One of the hardest moments in my life was explaining to my uncle that he can't keep his 1911 in the nursing home. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia and lived in an assisted living facility surrounded by his peers. The whole family came and helped him move into the facility and, as…
Improving Shooting Fundamentals With Airguns
Airguns aren't classified as firearms by the BATF. This means that people that couldn't even typically own a firearm can own an airgun. Many gun owners turn their noses up at the idea of owning an airgun. After all, why own an airgun when you can own the real thing? Here are five quick reasons…
Can You Make a Shoot or Don’t Shoot Decision in 2 Seconds?
Can you make an effective split-second decision about employing deadly force in self-defense? Well, scientific research says it should take you and your brain about 13 milliseconds to see and interpret a deadly-force event. So then you have the luxury of about two whole seconds to make your "Shoot-No Shoot" (SNS) decision and take proper…
Why Movement is Essential for Self-Defense
Defensive firearms training is very concerned with shooting skills. This makes a lot of sense, of course, but in our training and practice, it is important to keep the big picture in mind. Defensive firearms training is firearms training, but in a larger sense it is, or at least it should be, part of broader…
Ready Positions for Reality: Compressed, Single-Hand and Temple Index
Handgun ready positions are a topic surrounded by a lot of kung fu-like mythology. Certain well-known instructors tout many different ready positions for various reasons, and the minutia of each is the source of endless debate. If we strip all of the kung fu away, however, the overall principle is generally simple. There are a…
Is Point Shooting Still Relevant?
Formerly, the method of combat shooting that entirely more than anything else was point shooting, which does not employ handgun sights. The Modern Technique developed by Jeff Cooper, disseminated by Gunsite and taught across the world, is undoubtedly the dominant method taught today and for a good reason. So is there any reason to learn…
Ruger SR1911 Lightweight Officer-Style Review
Beauty and appearance, performance and doing what it is supposed to do, comfortable, right fit, reliable, and optimum weight. These are just some of the adjectives and terms which might describe your new car or even a spouse, the latter even by some uncouth person. Well, I am using them to initially describe the new…
Single-Hand Pistol Manipulation: An Often Overlooked Skill
Being able to not only shoot the handgun but also operate its different functions with a single hand is considered a more advanced skill set by most. The modern technique of pistol shooting, as founded by Jeff Cooper, ushered in the almost universal embrace of shooting the handgun with both hands on the gun whenever possible.…
Ruger PC Carbine 9mm Review
Why would someone want a rifle or carbine that shoots pistol-caliber 9mm ammo? If you use it for home defense, it would be so loud indoors. Isn't a rifle or carbine like this as loud as a shotgun or larger caliber gun? What would you use it for? Plinking or home defense or what? Isn't…
Risk Protection Orders Explained
A type of firearm regulation that some are a little more aware of these days is the risk protection order, and the "extreme risk protection order." The effect of these laws is that a person may have to surrender their firearms via court order if deemed a danger to themselves or others. It's part of…
Is There A Right Way To Tell Someone Off While Carrying Concealed?
Just because I'm a concealed carrier doesn't mean I stopped running into jerks. The problem with being assertive is that there's always a chance that the person will react aggressively or negatively. I'll give an example from my own life. Fair note: I hate the holiday season. From the period of November to just after…
Are Aftermarket Sights Worth It For Your Concealed Carry Pistol?
Trijicon makes them. SIG SAUER makes them. Heck, any gun manufacturer or aftermarkets parts producer makes them. Some glow green, others red. When you're shopping for that sweet new gun, you probably don't give them a second glance. They're aftermarket sights. And they're an oft-neglected part of the equation when it comes to shooting in…