Greetings Sheepdogs,
I cite articles in this blog that I consider correct.
I also, cite articles that I think are reasonable, but
that I disagree with. I consider the advice in the
following article by Mike Ox to be wrong, but it is
well reasoned. So, I cite it, and explain why I think
it is wrong.
"Why the quickest thing you can do to shoot better is something you shouldn’t do"
http://exclusive.multibriefs.com/content/why-the-quickest-thing-you-can-do-to-shoot-better-is-something-you-shouldnt/law-enforcement-defense-security
Just because you are right eye dominant does not mean
you are going to be right eye dominant in combat (or any
high stress situation). I'm not an expert, but I'm sure
your eye doctor or psychologist can explain to you all the
circumstances that can change which image you perceive
when you have both eyes open. [It's not just right eye
versus left eye. It's also right field of vision versus
left field of vision. (Left brain processes right field
of vision. Right brain processes left field of vision.)
Actually, it's much more than that. (Remember
Inattentional Blindness?) It's explained in
visual perception psychology classes. Yes, I spent way
too much time in the psychology department as an under
grad.]
If you are right eye dominant and thus aiming with your
right eye, but perceiving your left eye image at the
moment you release your shot, your point of impact will
be way off to the left of your intended target. The only
reliable way to prevent this is to close your non-aiming
eye for the faction of a second it takes to release your
shot. (We are fighting Murphy's Law. Anything that can
go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time.)
If you can't close your non-aiming eye while holding
your aiming eye open, drill a deep hole into your front
sight (blacken the hole with an indelible marker),
insert a tritium vial (glue the glowing vial into
place), so that your aiming eye can see it, but your
non-aiming eye cannot see it. Any competent machinist
will be able to do this for you. You must be able to
distinguish the right eye image from the left eye image.
***** Mindset *****
". . . personal defense is a lifestyle, not a hobby."
-- Sheriff Jim Wilson
Other People’ Business!
http://defense-training.com/2018/other-people-business/
“Not my people. Not my problem.”
A simple mental exercise that increases your chances of surviving a gunfight
https://sofrep.com/104526/a-simple-mental-exercise-that-increases-your-chances-of-surviving-a-gunfight/
Excerpt:
It’s not a coincidence that many veterans learn to shy
away from crowds and choose seats that allow them to
keep an eye on the crowd: it’s not because they expect
something bad to happen, it’s because they’ve seen bad
things happen, and accept that they can. For many who
have lived their entire lives within the relative
safety and comfort of the American way of life, it
can be harder to embrace this mindset.
Ready or Not!
http://defense-training.com/2018/ready-or-not-6/
Excerpts:
“Fate makes no appointments, nor does it wait on any man!
You have to be alert and ready the instant it arrives.”
It’s “come-as-you-are-war,” and you’re either ready,
or you’re not. In the latter case, you’ll not likely
get a second chance!
Five habits of responsible gun owners
https://thestreetstandards.wordpress.com/2018/07/14/five-habits-of-responsible-gun-owners/
Complacency kills.
***** Training *****
Response to a student's comment --
No, you don't rise to the occasion. In high stress
situations, you default to the level of training that
you have mastered. Mastered, not experienced.
That's why A21 recruits former British Commonwealth
Special Air Service and U.S. Naval SEAL's. You
want to be rescuing kidnapped sex slaves with people
who default to a high level of competence.
Because the enemy is very motivated and highly trained.
Three Inviolable Rules of Trigger Finger Discipline
http://www.recoilweb.com/three-inviolable-rules-of-trigger-finger-discipline-137134.html
How to Draw a Gun From a Wheelchair
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018/6/22/how-to-draw-a-gun-from-a-wheelchair/
8 Competitive Shooting YouTube Channels You Need To Watch
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/6/27/8-competitive-shooting-youtube-channels-you-need-to-watch/
3 Combat-Control Fundamentals for the Defensive Shooter
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/6/25/3-combat-control-fundamentals-for-the-defensive-shooter/
Learning Versus Training
http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/01/emerson-combatives-learning-versus-training/
If You Want to Carry, Take Time to Train
https://www.americas1stfreedom.org/articles/2018/7/16/if-you-want-to-carry-take-time-to-train/
"You train for the people who love you."
-- Tatiana Whitlock
***** Tactics *****
Don't go to stupid places.
Don't do stupid things.
Don't hang out with stupid people.
-- John Farnam
Level Up: Driving 101 Introduction
https://www.integratedskillsgroup.com/blog/level-up-driving-101-introduction
Always Look for the Trailing Accomplice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyVUHsaufeU
Why the Knife for Self Defense?
https://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/article/why-the-knife/
Only those who risk going too far can
possibly find out how far one can go.
-- T.S. Elliot
***** Techniques *****
RG305: The One-Handed Revolver Reload
https://revolverguy.com/the-one-handed-revolver-reload/
Just because you don't choose to carry a
revolver does not relieve you of the responsibility
of knowing how to operate one. In combat (self
defense is combat) you grab whatever weapon is
available to you. The enemy may be carrying revolvers.
The friendlies may be carrying revolvers. You may
come into possession of these revolvers.
You may need to teach someone how to do this.
Yes, as a matter of fact, a student may bring a
revolver to your class. Because that's what their
father gave them and they don't have $600 to buy
a decent modern semi-auto.
"Nice knife. Where'd you get it?"
"Got it from an East German fellow."
"He must have been a good friend."
"No, he was rather reluctant to part with it."
-- from the movie "Spartan"
Hey, Staff, why are you always quoting movies?
Because to quote from the real world would
be indiscreet.
What Do I Say After a Shooting?
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/what-do-i-say-after-a-shooting
Do you understand why this article is in the Techniques section?
Avoidance, Deterrence and De-escalation
-- John Farnam
***** Gear *****
4 Reasons Why You Need a Reload for Your Concealed-Carry Gun
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/6/29/4-reasons-why-you-need-a-reload-for-your-concealed-carry-gun/
Get a Grip (Angle, That Is)
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018/6/29/get-a-grip-angle-that-is/
If you are using the sights that came with your pistol
from the factory, the amount of light on either side of the
front sight as you look through the rear sight is probably
too small and won't serve you well in a low light situation.
The light will get thin or disappear, making it impossible
to center the front sight in the rear sight notch.
I have found that with my eyes and the length of my
arms, I had to have 0.01" machined off both sides of the
inside of my rear sight notch on my Ruger American, which
uses Novak sights. (widening the rear sight notch by
0.02 inches) I had to have 0.02" machined off both sides
of the inside of my rear sight on my Springfield Armory
XD. (widening the rear sight notch by 0.04 inches)
I also had the rear sight notch deepened as far
as possible. Try it. It really helps.
Modifications I make to my carry pistols [presently a
Ruger American in .45 ACP because it is ambidextrous and
the grip is smaller than the Springfield Armory XD because
the magazine is between a single stack and a double stack
(Holds 10 rounds, as opposed to the SA XD or Glock that
hold 13 rounds. At my level of proficiency, I feel that grip
is more important than magazine capacity)]:
The sesamoid bones on the inside of my right thumb at the joint
that connects the thumb to the hand rub on the frame.
So, I take a round wood file and removed a few millimeters of the frame
and round the area of the frame that rubs. Some filing on
the replaceable backstrap is also necessary to eliminate sharp edges.
The lever that turns to disassemble the pistol has a sharp
forward facing edge. So, I took a metal file and rounded it off.
Coach Hoffman (machinist par excellent) cut serrations on the sides
of my slide to create enough purchase for a reliable chamber check.
He also widened the rear sight so that it will work in low light
conditions.
The Firearms Blog did a review of the
Bravo Concealment Torsion IWB (Inside the Waistband) Kydex Holster
"TFB Review: Bravo Concealment Torsion IWB Kydex Holster"
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/07/27/bravo-concealment-torsion-iwb-holster/
The holster was ostensibly designed for appendix carry,
one o'clock position (for a right hander) on your waist.
But, the holster review points out some real problems with
appendix carry. So, maybe I should have put this article
in the Techniques section.
Concealed-Carry Holsters: Separating Good from Bad
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2018/7/13/concealed-carry-holsters-separating-good-from-bad/
***** Instructors *****
“Every time I teach a class,
I discover I don't know something.”
-- Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch
Teaching Tip- Coaching the Struggling Shooter
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/coaching-the-struggling-shooter
So You Think You're a Qualified Firearms Instructor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=197&v=xFUmfKnxUHc
Continuing Education -
Cert Chaser v. Knowledge Hound -
LA CHP Instructor Development
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFMy0EQoQ8w
The Left Hand
https://www.tridentconcepts.com/2018/07/07/the-left-hand/
Correct trigger finger placement on the trigger --
Instructors, from the outside, the cuticle at the
back of the fingernail will appear to be over the
center of the trigger.
Colonel Robert Lindsey to his fellow trainers:
"We are not God’s gift to our students.
Our students are God’s gift to us."
***** Pedagogy *****
I know training can be difficult. Let me share
some words of encouragement that my teacher told me,
that I believe apply to all training regimens.
"Keep in mind that this is some seriously next
level material. It is totally normal that the first
time you see this stuff, you find it confusing.
You find it difficult to understand. So, confusion
should not discourage you. It does not represent
any intellectual failing on your part. Rather, keep
in mind that it represents an opportunity to get
even smarter."
-- Tim Roughgarden, Professor of Computer Science
and other stuff at Stanford University
***** Education *****
Rangemaster newsletter
http://rangemaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-07_RFTS-Newsletter.pdf
Gun Range Etiquette
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2018/6/25/gun-range-etiquette/
Is Frangible Ammo Good For Concealed Carry?
https://www.concealedcarry.com/firearms-ownership/frangible-ammo-good-concealed-carry/
Concealed Carry Laws In The United States
https://www.concealedcarry.com/concealed-carry-laws-in-the-united-states/
Lots of good stuff at
https://lawselfdefense.com
Lots of good stuff at
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/
FBI Report – Civilian Firearms Saving Lives
http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2018/06/27/fbi-report-civilian-firearms-saving-lives/
This is an analysis of an FBI report.
The primary source is
Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2016 and 2017
https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-incidents-us-2016-2017.pdf/view
Armed Citizen® – July 2018 Analysis – Part III
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2018/06/24/armed-citizen-july-2018-analysis-part-iii/
Excerpt:
. . . only 6 percent of the adult population has a
license or permit to carry a weapon outside the home,
according to John Lott’s Crime Prevention Research Center.
[https://crimeresearch.org/2016/07/new-study-14-5-million-concealed-handgun-permits-last-year-saw-largest-increase-ever-number-permits/]
DGU = Defensive Gun Use
A STUDY OF THE PRE-ATTACK BEHAVIORS OF ACTIVE SHOOTERS IN THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN 2000 AND 2013
https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/pre-attack-behaviors-of-active-shooters-in-us-2000-2013.pdf
What was not reported? All of the mass murders occurred
in gun-free-zones. Because the bad guy doesn't want to get
shot. Because the bad guy wants to succeed. Solution --
Don't go to gun-free-zones. Don't let your children go to
gun-free-zones. For heaven's sake, don't send your kids
into gun-free-zones.
Florida "handicap parking spot shooting" analysis by Andrew Branca
https://www.patreon.com/posts/cotw-florida-20318837
Jon Low's analysis:
Retreat is a tactical maneuver. Retreat is not surrender.
If after the assault, the assailant turned and ran away,
then he does not pose a threat. But, if the assailant
continues to face the defender and adjusts distance or
moves to a position of tactical advantage (gains 6 to 8
inches of elevation by moving up onto the sidewalk from
the road), the assailant continues to be a threat.
When the assailant knocked the defender to the ground,
the assailant created positional advantage, which created a
disparity of force. The defender then had only a narrow
window of opportunity to stop the attack before he was
kicked. In the real world, after the first kick the
defender would have lost his ability to defend himself.
(As Bruce Lee said, real fights are short.) Then the
assailant could kick and stomp the defender to
permanent disability or death at his leisure. Kicking
a person who is down on the ground is generally considered
lethal force by the courts; justifying a lethal force
response. The defender is not required to allow the
assailant to kick before responding with lethal force.
Because then it would be too late. The defender just has
to be able to articulate what happened and why.
Jacob Sullum's analysis, New York Post
https://nypost.com/2018/07/24/no-the-stand-your-ground-law-doesnt-protect-florida-killer/
Body Armor 101: What You Need to Know
http://www.recoilweb.com/archives-body-armor-101-what-you-need-to-know-51103.html
What is “Cover” in your home and will it Stop a rifle round? Lets find out.
http://looserounds.com/2018/07/10/what-is-cover-in-your-home-and-will-it-stop-a-rifle-round-lets-find-out-2/
Gun fights are dangerous, even when you win
https://www.patreon.com/posts/gun-fights-are-20425877
Pay attention to what's going on around you.
(That's why we practice after action drills.)
Don't have a gun in your hand when the cops show up.
It would be best to holster your gun, because you
never know. How do you know the cops are coming?
Sirens, flashing lights, screaming orders to drop the gun,
screaming orders to freeze, etc. You will get shot for
violating our safety rule. So, don't point your gun at
the cops.
***** News, Legal, Philosophical, and Political stuff *****
Civil War happens when the victimized are armed.
Genocide happens when they are not!
-- A.E. Samaan
Inventor Wins Free Speech Battle with DOJ to Distribute 3D-Printed Gun Designs
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/10/free-speech-3-d-printed-gun/
Excerpt:
"The age of the downloadable gun has formally begun."
Judge Rejects Pleas from Giffords and Brady Campaign: 3-D Gun Printing Wins the Day
https://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/07/27/judge-rejects-pleas-giffords-brady-campaign-3-d-gun-printing/
Seattle lawmakers unanimously approve mandatory gun lock plan
https://www.guns.com/2018/07/10/seattle-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-mandatory-gun-lock-plan/
This is what happens when you let your friends and
relatives vote Democrat and Socialist.
Pawn Shop Owner Kills Armed Robbery Suspect
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/21/watch-pawn-shop-owner-kills-armed-robbery-suspect/
BJJ Takes Down Convenience Store Robber, analysis by Andrew Branca
https://www.patreon.com/posts/bjj-takes-down-20333504
Women and Guns in America
https://www.facebook.com/VICELANDTV/videos/2266840606682518/
Texas women! Ya! (like my sister in Austin)
CDC Once Again Pretends "Homicides" Are Inherently Bad
https://www.patreon.com/posts/cdc-once-again-20364122
Yes, as a matter of fact, there are many evil
people on this planet that need to be killed. (That's
why good people join the Armed Forces.) If you
don't believe that, you are naive to the detriment
of our society.
Concealed Carry Firearms Laws For The 50 U.S. States (A Quick Overview)
https://www.tnconcealedcarry.com/concealed-carry-firearms-laws-for-the-50-u-s-states/
JAMES HORTON v. FRANK POBJECKY GARY CARUANA WINNEBAGO COUNTY
United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1890390.html
Excerpt:
"James Horton, as administrator of Michael's (the armed robber) estate,
brought various federal and state claims against Pobjecky (the off duty
cop) and others. The district court granted summary judgment for
Defendants on all claims, concluding Pobjecky's use of deadly force
was reasonable and justified, and did not violate the Fourth Amendment.
We (7th Circuit Court of Appeals) affirm."
I cite this case because the three circuit court judges
explain why they affirm:
You don't have to give verbal warnings.
You can turn your back on the bad guys.
A bad guy with his hands and feet on the ground is
still a threat (We learned to high crawl and low crawl in the
Marine Corps. Crawling is a combat maneuver.).
A bad guy turning his back to you (but not running away)
is still a threat (so you can shoot him in the back).
Retreat is a tactical maneuver. Retreat is not surrender.
Four against one is a huge disparity of force,
justifying actions that under different conditions would
not be acceptable.
The off duty officer made many life and death decisions
in 36 seconds. To consider his actions in retrospect in a
calm air conditioned court room under no stress is very different.
Retreat is a tactical maneuver. Retreat is not surrender.
Raising your arms to open a door is not the same as
raising your arms to surrender.
If you participate in an armed robbery (even if you don't
have a gun and don't do anything other than observe), the good
guy is still justified in shooting you. And if anyone dies
in the incident, you will be prosecuted and convicted of
felony murder (murder during the commission of a crime),
even if you didn't do anything to harm anyone.
Few tyrants argue for 'slavery of the masses.'
Instead, they argue for the power to
'protect people from themselves.'
-- AE Samaan
***** Survival Tips *****
Where’s the Beef?
http://defense-training.com/2018/beef/
The Assailant Study -- Mindsets and Behaviors
https://www.leoaffairs.com/fbi-releases-assailant-study-analyzing-attacks-law-enforcement-officers/
(This article contains the primary source material.)
Excerpts --
The assailants:
were known to law enforcement.
had criminal histories.
were male. (100%)
were motivated by social or political reasons
(shared their intent ahead of time,
for instance posting on social media), or
didn't want to go back to prison.
"If you prepare for the emergency,
the emergency ceases to exist!"
-- Dr. Sherman House
***** Basics *****
"Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
-- Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, USN
New to Concealed Carry
https://www.tridentconcepts.com/2017/07/17/new-to-concealed-carry/
5 Realistic Tests of Strength
https://www.t-nation.com/training/5-realistic-tests-of-strength
Excerpt:
Remember, beyond a certain point, adding strength is
a hobby, not a necessity. Aim to get better at the
stuff that counts and transfers to real life and
you'll be much better off.
***** Miscellany *****
King Abdalla II of Jordan and his SIG MCX
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/07/12/king-abdalla-ii-of-jordan-and-his-sig-mcx/
Excerpt:
". . . leading by example and parenting done right.
Video: Google 0 projekti tarkvarainseneri ettekanne CyConil (1)
https://www.err.ee/836236/video-google-0-projekti-tarkvarainseneri-ettekanne-cyconil
Security problems and what we can do about them.
Computers are deterministic most of the time.
Coach, what does this have to do with guns or self defense?
Guns are deterministic most of the time. That's why we
practice malfunction clearing and reloading. Do you know
what to do if your gun doesn't go BANG? The exact same
principles apply in computer science.
For the latest version of my lesson plans for my
NRA Defensive Pistol course, send me an email. Jon_Low@yahoo.com
Cheers,
Jon
Jonathan D. Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com
