Navigation

Author Archive | Jon L

Why We Train: Fight For Your Life

By on June 8, 2012 in Tactical Handyman, Why We Train

Many of us prepare and train to protect our lives and those of our families, but fortunately, that training is rarely tested in a true life or death situation. It’s important to make the most of every opportunity to practice as you never know when you’re going to encounter a situation that’s truly “game on.” In addition to range training, I find it helpful to wargame different scenarios and think about what I would do if a situation suddenly became dangerous or confrontational. This is a great habit to be in as a cop, because all too often situations that I’m involved in do get ugly and it’s best to avoid being taken by surprise.

This video of a recent struggle between a Philadelphia police officer and a violent felon who has just committed a robbery is a sobering example of what I’m talking about. Lots of lessons present themselves here, but I will highlight just a few. It’s a sad commentary on the savagery of our modern society when nobody comes to the aid of the officer and the person who shot this video thought that was the best use of the phone instead of calling for help.

The officer practiced good weapon retention techniques in this situation and it helped save his life. A holster with retention is very important when carrying a gun openly in a “duty” status, but I would advise against it for concealed carry (YMMV). When the officer breaks free and goes for his gun to finish the fight, he’s tired. If you’ve never been there, let me assure you that adrenaline alone will not carry you through a fight. It will help get you off to a good start, but personal stamina is a huge factor that cannot be ignored. If you’re not physically prepared, you’re really not prepared at all.

All of us want to go home at the end of the day in the same condition that we started. It’s not a safe or fair world and a lot of things that happen in a life or death situation will be beyond our control. However, we can control our training and we should focus it on our mindset, awareness, proficiency and physical stamina.

Concealed Carry Tragedy

By on June 7, 2012 in EDC, Other

When you practice the God given right to arm yourself and step out into a  public place, it is important that you maintain a strong and observant mindset. In most urban and suburban cultures, carrying concealed is likely the wisest and most practical mode of carry when legal to do so. Check yourself and get somebody else to check your attire so that you can avoid “printing” your piece. The reason this is so important is because even though most states now allow some form of concealed carry many people, including some members of law enforcement, have an unreasonable fear of lawfully armed citizenry.

An interaction between a legally armed citizen and someone who overreacts to the presence of a weapon carried in public can have tragic results. The situation that prompted this post happened in Las Vegas in 2010, but the lessons and ramifications are still very applicable to those who carry today. Two years after this tragedy, questions still swirl about the facts of this case. Regardless, a lawfully armed citizen who had not done anything violent was shot and killed by police. That is a tragedy for everyone involved, and especially this man’s family. It’s likely that third party exaggerations created an atmosphere where police went into the situation over-hyped and an innocent man paid the ultimate price.

Of course, you will never have all the details and the whole story from a newspaper article. When you carry in public keep your game face on and radar dialed appropriately. Familiarize yourself with Jeff Cooper’s “color codes” and practice them. Conduct yourself wisely and with great awareness so that nobody knows you are armed unless called upon to stop a threat.

Innovative Arms Warfighter Adjustable Receiver

By on May 30, 2012 in Guns

When I build or assemble a rifle, I like to do it right. Nothing bugs me more than having to rig something or accept substandard performance out of a weapon because a certain accessory only partially accomplishes a purpose. This can be especially true when you are suppressing an AR-15. Suppressors are really starting to take off in popularity these days as more and more civilian shooters are willing to navigate the red tape that comes with enjoying the benefit of these tools.

The best, and most expensive, route to suppressor success with an AR-15 is to buy a rifle (or complete upper receiver) from a high end manufacturer that builds it from the ground up with a adjustable gas block (switch block). Aftermarket adjustable gas blocks of varying quality are available but may be difficult to fit or install. Also, most are of the less robust “clam shell” design (versus a pinned gas block) that only uses screws to tension the device around the barrel. Running a suppressed gun “wide open” (without an adjustable gas block) is certainly an option, but be prepared for the extra wear and tear and filth that comes with being over gassed.

Innovative Arms is now offering an adjustable (stripped) upper receiver for direct impingement AR-15’s through Palmetto State Armory. This eliminates the need for a switch block and allows proper function of the rifle in suppressed/unsuppressed mode by simply toggling a switch built into the upper receiver. Any AR-15 owner with a vise, block, and armorer’s wrench can theoretically simply swap upper receivers and have a no-compromise rifle that is suppressor ready. Other benefits include the ability to switch settings without risking burning your fingers and slowing the cyclic rate by about 100 rounds per minute. It is certainly an interesting development if it lives up to its manufacturer’s claims.

SIRT-AR Bolt

By on May 29, 2012 in Guns, Tactical Gear, Tactics and Training

Most of us can’t get to the range as often as we would like, so dry fire is an important part of maintaining perishable gun skills. If you’re anything like me, you’ve found that taking the time to at least knock the dust off your “muscle memory” can help keep you from losing too much in between training sessions. Dry fire is not the same as range time in large part due to the inability to “shoot” consecutively without manually charging your weapon in order to reset the trigger.

Next Level Training is now offering their excellent laser and trigger resetting device as a drop in unit for the AR-15. JTT mentioned a training pistol from this company last December and it’s great to see that they have now released a product that offers those same great features in the AR platform. After a quick do-it-yourself install you can start benefiting from some home “trigger time” and shot diagnosis as you watch the laser dance on the target. The SIRT-AR comes in green or red and the main difference between units is in the range the laser needs to be visible for your purposes (red is 50 yards vs 200 yards green). A prospective buyer should beware that the item is designed to work on mil-spec triggers and will not work with two stage triggers.

Memorial Day

By on May 28, 2012 in Other

For about 150 years Americans have consecrated this day to remember the many heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in defense of this great nation. We, the living, have a duty to never forget what it costs to keep our Republic free and enjoy the many benefits of living in these United States. The most important thing anyone can do to honor the memory of the fallen is to ensure their sacrifice was not made in vain. As you go forward this year and work, vote, reason, counsel and pray, do so with a vigor worthy of the men and women we remember on Memorial Day.

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes