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