Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.
Down And Dirty – American Handgunner
Ken Hackathorn’s thoughts on shooting from the ground.
New Edition of the Ranger Handbook
Many of you will find this to be useful reading. Opens to PDF.
Also on the topic of military training, you might like Minimal Effective Dose Training for Military Readiness.
A Legal Nightmare…
John Murphy analyzes a defensive encounter and provides some tips to help keep you out of jail.
Why Hollow Points Are The Only Option For Self-Defense
When talking about service calibers like 9mm, .40, and .45, I would most certainly agree. Not so much with other calibers. One could make a good argument for using ball ammo for .22, .25, .32acp, and .380. I would also argue that full wadcutter ammo for the .38 special makes a good defensive round.
Is The Glaser Safety Slug Good for Self Defense?
And while we are discussing defensive ammunition, it is always better to ensure a safe backstop before shooting than it is to rely on a gimmicky under-penetrating bullet that allegedly performed well in a mythical goat-shooting test 35 years ago.
Gossip’s Carrion Call
“If we are going to create a better present and future, we must produce men who are more concerned with exemplary behavior—instead of men who cater to the lowest common denominator for “engagement.”
Analyzing Active Threat Response Models: A Comparative Study
Is there a better model than “Run, Hide, Fight”?
AR Bolt Carrier Group Basics with Mike Mihalski of SOLGW
Good information about AR-15 bolts.
This Is How To Avoid Being Scammed: 8 Secrets From Experts
Complete self protection involves more than just shooting.
Tonsillitis In Austere Settings
The basics of diagnosing and treating tonsillitis when definitive medical care is unavailable. While we are on the topic of austere medical care, this article covers the basics of treating mammalian bite wounds.
For one more medical article, you should also read Opioid Analgesics: An ED-Focused Overview .
4 Great Dynamic Shotgun Drills
Here are some shotgun training drills to try during your next practice session. Need a handgun drill? Try Skills Check: CCW Qualification. You should also try The Best Training Drill You’ve Probably Never Tried.
The silence after the badge: A sergeant’s blunt truth about retirement
“If you’re nearing retirement and thinking, “They’ll remember me,” pause. Really pause. Because the truth is, they probably won’t. That doesn’t mean your career didn’t matter. It just means the job doesn’t work that way. It never has. I’ve seen it more and more. People walk away convinced they’ll be remembered forever. But the truth hits fast. The machine keeps moving. The job goes on. It always does.
While you’re in it, give it everything you’ve got. Show up. Serve with heart. Mentor those coming up behind you. Lead well, even when no one is watching. But when it’s time to leave, do it with pride and let go of the idea that the job will follow you. It won’t. That’s not failure. It’s just how the profession works. The world keeps turning. The calls keep coming. Someone else will answer the radio.”
Here’s another article for my police officer readers. Learn what happens when police administrators mandate using force as a “last resort” rather than abiding by current legal standards. Finally, one more article on police leadership: Stop bribing cops to stay — fix what’s broken instead.
Deciphering The 2024 National Crime Victimization Survey
A very deep dive into the most recent crime data we have. Things seem bad now, but I look back to when I started my police career in the 1990s and there is absolutely no comparison between now and then. Both violent crime and property crime are at levels that are 1/3 of the rate they were in 1995.
E-Book Resource: Unarmed Combat and Stick Fighting
Some excellent free books downloads for those of you interested in the art of applied violence.
Thinking Through the ShotSpotter Debate | Manhattan Institute
Is the shot spotter a valuable asset?
Patrol Rifle Utilization Survey
Details on police patrol rifle use.
The Instructor’s Burden
“If you’re an instructor of life-and-death skills, you should really be thinking about your duty to your students, and spending at least a little time self-auditing and ensuring you’re living up to that duty.”
You should also read the author’s take on tourniquets at Tourniquets Suck for EDC: Carry This Instead.
What I’m reading…
Taken by Force: Adult Abduction Defense
It’s not just children who are kidnapped.
Famous Guns of WWI: Rifles, Machine Guns, & Pistols
A thorough review of the historical weapons used in World War I. You may also like Get Off My Lawn: Great WWII Guns for Home Defense.
Reload Now, Regret Never: A Practical Guide to Getting Started
Tips for the beginning reloader.
Why Appendix Carry Didn’t Work For You
A few suggestions to make appendix carry more comfortable and concealable.
Era of the Classic Snubnose Revolver
A comprehensive history of the evolution of the snubnose revolver during the 20th century.
Best Thermal Rifle Scope
Taking a look at some of the options available for thermal rifle scopes.
Concealed Carry Do’s and Don’ts
Jeff Gonzales gives us some things to think about before carrying concealed.
Know When To Say “Stop”
Discussing verbal commands in the context of less lethal force.
Some of the above links are affiliate links. I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.
