Those of you that follow this blog know that most of my focus is on the defensive application of the handgun, as the name would imply, but I also share some content on long guns, particularly the lever rifle, as I espouse the ongoing usefulness of the platform. Though lever rifles have been popular in... Continue Reading →
Long Guns as a Show of Force: Careful Considerations
My opinions on the limited role of long guns for civilian self-defense are not popular. Why would they be? What could be more fun than taking a carbine class? How can one rely on the pistol, a platform that takes an enormous investment in training just to reach baseline proficiency, when everyone with an AR15... Continue Reading →
The Mailbox Gun
The defensive firearms community has paid some lip service to the “run to the store gun” or “grab a gallon of milk gun” gun, but the issue I take with that is going to such places is by no means low on the risk profile. There is a reason that gas stations are called “stop... Continue Reading →
AAR: Basic Combatives with Kelly McCann
You probably know the name, maybe you have seen the DVDs, or clips of his instruction on Youtube. Kelly McCann is certainly synonymous with modern combatives. I will admit that I have always wanted to train with him. McCann is a noted combatives teacher, as well as a firearms instructor who proved a true innovator... Continue Reading →
Long Guns: The Wrong Tool for the Job
Once again, I accept that I will get skewered for this article by the chest-rig wearing mall ninjas, but recently we have witnessed another high-profile incident in which a long gun was involved, and I would submit that the display of the long gun in this incident contributed to the terrible and tragic outcome. We... Continue Reading →
Customizing the Modern Lever Gun
I get it, most guys come from a tradition where lever guns are supposed to look like what John Wayne carried in True Grit. I also like the beauty of a historic lever action. However, I am also one member of the growing crowd that has embraced the lever action rifle for its continuing utility. ... Continue Reading →
Rifle and Body Armor in the Vehicle: Cautious Considerations
As I write this article the Kyle Rittenhouse trial is still ongoing as the Jury is deliberating. By the time you read this, we will likely know the verdict. Regardless of the outcome, one point that was raised by the prosecution against Rittenhouse, and used against him, was the fact that he had body armor... Continue Reading →
Understanding the Average CCW Holder
I was once standing in the waiting room of a particular indoor range with the late, great, Todd Louis Green and we were watching the people in the bays fire their guns. Most were shooting typical self-defense handguns, with the occasional AR15 thrown in. The range was full, and not a single person was even... Continue Reading →
Book Review: The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen, by Andrew Branca
I read this book years ago and it remains the definitive guide to self-defense law for the armed citizen. Andrew Branca is an attorney that specializes in lawful and justified use of force. This is significant as the vast majority of lawyers know little about this niche law field. Branca is one of the foremost... Continue Reading →
The Compromise Carry Gun, Again, Still
I am entirely in favor of carrying as much gun as possible. A man should carry a real fighting pistol, just dress around the gun, etc… However, when someone tells me that he or she only owns and carries full-size pistols, there are two possible conclusions: first, this individual might literally have no professional or... Continue Reading →
