There is a whole lot of screwing around in the world of firearms training, and in the broader field of self-defense and fighting in general. How can we determine the difference between training and screwing around? Well, here is one way: Ask yourself, is what I am doing actually applicable to my life, or not? ... Continue Reading →
Modulating the Presentation for the Accuracy Requirement
One of the skills to work on as an advancing shooter is the ability to modulate the presentation of the gun based on how accurate you need to be for the shot. The goal is to draw and present the gun with all-possible speed, but only slow down at the point needed, to make a... Continue Reading →
Book Review: Gunfight! An Integrated Approach to Shooting and Fighting in Close Quarters by Rich Nance
Gunfight! Is a good book worth having if you are a serious practitioner of defensive pistolcraft. Based on my own combatives and close-quarters gunfight training I don’t subscribe to everything the author offers, as I favor some different techniques for certain things, but this is the norm: once an individual travels down the training path... Continue Reading →
Shooting Platform Part V: Single Hand Shooting
The modern technique of shooting the handgun relies on using both hands, but the ability to shoot well with a single hand only, and certainly either hand only, is a fundamental skill of the accomplished handgunner. Many shooters change their stance when shooting with a single hand, generally putting the firing-side leg forward of the... Continue Reading →
Shooting Platform Part IV: The High-Tang Grip
If you have attended any sort of firearms training beyond just basic CCW certification you have probably heard reference, and perhaps seen demoed, the “high-tang” handgun grip. The idea behind this technique is that, obviously, the higher we get the web of our hand on the grip of the gun the better we can control... Continue Reading →
The Most Pressing Lesson from the Johnny Hurley Incident
A recent event in Colorado witnessed a heroic concealed carrier named Johnny Hurley intervene in an active shooter incident that appears to have been targeting police officers. A certain Ronald Troyke murdered an officer with a shotgun, then went to his vehicle and withdrew an AR15. Hurley, who was nearby, responded and killed Troyke with... Continue Reading →
Shooting Platform Part III: Arm Structure
Beyond the modern high-tang, thumbs forward grip technique for controlling the handgun, the grip is further, and drastically, influenced by the structure of the arms. Many shooters never adopt an efficient arm structure. There is a tendency among many to lock their elbows out too aggressively, and many also don’t bend their wrists in a... Continue Reading →
Shooting Platform Part II: Stance is A Simple Concept
Shooting stance tends to be a favorite topic of over-analysis in beginner level firearms training. While it is an important concept, there is no reason to make it complicated. The way we stand is only part of the overall shooting platform, the mechanics of the body used to put force behind the gun. Ask yourself,... Continue Reading →
Shooting Platform Part I: The Importance of Body Mechanics
Throughout history, men have developed entire curriculums for training in the use of their era’s weaponry. Some of the existing manuals of medieval European and Japanese sword fighting illustrate the fact that body mechanics have always been an integral part of wielding weapons. Any form of fighting, and any form of fighting tool, dictates an... Continue Reading →
A Complete Guide to the Four-Round Speed Strip Revolver Reload
Ever since I wrote an article on the revolver speed strip reload for USA Carry several years ago I have received many questions about it. Therefore, I will attempt to offer a much more thorough overview of this technique here. I use the "four-round speed strip reload" method which utilizes only four rounds in a... Continue Reading →
