Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

What’s the fastest way to reload a CCW revolver?

Caleb is bucking long term revolver dogma in this thought-provoking article.  He is correct.  If you doubt his thesis, fire up the shot timer and verify it for yourself.

Will Competition Shooting Get You Killed in the Streets?

“A shooting match is not a gunfight…but a gunfight is a shooting match!”

Need some more Massad Ayoob in your life?  Read How to Discreetly Carry Larger Handguns.

34 ATF Rule Changes: What Happens If Gun Owners Stay Silent?

A good summary of the newly proposed ATF rule changes I’ve mentioned in the last couple knowledge dumps.

The Lost Intent

“What happened to the Color Code is a case study in how hard truths get diluted. A system designed to prepare people for moral, psychological, and physical conflict was reshaped into something comfortable and marketable.”

The M1 Carbine Revisited

You don’t see much writing about the venerable M1 carbine any more.  I thank Lucky Gunner for attempting to resurrect this classic.  I think the M1 carbine is a great “pool gun” for any family member who is small, short, or feeble and who can’t hold up an AR-15.  Almost anyone 10 years old and up can become very proficient with the little .30 carbine.

Appreciating Just How Far Murder Has Fallen in the US

“Nationally, there were about 8,000 fewer murders last year than each year from 2020-2022 and about 10,000 fewer murders than there were in the early 1990s. That works out to a national murder rate that was less than half of its peak in the 1980s and 1990s.”

“…sometimes it’s worth appreciating how much better things are now than they were 50, 30 and even 5 years ago when considering where we are today.”

The cause(s) of this decline are a little bit harder to establish.

What is Ballistic Coefficient? (BC Explained for Shooters)

A quality discussion about a topic most shooters don’t understand.  You may also like SHOOTING 101: Taking The Confusion Out Of Riflescopes.

Principles for the Armed Lifestyle

Years of hard-earned wisdom distilled into a few key principles.

A City Fails Its Police Officers on Use of Force

You police officers are playing a losing game.  When you follow the rules and do everything you are supposed to do, the politicians simply change the rules to ensure you can never succeed.  If you finished that one unscathed, try Knowing Statutory Law Is Not Always Enough. 

Federal’s Flite Control vs. Hornady’s Versa-Tite

The Federal Flight Control round is my preferred choice for 12 gauge shotgun defensive ammunition.  The Hornady version opens up a little quicker but it makes for much tighter patterns than all of the other buckshot loads on the market.  If you can’t get the Federal, I would have no problems relying on the Hornady loads for personal protection.  As always, pattern the loads in your own individual guns before you rely on them in a defensive capacity.

SUMMARY REPORT YEAR END TRAINING SURVEY

Survey data compiled by Chuck and Kristin Pressburg about a variety of factors that influence the state of modern day professional firearm training.  Opens to PDF.

My First Safaris

“The moral, lesson or message from this story is that you should not let others diminish your adventures with their tales of expeditions in faraway places. Sometimes the real and truly meaningful ventures can be found in your own backyard. It’s not about the money spent or exotic locations. It’s about the tire tracks, footprints, and memories made.”

Drownproof: Eight Life Lessons to Keep Your Head Above Water

What I’m reading….

Emotional Components of Knife Defense, Part 1

A detailed look at why some folks fear being stabbed more than being shot. It’s a very common, but scientifically baseless fear.

A medical study of criminal assaults taking place between 1960 and 1999 found that firearms attacks have a 5.4% lethality rate. Knife attacks have a 1.1% lethality rate.

Part Two of the series contains useful info as well.

Cosplaying the Warrior Ethos

Matt Larsen is discussing military culture and training, but I couldn’t help but think it also applies to the police and CCW world as well.

“Running for miles is hard.
Deadlifting is hard.
Obstacle courses are hard.

None of those things require you to confront another human being trying to physically dominate you while everyone watches.

Combatives does.

That is why so many people who enthusiastically talk about “warrior ethos” spend their entire careers quietly avoiding actual fighting training. They want the appearance of warrior culture without the emotional risk that comes with genuine combat proficiency.”

Shooting the Shorties – Mastering PGO Firearms

I’m not a fan of pistol grip only “shotguns” for personal protection.  If you choose to use one, here are some tips to shoot it better.

Atypical Armed Robber Shows Clerk She Means Business

Think about how you would handle this scenario if you were a customer in the store.

Five Rules To Help You Win A Gunfight!

Good advice here.

The 21-foot “Rule” is Back in the News!

If you have ever discussed the “21-foot rule” or the “Tueller Drill” without reading Tueller’s original 1983 article and the additional reference links in the article above, you are doing yourself and your students a disservice by playing the tactical equivalent of the “telephone game.”

Best Budget 9mm JHP Ammo for Summer Carry

An interesting look at the performance of some budget 9mm rounds.

I Checked My Safety. It Was Off.

“We think “safe” is a switch position.

It isn’t. It’s a process.”

De-escalate A Situation Before It Turns Violent: A Boys’ Night Out

I think it’s more useful to study successful de-escalations like this one than it is to analyze how someone can perform better once the incident kicks off.

Quote to Ponder:

“Most people think the will to survive is the strongest instinct in human beings, but it isn’t. The strongest instinct is to keep things familiar.”

– Virginia Satir

Some of the above links are affiliate links.    I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Speed Reloads

Richard puts the concept of a speed reload into a context I hadn’t really thought about before.  If you run out of ammo in a gunfight, a quick reload might be lifesaving.

With that said, should you spend hours and hours drilling so that your reload is really fast?  I would argue the answer to that question is “no.”  The number one cause of needing to reload is missing your target.  We all have limited practice time.  I think you’ll get a better return on your time investment by training to hit the target more reliably than you would if you spent the same amount of time trying to shave 1/4 second off your reload.

Breaking down each of the ATF’s 34 new rules

In last week’s knowledge dump I lamented the fact that I had to link to an anti-gun website because no pro-gun sites were covering these proposed ATF rule changes.  OSD stepped up and did the analysis for us.  He broke down each individual proposed rule change and what it means to you.

For even more info, see ATF Publishes Details of Major Gun Rule Rollbacks.

AR Magazines & Case for the 20-Round Mag with Steve “Yeti” Fisher

Steve Fisher discusses the utility of the 20-round AR-15 magazine.

A Gun Guy Goes to Disneyland.

A lot of my readers have young kids and may be considering a vacation to Disney.  If you meet that description, read Caleb’s article about security at Disney.  Caleb’s piece inspired the one linked above.  Two different gun guys at two different Disney locations both share their security experience.  

If you are bolder than these guys (and at a place where such conduct won’t get you arrested), you might like my article about smuggling weapons into “secure” facilities.

Street Smarts: 10 Steps in Choosing a Defensive Folding Knife

Michael Janich gives a master class on selecting a defensive folding knife.

Lubing Your GLOCK in … 3, 2, 1 Easy Steps

Useful for those of you who carry other semi-automatic handguns as well.

The Benchmark Battery: A Simpler Path to Long-Term Success

Some thoughts on goal setting, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.  From the article:

“Goodhart’s Law says that when a measure becomes the goal, it ceases to be a good measure.”

Think about how that might be affecting your firearms training practices.

Tom Givens “Old West” 5-5-5 Test

Since we are talking about firearms training practices, when is the last time you went to the range?  Make an effort to do some shooting this week.  Start with the linked drill and the author’s suggested variations to make it more difficult.  Still need some more work?  Try Pat Mac 500 Aggregate Drill.

Don’t neglect your carbine skills either.  Break out the rifle and try the War HOGG Skill Builder and The 5-5-5 Carbine Field Test.

Pat Rogers Final Speech

Ten years ago this week we lost legendary trainer Pat Rogers.  Here is the last speech he gave before he died.

Book of Five Rings Study Guide for Modern Gunfighters

What I’m reading…

Training & Gear for Active Shooter Response

Jeff Gonzales talks active shooter preparedness.

Tier None

“Most of what you see on social media and in pop culture sells you a depiction of martial culture in which the Tier 1 operators are the the pinnacle to aspire to.
 
In their own right, they absolutely are – but if you’re like the VAST majority of people, you’re #tiernone and you’re going to have to manage a far more broad spectrum of problems without operational slush funds, unlimited government support, or a shadowy world in which common laws don’t apply.
 
Start thinking in these terms. There’s nothing wrong with being Tier None, and you can still work towards an elite level of competence… it just means shucking the distractions and reevaluating the mission of how best to keep your people safe.”

Surreptitious Draw 101: Master the Invisible Handgun Pull

Very useful concealed carry skills that aren’t often addressed in most firearms training classes.

The Drawbacks of Being a Numbers-Oriented Gun Guy

An element of gun culture that I see far too frequently.  And to be honest, it’s a personality trait that personally irks me more than almost any other.  If you see yourself being reflected in Tam’s words in the link above, take a big, deep breath and relax just a little bit.  This stuff is supposed to enhance your life and give you better survival skills, not raise your blood pressure so high that you stroke out.

The Myth of Cover VS Concealment

People don’t tend to shoot what they can’t see, but this isn’t absolute.  A friend was involved in a gunfight where the both the bad guy and the responding officers shot through walls without seeing each other.

Final bit (probably) on the CTT Oxford paper

Some of the problems with interpreting that piece of “scientific” research you are reading.

“‘It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgement of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines.”

How to Build, Store, and Stretch Your Ammo Supply

How much ammo do you really need?

Are You a Soft Target?

“Soft target indicators might include such predatorial observations as appears sheepish, their eyes looking down, appears to be an easy target, appears to be lost or disoriented, unaware of their surroundings. Anything that the predator may readily observe about you that indicates to them that you may be an easy mark falls under the category of soft target indicator.

Soft Target Indicators clue the predator in that you could be a potential target (victim or prey). There are no rules set in stone that determine exactly what is a soft target indicator. However, anything that the predator may observe about you that tells him “Yup, this one right here. Here’s your next victim!”

RevolGrips

Some new grips you revolver guys might want to check out.

A History of Glock: A Deep Dive into “Perfection”

Last week marked the 45th anniversary of Glock’s first gun patent. If you are a Glock fan, you will like this deep dive into the history of the company.

The Extreme Crisis of Young Women – Freya India

This has absolutely zero relevance to self protection, but I found the interview so fascinating that I had to share it.  A lot of the stunning realities that influence the behavior of most of the younger generations, especially younger women.

Competency Based Training

Some ideas about creating competent gunfighters.  On the same site, you may also like Are You Prepared for THE Gunfight?

Handgun Defense Against Brown Bears: How Many Shots Are Fired in Grizzly Bear Encounters?

How do handguns perform against big bears?

Quote to ponder:

Some of the above links are affiliate links.   I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

It’s spring time.  We are starting to see our annual rash of “mass shootings.”  Take a look at these mass shooting events that have popped off in the last few weeks.

9 people injured in mass shooting at Cincinnati East End venue

Winston-Salem park mass shooting

Mass shooting near Indiana U. campus wounds 9 after ‘Little 500’

Teens scramble for safety as gunfire erupts at packed L.A. street takeover

Late-Night University of Iowa Shooting: Social Media Users Share Footage from Scene

Shootout after argument at Louisiana mall leaves 1 dead, 5 injured, including ‘some innocent people

Notice any trends in these shootings?

In looking at these events, it strikes me that while they are all reported as “mass shootings” they are very different in character from the active killer attacks many concealed weapons carriers and cops prepare for.

Because the attack characteristics are different, your response tactics should be different as well.  Using your trained active killer response techniques in one of these “mass shootings” is likely to yield suboptimal results and may make it more likely that you are injured or killed.

When the shots start going off, how do you tell the difference between the two types of events?

In the “mass shootings” reported above, YOU are not likely the target.  You can most certainly catch a stray round if you hang around in the area, but the shooters are firing at other people.  Some additional characteristics define these events:

– These shootings usually occur in urban areas where large groups of young people (often affiliated with street gangs) are gathered outside.  The gathering could be a park, a formal event like a concert or something informal like a party, cookout, or “street takeover”. 

– They often happen late at night (although two linked above happened in the early morning). 

– There is usually more than one shooter. 

– There is usually some type of disturbance (yelling, arguing, screaming, etc) before the shooting starts. 

– The shooters are usually armed with handguns

– The shooter(s) will be identified with some of the people in the groups involved and will likely be communicating with some of the other people at the shooting scene

Think of these events more like  a “gang fight with rounds flying everywhere” rather than an active killer attack where a single person is shooting methodically while trying to amass a high body count.

How should you respond to one of these “mass shootings” should you find yourself in the vicinity?

When you hear shots nearby, immediately get down on the ground or behind cover.  Assess where the shots are coming from and plan a path of retreat in the opposite direction, ideally moving between large pieces of cover as you make your escape.  That’s it.  There is absolutely nothing else you should do.

These are young thugs fighting other young thugs.  These are gang bangers fighting other gang bangers.  These are drunken idiots who decide to whip out a pistol when they are insulted.  None of those situations involves you in any way, even if you are in danger of catching an errant bullet.

They don’t want to shoot you.  The only way you will get hit is by accident.  Don’t go looking for trouble.  Don’t try to intervene.  There is no “innocent third party” to protect.  Let the dumb shits shoot each other.  You don’t have to play their game.

Keep your weapon holstered.  It’s OK to have your hand on your holstered gun in the event you need to use it, but you should only draw if one of the shooters is directly threatening you/your family or is impeding your escape.

And you don’t stick around to “be a good witness” either.  If these jackasses get arrested, do you want them getting you and your family’s names, addresses, places of employment, and phone numbers?  As soon as their court-appointed attorney files for discovery, all of that information goes directly to them.  Now you’ve become an active player in their game.  And in that game, they don’t have the same rules you operate by.

A few years ago, my friend’s high school aged son was at a mall where there was a gang shooting similar to the ones I linked to earlier in this article.  A ricocheting bullet hit him in the arm, but didn’t penetrate his jacket.  He was listed on the police report as a victim and the boy was issued a subpoena to testify against the accused who had fired the shots.  Even though my friend’s son didn’t see anything and could provide no useful information for the prosecution, he was still ordered to appear in court.  Does that sound like a good plan to you?  Would you instruct your teenage child to “be a good witness?”  Not me.

Don’t involve yourself in this stupidity.  It will only harm you in the long term.  If you intervene, you will likely either get shot by the thugs, shot by the cops, sued by the person you shoot, or arrested.  If that doesn’t happen and you make a statement to the cops  you take the chance of being  hunted down by the arrested party’s crew at a future date before trial.

Say it again with me:  “Not your people, not your problem.”

Get out.  Not playing is the only route to victory.

How is that different from an active killer attack?

– The shooter will likely be alone

– The shooter will probably be armed with a long gun

– The shooter may be wearing “tactical” clothing, a helmet, or a tactical vest

-The shooter may be filming with a cell phone or go-pro type camera during the attack

– The shooter will not be communicating with other people at the site of the shooting

– The shooter will be trying to shoot at everyone in the area or may be targeting a specific victim gender or ethnicity

– The attack will seem less random and chaotic

The gunman from the recent Austin active killer attack.
Note camouflage pants, “property of Allah” shirt, and long gun.
This lone gunman doesn’t fit the profile of a lot of the gang-related shootings recently in the media.

In an active killer attack, the same strategies outlined above will still be a great option.  Additionally you might consider hiding (if in a location that can be secured or if your mobility is compromised) or attacking the killer.  Read my article Active Killer Response Options for Armed Citizens for a more detailed discussion about adopting an optimal response strategy for this alternate form of violence.

The smart practitioner will study these varied types of attacks, understand their differences, and plan an optimized response strategy for each.

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Domestic Terrorism in America: Understanding the Threat and Being Ready

Jeff Gonzales shares some valuable info about domestic terrorist attacks.

The ATF Proposed 34 Changes Aimed at “Modernizing” Gun Regulations

I hate to link to an anti-gun site, but none of the pro-gun web pages are covering this historical change.  Despite what The Trace has to say, this is good for gun owners and fixes a lot of the problems we have with the ATF.  Why aren’t the gun websites covering this?  Not a single pro-gun article in the first four pages of Google search results.  A friend recently stated “We don’t celebrate our wins.”  I have to admit he’s correct.

Humanity Is About to “Fork”

“The first and most immediate fork is already happening right now, today, as you read this.

AI has handed every human being on the planet an extraordinary set of tools: the ability to build software, design products, generate content, start companies, and pursue ambitions that previously required teams of specialists and millions in capital.

Some people will pick those tools up and build. They’ll become creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators. They’ll use AI to amplify their vision and bring it into the world. They will be the architects of the next economy.

Others will watch. They’ll consume: watch Netflix, play video games, scroll social media… be passively entertainment. The tools will be available to them. They simply won’t pick them up.

I’m not making a moral judgment here. I’m making an economic and existential one. In an AI-native world, the gap between a creator and a consumer is not the gap between rich and poor. It’s the gap between someone with exponential leverage over reality and someone without it.

The question is not whether AI will transform everything. It will. The question is whether you’re the one doing the transforming… or the one being transformed.

This is the most urgent fork because it’s already open. The divergence started the day large language models became publicly available, and it’s widening every month.

The longer you wait to get on the creator side of this fork, the further behind you’ll fall.”

I think the “creator versus consumer” fork is evident in areas besides just AI.  There’s some deep thinking in this article.

If you’d rather listen/watch this information, check out this podcast.  And if you want a deeper dive, this is the book I’m currently reading.

THE FIVE POINT CHECK LIST, REVIEWED

Despite some attorneys in disagreement, I firmly believe that Massad Ayoob created the definitive list of statements that you should make to the police after a defensive shooting.

The Monsters Rise…

If you’ve read this page for long, you’ll know I don’t publish political content.  The link above and the link below are rare departures.  Why?

I think our nation is too polarized.  Many of us tend to completely discount solid information if it comes from an author that isn’t on our political team.  That’s ignorant.  Let’s do a thought experiment.  Michael Bane did the podcast linked above.  Most of the podcast content is about politics and political identity.  Michael makes his political affiliations very clear.  That’s likely to offend 50% of potential readers to the point where they never get to the best content.

At around the 36 minute mark, Michael discusses how you might best navigate an attack in a hotel ballroom similar to the recent White House Correspondents dinner.  And on a humorous note, I’m happy to serve as Michael’s “backpack gorilla” in the event of future attacks.  It’s good information.  Did you get to it or were you too angered by the political stuff up front to make it to Michael’s recommendations?

Now let’s look at Conspiracy Theories, Terrorism, Propaganda, and Whatever-the-Heck that thing was earlier this week.  The author mostly writes about Asian history, but this article starts out in a very political manner that will offend the 50% of the population who enjoyed Michael’s political rantings linked above.  But as you read, the author discusses one of my articles and proposes a reasonable theory about why we haven’t seen many large scale terrorist attacks from Islamist terrorists in the USA since 9/11.  Even more importantly, he introduced me to the “Lego” videos that the Iranian government is using to spread discontent against the USA all around the world.

How did I not know about these “Lego videos?”  Fortunately or unfortunately, my algorithm has spared me from that content.  I’m glad I know about the videos now.  It’s useful information that I bet many of my readers have never heard about either.  Scroll to the end of his article to see the videos and an explanation about the motivation behind them.  Would you have made it to the end if I hadn’t told you where the good stuff was?

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Beretta’s 1301 Tactical vs. A300 Ultima Patrol Shotguns: Which Should You Choose?

A comparison of the two most popular defensive shotguns on the market today.

Don’t Be A Tactical Hobo

I personally embrace the concept of looking like a bum.  I’m retired.  I have no one I need to impress.  My mental energy is better used creating useful content and improving my knowledge and skills than it is trying to match my pocket square to my tie.  With that said, I know some of you like to look good.  This article/video covers that topic very well.

10 Tips to Properly Conceal Carry when wearing a Men’s Suit, Blazer, or Sport Jacket

One more fashion article for those of you who don’t wear a polyester uniform to work.

May Rangemaster Journal

This edition has an important announcement from Tom as well as a couple of alternate takes on situational awareness that you’ll want to check out.

On the topic of situational awareness, you might also like You’re Not Alone Out There: Situational Awareness on Remote Trails.

Finally, your situational awareness is useless unless you know what to look for.  Read Pre-Attack Indicators: Reading the Language of Violence

The DOPE Drill: Combining Speed and Accuracy

A shooting drill for your next range training session.

The Cult of the EDC Concealment Pistol Weaponlight

For what it’s worth, I carried a WML for most of my career as a cop.  I have one on the gun I keep on my bedside table.  I do not carry a WML for CCW.  I agree with the author that not everyone needs a light on his gun.  I disagree with his assertion that if the light isn’t the brightest on the market, it’s virtually worthless.  If I can identify my target and the threat it provides, I’d say the light is bright enough.  A pitch black night in a rural field calls for different equipment than a well-lit grocery store parking lot.

Round Peg in the Round Hole

I write a lot on this site about how terminal ballistics affects weapon “stopping power” in the context of being attacked by a human.  Here is some terminal ballistic advice for a hunting context.  On the topic of shooting animals, you might also like the article .45 ACP for Bear Defense? Honest Talk from the Woods

Restraint Escape Carry: 16 Ways To Go Undetected

Some sneaky ways to hide your escape tools.  You should also read Covert Escape Tools: Pocket Preps.

Why aren’t you carrying pepper spray?

Caleb asks an important question.  He’s right on with his advice to buy the small container from POM.  If you like a larger container, the Sabre Red is an excellent choice as well.

Hamer’s Hammer: The Remington Model 8

If you a student of the craft of gunfighting, you absolutely must know about Frank Hamer’s exploits.  Get your history lesson here.  If you want to study the man a bit more deeply, read Texas Ranger: The Epic Life of Frank Hamer, the Man Who Killed Bonnie and Clyde.

Eight Of The Strangest Self-Defense Pistols Ever Conceived

Interesting historical weapons.  I actually own a couple of the “bicycle pistols” but hadn’t ever seen some of the others.

Defender Sends Armed Robbers Packing, But At What Cost?

Reading the newspaper articles, it seems that this was an assassination attempt rather than a robbery.  It also looks like the woman on the sidewalk at the start of the video was also involved.  Think through how you might respond to something like this.  Presumably, he also has loved ones in the car with him.  Would the passengers in your car know what to do if you were shot in an attack like this?

PAUL GOMEZ, THE URBAN AK, AND THE CENTURY ARMS AK63D

Sherman shares some of Paul Gomez’ unpublished writing about the “Urban AK.”  Paul was an encyclopedia of knowledge about the AK.  I’m glad he was able to share it with me in an after hours AK shooting session following one of Craig Douglas’ ECQC classes more than 20 years ago.

For Dr. House’s more recent work, check out A REAL NON-SHILL GUN REVIEW: THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 10-8 PERFORMANCE MASTER CLASS.

Stop Watching the Clock, But Don’t Ignore the Constitution

For my police readers, especially those of you who conduct officer-involved shooting investigations.  My cop friends should also read Shell Game Shenanigans and Untrained Investigators.

Looking Back To Move Forward: Situational Awareness Training Old and New

My late friend Marcus Wynne’s thoughts on situational awareness.

How to Use Super Glue for First Aid

I teach this topic extensively in my new “Off Grid Wound Care” class.  Two points in addition to Daisy’s advice in the article.  Vet Bond is the chemical equivalent of Derma-Bond at 1/3 the cost.  The primary difference between that and standard super glue is that the Vet Bond won’t sting as much and it lasts about one day longer than super glue. 

Best practice is to glue in three successively wider layers when closing the wound no matter which cyanoacrylate you utilize..  Glue the skin edges together and then let it dry.  Add another layer of glue over the top (and slightly wider) of the first dose.  Repeat one more time when the second layer dries.

Come to class and you can practice it.

What Criminals Know That You Don’t

Alex shares lessons learned from one of John Hearne’s courses.

Quote to ponder:

“The things that we think are so important in our life, when we die, just end up being shit someone else has to throw away.”

– John Welbourn

Some of the above links are affiliate links.   I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Amazon has a tremendous number of FREE ebooks on their website.  You can find thousands of free kindle books on Amazon’s site every day.  These books can be downloaded to a Kindle reader or a free App on your phone or personal computer.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle reader for your computer or phone HERE.  

Here are a few free books that I think my readers might enjoy. Check these out.

One caution….

These books were free at the time I posted them. Prices change rapidly. Please check the price before you hit the “buy” button! 

If you cannot see any of the links below, there is likely a setting in either your internet browser or ad blocking software that prohibits “live links.”  If you see a blank page below, check those settings.  I promise you that there are book links actually listed directly below.

Happy Reading!

While you are contemplating book purchases, don’t forget my travel safety book.

For an even larger selection of great books (not free), check out my Recommended Reading page.

Some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase an item using one of those links, I get a small percentage of the payment.  It does not cost you any additional money.

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Where is The Safest Place to Sit to Avoid Danger?

Some things to consider when you are out in various public venues.

Capability or Size? What’s Best For Pistol-Mounted Lights

If you are going to attach a light to your CCW/home defense handgun, should it be a bigger one or a smaller one?

Instructor Tips | Making Targets Work for You

Instructor life hacks you may have never considered.

Top Concealed Carry Errors Explained

Are you making these errors?  If you want to model good behavior rather than avoid bad behavior, here’s a list of the 10 Commandments of Concealed Carry.

The Dumbest Self-Defense Advice On The Internet

Since we are are on the topic of both good and bad advice, this article seems relevant as well.

How To Stay Safe in a Hotel

This article is fascinating to me.  While each of the individual suggestions is solid, when taken all together, I’ve never seen a more utterly paranoid and obsessive analysis.  In the 2025 calendar year I spent 144 nights in hotels or AirBnBs.  No one would consider me an amateur in the field of surviving hotel room stays.  I think I have very solid security procedures, but I don’t do 5% of what this author suggests.  He’s not wrong, but damn if he isn’t more than a little over the top with most his recommendations.

Here’s something to ponder…

Most of you are gun and combatives enthusiasts.  Do you think the advice you give your friends, family, and students might be seen as “over the top” from their perspective and ultimately ignored?  Is that an effective communications/education strategy?

home defense against a mob

Massad Ayoob details how defending oneself against mobs is not just a modern phenomena.  You might also like  Mob Defense: How to Stay Safe from a Crowd.

Firepower of the Texas Rangers in the History of the Organization

Massad Ayoob went back to 1967 to teach you the lessons in the previous link.  Here is a history lesson that goes back a bit farther.

Escaping the Gun Debate Trap | David Yamane | TEDxWakeForestU

It’s nice to see our favorite gun owning professor getting some exposure in this very popular lecture ecosystem.

Dr. Yamane discusses how the “other side” views all of you gun owners reading this article.  I can’t help but think we can better bridge the cultural divide if we focus as equally on our responsibilities as we do our rights.  Here are some suggestions about how to do that: Armed, Trained & Responsible: The Forgotten Half Of American Gun Culture.

For an even deeper dive into the topic, check out Harnessing the Resource: Transforming Armed America into a Public Asset – University of Wyoming.

KelTec P32: The Pocket Pistol That Changed Concealed Carry

Although it’s been eclipsed in popularity by similarly-sized .380 offerings, I think this is a unique little pistol that never received the credit it deserves.

11 Secretive Spots to Hide Valuables in Your Home

Some good hiding spots here.

The First Shot Problem: Why Your Draw Practice Might Be Lying to You – American Handgunner

How unexamined practice priorities might lead you astray.  Some similar ideas in Stop Chasing Fads.

Some takes on UV & cancer — LessWrong

One of the less glamorous occupational hazards of being a traveling firearms instructor is near constant sun exposure.  Here is some research that goes a bit against the conventional wisdom. 

I’m probably not the best person to trust for skin care advice.  I had a malignant melanoma surgically removed in 2018.  Luckily, I caught it before it metastasized.  Every time I look in the mirror I see the 10″ surgical scar that makes me look like I got hacked by a sword.  I’ve also had four lesser skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma) removed. This is a topic you should be paying attention to.

Clerk Tries to Stop Multiple Shoplifters in Fresno, California

These “flash mob” style retail thefts/robberies are becoming more common.  You should have a plan of action should something like this happen in a store where you are shopping. 

Put yourself in this spot.  Would you escape?  If so, how?  The robbers are blocking the door.  Would you defend the innocent clerk when he is attacked?  Have you thought about how well you could flee from violent teenagers who can move much faster than you can?  At what point would you consider drawing your gun?

Lots of stuff to think about here.

Cognitive Dominance: A Brain Surgeon’s Quest to Out-Think Fear

What I’m reading…

Trust No One: an insider’s perspective

One of the best articles Todd Green ever wrote.  I’m glad SLG is keeping Todd’s spirit alive by continuing to write for the site.  You might like his latest post as well.

Drop the Knife

I hope you will be less enthused about the possibility of intervening in two strangers’ fight after reading this first person account.

Skills Check: The Event Horizon Drill

Tatiana shares a simple (but not easy) handgun shooting drill that most of you can do, even on indoor ranges.

1977 American Handgunner

Last week I posted a link to a full PDF copy of a 1978 issue of American Handgunner.  Here is one to an even older 1977 edition.  It’s cool to look back on the history of the shooting industry like this.

Tested: Steinel .38 Special +P Snub Nose Pro Ammunition

Ballistic testing of some new .38 ammo you may not have seen before.

Free Targets From Around The Web

Four sources for free downloadable shooting targets.

Of Shotgun Slings

Tips for slinging up your shotgun.

Quote to ponder:

Knowledge to make your life better.  If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Explaining The Need To Carry Spare Ammo

Massad Ayoob discusses his philosophy on carrying spare ammo.

It’s Not Your Dumb Hand – Weak Hand Work

Erick shares some tips for optimal weak hand only firearm drawing, shooting, and manipulation.  On the topic of shooting “wrong handed,” you might also like Massad Ayoob’s article titled Can You Shoot Your 1911 Backwards?

Handgun Ergonomics – Notes from KR

You more astute readers might recognize that I posted this article in my Tac Con recap article Wednesday.   The information contained therein is so important that I wanted to share it again here as well.

Also on the topic of gun fit, you may enjoy Finding the Right Fit: What Every Woman Should Know About Choosing and Shooting a Firearm.

Aggressive Dogs: The Utility of Sticks v Guns

This advice echoes my personal experience.  In my police career, I had to respond to two different incidents where dogs were actually attacking humans or other pets.  In both of them, I deployed my ASP baton.  The first pair of aggressive dogs ran off as soon as I opened the baton.  In the second case, I had to hit a dog who was chewing on a jogger.  One strike caused the dog to run away.

Situational Awareness

Last week I wrote an article about how “Keep your Head on a Swivel” was bad advice.  If you missed it, it’s worth checking out.  The article linked above is what partially inspired my piece.  You’ll also want to read Situational Awareness, part 2.  Both contain very actionable advice.

El Rey Sol by Mike Boyle*

A great shooting drill from Mike Boyle.  While designed primarily for revolvers, you can run this one with any handgun.  For a pocket pistol/revolver drill, try Dos Atracadores (Two Robbers).

Need a rifle drill?  Try Skills Check: Rifle Standard Gold.

Hard-Target Living: Supercharge Your Situational Awareness, Vanquish Your Vulnerabilities, and Stay Safe

 

What I’m reading…

6 Concealed-Carry Tips You Need to Know

Good advice for concealed carriers.  Want better advice?  Don’t carry in the small of your back.

Slide Lever vs. Racking the Slide

Over the years, I have become far less dogmatic about the “best” way to drop the slide on a reload.  Tatiana shares a well thought out experiential methodology for seeing what works best for the individual shooter.

A Shooter’s review of the Manurhin MR 73

Curious about the Manhurin MR73?  Here is your resource for information.  While you are there, check out the site’s research on the .327 caliber as well.

The Secrets of Life, and the young Firearms Instructor – A letter to my friend, the Captain

Solid advice for the police firearms instructor.  From the same site, you might also like Don’t Be a Dummy – Why the ‘Ball and Dummy’ Drill is a Helpful Tool and Other Thoughts.

Sex and Guns: Safer not Safe

Dr. Yamane offers a useful analogy.

The Cycle of Crisis and Victory

Pay attention to this pattern when you consume both the traditional news and social media as well.  The algorithm is programming you.

• “Optimism builds trust slowly
• Fear captures attention quickly
• Outrage drives engagement immediately
• Uncertainty keeps people refreshing for updates

For a creator dependent on clicks, views, or donations, the pressure to stay relevant is constant. The algorithm rewards intensity, not consistency. A calm, measured voice often loses to a dramatic one, even if the dramatic one contradicts itself week to week.”

Lake City Ammo Workers Go On Strike

In the past few knowledge dumps, I’ve posted articles encouraging you to stock up on ammo now while it is relatively cheap as experts predict future supply line problems.  This won’t help anything.

1978 American Handgunner

A little history for you.  Check out the full PDF copy of a 1978 vintage American Handgunner magazine.  For an additional history lesson, read The legal history of bans on firearms and Bowie knives before 1900.

Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation

Speaking of history, check out this YouTube channel where they are posting lots of Jeff Cooper’s teaching.

The Spring Shooting Reset You Know You Need

If you haven’t shot all winter, you can expect some of the skill degradation described in this article.  What the article doesn’t cover is the fact that the more myelinatated you have made these motor pathways, the less skill degradation you will experience.  For a more thorough explanation, read my article about what happened when I didn’t shoot or dry fire for 10 weeks.

Best Knife Steel Comparison and Charts

For you knife nerds.

Samuel Reineberg – They Eliminated an Active Shooter in 4 Minutes | SRS #295

If you are interested in active killers, terrorism, knife fighting, and close quarters combat, you should watch/listen to this one.  It’s an interview of one of the ROTC cadets who helped to kill a terrorist who burst into his college classroom and shot the professor last month.  Interesting things to note:

– The killer used a Glock 44 .22 pistol stolen from a gun owner’s car

– Several of the cadets intentionally took the slide out of battery to stop the gun from firing

-One cadet used a 2″-3″ blade folding knife to stab the terrorist “a lot and everywhere.”

– Samuel actually popped the terrorist’s eye from the socket with an eye gouge during the fight

– Belts make shitty tourniquets

– The terrorist had been released from prison (for providing material resources to ISIS) early into a drug abuse halfway house despite no history of drug use

Listen to this one.

Quote to ponder (especially after listening to the podcast above):

“Official sanction for radical departures is seldom given. Fortunately, heroes seldom ask permission from authorities. In their foolishness, they do not know the limits of the possible, so they screw up their courage, shoulder their doubts, and start down the path.”

– Sam Keene

Some of the above links are affiliate links.    I earn a small percentage of the sale price from qualifying purchases.

Amazon has a tremendous number of FREE ebooks on their website.  You can find thousands of free kindle books on Amazon’s site every day.  These books can be downloaded to a Kindle reader or a free App on your phone or personal computer.  Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle reader for your computer or phone HERE.  

Here are a few free books that I think my readers might enjoy. Check these out.

One caution….

These books were free at the time I posted them. Prices change rapidly. Please check the price before you hit the “buy” button! 

If you cannot see any of the links below, there is likely a setting in either your internet browser or ad blocking software that prohibits “live links.”  If you see a blank page below, check those settings.  I promise you that there are book links actually listed directly below.

Version 1.0.0

Version 1.0.0

Happy Reading!

While you are contemplating book purchases, don’t forget my travel safety book.

For an even larger selection of great books (not free), check out my Recommended Reading page.

Some of these links are affiliate links.  If you purchase an item using one of those links, I get a small percentage of the payment.  It does not cost you any additional money.

 Some trainers and students have posted reviews of the conference.  Check out the links below to see what you missed.

Tac Con 2026

Simon Golob’s take on the conference.  I met Simon in person for the first time here and am looking forward to taking one of his classes in the future.

Rangemaster Tactical Conference 2026 AAR

Karl Rehn (a presenter who has been continually teaching at TacCon longer than almost anyone else) shares a very detailed after action report.  Those two blue ribbons on his name badge above signify that he has taught at more than 20 of the annual conferences.

Tactical Conference 2026 – I

The Tactical Professor weighs in on his experiences at the conference.

5 Critical Lessons on Tactical Anatomy Every Armed Citizen Needs to Understand

Jacob discusses some of the lessons learned in Andy Anderson’s “Tactical Anatomy” presentation.

Tac Con 2026 Recap

Thanks to Kristen for sharing the very detailed notes she took throughout the seminar.

Handgun Ergonomics

Karl’s blog post covering the material he presented at the conference.  You should read Part Two as well.

The Hand and the Handgun (highlights) TacCon 2026

Highlight video from Karl Rehn’s presentation focusing primarily on handgun grip and trigger press (not “squeeze” as Karl explains).  Then follow up by watching Karl’s SIRT Pistol Support Hand Control Demo.

2026 TacCon

John Farnam’s observations.

TacCon26 Recap

Lee Weems discusses Tac Con with some familiar faces.  You can also find Lee’s “instructor only” interview recap at Presenters’ Take.

Managing Personal Risk

Erick covers Doug Deaton’s TacCon class.  I was in the same class and it was my favorite presentation of the seminar.

What Really Happens at TacCon

Dakota Adelphia shares her experience at Tac Con.

TACCON 2026 Debrief: Dynamic Pistol, SHO & Fanny Pack Lessons

Jeff Gonzales discusses observations from the classes he taught at the conference.

I started writing about TacCon back in 2014.  It’s interesting looking back.  My 2014 TacCon Roundup post had 15 article links.  As late as 2019, my roundups had as many as 12 links.  Last year there were only nine links.   I’m happy to report that this year we are back up to 15 total links.  I miss the days when more folks blogged about their experiences rather than just shared short takes and photos on social media. 

If I have sparked any curiosity, start planning soon for next year’s conference.   I will definitely be going back.  Registration sign ups for next year’s conference opened earlier this week.  Don’t put off signing up if you are interested in attending.  The conferences regularly sell out. 

Although I met a lot of my readers at Tac Con, I’d like to see even more of you there next year.  I don’t know what topics I’ll be teaching at the 2027 event, but I’ll be there. I hope to see you all next year!