Monday, May 25, 2015

CWP, 24 May 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

     "Advanced Handgun Survival Tactics"
by David H. Leflet with Curtis L. Porter
Excerpt:
"The fact that an opinion has been widely held is
no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd;
indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of
mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be
foolish than sensible." -- Bertrand Russell
    
     Our classes are not for beginners.  But, we
have to teach the basics in our classes, because
so much of what is taught in other classes is wrong.

Excerpt:
"In the real world, if a dangerous criminal is
trying to kill you, shooting that person in the
back is usually safer than waiting until he can
turn around.  If you are an innocent victim
facing a ruthless criminal, you need to be more
concerned about survival than fairness."

     Amazon.com has many pages of this book
available online.
Click on "Look inside" in upper left of web page.
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Handgun-Survival-Tactics-Real-World/dp/1610048733/

******************************************

"Carrying a Handgun - Separate Facts From Fallacies"
https://www.swatmag.com/articles/carrying_a_handgun

***** Training *****

A video to help you focus on your front sight.
http://centermassgroup.com/new-rules-of-marksmanship-series-rule-4-focus-video/

Front Sight, example of safety rule 4, be sure of your target
and what's in line with it.  The video is in the middle of web page.
http://www.ignatius-piazza-front-sight.com/2015/05/24/front-sight-reality-check-episode-6/#vid
     The pharmacists shoots the armed robber in the back.
See excerpted quote a few paragraphs above.

"Securing pistols in cars"
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2015/05/17/securing-pistols-in-cars/
Excerpt:
"In the broader context, it was a training and doctrine failure."
     Leaving two children in a car with a loaded gun
is criminal negligence. (That's what the Lt. was alluding to)
     Primary source:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/05/16/deputies-year-old-shoots-year-old-face/27445619/

     We teach sight alignment and sight picture in
the class.  Most students think this is obvious and
trivial.  In pristine conditions, it is.  But under
stress, you have to force yourself to aim.  The
natural, instinctive tendency is to focus on the
target, not the front sight.  It takes a lot of
practice to be able to focus on the front sight
during combat. 
     When we train in the simulators and replay
the scenario, the student will often say that
the machines are malfunctioning, because that
is not where he was aiming (referring to the
white cross that shows where the pistol was
pointed throughout the scenario).  The fact is
that he was not aiming the pistol at all.  So,
of course the pistol is not pointed where he is
looking.
     We try to do the simulators before the IDPA
match, so that the student learns this and strives
to aim the pistol during the match.  Because it's
harder to analyze why he missed during the match.

Thunder Ranch - Urban Rifle (PART 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl1rR6bFRq8
     Look at their hands!
     Command presence.
     Shoot around cover, not over cover.
     Practice with moving targets.
     You don't have to shoot fast, you have
to shoot good.
     High capacity magazines are not so you
can shoot more.  They exist to minimize rifle
manipulation.
     Putting a bolt in backwards in the bolt
carrier group of an M-16 type rifle so that
the brass ejects into the rifle, instead of
out of the ejection port, means that the 
bolt was machined incorrectly.  The bolt
carrier group should not assemble with the
bolt in backwards.
     Keep it simple.
Thunder Ranch - Urban Rifle (PART 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-DVHIKTn1g
     In kneeling, the support side lower leg
should be vertical.
     The cheek weld should have the stock in
contact with the cheek bone and jaw bone.
Teeth together, mouth closed, jaw relaxed.
     Natural Point of Aim.  In prone, rotate
the hips around the support side elbow.  In
the kneeling, rotate support side foot and
firing side knee around the firing side toes.
In standing, rotate around the support side
heel.  Or, you can just twist your body.
     Offset is also large with Uzi's.
     Mr. Smith says 3000 to 5000 repetitions
to engrain muscle memory.
    

***** Pedagogy *****

     The reason we do 16 to 20 hours of dry practice
pistol manipulation with dummy ammo before live fire,
is to avoid the startle response that is evident in
this video.
http://www.gundigest.com/gun-videos/video-modern-shooter-heads-to-gunsite-academy
     The wobble exercise demonstrated in the video
is interesting.
     Gunsite Academy is giving a 5-day Close Quarter Pistol
class in Nunnelly, TN, August 24 - 28, 2015 A.D.
http://www.gunsite.com/classes/close-quarters-pistol-class/
Cost:  $1,895.00
     The minimum class size for these remote training
classes for Gunsite Academy is 15 students.  I have
always had a maximum class size of 5 students.  A
different philosophy, I suppose.
     I mention this because several of my students
had asked about further training.  Yes, when you get
outside of Jon's little world, things get very
expensive.  A week off from work, $2000, and a
hotel for 4 nights.

***** Education *****


***** Tactics *****


***** Gear *****

     "Negligent Discharge Wounds Four"
http://bearingarms.com/nd-wounds-four/
"Naked carry" means carrying a handgun without
a holster, which is wrong.

     "THE LIGHT TRIGGER PULL ISSUE"
http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/419191-facts-about-light-trigger-pull-liability.html

"How to improve your fiber optic sights for FREE,
thanks to Strike Industries"
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/04/09/how-to-improve-your-fiber-sights-for-free-thanks-to-strike-industries/
     Let's do some science!

     Concealed Carry Purses
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWellArmedWomanTV?v=qbdMYcngKJg
     Ms. Lightfoot does not mention steel cables running
through the straps to prevent slash and grab purse snatchings,
but I know several manufactures provide such. 
     Some zippers are of the tear open type, which allows
the user to pull the sides apart to get to the pistol without
first unzipping.  Important feature for combat.  All the modern
military sleeping bags are made that way.
     She mentions shooting through the purse.  As Wes Thompson
says, it's better to use a hammerless revolver because a
semi-auto has no place to eject the spent brass, which could
cause a malfunction.
     When she draws the pistol from the purse, notice how far
away from her body the pistol ends up.  You really want to
keep the pistol close (as in touching) to your body (weapon
retention).

***** Good Guys Win *****

Concealed Carrier Rescues Hostage,
Captures Naked Attacker
http://bearingarms.com/concealed-carrier-rescues-hostage-captures-naked-attacker/

***** News *****

Teen Mistakenly Shoots Friend Who Was
Trying to Wake Him Up at His Window
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/05/19/teen-startled-awake-by-noise-sees-two-faces-at-his-window-grabs-a-gun-and-shoots-the-tragedy-is-who-they-were/
     Identify your target before shooting.
Safety rule 4.

***** Opinion *****


***** Promotions *****

"The Modern Technique of the Pistol"
by Gregory B. Morrison, with Col. Jeff Cooper.
$26.00 
http://www.jgsales.com/the-modern-technique-of-the-pistol.-p-60.html
     Amazon.com wants over a $100 for this book.

***** Politics *****
 
     Make no mistake.  Our enemies in this culture
war are evil.  They are not well intentioned or
misguided.  They mean to disarm us, re-educate us,
and if necessary kill us.  If you don't believe
this, read history.
http://bearingarms.com/understanding-behind-creation-gun-violence-myth/

Federalization of Law Enforcement Would
Remove Bulwark for Second Amendment
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/18/federalization-of-law-enforcement-would-remove-bulwark-for-second-amendment/

Tennessee Firearms Association meetings:
May 19 – Nashville Chapter, Hermitage – Golden Corral – 5:30pm
May 21 – Memphis Chapter, Memphis – Range USA, 2770 Whitten Arms – 7:00 pm
May 21 – Williamson County Chapter, Franklin – Logan’s, Cool Springs – social starts at 5:30pm
May 25 – Cheatham County Chapter, Ashland City – Riverview Rest. – 6:00p
May 28 – Monroe County Chapter, Athens – Western Sizzlin’ – 6:00p. 
May 28 – Rutherford/Cannon Chapter, Murfreesboro – On Target – 5:30p
June 1 – Putnam/Upper Cumberland Chapter, Cookeville – Logan’s – 6:00p
June 2 – Knoxville Chapter, Knoxville – Gondolier Rest. – 6:00p
June 9 – DeKalb County Chapter, Smithville – Pizza Hut – 6:00p
June 9 – Morgan County Chapter, Wartburg – Liberty Recreation – 6:00p
June 11 – West TN Chapter, Jackson – Brooks Shaws Old Country Store – 5:30p

     The purpose of gun-control laws has always been to
criminalize the behavior of political enemies.  So,
that they may be arrested, imprisoned, and disenfranchised
(lose the right to vote and hence their political power).
     Conservatives assume responsibility for themselves,
their loved ones, and their community.  So, they keep
and bear arms to defend themselves, their loved ones,
and their community.  Liberals shirk this responsibility
and demand that the government protect them.
     The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has nothing
to do with sports, hunting, or self-defense.  The 2nd
Amendment is to ensure that the people will always have
the means to overthrow the government.  The Founding
Fathers understood how dangerous government was and
that the only way to prevent the government from enslaving
the people is an armed populace.  The purpose of the
militia is to defend the people from the government. 
"free state" refers to the people being free from
oppression by the government.  The Bill of Rights are
rights reserved to the people to protect them from the
government.  You are the militia.
     The preceding three paragraphs are true.  They may
not be what some people believe, but they are
Constitutionally true and historically true.  Evangelize.

***** Recalls *****


***** Instructors *****

     Instructors, please vet your students. 
I have received requests from persons, known
by law enforcement, to be associated with
drug gangs (Vice Lords) and motorcycle gangs
(Pagans), for training.  I was not aware of
the connection, but local law enforcement
informed me.  Apparently, some criminal
organizations are reaching a level of
sophistication where they recognize the need
for self-defense training in the conduct of
their business.  The applicants assured
me that the training was not for offensive
operations, but rather for self-defense.
If they pass the background check, I guess
it's a judgment call.  Please exercise good
judgment.
     Some gun schools run background checks,
some ask for a self certification that the
student has no disqualifying convictions,
some take anyone who pays.  Consider your
responsibility for due diligence.

***** Miscellany *****

The Gunner's Guru
 (aka: Lt. Colonel Jeff Cooper )
http://gunnersguru.com/

Cool web site:  Active Response Training
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/

     Past emails are at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans are at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to get the latest version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Friday, May 15, 2015

CWP, 16 May 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,
     ALWAYS CARRY!  See Education section below.

***** Mindset *****

     "You can't please everyone. 
Even God can't please everyone."
-- Greg Surrat, Senior Pastor, Seacoast Church

     "Don't worry about making mistakes.
As long as your motives are good, you'll
do the right thing." -- 1st Sgt. Palau

     "Killing the wrong guy [intentionally
by mistake, as opposed to accidentally
which is incompetence] in combat might
be murder, but that's not a crime of moral
turpitude." -- Sgt.Maj. Troy
(You could lose your security clearance
or promotion for crimes of moral turpitude.
Murder prosecutions are extremely rare.)

***** Training *****

     I printed this on a sheet of paper and
taped it to my wall, so I would see it when
I get home and remember to practice.
---------------------------------------
Dry Practice
Unload, Chamber check, Magazine check
10 presentations (step, STOP!, correct)
5 tactical reloads
5 emergency reloads
5 immediate actions
---------------------------------------
     It takes about 4 minutes.  "correct"
means that if I don't do it correctly, it
doesn't count toward the 10.  (Pedagogy
from my surfing coach.  10 correct rides
is a lot of paddling over 20 or so waves.)
     I make dry practice one of those things
I have to do, as taking a bath, brushing my
teeth, or dressing before going out in public.

     On presentation from the holster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yucs0c1Nzq4

     Efficiency to increase speed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ackeecQN6U
     The saying (which he couldn't remember) is,
"Slow is smooth. 
Smooth is efficient. 
Efficient is fast."

     How To Reload a Double Action Revolver
http://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/how-to-reload-a-revolver/
YouTube.com address
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPbTWGEPi2o
     Unfortunately, modern double-action revolvers
are made for right handers.  No left handed
techniques are shown.  All techniques shown use
speed loaders, which are nice for competitions,
but impractical for concealed carry.  Bianchi
Speed Strips or similar would be concealable.
     The author is right, the Smith & Wessons
are notorious for needing to trim the grip to
make space for the speed loader.  I've run into
this problem with their revolvers for four
decades.  Yes, I've written to S&W several times.

     Nathan Goode is teaching courses that you
might be interested in.  See attachment.

     Thunder Ranch - Defensive Tactics (PART 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0vLitHoRD4
     Yes, the enemy bullet may be able to penetrate the
door jam, but that doesn't mean the bullet will go straight
through.  I have seen a thin branch deflect a 30-06
bullet.  I have seen all kinds of things deflect 5.56mm
(.223) bullets. (I could tell because they were tracers
at night.)
     Mr. Clint Smith says to go slow.  I agree.
     Mr. Smith does not bend over when slicing the pie.
You should bend way over, so as not to expose
anything before your eye.  (Yes, I know he is old.)
     Mr. Smith does not pull the pistol into close
contact when slicing the pie.  It would be easy
for the enemy to grab his pistol.  He even mocks the
use of a close contact position.  (Don't get caught
up in this attitude.)
    Mr. Smith's register position has his trigger
finger on the trigger guard, not the frame of the
pistol.  This is wrong.  If his trigger finger tenses,
it will slip off the trigger guard and onto the trigger.
     He says to stage mirrors in your home to
assist you in clearing your home.  Good advice, if
you practice with them, and so have adjusted them
into the correct positions.  (It’s real easy to shoot
a reflection of yourself.)
     He is old school, in that he uses the low ready.
I have gotten away from the low ready in favor of the
close contact position (a.k.a. compressed ready).
     Because he is not using the close contact
position, he comes close to muzzling his support side
hand when opening doors.
     I like his choice of pistols, Springfield Armory
XD full size.
     He maximizes distance to corners and doors.
He uses obstacles to slow the enemy attack.
     Note at 35:00 you see his shoulder before
his eye.  So, you see him before he sees you. 
That's why it is so critically important
to bend way over to get your eye out in front of
your shoulder.
    The American Handgunner writer, Roy Huntington,
that Mr. Smith is teaching has his support side
elbow sticking out to the left.  It should be down,
to protect his heart and lungs, and to avoid bumping
into walls which would throw his shots off.  (Yes,
I can see that he is wearing body armor.)
     Sticking your pistol out at arms length
when moving through doors or around corners, when
you have to move close to the corner, is just wrong.
There is someone behind the corner who will
grab your pistol or your arms.  Always a good
assumption.
     Yes, as a matter of fact, I do ask other
instructors and students to critique my classes
and my performance.  That's one of the ways I learn.
Cheers,
Jon

 ***************************************

     Practice driving backwards.  It takes practice
because cars are not stable going backwards.
In the early 80s, you had to be able to drive the
Jeeps, Gama Goats, and trucks backwards to get
your military driver's license in the Marine Corps. 
It's a survival skill.

 ***************************************

     Practice with your support side hand.  Right
handers, get a left handed holster and practice
left handed.  Practice as if your right hand does
not work.  (Yes, left handers, I am intentionally
ignoring you.)  It's a survival skill.

 ***************************************

     Epee use to be fenced in one touch bouts.
Because European men use to duel to "first blood",
as opposed to "death".  (Though in those days,
first blood often meant death due to infection
or other complications.)  Today, some matches are
simultaneous one-touch and 5-touch bouts by
keeping track of who got the first touch in the
5-touch bout.  It changes the nature of the bout.
     Similarly, you should strive for first
round hits, understanding that your first round
may end the fight, if it hits.
     In epee, your easiest target is the opponent's
wrist or forearm, right behind the bell guard of
his sword, or his forward foot.  (I have scored
many points on my opponent's foot, including the
sole of his shoe.  He has to lift his toe when
pushing back with his heel.)
     Similarly, your target should be whatever
part of your opponent is in view.  As you are
slicing the pie around a corner, that could be
an elbow, shoulder, or foot.  By all means, shoot
it.  Don't wait for a center of mass shot.  You'd
be exposing too much of yourself by then.

***** Pedagogy *****
 
     At the last IDPA match that I took
one of my classes to, one of the Safety
Officers asked me if one of my students
was my daughter.  I've got to maintain
more professional distance.

***** Education *****

"Understanding 'Hair Trigger' Issues"
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHSO14/
Page 42.
     Don't lighten the trigger of your
self-defense pistol.  Light triggers are
fine for target shooting.  They are
inappropriate for combat guns, for tactical
and legal reasons.

"When Citizens Fight Back,
Are We Training Wrong?"
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHSO14/
Page 56.
     As a professional statistician, I think
64 data points in this context is fine.
62 wins, 0 loses, 2 forfeits.  The 62 were armed. 
The 2 were not.  Lesson learned:  Always carry.
     Scenario:  Some type of armed robbery.
     Distance:  Most between 3 and 7 yards,
i.e. 3 to 7 steps.  Extremes, contact to 22 yards.
     Where:  10% in or around the home.
90% were in places like convenience stores,
parking lots, and shopping malls.
     The probability of you getting attacked 
is not "one in a million".  It is much much higher,
especially in Memphis, TN.  Remember our lecture,
"The Truth about Violence" by Sam Harris?
http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-truth-about-violence/

***** Tactics *****

     A fellow instructor asked me where to shoot. 
I share my answer with you as follows,
and solicit your comments.
     Aiming at the center of mass gives you
the highest probability of a hit.  But, we
are striving for a vital organ hit,
not just a hit.  So, when our competence
improves (and the target is available),
we aim at the high thoracic cavity to hit
the heart and lungs. 
High thoracic cavity shots --
     When shooting to the side of a human,
it looks like this,
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/body-torso-side.page?
The target is behind the arm pit.  So,
besides his rib cage, we may have to
shoot through his arm.
     When shooting to the front or back of a
human, it looks like this,
http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/83/Surface_projections_of_the_organs_of_the_trunk.png
The target is within a triangle defined by
the nipples and the bottom of the throat.
Again, we may have to shoot through the
enemy's arm, as well as his rib cage; and
maybe even body armor.  Yes, there is a
finite probability that your pistol bullets
will penetrate body armor.  There are all
kinds of body armor on the market, besides
the rubbish they issue to military police
or the plate carriers they issue to artillery
men.  [Artillery men are not expected to
run around and maneuver as infantry, so
they generally wear the best (heaviest)
armor.]  (The bad guys in Garland, TX
wore body armor, but the cop shot through
it with his standard issue pistol.)
     When shooting from above, the target
is the base of the neck downward into the
torso.
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/301586/530wm/P1000275-Skeleton_from_above%2C_X-ray_artwork-SPL.jpg
http://static8.depositphotos.com/1326888/802/i/950/depositphotos_8022623-3D-rendering-of-a-human-skeleton---view-from-above.jpg
The bullet may need to penetrate ribs and
clavicle.
     When shooting from below, there is
probably too much stuff for a pistol bullet
to penetrate before getting to the heart
and lungs.  So, shots to the inside of the
thighs to rupture the femoral arteries, or
shots to the top of the throat inside the
jaw bone to rupture the brain, would be
reasonable.
Head shots --
     If the high thoracic cavity is not
available, or shots to this area were
ineffective, we place a bullet in the
enemy's brain.
     From the side, the target is the
external acoustic meatus,
https://cern-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Brain-Anatomy.jpg
The hole of the ear, just behind the pivot
point of the jaw bone (in case you can't
see the ear hole).
     From the front, the target is the
cranio-ocular cavity,
https://cern-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Brain-Anatomy.jpg
The holes in the skull containing the eyes
and nose.  Notice that the eyes are mid-way
between the bottom of the chin and the top
of the head.  The bottom of the nose is mid-way
between the eyes and the bottom of the chin.
(In case, you have to shoot through material
obscuring your view.)
     From the back, the target is the
spinal column at the base of the skull.
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/anatomy-of-human-skull-rear-view-leonello-calvetti.jpg
The target is the intersection of the line
of the spinal column and a line connecting the
bottom of the ears.  (It's much higher
than you might think.  Well above the
chin or a dress shirt collar for instance,
assuming an erect posture.)
     From below, the target is the top
of the throat inside the jaw bone.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLsynr5O42YHQHRKwHeZYowknzD6D8JJ4Ecje5EyOgy8DtyTQvYAiG9BbBZ9fqJjMegIN6_dCLiNXXTXcc4J8j-GSWCLj0PqZ_Mzsw0aNO1TJhGi7tAetkldP911HQ7obJHiaurBfKbg/s1600/1006N.jpg
(Click on the picture to enlarge it.)
The lower left (inferior view) shows the
foramen magnum to be a small hole.  But the
bone in the bottom of the skull is much
weaker than the top or sides.  So, it is
reasonable to expect penetration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Medulla_oblongata_and_foramen_magnum_animation_small.gif
     From above, a contact shot perpendicular
to the surface of the skull would be preferable.
https://homes.bio.psu.edu/faculty/strauss/anatomy/skel/pics/Skull%20From%20Above%20copy.jpg
As there are no holes to shoot through.  Or, a
torso shot may be reasonable, as noted above.
     You'll notice that there are a lot of
bones that we need to shoot through.
http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/anatomy-of-human-skull-from-different-leonello-calvetti.jpg
http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/42/133742-004-E8027661.jpg
That's why I recommend copper jacketed
round nose bullets.  They give you the
best penetration, and you may need to
penetrate bone, heavy leather jackets,
other body parts (as arms or legs), car
doors, windshields, something he is
using as a shield such as a lazy Susan
or a metal garbage can lid [That thin
aluminum garbage can lid is ineffective. 
I can shoot right through it.  Maybe,
but as we know from our study of tank
armor, sloped armor is much more effective
and can deflect the incoming kinetic
projectile.  So, if your bullet does not
hit perpendicular to the shield surface,
there is an excellent chance your bullet
will be deflected off it's intended path.],
body armor, etc. to reach a vital organ. 
(Copper jacketed round nose bullets also
give you the most reliable feeding and
chambering.  Reliability is more important
than terminal ballistics.  The gun must go
bang when you pull the trigger.)

***** Gear *****

***** Good Gals Win *****

     "Mugging victim opens fire on suspects;
one shot, two flee"
http://www.wthr.com/story/28769522/one-robbery-suspect-in-custody-impd-seeks-two-others
Excerpt: 
     "Honestly, I mostly carry [my pistol]
because my dad wanted me to. Now I'm
glad I listened," Crystal said.
     "Learn how to protect yourself
if you don't know how. Be more aware.
I wasn't paying attention to my
surroundings at all," Crystal said.

***** News *****

     "Tennessee Enacts Pro-Gun Laws"
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/36951/tennessee-enacts-pro-gun-laws/
Excerpts:
     House Bill 745 and Senate Bill 700
"... lifetime handgun carry permit for a
one-time application and processing fee of $500"
Effective July 1st, 2015 A.D.
     The following are effective upon the
Governor's signing.
     HB 995
"... carry in parks and other public recreation areas"
     SB 633
"... prohibits schools from requiring students or
parents to provide information on firearm ownership,
prohibits local education agencies from requiring
employees to provide information on firearm
ownership, and prohibits disciplinary or employment
action based on information of firearm ownership
voluntarily provided."
     HB 1255
"... requiring the chief law enforcement officer
of a jurisdiction to certify the transfer or
making of a firearm, as required by the National
Firearms Act, within 15 days if the applicant
is not prohibited from receiving or possessing
a firearm by law."

***** Opinion *****

     Response to Los Angeles Times
article bashing Glock pistols.
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/police-and-glocks/

***** Promotions *****

Challenge Targets
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=820338ce49ae79778bb2edf90&id=5786a5d0aa&e=c14f0ff9ae
Enter this code during checkout: CMC150 
(Valid through 5-21-2015)
Phone: 1-800-859-5841 ext# 910. 
Email: bbrune@challengetargets.com

***** Politics *****
 
Chris W. Cox: 2015 NRA Members’ Meeting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E9Hb1wi7OI
     This is worth watching for the introduction
of the two heroes. 
     The food company executive is
shown wearing a Deputy Sheriff uniform, because
he is a reserve deputy.  But, he was not on
duty at the time of the incident.  He was acting
as a private citizen when he shot the bad guy.
     The lady stood up to intense pressure from
politicians, anti-gun activists, and community
organizers.  She stood up for poor people.

***** Recalls *****
 
***** Miscellany *****

10 Concealed Carry Articles by Massad Ayoob
http://www.gundigest.com/tactical-gear/10-concealed-carry-articles-massad-ayoob-must-read


     Past emails are posted at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans are at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to get the latest version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

CWP, 14 May 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

Skill Set: What You Carry
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/229744
Excerpt:  I don't think you should "test drive"
pistols by carrying them.

The Dangerous Myth of Hierarchy of Lethality
http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/the-dangerous-myth-of-hierarchy-of-lethality

***** Training *****

Situational Dry Fire Practice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyuxs2_UfFo

"10 Things Most Gun Owners Do Wrong"
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMJ15/
Page 22.
Excerpts:
     "If you don't train, then when
something happens and you revert to your
training -- you revert to nothing."
     "Shooting slowly and accurately for
groups is a foundational skill, one
coming prior to, and much harder than
shooting fast and tactically."
     Whoa!  Truth hurts.

"Better Shooting" by Dave Anderson
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJF15/
Page 22.
Excerpt:  "Then why worry about blinking?
Because blinking makes further improvement
difficult, if not impossible.  If you don't
see what the sight picture looked like as
the shot broke, you'll never be able to
recognize an acceptable sight picture for
the shot required.  Certainly unless you
can see the lift in recoil as the shot
breaks, then track back on target, you'll
never reach your potential to shoot both
fast and accurately."

Master Defensive Handgun Shooting
http://www.gundigest.com/shooting-articles-advice/master-defensive-handgun-shooting

Eye exercises to improve your shooting
http://thegunwriter.blogs.heraldtribune.com/19304/
Eye exercises to improve your shooting: Part II
http://thegunwriter.blogs.heraldtribune.com/19362/

***** Pedagogy *****
 
***** Education *****
 
***** Tactics *****

     Don't carry your knife with the clip
showing.  You'll lose the element of surprise.
Carry your knife in your pocket.
     But, Staff, that's how it's designed to
be carried.
     Surprise is more important than
convenience of deployment.  Because surprise
can give you several seconds, while deployment
from a position clipped to your pocket as
opposed to inside your pocket gains only
fractions of a second (and no time at all,
if you practice).

***** Gear *****

The Evolution of Handgun Sights for Personal Defense
http://www.lawofficer.com/articles/print/volume-11/issue-5/features/the-evolution-of-handgun-sights-for-personal-defense.html
Excerpt:  ... eliminate a "busy rear sight."

What to Look for in a Home-Defense Handgun
(as opposed to a concealed carry handgun)
http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/what-to-look-for-in-a-home-defense-handgun

     Use some Rain-X Interior Glass Anti-Fog or
something like that, so your glasses don't
fog.  Keep a container of the stuff
in your range bag, so you can help out the
newbies.

     A prospective student complained to me, that
after reading the equipment list and lesson plans
for the up coming NRA Defensive Pistol course,
that just about all of the equipment in his local
gun store was inappropriate for civilian concealed
carry according to me.  Was it really possible
that I was correct and all these equipment
manufacturers were wrong?
     Now you see why 13 prospective students
dropped out of my last class before the class
started.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of
gun owners in the United States have had no
firearms training at all, much less competent,
expert, or professional training.  So, it is
easy for the manufacturers to sell rubbish.
The customer base is ignorant.
     We are not firearms instructors.  We are
evangelists (from the Greek, one who spreads
the good news, implied to be the truth, to
oppose the lies of the enemy's propaganda
campaign).  We have to be.  Because so much
of what gun owners know is false.  Because,
they've never had any training.  For example --
     This soft nylon holster is fine and it's
cheap.  No, it will collapse.  You won't
be able to holster with one hand.  If you use
two hands, you will muzzle your support side
hand.  If you point the pistol into your side
to holster with one hand, you will muzzle
your hip.  The holster must stay open under
the pressure of your belt.
     This is a fine expensive Sig Sauer pistol.
No, it does not have a magazine release button
that allows you to eject the magazine with one
hand.  (The magazine release is at the bottom
of the grip, over the magazine well.)  So, you
won't be able to use the modern pistol
techniques with that pistol.  You won't be
able to load it or reload it with one hand.
     I could go on, but you get the idea.
Please be an evangelist.
     Why don't the big gun schools have this
problem?  Because people who spend $2000 for
a handgun class at Front Sight or $1895 at
Gunsite plus air fare, hotel, rental car,
and food aren't the same demographic as the
good old boys, red necks, and hillbillies
that we teach out in the country, down in
the weeds.  But, it's far better than Yankee
land or the left coast or the Mid Pacific.
     In Hawaii, people say, "Lucky you live
Hawaii".  They are wrong.  They don't know
what they don't know.  They have been
oppressed for so long (Democrat control
since September 1959), that they don't
recognize that they are not free.  (At least
the people in Baltimore, MD were aware
enough to riot against their Democrat
overlords.)
The truth is "Lucky you live in the South."
where freedom still reigns.

***** Good Guys Win *****
 
***** News *****

Armed Citizen Stops Suspect’s Furious Assault on a Cop
http://www.news9.com/story/29008359/witness-pulled-gun-on-burglary-suspect-who-was-beating-okc-officer

***** Opinion *****

From Tom Clark, Palmetto Gun Club firearms instructor --
Jon,
     I think this clip shows how it should be done.
http://bearingarms.com/pushed-forward-brave-garland-police-officer-advanced-brought-garland-terrorists/
     Also, I disagree with the bashing of Glocks.
The ultimate safety on any firearm is between the
shooters ears; inept or unskilled handling may cause
accidents whether police or others, whether Glock or
others.  Unskilled people using a chainsaw may cut
themselves, unskilled people using a hammer may hit
their own thumb, unskilled people using a sharp knife
may cut themselves, etc.
     For many years the NYC police department Glocks
all had “NY1” triggers.  That requirement made it
about a 10 pound trigger rather than the standard
5.5 pound, and makes the pull very similar to a
double-action – still has a definite break point,
but the process of taking up the slack offers
increasing resistance until the break.  I also think
this was added because when the NYPD transitioned
from double action revolvers they expected to have
more resistance on the earlier stages of
trigger pull – and this provided it.
     It still gets back to training and experience.
If one puts their finger on the trigger before they
plan to shoot, then any convulsive squeeze or action
on nearly any trigger will cause a negligent
discharge.  Lack of trigger discipline is a training
issue.
     The author offers no statistics on negligent
discharges with other firearms in police hands
for comparison. The fact that a few unskilled police
have problems with Glocks is not remarkable to me
as I think the majority of police throughout the
U.S. carry Glocks – so it is the most common “tool”
in police hands.  I notice too that he quotes
statistics nearly two decades old, perhaps before
they changed to the NY1 trigger spring – I don’t
know the exact timing of the changeover.
     Finally, I don’t see how a trained trigger
finger on a standard Glock trigger is any more
likely to cause an accidental discharge than the
same finger on a cocked single action such as a
1911 style gun.  So is the argument that all
handguns should be long pull double-action only
for safety?  This way we could force 100% of
shooters to do it to solve the lack of training
for the several percent who are inept.  Maybe we
should just identify the inept and either train
them or give them training wheels.
     Yeah, I’m defending Glock actions,
I like them.  I also like the way similar actions
work on other striker fired guns such as the
S&W M&P, Ruger SR and LC series, and many others.
Tom

***** Promotions *****
 
***** Politics *****
 
***** Recalls *****
 
***** Miscellany *****

Penn & Teller shoot each other
(no, really it's a good magic trick)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0-ImFaSG4

Tripod review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s24_BuqdWtU&index=4&list=PLlMN9MUJeweMvFhbfX5bTglvftxprSqC4

     Past emails are posted at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans are at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to get the latest version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Friday, May 8, 2015

CWP, 9 May 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

***** Training *****

"Hardware solutions to software problems"
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/hardware-solutions-to-software-problems/
     Invest your time and money in
training, so that you can shoot better,
so that in combat you can shoot less.

***** Pedagogy *****


***** Education *****

     Ken Thomas of Archangel Security
(in Nashville, TN) gave a lecture on
concealed carry at the Nashville
Bass Pro Shop.  I paraphrase from my notes. 
     He said,
know your neighbors, know your police, be alert,
plan, consider what-if scenarios, prepare,
practice (fire drill, home invasion drill,
etc.), the average response time for Nashville
police is 5 to 7 minutes (which is pretty
good for an urban police department), get
a home alarm system (this will give you time
to react, as opposed to getting clubbed in
bed while you sleep).
1.  avoid the gun fight.
2.  have a gun.
     What handgun?
1.  The one you have.
2.  The one you know.
3.  The one you can control.
     Get an instructor.  You wouldn't try
to teach yourself [insert the skill of
your choice].  Why in the world would you
think you could teach yourself how to
use a pistol in self-defense?
     You may only use lethal force when,
"The person has a reasonable belief that
there is an imminent danger of death or
serious bodily injury."  TCA-39-11-611

***** Tactics *****

     When looking through a window with a
flashlight, press the flashlight against
the window.  Even a few inches away from
the window will allow the reflected glare
to inhibit your view of objects beyond the
window.

***** Gear *****

FN (Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre)
FNS-9 9mm Striker-fired pistol made in
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.A.
http://bearingarms.com/fn-fns-9-pistol-review/
Ambidextrous magazine release and slide stop.
Comes with three magazines.
Three replaceable back straps.  $465 - 485.
They're coming in below the $500 price point,
smart marketing.

     Sgt. Swiatnicki recommends Prometheus Lights.
----- Quote -----
SSgt,
     I recently discovered Promethius Lights at darksucks.com.
Hand made in the USA and very awesome lights. Reading on
the site shows that this guy looked for specific,
quality parts from domestic suppliers and his products
show he is successful. He uses a "High Cree LED" which
more closely mimics natural light without the
orange/yellow effect of incandescent nor the blue tint
of typical LEDs. I purchased a QD2 light that uses a
single AAA battery, aerospace quality quick disconnect
and dual brightness circuitry. It was $60 but I swear
it's the best little mini-light I've ever seen.
Perfect for pocket EDC (Every Day Carry) and/or
keychain carry.
----- End Quote -----
http://www.darksucks.com/
     I found the tops fascinating.
http://www.darksucks.com/store_lambda.html#
     This operation is not your typical mass production
machine shop.  These are high quality tools.
http://www.darksucks.com/store_alpha2.html
http://darksucks.com/store_alphaRM.html

***** Good Guys Win *****

Officer Armed With Pistol Killed Two Jihadis
Armed With Body Armor and Rifles
http://bearingarms.com/officer-armed-pistol-killed-two-jihadis-body-armor-rifles/

WWII veteran, 95, fends off would-be Manchester
robber with mighty cane
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150505/NEWS03/150509657
Excerpt:  "He said he is taking steps to
ensure his future safety. Whenever he
goes out walking, he said he's going to
have his cellphone on one hip and his
.357 magnum revolver on the other."
 
***** News *****

Gun Industry Driving American Economy
http://www.gunsandtactics.com/gun-industry-driving-american-economy
 
***** Opinion *****

"Why the police shouldn't use Glocks"
By Bob Owens; May 7, 2015; 10:52 P.M.
http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83477058/
     Mr. Owens further explains in
http://bearingarms.com/wrong-gun-popular-gun-law-enforcement-mistake/
     Mr. Owens says, "... the claim that the long
double-action first pull creates misses is a myth ..."
I disagree.  My firearms training in the Marine Corps
and in the civilian world cause me to believe that
the long heavy double-action triggers are much more
difficult for any person to control than the
single-action or striker-action triggers.  Resulting
in a much higher probability of a miss with
a double-action trigger.  That's why I recommend
my students do not buy double-action pistols.
     I was active duty and reserve when (1985 A.D.)
the Marine Corps transitioned between the
single-action 1911 and the double-action M9. 
The fraction of new shooters to qualify Expert
decreased dramatically.  Double-action pistols
are much more difficult to shoot.  And hence,
have a much lower probability of a first round hit.
     In my opinion, Mr. Owens is promulgating
another hardware solution to a software problem.
There is no substitute for training.  Double-action
pistols will not ameliorate inadequate training.

***** Promotions *****


***** Politics *****

The False Hope of Gun-Free Zones
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMA15/
Page 48
Excerpt: 
"[A gun free zone] is a helpless-victim zone"
-- Richard Mack, former Arizona Sheriff

***** Recalls *****


***** Miscellany *****

“The national budget must be balanced.
Public debt must be reduced. Arrogance
of the various authorities must be
moderated and controlled ...
People must, once again, learn to work,
instead of living off the honest labor
of their fellow citizens.”
-- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC

     Past emails are posted at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans are at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to get the latest version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

CWP, 5 May 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

***** Training *****

"In defense of the trigger reset (yes: it's important)"
http://blog.beretta.com/trigger-reset-is-important?utm_medium=social
     A good article on the finer points of trigger
control.
     I disagree with the author, Chappy.
I believe reset should be done after the
sights are back on the target that you
just shot, not during the recoil.  The
shot process isn't finished until the
sights are back on the target that you
just shot.  Getting the sights back on
target is part of follow through. 
     Touch the trigger, take the slack out
of the trigger (if the trigger does not
have slack and a hard stop, it is not
correctly designed for combat), smoothly
increase pressure (Do not intentionally
fire the shot.  With increasing pressure
the shot will fire, surprise break.),
trap the trigger to the rear, get the
sights back on target, reset the trigger,
move your eyes and head to the next target,
move your sights to the next target (Yes,
you have to do it in that order.  If you
move your eyes and sights together, you
will overshoot your target.)
     Note:  Follow through determines
where the pistol is pointed when the
bullet exits the muzzle.  Which occurs
a millisecond after primer detonation. 
Sight alignment and sight picture
determine where the pistol is pointed
at primer detonation.
     Note:  It is very common to watch
a shooter realize that he missed the
last target and have to move the sights
back to the last target, because he has
already started moving the sights to
the next target.  If your follow through
has you getting the sights back on the
target before resetting or moving to the
next target, you won't miss the target.

     Why the safety rules are so important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBX7mEBVOao
     Yes, brand new guns from reputable
manufactures can fire with the safety on
and without the trigger being pulled.
     Recall notice at
http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/files/images/wfa/2015-All/2015-Recall-Info/SXP_Recall-Notice_2.pdf

A 55-year-old woman accidentally shot herself on Monday afternoon
http://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/woman-shoots-herself-crystal-lake-gun-range
     This is why it is so important to dress
properly when shooting at the range.  Always
wear high neck shirts, so hot brass can't go
down the front of your shirt.  Always wear a
wide brimmed hat, so hot brass can't get
caught between your glasses and your eye.

     When you miss, STOP!, and revert to 
fundamentals by talking yourself through
the shot process to ensure the hit.
For instance --
     Align the top of the front sight
with the top of the rear sight.  Center
the front sight in the rear sight notch.
Place the top of the front sight on the
center of mass of the target.  Sharp
focus on the front sight, seeing the
scratches on the front sight.  Touch
the trigger, take the slack out of the
trigger, 1/8th pressure, 2/8ths pressure,
3/8ths pressure, 4/8ths pressure, 5/8ths
pressure, 6/8ths pressure, 7/8ths
pressure (The pistol will fire long
before you get to 8/8ths pressure.),
trap the trigger to the rear, get the
sights back on target, reset.
     Or, if that is too detailed for you,
try --
sights, slack out, press, trap, sights, reset.
     If you missed, you did something
wrong.  If you repeat the wrong shot
process, you will miss again.
Every miss is destroying property and
injuring, possible killing, innocent
by standers.  So, we cannot afford to 
miss.  We hit on the first shot by
executing the correct shot process.
It is only long when we first learn
it.  With practice, it compresses in
time and becomes very fast.
     When we get lazy or forget or
our form breaks down due to stress,
we must revert to fundamentals and talk
ourselves through the shot process to
ensure a hit.

     NRA Defensive Pistol course
starts June 1st 2015 in Nashville, TN.
Fund raiser for Hume-Fogg high school
rifle team.  Send me an email for
details, Jon_Low@yahoo.com.

***** Pedagogy *****


***** Education *****

"How Ammo Gets Made"
http://bearingarms.com/ammo-gets-made/
     Ankara, Turkey, great place.
     Annealing means to heat and cool slowly
to removes internal stress, crystal defects,
and dislocations.  Not necessarily harden the
brass, as the narrator states. (Annealing
usually makes the metal more malleable,
softer.)  Heating and slow cooling results
in larger crystals in the crystalline
structure of the metal.  Because the crystals
grow as the metal cools before it freezes.
     Tempering or quenching is the process
of heating and quickly cooling by quenching
in oil (as opposed to water, because the
layer of steam acts as an insulator
preventing heat transfer).  Quick cooling
results in small crystals in the crystalline
structure of the metal.  The crystals get
frozen before they have a chance to grow.
This allows, for instance, a finer (less
jagged) knife edge (at the microscopic
level).
     Annealing makes the brass more
malleable, so the neck can be compressed
to hold the bullet tightly.

***** Tactics *****

"Officer Shoots Home Owner Who
Just Shot Armed Home Invader"
http://bearingarms.com/really-bad-day-officer-shoots-home-owner-just-shot-armed-home-invader/
Excerpt: 
... [This is] why we do a
“scan and assess” after a defensive gun use.
     "Scan and Assess" is NRA terminology,
also referred to as "after action drills" in
the industry: quick check, final check, and
scan.
     Source article: 
http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2015/04/2_shot_in_officer-involved_sho.html

***** Gear *****

     From the Streamlight web site, frequently asked
questions.  http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/faq/default.html
Q: The color of the light from my LED flashlight looks
different than the light from the same model flashlight
when I shine them on the wall together. Is one LED defective?
A: There is nothing wrong with either LED. LED technology
produces an unavoidably wide range of tints. Streamlight
pays extra to buy the color bins which are closest to
perceived white light. The light will always be bluer
than an incandescent, and there will be more variation
between identical products than with incandescent lamps.

     Heckler & Koch Volkspistole 9 review
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/gun-reviews/hk-vp9-review/

     There were lots of new
products at the NRA Annual Meeting
exhibition that were just crazy stupid.
     "Personal-Protection Products and the Big Picture"
http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/personal-protection-products-and-the-big-picture/

***** Good Guys Win *****

"Concealed Permit Holder Stops Attempted
Mass Shooting in Chicago"
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/04/20/concealed-permit-holder-stops-attempted-mass-shooting-in-chicago/

***** News *****

Guns on university campuses: The Colorado experience
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/04/20/guns-on-university-campuses-the-colorado-experience/
     Colorado Campus Carry: 12 Years,
No Mass Shootings, No Crimes by Permit Holders.
     Can you believe this pro-gun article
appeared in the liberal Washington Post?
We are winning the culture war.

If you don't have a gun, take your assailant
to your neighbor who has a gun.
http://m.myfoxal.com/myfoxal/db_330638/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=tNw1yEgt&pn=&ps=#display

Why concealed carry is better than open carry
http://bearingarms.com/felon-attacks-open-carrier-weapon-washington-walmart/

BACKFIRED: Media Lies About Firearms & Crime,
Increases Interest In Gun Rights
http://bearingarms.com/backfired-media-lies-firearms-crime-increases-interest-gun-rights/
     We are winning the culture war.

A shopper with a concealed weapons permit shot
and killed a man who was trying to carjack a
woman Saturday outside a Utah grocery store.
http://news.yahoo.com/police-man-shoots-kills-carjacker-outside-store-004403757.html

***** Promotions *****


***** Politics *****


***** Recalls *****

Winchester shotgun recall
http://www.winchesterguns.com/support/files/images/wfa/2015-All/2015-Recall-Info/SXP_Recall-Notice_2.pdf

Blue Bell Ice Cream Expands Recall to ‘All of Its Products’
http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/04/20/blue-bell-ice-cream-expands-recall-to-all-of-its-products/
     I've always considered the pint
container to be a single serving.

***** Miscellany *****

     Tromix Siamese M16: Twin Barrels, Full Auto
http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2015/02/25/tromix-siamese-m16/

     Please upgrade your NRA membership.
Please join your state organization.
Set the example.  It's not just your
children who copy what you do.

     Past emails are posted at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans are at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to get the latest version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com