self-defense situation, knowing how to clear a jam or reload using only one hand could save your life. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the next few blogs, I&rsquo;m going to be suggesting a few drills that could be beneficial if the unthinkable happens and one hand is taken out of the fight. We&rsquo;re going to start with the full reload drill with a semi-automatic pistol as it&rsquo;s probably the easiest to master. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As with any new drills, the first step is to make sure your gun is completely unloaded and all live ammunition is removed from the training area. After that is done, load a magazine with dummy or inert ammunition and put it wherever you carry your spare ammo. Then, place an empty magazine into the unloaded gun and pull the slide to lock it back. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The scenario is that one hand unusable and you have just run your gun dry. How do you drop the empty magazine, obtain a full magazine, insert the magazine into the gun and put the gun back into battery, all with only one hand? </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dropping the empty magazine may require twisting the gun in your hand to reach the magazine release button. Next, put the gun in a position in which&nbsp;you have control over it, but can&nbsp;still reach for the spare magazine&mdash;I prefer sticking the gun in my waistband, but other options including putting the gun backwards in the holster, into a pocket or even placing it on the ground. When inserting the fresh magazine, make sure it goes all the way into the gun. If you have any concerns that the magazine isn&rsquo;t fully seated, give it a sharp tap on something hard before releasing the slide stop to put the gun into battery. From here, you&rsquo;re ready to continue the fight. Once you master one-handed reloads, try it with the weak hand.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/single-handed#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/speak-to-the-handWed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instructors spend hours trying to drive home muzzle control in to students. Most understand why muzzle control is so important and continuously try to not &ldquo;sweep&rdquo; themselves or others with the muzzle of their guns. However, there is a drill that causes many shooters, even&nbsp;experienced shooters,&nbsp;to sweep themselves without even realizing what they&rsquo;ve done. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The drill I&rsquo;m talking about is a magazine reloading drill and if you&rsquo;re thinking I&rsquo;m crazy then try following experiment. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pick up a blue gun or just pretend you&rsquo;re holding a pistol in your strong hand&nbsp;and that you&rsquo;ve just run the gun dry. As fast as you can, go through the motions of a reload, being sure to include dropping the empty magazine and reaching for a spare with your weak hand. Now, conduct the same drill, but stop between each&nbsp;motion while trying not think about the next move. Have you figured out where the problem lies? If not, let me explain that the motion that you want to pay particular attention to lies between seating the magazine and racking the slide to return to battery. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now do you see it? Do you see how it would be&nbsp;easy to&nbsp;sweep the hand after seating the magazine? You&rsquo;ve probably brought the hands in close to the body and twisted the gun up and away from your weak shoulder to help with manipulation. At that point, it&rsquo;s quite easy to bring the weak hand around the front of the gun to pull back the slide. If you do, you&rsquo;ve just swept your hand and committed a safety violation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the next few days, think about whether there is some little violation that you just might be committing without realizing it. </span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/speak-to-the-hand#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Safety-MalfunctionThu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last time I discussed a common gunhandling mistake among more experienced shooters. Today, I&rsquo;m going to explain one that more often catches beginners and is exactly like its name&mdash;malfunction. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A &ldquo;safety malfunction&rdquo; sometimes happens when a shooter on the line has his/her gun malfunction. This usually happens to shooters who are unfamiliar with their guns, but I have seen long-time shooters make this same mistake. There are two main types of safety malfunctions, one more glaring than the other, both equally disconcerting. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first happens when a gun has a misfire or other stoppage such as a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Tap-Rack/" target="_blank">stove pipe</a> or double feed. At the same time, the shooter&rsquo;s brain has a stoppage (at least that&rsquo;s what I call it), which causes him/her to turn toward the instructor in confusion and &ldquo;sweep&rdquo; fellow shooters. This is a problem that must be stopped immediately. The best way of handling this problem is proactively by driving home the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/fundamentals-handgun-shooting/" target="_blank">Fundamental Rules&nbsp;for Safe Gun Handling</a>, and by emphasizing that if there is a problem with a gun&mdash;whatever the problem&mdash;stop, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction and raise a hand to obtain the instructor&rsquo;s help. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The other most common safety malfunction happens to experienced shooters when a handgun obtains a major malfunction that isn&rsquo;t easily rectified. More experienced shooters know not to turn around sweeping fellow shooters, but sometimes they will fail to properly monitor the muzzle as they try to clear the gun, become frustrated and end up point it down the line. While malfunction drills are an important part of self-defense, when lined up with other shooters on a line is not the proper time or place to learn how to conduct one.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Safety-Malfunction#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/TheTurnRackWed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2427&amp;cid=19" target="_blank">fundamentals of gun safety</a> seem quite simple, but as an NRA instructor, I&rsquo;ve seen a wide variety of ways that these simple rules can be broken by shooters of all skill levels. Studying these violations in my classes led to watching for these same violations during informal shooting sessions at my local range, and later to discussions with other instructors about various ways that students just seem to mess up. My next few blogs will discuss scenarios to watch out for when you&rsquo;re at the range, along with the potential perpetrators and the best way to correct this wrong behavior. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Mistake</strong>&mdash;<strong>The Turn Rack</strong><br />This happens when a shooter brings a semi-auto handgun close to the body to help in racking the slide. Think bringing the hands and arms into the body to aid in opening a bottle of pickles with a stuck lid and you&rsquo;ll understand this concept. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The problem with this, especially on a shooting line, is that the gun is turned against the body to provide the most leverage. If the person is right handed and the body is facing straight forward then the muzzle is pointed left down the line. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The person most likely to commit the Turn Rack is the older gentleman with years of shooting experience (didn&rsquo;t expect that did you?). Basically what happens is that as strength declines with age or injury, these gentlemen have learned to manipulate the slide in this manner and keep on shooting. Bringing the gun in close is a great way to rack a slide with limited hand strength; however, Rule No. 1 (Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction) must be followed. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The solution is simple, but overlooked considering the number of times I&rsquo;ve had to reprimand a shooter on the shooting line. If you must bring the handgun into your body to rack the slide, turn sideways to keep the muzzle pointed downrange. This also works in the real world by turning your body to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/TheTurnRack#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dummy-roundsWed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing how to manipulate a malfunctioned firearm under pressure is an important self-defense skill. Regular practice at the range, if allowed, is the best way to become proficient at fixing stoppages such as a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Tap-Rack/" target="_blank">stove-pipe</a>, double-feed jam or other problems. However, before heading to the range to gain confidence, malfunction drills should be practiced slowly at first with inert ammunition. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The importance of conducting malfunction drills with dummy rounds at the forefront, rather than live ammunition, cannot be stressed enough. First, there is no chance for an unintentional discharge when using inert ammunition. Second, conducting malfunction drills with dummy rounds can be done at safely at home. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dummy rounds can be obtained for both loading and malfunction drills by handloading without propellant and primer, or by <a href="http://www.google.com/products?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS306US312&amp;q=ORANGE+SAF-T+ROUNDS&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=SFl-TKPONYH68AaDpazWAw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=product_result_group&amp;ct=title&amp;resnum=3&amp;ved=0CC8QrQQwAg" target="_blank">purchasing</a> them pre-made. I prefer purchasing dummy rounds, rather than making them, because professional dummy rounds are available in bright colors, usually orange, that obviously mark them as inert. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most dummy rounds are made of solid plastic, but some of&nbsp;the newer brands mold <a href="http://www.stactionpro.com/" target="_blank">plastic bullets into a handgun case</a>, which seem to be more durable. Regardless of the type of inert ammunition you use, dummy ammunition is an important self-defense tool that you&rsquo;re going to need for some upcoming malfunction drills.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/dummy-rounds#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Importance-of-TrainingMon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently&nbsp;interviewed exhibition shooter <a href="http://www.bobmunden.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Bob Munden</a> for the article <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=77&amp;id=495" target="_blank">Best Shooting Advice I&rsquo;ve Ever Received</a>, but we also spoke about firearms, self-defense and the legendary Col. Jeff Cooper. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I learned not only was Munden a disciple of Jeff Cooper, but he had known him since a teenager and considered him his mentor. During our conversation, he passed on a piece of knowledge from the Colonel that just made a lot of sense: &ldquo;You&rsquo;re only as good as your practice.&rdquo; </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is great advice from the foremost expert on self-defense. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect, and if you&rsquo;re going to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense, you have to practice in a way that would benefit you in a self-defense situation. But, before you can practice for self-defense, you must learn the skills that you need to practice. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to obtain these needed skills such as books, videos, television and even personal experience, but in-person training with an expert is the best way. As the concept of self-defense has grown, so has the number of shooting schools. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Currently, there are multiple-day courses from shooting schools like <a href="http://www.gunsite.com/" target="_blank">Gunsite Academy</a>, started by Col. Cooper, and <a href="http://www.shootrite.org/index.html" target="_blank">Shootrite</a>, which provides in-depth training on handgun, rifles and shotguns, as well as numerous schools conducted by firearm companies such as <a href="http://www.sigsaueracademy.com/" target="_blank">SIG Sauer</a> and <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757973_-1_757915_757787_image" target="_blank">Smith &amp; Wesson</a>. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The National Rifle Association also coordinates <a href="http://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseCatalog.aspx" target="_blank">training classes</a> for shooters with a variety of skill levels from absolute beginner with the First Shots program to advanced shooters through the Personal Protection classes. There are thousands of <a href="http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx" target="_blank">NRA certified instructors</a> all across the country teaching classes on handguns, rifles, shotguns and self-defense. Many classes go beyond the use of firearms into techniques to avoid being the victim of crime. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As an NRA instructor, I understand the importance of training under a professional regardless of skill level. I&rsquo;ve taught people who have never touched a gun, as well as former military and police. Think about it. Are you positive that you have done everything possible to keep your family safe? Are you willing to take the chance that you overlooked something? I learn something every time I talk to other shooters and self-defense advocates. I&rsquo;ll bet you could too.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Importance-of-Training#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Strategic-RetreatTue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are many scenarios where there might be a reason to defend life and family, but there are just as many where the smartest move is to conduct a strategic retreat. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every scenario must be considered individually with the best course of action being determined by the situation. Many factors come into play to determine your course of action such as the number of assailants, the location and whether family members or innocent bystanders could get hurt. And all this has to be done very quickly. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A great example of this was on Personal Defense TV. On the show, host Tom Gresham conducted a force-on-force drill where an armed man walked into a store to conduct a robbery. This was a training exercise to determine the best course of action. They conducted the scenario multiple times with changing factors to eliminate any prior knowledge of what would happen. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the first scenario, Gresham shoved back from the counter, drew his air-soft sidearm and shot the bad guy. Unfortunately, a second bad guy in the corner got him from behind. In the second try, once again, Gresham ended in a bad way. However, in the final try, Gresham assessed the situation, realized he couldn&rsquo;t win and rushed out the door to safety herding bystanders with him. I asked Gresham about this show while on a prairie dog hunt in Wyoming last year. He told me that this scenario had been designed specially to help people realize that sometimes fighting isn&rsquo;t the best course of action. In this case, the only time he &ldquo;survived&rdquo; was when he retreated. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now this is just one of the many scenarios where retreat might be the best course of action. Every situation has multiple factors that can change constantly. If you&rsquo;re going to carry a gun for self-defense, you have to continuously assess everything that is happening around you to determine the best course of action, and remember, just because you have a gun, doesn&rsquo;t mean the smartest move is to use it.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Strategic-Retreat#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Joys-of-LasersThu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While I don&rsquo;t consider myself to be old, I do remember the onset of gun-mounted lasers, especially since one of the very first wasn&rsquo;t even mounted on a real gun, but rather on a movie prop. Have any of us forgotten when Schwarzenegger brought the idea of gun-mounted lasers to the masses with a SureFire, then known as Laser Products Corp., laser as the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/GalleryItem.aspx?cid=22&amp;gid=60&amp;id=354 " target="_blank">Terminator</a>?</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the real world, lasers were adopted by special operation groups that realized the tactical applications. As time progressed, lasers quickly shrunk in size, increased in power and lowered in price, and by the early 90s, were being used by both police and civilians. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, the technology is so advanced that lasers are being put inside gun components like guide rods and grips, with prices less than most handguns. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to admit that early on I though gun-mounted lasers were really cool, but that&nbsp;I didn&rsquo;t really need them. I trained often with my guns, and knew how to shoot. I could see the benefits of lasers for many shooters. I just didn&rsquo;t need them. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, a buddy and fellow NRA Instructor put <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> Lasergrips on his Glock. After experiencing that combination, I just had to have a laser on my carry gun. In fact, I ended up putting Crimson Trace <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1408&amp;cid=29" target="_blank">Lasergrips</a> on my <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, a Crimson Trace Laserguard on my LCP and a <a href="http://www.lasermax.com/" target="_blank">LaserMax</a> Guide Rod Laser on my Beretta. And when I finally trick out my <a href="http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=46&amp;cat=1891" target="_blank">DPMS</a>, it will have some sort of laser/light combination. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I know how to use my sights for accurate fire, point shoot out to about 10 yards and flash sight for anything in between, and I still train without a laser, but it is amazing how much a laser improves speed under pressure.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Joys-of-Lasers#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Be-RuthlessTue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the weekend, I took another look at &ldquo;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Personal-Defense-Jeff-Cooper/dp/0873644972" target="_blank">Principles of Self-Defense</a>,&rdquo; and, as often happens, a section got my attention. This time, I was struck by the chapter on ruthlessness. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In this chapter, Col. Jeff Cooper wrote about being willing to do whatever it takes to protect life and limb if and when attacked. It struck me that not many of us think like this anymore. Ruthlessness is only for the business world and has no place in regular society, according to everything we see in the news media and from the so-called experts. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think a lot of the problem is that the concept is misunderstood. People seem to think that being ruthless is a personality trait, rather than a decisive decision made to be willing to stand up against bad people. No one is saying to be ruthless toward friends, family or even strangers that are doing you no harm. No one is saying to be ruthless in life. What Col. Cooper is saying, and I agree with him, is to be ruthless toward someone who is attacking an innocent person such as yourself or your loved ones. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The attacker is putting a life in danger with his or her ruthlessness to obtain a goal. We have to be just as ruthless to obtain our goal, which, in case you haven&rsquo;t realized yet, is not just&nbsp;surviving. You should strive to&nbsp;prevail, which is a fancy word for win. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The best way I&rsquo;ve ever heard this concept stated is: "There is no such thing as a fair fight, just a winner and a loser. It doesn&rsquo;t make a difference how you win, just win."</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, this breaks tradition with society&rsquo;s trend of mercy. Well, I think mercy is a great concept, after you&rsquo;ve won the fight.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Be-Ruthless#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Tap-RackThu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing will put you out of a fight faster than panic, which can quickly be caused by a stoppage or malfunction if you don&rsquo;t know what you&rsquo;re doing and haven&rsquo;t practiced clearing your handgun under pressure. While there are numerous drills for practicing malfunctions and stoppages, a basic stovepipe&mdash;when an empty case fails to fully eject&mdash;is a great starting point. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The stovepipe is easily handled with the Tap &amp; Rack, a procedure named for its actions. It&rsquo;s very simple, and can be practiced both at the range with live ammunition, or at home with <a href="http://www.stactionpro.com/action-trainer-dummy-rounds-c-1.html?zenid=f8b482f5d27b15649ee2fb9a8c37fde5" target="_blank">dummy ammo</a>. If fact, you should really practice both ways. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, you &ldquo;tap&rdquo; the bottom of the magazine to ensure it&rsquo;s fully seated in the gun. Then, you &ldquo;rack&rdquo; the slide to clear the stoppage while loading another round in the chamber. While all you really have to do is rack the slide, I prefer to come from in front of the ejection port to contact the caught casing with my hand during the rack. This ensures the case is ejected, but opens the potential for the hand to be scratched or cut on the sights. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any gun can have a malfunction or stoppage, and if <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy's_law" target="_blank">Murphy</a> is correct, it will happen at the worst possible moment. This week, practice the Tap &amp; Rack at least three times over two different days, and soon I&rsquo;ll bring out another malfunction that you should know.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Tap-Rack#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-GunMon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone has his or her own theory about what gun to carry. Some people prefer semi-autos because of speed and capacity, while others favor the reliability of revolvers. As a section of society, we can&rsquo;t even agree on what caliber is best for self-defense with some people believing that there are many good self-defense calibers while others think that the only round for self-defense begins with a four and ends with a five. Nothing I do will ever end this argument, but I can explain my reasoning behind what and how I carry. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My main carry gun is a <a href="http://www.kimberamerica.com/" target="_blank">Kimber</a> Ultra Carry in .45 ACP with <a href="http://www.crimsontrace.com/" target="_blank">Crimson Trace</a> Lasergrips parked in a <a href="http://www.miltsparks.com/" target="_blank">Milt Sparks</a> Versa Max II. I know that it is almost clich&eacute; for a gunwriter to carry a 1911, but the setup works for me. Recoil is not a big issue, and I like an easily concealed handgun that can drop any assailant regardless of size or chemical imbalance. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes, I prefer a full-size handgun for which I have a Colt 1991 in .45 ACP sitting on my strong side in a <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/Video.aspx?vid=2443&amp;cid=23" target="_blank">CrossBreed</a> SuperTuck IWB holster that has the added benefit of also fitting my Kimber. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Occansionally,&nbsp;I break one of my own rules by carrying a <a href="http://www.ruger.com/" target="_blank">Ruger</a> LCP in a pocket holster. This only happens when I have to run out for something quick, but it is&nbsp;contrary&nbsp;to my reactive draw rule of always carrying the same gun in the same way.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/My-Carry-Gun#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Lead-FussWed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There has been a lot of fussing lately&nbsp;about lead bullets.&nbsp;The State of California has&nbsp;banned lead bullets for hunting in certain areas because the endangered California condor was supposedly eating carcass remains, digesting lead fragments and dying. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a ban on hunting with lead bullets, which I didn&rsquo;t agree with, but wasn't really affected by </span><span style="font-size: small;">since I don&rsquo;t live in California. I had also embraced lead-free hunting rounds years ago with the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1789&amp;cid=31" target="_blank">Barnes</a> X Bullet and knew that&nbsp;non-lead bullets are very effective. However, I still didn't like it, because I thought the government was overstepping its bounds and because I knew this was just the beginning. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday, I was proven right when the Center for Biological Diversity and the American Bird Conservancy filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency to ban all use of&nbsp;lead in <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/Shooting-Industry-Fight-Lead-Ban/" target="_blank">ammunition and fishing tackle</a>. Notice this doesn't say ban lead ammo for hunting. This would ban lead in all ammunition, which would skyrocket prices and force a lot of us to reduce our time at the range. It would also reduce the amount of money available for wildlife conservation&nbsp;through Pittman/Robertson. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Part of their argument is that there are acceptable substitutes for hunters, but what about shooters who are the true payers of wildlife conservation. I hunt as much as possible, way more than the average hunter, and I bet I don't shoot 100 rounds a year hunting. But, I run between 1,000 and 2,000 rounds a year&nbsp;through my guns&nbsp;training and plinking, which translates into a lot of money going to wildlife through the 11 percent excise tax on ammunition.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I know this isn&rsquo;t about safety or self-defense, but I have a hard time training without ammo. How about you?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/The-Lead-Fuss#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Get-Out-TonightTue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are many ways to prevent crime: alarms, unfriendly plants around your home, staying aware and the 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms. One simple way that requires very little effort is by getting to know your neighbors. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tonight is the 27th annual <a href="http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/" target="_blank">National Night Out</a>, a time to get away from the TV and meet the people in your neighborhood. Knowing your neighbors, and them knowing you, is a real boon for keeping your family and friends safe from crime. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you know your neighbors, then you&rsquo;ll know when there are strangers loitering, and everyone will be better prepared to realize if a crime is in progress. So tonight, get out there and meet your neighbors. It just might keep you, your family and your possessions a little bit safer.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/Get-Out-Tonight#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ten-quick-roundsWed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love going to the range and putting really small groups on paper. Shooting bullseyes makes me believe that I&rsquo;m a pretty decent shot, which we all want to be. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bullseye shooting is a good way to practice. In fact, busting the 10-ring provides trigger time for the <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2427&amp;cid=19" target="_blank">fundamentals of handgun shooting</a> and can make you a better shooter. It also helps you learn the accuracy and makes you keenly aware of the ins and outs of your carry gun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, putting minute-of-angle groups on paper does little to improve self-defense shooting. In fact, during a self-defense scenario, the gun is going to be holstered under a carry garment.&nbsp; Self-defense situations happen fast, so you have to be able to react equally as fast, and this will only come by putting rounds downrange. This is why you should always practice drawing and firing from retention, in addition to any accuracy shooting.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the easiest ways to get the best of both worlds is to practice anyway you want for 40 rounds&mdash;accuracy, plinking, exc.&mdash;leaving the last 10 for &ldquo;draw shooting.&rdquo; If you run 100 rounds, save 20 for self-defense practice, and so on. Of course, this doesn&rsquo;t mean you can't use the entire box on self-defense training, I&rsquo;m just recommending that every time you go shooting, you use at least 10 rounds for drawing from retention training. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">My standard 10-round self-defense routine is four singles from retention followed by three <a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2052&amp;cid=12" target="_blank">double taps</a>. What&rsquo;s your standard routine?</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/ten-quick-rounds#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2604&cid=25Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Cooper" target="_blank">Col. Jeff Cooper</a> was a legend in the shooting and self-defense worlds. In addition to being instrumental in refining and popularizing many modern pistol and self-defense techniques, Col. Cooper was an advocate of a prepared armed citizenry. He believed that the most important survival tool was the mind, and to help prepare the mind for danger, he created the Cooper Color Code. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Cooper Color Code is about more than just awareness, though that is an important part. It is also about taking a step forward with the mind to do what might have to be done in a potentially lethal situation. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Condition White</strong> is unaware and unprepared. This is a condition you should try to avoid, as it means you will probably lose a fight. The only time that I&rsquo;m in condition white is when I&rsquo;m asleep. And even then, I wouldn&rsquo;t consider myself unprepared; I&rsquo;m just unaware. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Condition Yellow</strong> is relaxed alert. Yellow means you are aware of what is happening around you, but you do not perceive a potential threat. Your mindset should be prepared to defend yourself if the need arises. Everywhere I go, I&rsquo;m in Condition Yellow. I keep a pretty good watch on the people around me, and I&rsquo;m continuously rating each person&rsquo;s danger level in my mind. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Condition Orange</strong> means that there is a potential threat that has&nbsp;gotten your attention. This can be almost anything and usually results in nothing, at which time you go back to yellow. Condition Orange basically means that Bulky Coat turns and I spot a firearm. Instantly, I determine what I&rsquo;m going to do if he reaches for that gun. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Condition Red</strong> means that you are in a lethal mode of mindset and will fight if the circumstances are warranted. In our make-believe scenario, Bulky Coat draws a gun from under his coat. At this point, I implement my action plan that was determined during Condition Orange. This doesn&rsquo;t always mean fight. If there are too many innocents around or you don&rsquo;t have the means, your best plan might be to wait and see what happens or even retreat and call the police. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cooper&rsquo;s Color Code has been adjusted and adapted over the years by numerous instructors and even the U.S. Marine Corp. In fact, you can adjust to your needs. I know I&rsquo;ve adjusted it for mine.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2604&cid=25#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2597&cid=25Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome to the RackAttack. AmericanRifleman.org&rsquo;s newest blog is about firearms, shooting and everything interesting, useful or funny in the outdoor and firearms industry. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The RackAttack will introduce you to the latest guns, gear and tactics, as well as industry news and discussions with industry leaders about the direction of firearms and the shooting sports. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/" target="_blank">AmericanRifleman.org</a> is about firearms and their use. There is not a better place on the World Wide Web to see videos, photos, in-depth stories and news about the latest rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition, optics and shooting accessories, and the RackAttack is part of that mission. </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As a hunter, firearm enthusiast and NRA-certified instructor, I will discuss the many reasons Americans carry and use firearms, such as hunting, training, enjoyment and, of course, self-defense.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Be sure to check back often for updates on the RackAttack, and let us know what you want to see by contacting us through <a href="mailto:emediarifleman@nrahq.org">e-mail</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AmericanRifleman?ref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/NRA_Rifleman" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.americanrifleman.org/BlogEntry.aspx?id=2597&cid=25#listbutblog">Comment on this post</a></p>