By Amelia Foxwell, Z7 Tactical
What does dynamic tactical combat scenario based training mean to you? How about CQB combat pistol training? If you have some vague idea involving a man wearing a black 511 polo shirt and khaki pants with his arms crossed who does lightning fast mag changes, you are not alone. If you are confused about what kind of training is right for you, or you are intimidated by the training industry as a whole, you are also not alone.
Training has come to have its own language where tacticool means you are not cool and acronyms are SOP. Sometime after hitting YouTube, tactical training got an ego and became less than warm and welcoming. For newbies to firearms training this can not only be confusing and intimidating, but it can derail their quest for personal empowerment.
So what does someone do after they purchase a firearm they have no idea how to use? Many have friends who teach them the “tactical ropes.” Still more take the box home and put it on a shelf to gather dust. Some take a lesson from a local guy. A few brave the ominous world of tactical training.
This article is for the few and encourages the rest to join the few.
The simple thing to remember is that training is just about learning concepts and developing muscle memory. Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to legitimize why their courses are so expensive. Good instructors make everything very simple, because it is very simple. The finest tactical training is developed to help you function under stress while our bodies are dumping adrenaline and our brains turn to sludge. Simplicity and focus on what works for you is what you need. What you do not need is someone who is militant about whether you shoot with an Isosceles or Weaver stance.
Here are some suggestions to find the right training for you:
1) If you read the course description and you have no idea what any of it means, you probably will not after the course either.
2) If it’s just too much money, then it’s just too much money, please do not mortgage the farm to learn to defend it.
3) Ask questions. Great trainers will appreciate questions and they will help you know what to expect.
4) Look for testimonials. If you can relate to the students who benefited from the course then you have a better chance of doing the same.
5) Remember you are paying trainers to provide you with tools to empower yourself. You are your own best teacher. Listen to yourself. Ultimately you are the one who decides exactly what you will get out of each training session or course you attend.
6) Look for holistic approaches to courses that give you a broad base from which to learn. If you go to highly specialized training events remember these are equipping you to react in specific ways to specific circumstances. The average defense student needs to develop a solid base set of skills before they specialize.
7) Scenario based training is how we connect the dots between putting holes in a piece of paper and tactics for dealing with real life crisis situations. It is invaluable.
8) You are doing this to preserve life, while you are at it you should be enjoying the life you are working on preserving. Good instructors negate the stress and strain of this type of training by having fun in their courses. Yes this is serious business but it doesn’t mean everyone has to wear sunglasses and a frown the whole time. You are not in the military, the goal is not to break you, the goal is to build a more confident and capable you.
9) If the instructor makes you nervous before the course even starts it will only be worse during the course. Nervous people make more mistakes and learn less. Your instructor should exude so much honest confidence that it makes you feel safe and relaxed.
10) Defense training is not ever something we master. It is something we continually practice. This is a life long journey and your only job is to relax, focus, learn and enjoy the ride!
http://dailycaller.com/2013/03/04/10-tactical-gun-training-tips-for-beginners/
As the name implies, concealed carry is the practice of carrying a concealed weapon when outside of your private residence. The permit is essential to effective self-defense and elevates self-confidence regarding one’s ability to survive an attack.
But with the ongoing gun control debate unlikely to be resolved any time soon, it appears that gun-free zones are here to stay.
What this means to you is that a firearm should not be the only option in your daily carry ensemble.
There are a host of alternative options that deserve consideration for backup carry and a few of the more common ones are discussed here.
Collapsible batons are the modern version of the old-school nightstick. These can be an effective weapon if used properly and in the right dimensions. A baton between 12 and 21 inches is preferred — anything longer is unwieldy and a shorter baton only decreases the distance between you and your attacker. The baton can be used as an impact weapon, but may be more effective on pressure points.
Pepper spray is another option that can quickly stop an attacker dead in his tracks. Pepper sprays aren’t generic; quality varies and it is important to choose your bran carefully when your life may be on the line. Sabre Red and Fox are two of the most effective brands.
However, there are two important considerations about pepper spray: One, they do have expiration dates, so it’s necessary to replace as needed, and two, one in a thousand people are unaffected by pepper spray. For this reason, you should have another backup weapon readily available in the event your run into that thousandth person.
That weapon could end up being a tactical pen or kubotan. These are known as force multipliers and provide additional power when striking. These devices are most effective when positioned at the bottom of the fist and used to inflict maximum pain to the throat, face, jugular, or collarbone area. While the kubotans are generally recognizable by law enforcement, tactical pens are much harder to discern and can usually be carried into most environments.
Knives are probably the most common backup carry option, primarily because of their lethal potential. A good knife training course will focus on the defensive abilities of a blade and de-emphasize prolonged knife fighting. Knives are easily carried, so long as they’re not machete-sized weed whackers that will only draw attention to the carrier.
The last option should also be the least attractive one. Unarmed combat techniques should only be used when all else fails. Most thugs are street savvy and probably bigger and stronger than you. So unless you are spending hours and hours each week in martial arts training, this should not be a viable option. That being said, learning a few defensive moves is not a bad idea for anyone.
Yet none of the alternative options listed above are likely to work if you aren’t prepared to use them when needed, as author Steve Collins explains in his article “Other Than Guns: Tools of the CCW Trade” at USConcealedCarry.com:
“The thought of it repulses most people, yet it is that very ugliness in ourselves that we must bring to the surface — and quickly — if we are going to survive this kind of encounter.” (Read more at USConcealedCarry.com)
https://uscca.wordpress.com/2015/12/13/backup-choices-when-guns-are-not-an-option/
By Luke McCoy via USA Carry
Some concealed carriers swear by it, others call it excessive. Carrying more than one handgun for personal protection has some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Do you pack more than one pistol when you head out into the world? In this article, we’re going to take a long look at the benefits and limitations of carrying a backup concealed carry handgun.
No matter how ready we think we are, there’s always a lingering doubt that we’ll run into the dreaded “click” when it comes time to pull the trigger. In those situations, we can practice for action drills to remedy a misfire or failure to fire. However, some concealed carriers prefer to just jump to a second pistol. If you’re equipped for it, that’s certainly an option.
PRO: Immediate follow-up to a malfunction.
CON: Failure to remedy the malfunction through remedial action.
Practice: It may just make more sense to practice more with the equipment you use on a daily basis so you can develop a baseline of expectation for what that pistol is capable of. If it’s not up to your standards, perhaps consider switching to a more reliable gun.
This can especially be true for revolver lovers. When that first cylinder is expended in a gun fight, there’s not a whole lot of time to fumble around with a speed clip or a moon clip. Sometimes you want to be able to immediately stay in the fight. Having a secondary gun can definitely be a great boon.
PRO: Staying in the fight just a bit longer.
CON: It may be better just to carry spare magazines and spend more time practicing combat reloading.
Practice: There’s no way of knowing how long a self defensive gun use situation will last. It may be five brief seconds or fifteen minutes. Chances are good that if the fight goes on longer than ten to fifteen minutes, you’re going to need to have the option of reloading or switching pistols. It might just make more sense to stick with the same pistol you’re using and simply reload.
If you’re worried that one extra magazine isn’t enough, it’s still more expeditious to carry another magazine than carry a whole other handgun.
Dire situations can make strange bedfellows. Who knows who the man or woman to your immediate left or right may be when a bad situation strikes. In a defensive gun use situation, you may feel compelled to offer aid or assistance to those nearby. Having two people equipped to handle your opponents may up your chances of surviving. Having a backup gun means you can turn one good guy into potentially two.
PRO: Immediate force multiplier.
CON: Uncertainty in tactics and training.
Practice: If you’re willing to trust a complete and total stranger with one of your firearms, then you’ve made up your mind. However, if you don’t know or are not confident in that person’s abilities with a firearm (or their understanding of firearm safety), you may be creating another liability for yourself in the short term. It may be more useful to help those in your vicinity properly use cover and concealment until they can flee than surreptitiously handing out your own lifeline.
In conclusion, carrying a backup handgun in either an ankle holster or a secondary holster isn’t the worst idea in the world but it may be a bit impractical in a defensive gun use situation. You’re probably better served training to reload, fix malfunctions, and practice tactical handgunnery than carrying a secondary gun you may never get the opportunity to use.
http://concealednation.org/2016/04/is-carrying-two-pistols-better-than-just-one/
There’s a lot of states that enjoy great concealed carry reciprocity across the nation and then there are states that just can’t seem to catch a break. If you’re a resident of a state that doesn’t enjoy such a great selection of travel destinations, you can always pursue a non-resident permit from a state that does.
This process usually entails completing that state’s non-resident permit requirements which usually include:
Wait times can vary dramatically and don’t expect to get an immediate response back within 7-10 business days. Don’t assume the course you may have took for your resident concealed carry permit will be acknowledged as suitable for a non-resident permit. Go to their issuing authority’s website and find out specifically what paperwork they need from you prior to signing up for any courses.
In this article, we wanted to give a shout out to five states in particular that seem to have very popular non-resident concealed carry permits.
Arizona — Arizona is widely considered to be a constitutional carry state. It still offers a fantastic non-resident concealed carry permit that is reciprocated in 30 states. This is a great non-resident permit to have if you enjoy traveling throughout the Southwestern states.
Idaho — Even though Idaho is now considered a constitutional carry state for residents, it still enjoys a fantastic amount of reciprocity with other states through its Enhanced Non-Resident License. At present 32 states acknowledge that permit as valid and it spans states touching both coastlines and throughout the Mid-West.
North Dakota — It’s a popular travel destination during the summer months and who would guess that North Dakota has one of the widest degrees of reciprocity for their non-resident concealed carry permits? At present, 34 states acknowledge North Dakota’s non-resident permit including states like Pennsylvania and Delaware that can be especially finicky about who they let carry from out-of-state.
Tennessee — Tennessee offers a FANTASTIC non-resident concealed carry permit that enjoys a very wide reciprocity with other states. At present, 34 states acknowledge Tennessee’s process for determining who should carry a concealed firearm. With a Tennessee non-resident concealed carry permit, you can travel from the coast of North Carolina all the way to Seattle and only need to possibly disarm if you’re passing through Illinois, Colorado, and Oregon. This is a really great “frequent cross-country road trip” style of non-resident permit.
Utah — A lot of firearms instructors offer courses marketed towards Utah’s non-resident concealed carry permit. It’s honored in 30 states but it requires a decent bit of training and background stuff. Still, because it’s offered so frequently, it’s a great deal for those interested in getting around the continental United States.
Virginia — A Virginia non-resident concealed carry permit is probably one of the most easiest to obtain and has reciprocity with about 29 other states. Despite the debacle earlier in the year with the Virginia Attorney General threatening to shred its reciprocity agreements with other states, they have managed to stay true to offering a very competitive non-resident permit at a price point and commitment level many people find enjoyable.
http://www.usacarry.com/top-5-best-non-resident-concealed-carry-permit/
The nine millimeter round has become synonymous with self-defense handguns due to its versatility and combat viability. The only issue has been the ephemeral “stopping power” — the capacity for a combatant to be neutralized after being struck with its rounds. Now, we’ve discussed how stopping power has more to do with precision and accuracy than it does the size of the round, but when a self-defense situation arises, no one wants to mess around with wondering how many rounds it will take to stop an attacker.
The three most common types of 9mm available are:
Now, there is a 9x20mm Browning Long but that’s not commonly used in modern firearms.
All three have more than lethal capacity. A big complaint usually aired by those who look down on the 9mm cartridge family is that it’s much too light to really create much of an impact versus a .40 S&W or even a .45 ACP round. They’re not completely wrong. However, the 9mm cartridges are known for their ease of use. A much lighter recoil and smaller size makes it an ideal choice for small framed concealed carry pistols. The .380 ACP is an excellent example of a round that was widely used in first and second generation concealed carry pistols because manufacturers could fit more in a magazine.
If you take a Glock 36, for instance, which is chambered in .45 ACP, it only holds about 6 rounds. That’s good enough for an emergency situation but it’s not something that would last very long in a firefight. Compare that to a Bersa Thunder .380 ACP which holds a standard 8 rounds and can hold up to 15 rounds in extended magazine versions. One is a lot easier to conceal and has many more opportunities to strike a critical hit on an adversary and the other depends on getting a neutralizing hit in the first six rounds.
Granted, with a .45 ACP it’s relatively difficult to strike anything center mass and not make a deep impact whereas ballistic gel tests for a .380 ACP full metal jacket usually yield high penetration with a much smaller wound channel.
But here’s the catch: that’s using a full metal jacket.
We live in a world full of options and one of those options is using a highly specialized self-defense round. Frangible rounds designed to break apart upon impact or center pin hollow points designed to blow out like a mushroom once inside an opponent, self-defense rounds bring a staggering amount of damage to even smaller cartridge sizes.
Do some market research for yourself and find a round that expands or breaks apart once it impacts soft tissue. This is a surefire way to keep you satisfied that if your round hits target, that assailant will be neutralized in short order.
The same goes for 9x19mm Parabellum. In order to make good use of that round, you’ll best be served by experimenting with self-defense rounds that have a high velocity and the capacity to break apart or mushroom out once they’re driven into the body.
If you give each bullet its very best chance to do devastating damage to an assailant, you’ll be able to appreciate the light recoil, higher magazine capacity that’s a feature of some very concealable handguns.
http://concealednation.org/2016/04/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-9mm/
