CWP, 28 August 2014 A.D.
Greetings Concealed Weapons Permittees,

***** Mindset (attitude) *****

     Why you should carry your pistol
with a round in the chamber,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs5MSb6r_8k
     Yes, this is a matter of attitude,
more than a matter of tactics or mechanics.

***** Training *****

Drawing a pistol in a car,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek50iqNOfus

     NRA Free Style
http://www.nrafreestyle.tv/media-lab#/media-lab/list/media-lab-season-1-episodes
     I found episode 12 very interesting.

     I have noticed - in combat, training, and
competition - the predisposition to rush.  That
is to say, moving so fast that the operator
doesn't see enemies in plain view and so does
not engage them.  Yes, the enemy is wearing
camouflage.  Yes, it's dark at night.  Yes,
he's hiding behind cover.  Yes, you are under
extreme stress.  So, you have to train yourself
to slow down, to look carefully, to see things.
     Strive to scan and shoot from a stationary
position behind cover.  We practice shooting
while moving, but this has a low probability
of hitting.  Far superior is to hunker down behind
cover, scan and shoot from this covered position.
If you have to move, move to cover.  This means
you have to find cover before moving, not
while moving.  Run directly to the covered
position.  Even tanks loiter in covered positions
(forests, cities, etc.), never out in the open.

     "The best way to improve your accuracy is
by not shooting live ammo.  Dry practice."
-- Tom McHale (paraphrase)

     "You should be firing 10 shots in dry
practice for every live fire shot."
     "Live fire is only to verify what you've
learned in dry practice."
-- Ignatius Piazza (paraphrase)

     Scattering your rounds low left (for a
right hander, low right for a left hander)
indicates anticipation of the
recoil and pushing against the anticipated
recoil before the bullet exits the muzzle.
[Don't adjust the sights.]
     The solution is to achieve a surprise break.
Do not intentionally fire the shot.  Rather,
touch the trigger, take the slack out of the
trigger, smoothly increase pressure on the
trigger while holding the sights on the 
target.  The pistol will eventually fire.
But, because you don't know exactly when,
the bullet will be past the muzzle before
you disturb the shot with your autonomic
nervous system responses.
     It's almost impossible to learn the
surprise break while firing live rounds,
much less engrain the correct muscle memory.
You have to practice dry.  In general, it
takes 2000 repetitions to engrain muscle
memory.  So, if you correctly dry practice,
achieving a surprise break on 10 shots (it
may take you 20 shots to get 10 correct shots)
a day, you can engrain the surprise break
muscle memory in less than a year.  Then
you will be able to place rounds on target
on demand, not by luck.

"Ten Things You Learn by Carrying a Gun Every Day"
by Tom McHale
http://www.outdoorhub.com/stories/2014/08/06/ten-things-learn-carrying-gun-every-day/

     In training the instructor will give you
a verbal command to start the exercise. 
But, in combat a visual cue will cause
you to initiate, if you are aware and
have made a plan.

     It is very common for the shooter to close his
eyes in response to (or anticipation of) the recoil
and report.  The shooter must force himself to
keep his aiming eye open to watch the sights
move through recoil and back to the target.
Because follow through determines where the
pistol is pointed when the bullet exits the muzzle.
[Sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger
control determine where the pistol is pointed
when the firing pin hits the primer, a millisecond
before the bullet exits the muzzle.  A thousandth
of a second is a long time.  More than enough
time to move the sights off the human sized
target at 3 yards range.]

***** Pedagogy *****

     Hey, Staff, why do you waste class time reading
the lectures to us?  Just email the lectures to us,
and we can read them on our own.
     First, it is highly unlikely that any of the students
will read the lectures.  If the student didn't read
the lecture before the class, the student will not
be able to ask questions about the lecture during
the class.
     Second, the purpose of the lecture is to
generate questions and discussion.  Some people
learn by listening, others by actively questioning
and discussing.
     Third, the lectures are copyrighted.  While we
have permission to present the lectures, we don't
have permission to duplicate and distribute the
lectures.

     Hey, Staff, if the lectures are copyrighted,
why not rewrite the information in your own
words and distribute them with the other class
documents?  All the information is already
in the public domain.
     First, that would be unethical.
     Second, the lectures provide a great deal of
opinion, some of which I disagree with, and so
would never write in my own words.
     Third, the lectures teach some techniques that
conflict with the techniques we teach.  This is
intentional.  We want our students to know that
there are other techniques and other schools of
thought.
     We are teaching a mindset and a skill set,
not a religion.  So, we are not dogmatic.
We teach what we teach because we think it is
the best.  But, we are not infallible.  Those
who have been with us for a few years know that
the curriculum has changed as we strive to
teach the best practices.

***** Gear *****

     At a recent IDPA match, a gentleman sat in
a folding metal chair in preparation for the
start of a stage of fire.  When he stood up, the
magazine in the magazine pouch on the his belt
positioned on his back picked up the chair by its
back rest. 
     Best to keep your magazines in the
9 or 10 o'clock position with the magazine pouch
inside your belt, so the belt holds your pouch
tight against your body, preventing them
from flopping around, preventing anything from
getting caught on them.

Things to consider when choosing a carry pistol,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeVmKhwq9X4
     The truth doesn't have a favored messenger.

***** News *****

     Prepping for the Zombie apocalypse?

     Store owners defend their property,
because the police in Ferguson, MO can't.
http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2014/08/16/Ferguson-When-Stupid-and-Evil-Reign-It-s-Good-to-Own-a-Gun

     Islamic State of Syria and Iraq is a zombie apocalypse.
http://metrography.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Zmnako-Ismael-trip-to-Mt-Sinjar-and-back/G0000ShYoPm.FPGU/I00004E.aIDwWUhc/C0000HYyKHXjijLk

     Gun bans result in robberies and shootings.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/08/18/Moms-Demand-Target-Kroger-For-Gun-Bans-In-Grocery-Aisles

***** Promotions *****

Oakley has discounts for veterans,
also law enforcement, fire and emergency response.
https://www.oakleysi.com/Page.cfm?id=9

U.S. Grunt Gear,
http://www.usgruntgear.com/

Police Trade-In guns (used, but in good condition):

M&P 9mm, $375,
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/p-54208-smith-wesson-mp-semi-auto-police-trade-in-9mm-17-rounds-black-night-sights.aspx?utm_source=Target+Sports+USA&utm_campaign=b70147a303-Police+Trade-In+Guns+%7C+Target+Sports+USA&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4f4aeab969-b70147a303-973261

M&P 45ACP, $450,
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/p-54212-smith-wesson-mp-semi-auto-police-trade-in-9mm-17-rounds-black-night-sights.aspx?utm_source=Target+Sports+USA&utm_campaign=b70147a303-Police+Trade-In+Guns+%7C+Target+Sports+USA&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4f4aeab969-b70147a303-973261

XD 45ACP, $380,
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/p-54214-springfield-xd-45-police-trade-in-45-acp-semi-auto-handgun-13-rounds-black-night-sights.aspx?utm_source=Target+Sports+USA&utm_campaign=b70147a303-Police+Trade-In+Guns+%7C+Target+Sports+USA&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4f4aeab969-b70147a303-973261

20% discount at Cross Breed Holsters,
http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/HotcakesStore/CategoryViewer/tabid/112/slug/labor-day-special/Default.aspx

Cheers,
Jon

CWP, 18 August 2014 A.D.
Greetings Concealed Weapons Permittees,

***** Mindset *****

"If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you …
it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun."
-- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet

***** Training *****

     "There's no amount of talking about
marksmanship that can make you better.
Marksmanship isn't about talking.
It's about doing." -- Chris Cheng, Top Shot
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/31385023#/31385023/104

     "A Training Roadmap – one instructor’s suggestions (1 of 2)"
by Brannon LeBouef
http://www.recoilweb.com/a-training-roadmap-one-instructors-suggestions-37199.html
     "A Training Roadmap – One Instructor’s Suggestions (2 of 2)"
by Brannon LeBouef
http://www.recoilweb.com/a-training-roadmap-one-instructors-suggestions-2-of-2-37247.html
     Mr. LeBouef recommends first aid medical training. 
     I think CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation ) and
AED (automated external defibrillator ) would also be useful.
     I would add water safety and rescue training.
     Stop the bleeding (direct pressure, tourniquet
[Yes, the Red Cross teaches tourniquets now days.]),
start the breathing, treat for shock, and get help.
     Mr. LeBouef recommends defensive/evasive driving training. 
That can be fairly expensive.  There are many cars
that you would not want to attempt to spin around. 
All SUV's are unstable.  Friends in my Marine Corps reserve unit
who had recently returned from a driving course at a Georgia Police
training facility told me that they were trained to bump the back end
of the fleeing car with the front end of their car in a sideways
direction to cause the fleeing car to spin out, but never to do this
to an SUV, because it will flip over.
(Sorry, I can't remember the technical term for this maneuver.)
     Practicing driving backwards is useful and practical. 
Be careful, because cars are not stable when driven backwards.

"Using a Mounted Light for Home Defense"
by Tatiana Whitlock
http://www.nrawomen.tv/tips-and-tactics/video/tips-and-tactics-tatiana-whitlock-using-a-mounted-light-for-home-defense

"Firearms Terminology Lesson #1
Clip vs. Magazine
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE"
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2014/08/06/the-story-of-brownells-ar-15-magazines/
     Click on the picture to see an enlarged version.

     Why do we train?  To find out which tactics
and gear do and don't work for us.  Everyone is
different.  The only way to learn this is by
doing.  You can't read reviews or watch YouTube
videos to get this information.

***** Gear *****

     Several people have asked me what they
should buy, as in everything in a complete set.
So, this is my recommendation without knowing
anything about the person.
     A stiff belt to hold your heavy gun and ammo - $40
Make:  Blackhawk
Model:  CQB/Rigger's Belt
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/CQBRiggers-Belt,800,1384.htm
     Suspenders to hold your up your belt and gear - $14
Make:  Perry Products, Inc.
Model:  2" wide, 48" length
http://www.perrysuspenders.com/persus2widre.html
     A pistol - $460
Make:  Springfield Armory
Model:  XD chambered in .45 ACP with a 4 inch barrel
http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-service-model-45-acp/
No thumb safety, because simpler is better and
requires less training to master.
     A holster - $30
Make:  Alien Gear
Model:  Springfield XD 4 inch barrel IWB Holster (Inside the Waistband)
http://aliengearholsters.com/holsters/springfield-xd-4-inch-barrel-1/springfield-xd-4-inch-barrel-iwb-holster-inside-the-waistband.html
     A flashlight - $70
Make:  Surefire
Model:  G2X
http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/g2x-tactical.html
     A pouch to hold your magazine and flashlight - $62
Make:  Galco
Model:  MFP COP MAG FLASHLIGHT PADDLE
http://www.galcogunleather.com/mfp-cop-mag-flashlight-paddle_8_450_1209.html
     Total cost - $676

"Using a Mounted Light for Home Defense"
by Tatiana Whitlock
http://www.nrawomen.tv/tips-and-tactics/video/tips-and-tactics-tatiana-whitlock-using-a-mounted-light-for-home-defense

***** Promotions *****

Sprinfield Armory promotion.
http://gearup.springfield-armory.com/Gearup.asp
     I mention this because I like
Springfield Armory XD pistols.  I find
them well designed and reliable.
For instance, the serrations on the
back of the slide are back behind where
your thumb contacts the slide.  So, the
shooter doesn't get a callus on the side
of his thumb, as with some model 1911's.

***** News *****

Blind people with guns
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28587041
     Yes, blind people hunt with guns,
possess concealed weapons permits, are
just like you and me.

***** Recall *****

Recall of Remington Model 700 and Model 7 rifles.
http://blogs.militarytimes.com/gearscout/2014/04/11/major-recall-of-remington-model-700-and-model-7-rifles/?repeat=w3tc

Cheers,
Jon

CWP, 4 August 2014 A.D.

Greetings Concealed Weapons Permittees,
     For those of you new to this emailing list,
this is an irregular mailing for students and
friends of DefensivePistocraft.com geared
toward civilian concealed carry and self-defense.

***** Mindset *****

"Why training police merely to qualify isn’t enough"
http://www.policeone.com/Officer-Safety/articles/7401454-Why-training-police-merely-to-qualify-isn-t-enough/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Exclusive_1&nlid=7401062
Excerpt:  “The body will not go where the mind has never been.”
     So, you have to mentally rehearse.
You have to visualize.  You have to do
IDPA matches.  You have to take classes.

"5 Tips For New Concealed Carriers" by Tom McHale
http://www.nssfblog.com/firstshotsnews/5-tips-for-new-concealed-carriers/

***** Training *****

"10 common mistakes in self-defense firearms training"
by Shannon Thrasher
http://www.policeone.com/the-tacticalist/articles/7391346-10-common-mistakes-in-self-defense-firearms-training/
Excerpts:
"After you get some good quality
professional instruction, go out
and get some more - from someone else."
"Just like a seat belt that must be worn
on all trips — since we can't predict a car
crash — your self-defense gun should be
carried at all times because we can't
predict when you will be attacked."

Trigger control drill. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxyTFzgWjhk
     Don't fire the shot.
Touch the trigger, take the slack out of the trigger,
smoothly increase pressure while holding the
sights on the target,
press, press, press, press, ... BANG!
Strive for the surprise break, to defeat your
autonomic nervous system, to avoid anticipating
the recoil and pushing against it.
Trap the trigger to the rear.
Get the sights back on the target.  (This is the
end of the shot process.)
     Reset the trigger. (Release the trigger
just far enough to feel or hear the click.
Your trigger finger is always in contact with
the trigger.  Moving the trigger any further
than the reset wastes time.)
Take the slack out of the trigger.
(Yes, there is slack after the reset. 
Slow down until you can feel it.)
Press, press, press, press, ... BANG!
Trap the trigger to the rear.
Sights back on target.
Reset.
Slack out.
Press.
...
     Yes, it is a long complex process.  But,
that's the difference between a 2% probability
of hitting the target and a 100% probability. 
Also, the process gets very fast with practice
(2000 repetitions). 
     If you don't practice trigger control,
you won't do it, and you'll miss.

"Shooting into and out of a vehicle"
by Shannon Thrasher
http://www.policeone.com/the-tacticalist/videos/7398418-Shooting-into-and-out-of-a-vehicle/
     A car door is not cover.
     Notice that he shot the sidewall of the tire,
which is effective.  Shooting through the tread
and steel belts of a tire is not effective. (Because
tires are designed not to deflate when punctured
by running over a nail.)
     An engine block is cover for pistol bullets,
but not for .30 caliber rifle bullets.  I've
seen .30-06 bullets go through an engine block.

***** Technical *****
(very technical, math intense, for you nerds)

Bottom line up front:
     Ya, I know the papers have experimental design
and modeling problems, but the point is, bullets
wobble.  So, you can't predict at what angle the bullet
will enter the target.  The terminal ballistics
are highly dependent on the angle of entry of the
bullet.  So, there is, and will always be, a large
variation in the effect of a bullet (terminal ballistic).

Overview article for the muggle.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/07/28/weekly-dtic-fleet-yaw-problem-improving-rifle-effectiveness/

"Small Caliber Lethality ..." by Maj. Dean and Maj. LaFontaine.
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a519801.pdf
Excerpt: 
     "Shot placement trumps all other variables"
     "Yaw is not instability; it occurs naturally
in all spin-stabilized projectiles."
[The authors use the term "yaw", but they mean
precession and nutation due to a force (air resistance)
on a spinning object in free fall (not the same as
an inertial frame of reference).  Free fall would
be in a gravitational field.  Inertial frame of
reference would be in space away from any massive
objects.]

"Small-Caliber Projectile ..." by Ehlers, Guidos, and Webb.
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a458409.pdf
[Assuming the projectile is moving forward;
Pitch is rotation about the left-right axis,
Yaw is rotation about the up-down axis, and
Roll is rotation about the forward-backward axis.]

***** Gear *****

Brownell's has a great section on their
web site called "Learn",
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/GunTech/default.aspx

***** News (as opposed to propaganda) *****

Notice that the doctor in this story violated
the gun free zone laws of Pennsylvania. 
But, I'm sure he feels it's better to be alive.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/doctor-had-gun-wounded-hospital-shooter-pennsylvania-prosecutor-says/

Amazing for the Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-santiago/guns-in-america-why-i-thi_b_5628403.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592
     The U.S. Supreme Court said that the
2nd Amendment gives citizens the right to
carry guns outside the home, and the lower
courts are ruling accordingly; as they should.

***** Sort of related *****

I always loved these sorts of puzzles.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/07/28/trigger-lock-taken-extreme/

Cheers,
Jon