When it comes to self-defense training, there are many gimmicks out there, a lot of idiots with naive followers, and, of course, a lot of excellent teachers and thought leaders as well. Sifting through the entire mashup can be the foremost challenge for many just getting into preparedness and self-defense. However, even for those who... Continue Reading →
Practice the Draw Stroke(s): There Are More than One
You really need to practice your draw stroke, from concealment, and do it often. It is, perhaps, the most essential skill related to the defensive handgun. However, there are a number of variations on this draw stroke, and I am referring here only to the draw from a single carry mode. Even if you wear... Continue Reading →
Thumbs Forward Grip with a Revolver
I have a love-hate relationship with the small-frame revolver: I love it because it is the gun I can carry when I need to dress in a way that does not facilitate concealment of my double-stack auto loader. I hate it because I would far prefer to have my auto on me should I actually... Continue Reading →
Handgun Skills: Clearing Malfunctions – Keep it Simple
Guns are machines and as such they can malfunction. I have trained with a lot of people and it seems every instructor puts his or her own spin on how to clear malfunctions. It almost appears that malfunction clearance is a badge of honor in which to stake out your own niche. This is a... Continue Reading →
Shooting the Handgun is a Very Perishable Skill
This past week I finally made it back to the range after two months of no shooting. I usually don’t shoot at all in January as I am often traveling that time of year, but this year it has been a bit longer than usual due to some unexpected demands that have come up. In... Continue Reading →
Shooting the 5X5 Test with Real Carry Gear
IDPA seems to switch up their rules and scoring systems every year. Quite frankly, I don’t even worry about it, I just shoot the occasional match and have fun. Of late, they have implemented a 25 round course of fire as an optional qualifier match. The current standard qualifier is 70 rounds, the old one... Continue Reading →
Appearance on Modern Combat and Survival Podcast: Shooting on the Move
If interested, check out this discussion with Modern Combat and Survival on shooting on the move. We delve into some of the misunderstandings regarding this skill as it is being taught in most defensive shooting courses and how it applies to real-world self-defense. Click to Listen
Handgun Skills: Press Check Reality
Your gun does you no good if it is not ready to fire if needed. You need to assure that the gun is chambered when you carry it. There seems to be two camps of thought regarding doing press checks: those who say you have to press check every single time you put the gun... Continue Reading →
Shooting Stance: It’s Not That Complicated
Proper stance is an important element of shooting but to be honest it is way over hyped and over-analyzed. This I can tell you in general: the modern isosceles stance is what the vast majority of good shooters use currently. The Weaver stance and those variations are limited in their mobility. If you currently use... Continue Reading →
Ten Suggested Books for the Concealed Carrier
There is no lack of books on the market that pertain to self-defense. A lot of this material is excellent, but much of it is junk. My advice is to read as much of this material as possible, but certainly aim to weed out the nonsense. As an enthusiast of this discipline I have read... Continue Reading →
