Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
After Action Report: Knife Defense for Instructors with Greg Ellifritz
Thanks to Justin for the excellent review of my new defensive knife instructor class. If you are interested in the class, this article gives you a great idea of what to expect. I’m doing one more of these classes this year at KR Training near Austin. There are still some openings if you are interested. Even though it’s an instructor-level class there are no training prerequisites. I hope to see some of you there.
DOJ Decides not to Continue Appeal of ATF’s Pistol-Brace Rule
Great news for those of you who like braced “pistols.”
Carjackers Take Dirt Nap When Defender Is Prepared!
Watch how quickly this carjacking went down. Would you have performed as well as the poorly-selected victim here?
It Probably Doesn’t Matter Any More If the SIG P320 Is Safe or Not
This is likely the practical bottom line concerning the Sig 320 issues.
Situational Awareness – Everything You Need to Know
With the current global chaos, it’s time to reinforce why it’s critical to maintain enough awareness to detect an attack at the earliest opportunity. This link is a very comprehensive look at the topic. You should also read Situational Awareness in the Age of Masks and How to Maintain Your Situational Awareness and Avoid an Ambush.
Finally, read my thorough compilation of common pre-assault indicators.
Handguns for Women and Men With Small Hands
Some options for those of you with smaller hands.
Foreign Weapon Systems
My friends at TDI are teaching this class designed for folks who can’t carry their own firearms outside of the USA. In a serious emergency, it might be useful to know how to operate a “battlefield pickup” weapon. Not many places teach classes like this. Jump on it.
Until then learn a bit about the most common weapons you’ll see in your travels to the developing world.
Clearing AK Malfunctions (basics)
Acquiring illicit firearms in emergency situations while traveling.
Trust your Gut: Reading People
Close-Range Officer Shootings Require Neuroscience-Based Training
Best practices for developing a close range shooting curriculum. You can find the referenced book HERE.
LESSONS FROM THE EPICENTER. MY “RECOVERY” FROM BATTLING THE OPIOID CRISIS. And how you can do better.
One learns a few things after responding to over 1000 overdose calls.
Passings; and the Loss of Faith
“There are ways to handle the failure that leads to loss of faith. It ain’t easy, it ain’t cheap and it’s never 100%.
But it’s worth doing.”
P&s ModCast 437 – Remembering Super Dave Harrington
An excellent remembrance of Super Dave. I didn’t know Dave well, but he influenced many of the folks I consider mentors and this was a beautiful reflection of his life. If you aren’t interested in the Dave stories, fast forward until about 16 minutes until the end and pay extra special attention to what my buddy Ben says. He’s right and you all know it.
Ben’s earlier comment about the new guys in the business never knowing men like Dave (or the other men on this panel) is also sad but true. I know most of the guys on the panel very well. They are solid men committed to making the world a better place. I fear what will happen to our society when all of these hard men eventually pass.
Dry Practice Function Stacking: Varying The Draw
Some ways to make your dry fire practice sessions more useful and entertaining.
Defensive Shotgun Buckshot Shootout
Buckshot patterning of some common defensive loads. Note that the author tested each round through two different shotguns. Remember that every shotgun barrel is completely unique. Some of your guns will yield similar patterns. Some will not even be close to these.
Skills Check: Rifle Check In
When is the last time you ran some structured training drills with your rifle?
Choosing Pepper Spray for Everyday Carry
This is a very good article/video demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses of the various pepper spray platforms currently available. You may also like The Ins And Outs Of Pepper Spray and Pepper Spray: How to Choose it and How to Use it.
The Cons (and Pros) of Traditional Double Action Pistols
Karl brings up some very important points here. I like the traditional double action pistols. But I’m also a strong dude with big hands who has been putting thousands of rounds a year through guns with a double action trigger pull for the last 40 years. Your mileage may vary.
Get Out! Surviving The LA Wildfires
A valuable thought exercise. What guns would you save if you had to evacuate your house quickly?
1986 Miami Shootout: The Aftermath
Quality information from one of the participants of this legendary gunfight that changed the future of ammunition design as well as firearms training within the FBI and the world at large.
Carrying A Knife For Self-Defense: Considerations & Protocols
Craig Douglas provides some insights into defensive knife selection and use.
ISSUE 20
There are several useful articles in this month’s magazine.
The Imperium – One Forearm To Rule Them All?
If you have a 1301, you’ll want this forend from Aridus. If any of you want to see one, let me know. I just installed it on my primary training shotgun.
Problem Neighbors (Those Who Live By The Feud)
As a cop, I responded to calls about neighbor vs. neighbor feuds more often than most people expect. Some are downright nasty. Here is some background information about the thought process of the “bad neighbor” and how you can stop the madness. Just remember that a lot of folks thrive on drama and excitement. They are happy to include you into their “feud culture” in order to get that next big emotional high.
Thoughts About Shoulder Holsters
I’m not the one to ask about shoulder holsters. I really dislike them. Fortunately, other opinions abound. If you are interested in a shoulder rig, this article might provide some guidance.
The Death of Partying in the U.S.A.—and Why It Matters
Young people today are living very different lives than when I did when I was their age. Have you considered the societal harms from reduced social interaction? Curious stuff. For another take, read Gen Z Needs A Dionysian Revival of Partying.
The What & the Why – Rack It – Methods of Closing the Slide
An article discussing the strengths and weaknesses of three different slide racking methods. For what it’s worth, I generally use the slide release if it is big enough to be useful in a hurry. For more info on this topic, read When Pistols Are Like Pickles.
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