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Mail received:

I'm writing to you on behalf of my daughter, [--]. [She] is working on a 2nd amendment project for her debate club. Your page, http://www.beegc.org/content/links.html, was a great help to her. Just wanted to say thanks!!

It's always nice to be appreciated.

Categories


Armed citizen, 2nd amendment, gun rights

.22LR as a defensive round - I've had a few readers take issue with my article on Wednesday about defensive firearms on a budget, particularly my comments about training disabled shooters using table tennis balls or equivalent targets. Some people seem to think that such results are impossible - in other words, they think I'm lying. Others believe it's irresponsible to recommend the 'puny' .22LR as a defensive round. I'd like to take a little time to address both perspectives. (From the web site)

3 Reasons to Consider the Shotgun for Home Defense - Nowadays, it seems a lot of attention is focused on using the AR-15 as an ideal gun for home defense. While the AR-15 is a fine choice, citizens considering a long gun for home defense should not overlook the shotgun. There are a number of reasons why the shotgun will fit the bill quite nicely as a home defense firearm. (From the web site)

4 Tips for Responsible Concealed Carry - For most citizens, the decision to start carrying a defensive handgun can be a life-changing event. At the outset, the concern is all about learning the law and learning enough about defensive shooting to qualify for the license.
    However, as time goes by, the average citizen begins to realize that this decision will cause major changes in his life and in his lifestyle. In most cases this is all for the good. The armed citizen must be conscious of his responsibilities 24/7.
    Here are a few areas to consider that may require you to alter your approach to carrying a defensive handgun. (from the article)

The 5 best cartridges for CCW - "There are so many different cartridges on the market, it’s not uncommon for new shooters to end up with decision paralysis when trying to figure out what their new defensive cartridge should be. There are lots of choices, from tiny mousegun calibers like the .25 ACP all the way up to ridiculous wildcat cartridges and boutique magnum rounds. But what’s the best? Here are our top 5 choices." (From the web site)
Spoiler: "The best cartridge is the one that’s loaded in the gun you’re carrying when you really need it. Like every says, having a gun is the most important thing. Knowing how to use it well is second, and third is having it loaded with one of the rounds on this list. It’s important, but not as important as some people think." (Also from the web site)

5 CCW Tips for Older Armed Citizens - As we get older, we must keep in mind that we can still be a target for criminal attack. In fact, we may become even more of a target as the years catch up with us. The crooks see the gray hair, the wrinkles and figure that we will be less likely to resist and less likely to be armed. Age may cause us to have physical problems to deal with, but many of them can be overcome. We owe it to ourselves and our families to be as tough a target as is humanly possible. Here are a few ideas to help older defensive shooters deal with their issues. (from the article)

5 Critical Mistakes Made by Defensive Gun Owners - Working in the field of personal defense, I make an effort to keep informed about defensive techniques, equipment and training. The most-obvious thing I see is that there is a lot of good gear and ideas out there. However, it is also obvious that there are some folks who, though they seem well-meaning, come up with some faulty information and ideas. It is important for us not to be too critical of this sort of thing. After all, we went through the learning process to develop our defensive skills and training, too. With that in mind, here are a few defensive mistakes that occur from time to time. (from the article)

The 7 Commandments of the Home-Defense Shotgun - Just because your name isn’t “Shotgun Eddie” and you didn’t ride a stagecoach to San Antone in your formative years doesn’t mean you can’t defend your home adequately with little more than a loaded shotgun and the will to use it. Of course, advanced training is always best, but if you haven’t the time for it, at least practice the following Seven Cardinal Rules, and you’ll be fairly well prepared to rid your home of evildoers. (from the article)

6 Reasons Why The AR-15 Is Actually Ideal For Self-Defense - The AR-15 may well be the most vilified rifle in existence at the moment, possibly even more so than the Soviet-designed AK-47. This is especially true following several incidents where bad people did bad things with the rifle in question. ... The AR-15 is a great weapon for self-defense, and there are a number of reasons why. What follows is one man’s thinking on why the AR-15 is great for home defense and, in a few cases, why it’s far superior to the shotgun. (from the article)

After The Shooting Stops - [A] reader, talking about a shooting incident in a public place, asks, “How do I identify myself as a ‘Good Guy with a Gun?’” And, “How do I prevent myself from being shot by other good guys with guns?” I would suggest to our reader that you also have to reverse the thought process: How do I identify other good guys and not cause them harm? Excellent questions, but there are no easy answers. (from the article)

All About the Legal Right to Bear Arms A list of resources that explains the Second Amendment in great detail, and offers information pertinent to gun ownership, gun safety and hunting. (Hat tip to Leanne and Bethany in Philadelphia)

An opinion on gun control -- A long discussion on gun control by a former gun shop owner, competitive shooter, and concealed weapons instructor. Written as a response to the Newtown shoooting tragedy.

Anti-Gun Article Outlines Why AR-15 Isn’t For Defense…And Gets It Wrong - Earlier this week, I came across an article all about why the AR-15 wasn’t for home defense. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t written by someone who understands firearms. It was written by someone who is apparently terrified by the idea of private citizens having an effective, lightweight means of defense, and her arguments proved it.
   So, I thought I’d take a minute and show you just how wrong this whole mess is. It’s an older article, but I have little doubt it’s fueling more than a few discussions, even today. (from the article)

The Armed Citizen - It's back after being off-line for a while due to a lawsuit. Stories of armed self-defense from our armed brother and sister sheepdogs all across the fruited plain. They're also going to track other news stories, legislation, press releases, editorials and events of interest to the armed citizen. [Hat tip to The Cornered Cat]

Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network "Our mission, indeed, our entire focus is the preparation, education and legal defense of Network members who defend themselves and their families, then face unmeritorious prosecution by the criminal justice system. The Network is an organization of gun owners pooling their strength to protect one another when a member comes under scrutiny of the legal system after acting in self defense." (From the web site)

Armed Self-Defense: Should You Retreat? - . . . However, many other states do not require the citizen to retreat if he has a lawful right to be where he is when confronted with a deadly threat. It’s called the "Castle Doctrine" inside your home or business, and "Stand Your Ground" when elsewhere in public, and again, the statutes are best explained by someone in the legal profession or law enforcement.

But let me give you something to think about: It is nearly always good tactics for the armed citizen to disengage from a deadly confrontation when it is possible to do so. It is not my place to talk to you about the law; I am talking solely about tactics. (from the article)

(As an aside, one of the webmaster's self defense instructors said that his favorite martial art was "run fu.")

Avoidance: The Best Strategy for the Armed Citizen - When we think of avoidance, we are often focused on not going to bad places, or keeping our eye out for folks that look like trouble, or generally identifying bad situations while there is still time to make an exit. All of these are admirable endeavors and will go a long ways towards keeping us safe. However, we often overlook the value of avoiding arguments. (From the web site)

Blending In While Carrying Concealed - I’ve noticed a certain groupthink when it comes to the firearms community and clothing. We (as guys) tend to fall into one of two camps: [snip] Both of these groups of people think they’re blending in with society, but in reality, they’re blending in with the other members of their group. (from the article)

Handbook: Carrying a Firearm in your Vehicle - For many people, carrying a firearm in their vehicle is more comfortable than carrying a firearm on their body. ... As more and more folks return to the workforce, we will see an increase of firearms carried in vehicles. In addition, several states have new laws coming into effect that could also change the way some carry concealed. Whatever the reason, there may come a time you need to store your firearm in your vehicle. To many, storing a firearm in the vehicle means hiding it under the seat or in the center console. These are less-than-ideal choices and should be avoided when possible. Let’s examine some of the situations where you may be required to secure your firearm in your vehicle and some considerations to do so safely and tactically. (from the article)

Concealed Carry Myths - With the increasing popularity of concealed carry among self-defense-minded folks, it’s important to separate fact from fiction to make us all better, more responsible defenders of ourselves and our loved ones. For that purpose, let’s clear up some of the most common myths surrounding concealed carry. (from the article)

CarryConcealed.net - "The Internet's best resource for conceal and carry news, legal info, reviews, informative articles, opinions, ccw training courses, and more." [quoted from the site] The site also has state-by-state CCW information, reciprocity charts that show where you can carry if you have multiple permits, and a travel planner showing where you can carry along your route.

Carrying While Shopping -- "Have you considered the myriad difficulties associated with carrying concealed while shopping? Here are some great ways to overcome those issues." (from Shooting Illustrated)

Concealed Carry Made Simple - Over the last several months a lot of folks have become an owner of a new self-defense handgun. And, a lot of folks who already own a defensive handgun are looking at it a bit differently; looking at it like they may very well have to use it to save their life. For those who are, shall we say, less than proficient with employing a handgun for self-defense or even carrying one, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. (from the article)

Concealed Carry Means Fewer Murders, Says New Study Quinnipiac University economist Mark Gius has published a new study, "An examination of the effects of concealed weapons laws and assault weapons bans on state-level murder rates," in the journal Applied Economics Letters. A conclusion (from the abstract): "These results suggest that restrictive concealed weapons laws may cause an increase in gun-related murders at the state level."

Concealed Carry Myths - With the increasing popularity of concealed carry among self-defense-minded folks, it’s important to separate fact from fiction to make us all better, more responsible defenders of ourselves and our loved ones. For that purpose, let’s clear up some of the most common myths surrounding concealed carry. (from the article)

D.C. vs. Heller Supreme Court Decision - History was made in June! Here is the Supreme Court decision on the 2nd Amendment as written by Justice Antonin Scalia, with dissent from Justice Breyer.

Distance is Your Friend In a self-defense situation, distance provides a way to escape without escalation, and it will benefit the prepared citizen in case lethal force is required.

Everything you always wanted to know about women’s conceal carry. - A video showing options for women to carry a concealed pistol.

Everything You Think You Know About An Active Shooter Situation Is Wrong - "I have just completed the ALICE training course on dealing with an active shooter situation. If your business has not gone through this, you need to get them on board. Immediately. This is simply some of the best training I have ever been through. And it does not involve using firearms at all. ... "ALICE" is the acronym for a series of responses: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. You do not need to do all of these responses, or in the order spelled out in the acronym. You do whatever your situation demands at the moment." (from the article)

For self-defense: .22 beats .45 -- Sure to cause debate, a video arguing that the .22 LR is the best self-defense round.

Gun Control Facts -- Lots of facts and statistics relevant to gun control. Topics included are: General Facts, Ownership, Crime and Self Defense, Background Checks and Criminals' Sources of Guns, Right-to-Carry Laws, Accidents, Politics, and Constitution. Originally written September 13, 2010. Revised 12/28/12.

GunCite A reference page with a wealth of information on the 2nd Amendment, statistics, and gun control news and views

Gun Facts - Gun Facts is a free e-book that debunks common myths about gun control. It is intended as a reference guide for journalists, activists, politicians, and other people interested in restoring honesty to the debate about guns, crime, and the 2nd Amendment.

Handgun law summaries - This site tracks variances in handgun/concealed carry laws from state to state. It has overall summaries and state-specific summaries (Washington's is here.) As the site notes, "You are responsible for validating your own information."

Handgun, Shotgun, or Rifle: Which is Best for Home Defense? - I’ve seen a number of articles regarding defensive firearms for protecting the old homestead. In most of them, the author makes a case for a shotgun over a rifle or a rifle over a shotgun. And virtually all of these articles talk about the small role the handgun plays. There is always a lot of good information in these articles, but I am going to take a different approach to the subject. In a properly set up home-defense plan, there is a place for all three types of firearms: the handgun, the shotgun and the rifle. (from the article)

Handgun slide manipulation -- "You cannot run a semi-automatic handgun without operating the slide, and there are several different ways for you to perform this task. " (from Shooting Illustrated)

How To Carry A Concealed Weapon With A Men's Suit, Sport Jacket Or Blazer - A Concealed Carry Guide This article endeavors to inform law abiding citizens of what the unique requirements are for those who choose to carry a concealed handgun while wearing a suit. (From the web site)

How to Develop Fighting Skills - So, here we have your average defensive shooter working to improve their skills in order to become a harder and less-desirable target to violent criminals. This person buys quality guns and gear. Their practice centers on a smooth, fast pistol presentation and occurs faithfully until the shooter can nearly always hit the vital zone of the target quickly and accurately. This shooter figures they’re pretty much good to go. But, actually, they’re not. (from the article)

How to shoot a handgun accurately. Massad Ayoob's five-point "pre-flight check list" to go through before you fire the shot. As with any structure, you start from the bottom up. Those points are: 1) Strong stance. 2) High hand grasp. 3) Hard grip. 4) Front sight. 5) Smooth rearward roll of the trigger.

JPFO "Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership", a large and active organization defending our 2nd Amendment rights.

Keep and Bear Arms - A website that lists articles where legally armed citizens have defended themselves or others with a firearm. It is updated daily. It can be used to defeat the anti-gun ideas that say people can't defend themselves with guns. (Hat tip to Rich Domnick)

Link Between Firearms, Crime and Gun Control - According to a study in the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, which cites the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the United Nations International Study on Firearms Regulation, the more guns a nation has, the less criminal activity. (From the web site)

Massad Ayoob’s 10 Commandments Of Concealed Carry "COMMANDMENT I: If You Choose To Carry, Always Carry As Much As Possible . . .

More Thoughts On The Defensive Shotgun - One of the reasons that the shotgun is often overlooked as a defensive tool is recoil. Folks who have spent a lot of time shooting the .22 LR, .223 Rem. or even the lighter-caliber deer rifles either don’t know how to manage recoil or have gotten sloppy about it. When folks tell me about how a 12 gauge kicks, I like to tell them about a 110-pound lady I know who has hunted all over the world with a .375 H&H Magnum. (from the article)

Number One With a Bullet. The USA has, by far, the highest per capita gun ownership in the world. Progressives will tell you that this is what makes America the Murder Capitol of Planet Earth. But we're not, and in this devastatingly effective Firewall, Bill Whittle shows why the center of Gun Nut Nation is in fact one of the safest places in the world. (Hat tip to Front Sight.)

Packing & the Friendly Skies -- Travelling with firearms. Procedures, advice on luggage (he uses a surplus 81 mm mortar case), summary of applicable law, 1 hour video presentation (language probably NSFW), and airline report cards.

Personal Defense is About Establishing the Right Habits - The Sheriff's Take: As most of you know, I do not use the term muscle memory. Muscles don’t have memories and what we are really talking about are habits, good ones and bad ones. And, if we pay attention and think about what we do, we can identify those bad habits that need correcting. Or we can just develop a good habit that enhances our defensive abilities. (from the article)

Responding to a Violent Home Invasion - [These case studies] will present different tactics used to respond to home invasions, and I will discuss lessons that we can all take away from each case. Then I will go over a few more concrete tips specific to the armed response like gun selection, target identification, and mitigating the risk of bullet over-penetration. (from the article)

Run. Hide. Fight.® At our October 2014 meeting, John Holschen of West Coast Armory North was our guest speaker. He recommended this video produced by the city of Houston, Texas, on surviving an active shooter event. He says they got it about 90% right. You can see it on YouTube or the link above for .wmp and .mp4 formats.

Seattle Gun Rights Examiner's Articles - An index of articles written by Dave Workman for examiner.com of Spokane. Dave Workman has spoken several times to the Club and is a senior editor of Gun Week, communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, award-winning outdoor writer, former member of the NRA Board of Directors. [Hat tip to Wayne Wessels]

Self-Defense Gun Owner Insurance Programs Compared - Over the past decade or so we've seen the invention of a new service related to the firearms industry. The need was to have attorneys and the cash to pay for them, when armed citizens are charged with crimes related to their own self-defense. Recent events, namely those transpiring because the NRA dis-invited the USCCA from their convention earlier this year, caused us to look at many of these programs and go over them with a finer tooth comb to show the differences. (From the web site)

Self-defense is a constitutional right. A Washington [state] Court of Appeals decision. The case involved shooting an animal (which is not a self-defense case covered by Washington laws). The state argued that the defendant was not entitled to a self-defense jury instruction. The Court of Appeals disagreed.

Self-Defense Myths That Just Won’t Die: 11 Experts Weigh-In "I recently spoke with 11 respected experts and instructors in the defensive firearms community to get their take on which of these ideas and myths they believe are the most damaging. Here’s what they had to say." (From the web site)

Self-Defense Skills That Will Keep You Alive - "Be it a terrorist attack, home invasion, active shooting or other undesired event, violent physical attacks on individuals who are unaware and unprepared for them are, sadly, becoming the new normal. Those who are aware and prepared are concerned about self-defense and protecting their family. What separates the prepared from the unprepared? Mindset, skills and confidence." (from the article)

Self-Defense / Stand Your Ground Video (31 mins.) discussing the five elements of self-defense and the confusion about Stand Your Ground laws. This is an interview for German TV (conducted in English in Feb. 2014) talking about the American view of self-defense and how "Stand Your Ground" did or did not apply to recent trials (Zimmerman and Dunn are mentioned.) The interviewee is attorney Andrew Branca, author of the book The Law of Self Defense.

Shotguns vs. rifles for home defense - A look at the various factors involved in choosing a rifle or a shotgun for home-defense.

Shotguns: The Best Felon Killing Home Defense Tool Ever Made - Countless hours have been spent arguing what makes the “best” home defense gun. ... Frequently, when talking about home defense guns, the shotgun is brought up first. The shotgun can make a very good home defense weapon, but it does have limitations that should be carefully considered. (from the web site)

Stopping the Attack - Regardless of your state of residence, the justification for using deadly force is to stop someone who is placing people’s lives in immediate, serious danger. . . . It is important to understand that killing the bad guy is not, nor should be, our goal. We are acting because we want to stop the attacker right now, before any further damage is done. By the same token, if the bad guy dies because of our defensive response, that is unfortunate, but it is something he should have considered before placing others in danger. (from the article)

Students for Concealed Carry on Campus - a site created by college students who want legal permit holders to be able to carry concealed pistols on college campuses. A grass roots effort that is now more that 7000 people strong. See if there is a chapter at your alma mater.

Ten Things NOT To Do if Arrested - I have been practicing criminal law for 24 years and have seen a wide variety of reactions by people who are being arrested. Some of these reactions are unwise but understandable. Others are self defeating to the point of being bizarre. No one plans to be arrested, but it might help to think just once about what you will do and not do if you ever hear the phrase “Put your hands behind you.” The simplest “to do” rule is to do what you are told. Simple, but somehow it often escapes someone who is either scared or intoxicated. More important to guarding your rights and interests are ten things you SHOULD NOT do. [quoted from the site]
(Hat tip to Wayne)

Thoughts on Home Invasions: There's more to defending your home than just having a home defense gun nearby. - We see a lot of articles concerning how to best deal with home invasions. Essentially, they boil down to keeping your doors locked with good locks, staying alert, and having a defensive firearm close at hand. However, I would suggest that the most dangerous are the ones that occur after the occupants have gone to bed and are fast asleep. . . . the truth is that all of us have to deal with a down time where we are trying to wake up and figure out what exactly is going on and what we need to do about it. (from the article)

Thoughts On The Defensive Shotgun - Of all the arms available to citizens, the shotgun, when properly applied, is the most devastating at the close ranges where criminal attacks occur. (from the article)

Too Much Of a Good Thing At what point does a virtue become a liability? - Virtually every carry gun is a compromise, it just depends on which qualities are most important to you. Size and weight are often most critical, as they allow you to have the gun with you most often. . . When one’s daily concealed-carry piece is something like a dinky .380 ACP in a pocket holster or a five-shot snubnose revolver in an ankle rig, it’s easy to remember that these firearms are compromises between the First Rule of Gunfights (have a gun) and carrying nothing at all. (from the article)

Traveling With Your Gun: 3 Tools I Can’t Live Without - We always recommend traveling with your gun whenever possible, but navigating the landscape of these United States with all the different gun laws is a near impossibility. You will undoubtedly find yourself committing a felony without even knowing it if you're not careful.
   There are tools I like to use when I travel to help keep me informed of the local gun laws of whichever state I'm in. (From the web site.)

US Concealed Carry "The Ultimate Resource for the Armed Citizen"

UseofForce.us - A general discussion of the fundamental principles of justified use of force. [Hat tip to The Cornered Cat]

What About 20 Gauge for Home Defense? - Throughout our whole series of articles and videos on defensive shotguns that we ran back in 2015-16, there was very little mention of 20 gauge shotguns. We didn’t do this intentionally to discourage anyone from using a 20 gauge, or because we dislike it. As I’ll explain below, 20 gauge isn’t bad for personal protection, it’s just that life is generally much easier if you’re a 12 gauge owner. (from the article)

When Being a Good Guy Isn't Enough - An article on a Model 1911 related web site that discusses the events surrounding the armed-citizen shootings in Tyler, Texas and Tacoma Washington

Why A .22 LR Pocket Gun Should Not Be Underestimated - Pocket pistols and revolvers chambered for the humble .22 LR are easily dismissed as carry guns suitable only for novices and the elderly. While there are some definite drawbacks to relying on a small gun that fires small bullets for self-defense, it also may have significant advantages that even skilled and experienced shooters can benefit from. (from the article) Part 4 of a series on pocket pistols.

Why Having a Lawyer is a Key to Personal Defense - The Sheriff's Take: From time to time, we have suggested that defensive shooters obtain the advice of a good attorney. Now, mind you, I am not talking about just any attorney, but rather one who specializes in criminal-defense work, ideally in the same jurisdiction. A criminal-defense attorney can not only explain the state’s deadly force statutes, but also the case law that pertains to it. (from the article)

Why Gun Owners Are Right to Fight Against Gun Control . . . Understanding the rejection [of the Toomey-Manchin gun control proposal] requires understanding gun owners’ shared experiences. Compromise requires that both parties relinquish something. If your counterpart’s position is “give me this now, and I’ll take the rest later,” there is no real compromise to be had. Over decades, that has been precisely the experience of American gun owners. . . .

Why The Shotgun Is Best For Home Defense - It’s not quick to load. Its range is miniscule. It’s not very accurate. It’s difficult to master and it kicks like hell. Even so, the shotgun is universally feared and respected. (from the article)

Why the Most Important Part of Being Armed is Being Armed - [I]t is interesting how many times the mere presence of a gun is all that it takes to discourage criminal activity. Crooks simply don’t like it when it looks like the odds are anywhere near even. (from the article)

Why the Shotgun is One of the Best Options for Personal Defense - I am sure that there are those who will consider me horribly old fashioned for touting the defensive shotgun. After all, the design really dates back to the smooth-bore muskets of our forefathers. However, like the revolver and the lever-action carbine, the shotgun is still around because it gets the job done and gets it done quite well. (from the article)

Why You Should Carry a Big Gun as Your EDC [EveryDay Carry] - Argues that your everyday carry pistol should be a large gun (the author carries a Glock 19 when off duty) with lots of extra ammo.

Antiques, collectables

www.CoolGunSite.com - This website is a repository of United States Government issue pistol, revolver, and long arms research, data, and conclusions that have been compiled by collectors who have graciously shared the fruits of their labors.

Cruffler a site dedicated to the needs of the firearms historian, collector and enthusiast, with an emphasis on Curio & Relic Firearms.

Forgotten Weapons: The Burgess Folding Shotgun . . . it is firearms where Burgess truly made his mark. One of the most interesting and distinctive guns he designed was a pump-action folding shotgun in the 1890s. The pump action as we know it today uses the front grip to slide back and forth to operate the bolt, but in Burgess' day that idea had been patented by Christopher Spencer (yes, the same man who designed the iconic Civil War lever action Spencer rifle) and Sylvester Roper. So Burgess had to find a different way to design his shotgun. . . . (from the web site)

Genitron.com - A handgun information resource. Contains quite a lot of information.

(Hat tip to the Cornered Cat)

Blogs, general information

5 tips to getting good firearms advice on the internet. When you do need help from the internet, no matter what question you ask and where, you’re going to get good answers and bad answers. Here are five ways to make sure you sort the wheat from the chaff. (from the web site)

5.56 NATO vs. .223 Rem.: What's the Difference? - So, 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. Two cartridges, identical exterior dimensions, yet the chain of events that occurs once the trigger is pulled makes the two rounds as different as oil and water. Yes, to the naked eye, there is no difference; even to the trained eye, without inspecting the headstamp to verify, I seriously doubt whether anyone could differentiate between the two cartridges unless there was a signature projectile on top. So, what do you need to know regarding 5.56 NATO vs. .223 Rem. to be safe and optimize performance from your rifle? Let’s take a look. (From the web site)

The Best (and Worst) Quick Access Safes for Rifles and Shotguns - Secure storage devices for keeping a single home-defense carbine or shotgun close at hand are tough to come by, especially if you want something both small and affordable. I decided to set a limit of $400 for this batch of gun safes. If you’re willing to spend more than that for a small quick-access storage solution, you might consider looking into the “incognito” storage options like shelves, cabinets, and other furniture with hidden compartments. (from the article)

Best Hunting Rifle Scopes Review - "Here, we will discuss five of the best scopes available for a variety of needs, so you can choose the best equipment to suit your personal requirements." (From the web site)

The Box O' Truth - The purpose of the Box O' Truth is to test the penetration of various rounds. There is only one way to know how much a certain round penetrates. You must shoot it into a medium and see for a fact. [Hat tip to Wayne Wessels]

Bullseye from 1,000 yards: Shooting the $17,000 Linux-powered rifle. First-time rifle shooter gets a bullseye at 1008 yards with new computerized rifle system. The disconcerting part is that there may be a delay of several seconds between the trigger pull and the gun firing.

Buying a Used Handgun - Tips for buying used handguns for the recreational shooter (not collector's guns or wall hangers). First tip: Buy from someone that you trust [sounds like a good place to start].

Buying Your First Weapon - After [another article] it seems there is some interest in my talking more about how to go about purchasing your first weapon. While a good bit of this will concentrate on pistols since that seems to be what most are interested in purchasing, we will cover some other areas as well.(from the article)

CCW Gun Maintenance: 7 Must-Know Tips - One thing’s for sure: Good-quality defensive handguns aren't cheap. The good news is that, when properly maintained, they can last for years. Maintenance of your defensive handgun should be considered a critical component to your overall defensive plan. Here are some ideas that will get you headed in the right direction . . . (from the article)

Checking a Used 1911 with a Purchase in Mind -- A step-by-step process of evaluating a used 1911.

Cornered Cat - "No one in her right mind fights for the sake of fighting. But if you have to defend yourself, it's good to have sharp claws."
From the web site: Below you will find articles dealing with gun safety, kids, mindset, and much more. There are glossaries and step-by-step instructions on the shooting basics. If you've ever wondered about the legal or social or practical or ethical aspects of owning a gun or carrying it, or wonder if carrying a gun is right for you, you've come to the right place.

Debunking 9 Classic Myths and Whoppers about Firearms - In this article I would like to debunk some firearms myths with facts, figures and my personal experience as an instructor of this very cliquish yet globally popular martial art. (from the article)

Downsized Defense - When advising others on the perfect gun for home defense, it’s become fairly en vogue these days for well-intentioned folks to say: “Just get a 20-gauge. It’s smaller than a 12-gauge, lighter, recoils less and it’s all you need.” Like most things, it’s more complicated than that. (from the article)

The Firing Line - "The leading online forum for firearms enthusiasts."

The Benefits of Frangible Bullets - The purpose of frangible bullets is simple: to reduce or eliminate ricochets and backsplash. Sixty years ago, the focus was injury-free fun at shooting galleries; today it’s about CQB (Close Quarter Battle) training and self-defense. (From the web site)

Genitron.com - A handgun information resource. Contains quite a lot of information.

(Hat tip to the Cornered Cat)

Guide to Budget Ammo - "Ammunition is like fuel for a car; all of it will get you to the grocery store. If you’re running a race there’s a fuel for that, just like there’s a better fuel for maximizing your miles per gallon. With guns, you don’t always need racing fuel—sometimes you just want to get the most bang for the buck. Fortunately, there are numerous options for affordable, grocery-store ammo." (From the web site)

Gun manuals - PDF manuals for hundreds of guns. If you bought a used gun and need a manual, this is for you! (Also has manuals for flashlights, metal detectors, optics, photography, reloading tools, and some miscellany. Scroll down to the bottom or search.)

Guns, Guns, Guns: All resources about guns - A collection of firearms links. Note: There is an annoying popup when you click on second level links asking if you "want to open the file from the server." There appears to be no harm if you select OK. [Hat tip to Annie N.]

Guns, Holsters and Gear - Gun, Holster, and Gear News and Reviews
Categories: 2010 SHOT Show, Ammunition, Concealed Carry, Holsters, Misc Gear, Pistols, Reloading/Handloading, Revolvers, Rifles

Gunboards.com A newly updated site with lots of firearms related message boards, an e-store, trading area, and links to gun businesses that sponsor the site.

Gun Shows USA - a site with the schedules of gun shows in all 50 states.

Guns for Women? and The Best Gun for a New Shooter: Semiautomatics vs. Revolvers - Two discussions of the gun to recommend to a new shooter concluding that the knee-jerk revolver prescription should be avoided. [Note that the first link uses "pistol" as a synonym for "semi-automatic pistol."]

Holsters: Almost As Important As The Handgun - I’ve been carrying a handgun longer than many of you readers have been alive. After all these years, I have finally figured out what works for me, at the expense of two big boxes of holsters that I never use anymore. Maybe it’s a complicated issue or maybe I’m just not smart enough. Regardless, I’ve come up with a few tips that just might help you cut a few corners in your search for a suitable defensive holster. (from the article)

How to Clean Your Gun: Guide to Maintaining the Quality of Your Gun - Think of it this way--your car needs regular maintenance, even if it seems to run smoothly when you drive to work each day. If left unattended, it will run smoothly until, suddenly, it fails, at which point minor concerns have long since festered into full-blown problems. The same is true of your gun. (from the article)

The Ins and Outs of Handgun Safes - Whether for added security at home, on the road or in your luggage, a small handgun safe is a wise investment…if you know what to look for. (from the article)

Long Guns, Short Yardage: Is .223 the Best Home Defense Caliber? -- The AR15 platform and the .223/5.56mm cartridge for defense. Discusses the overpenetration question and projectiles designed for defensive use. Final quote: "I love my Glock, but there are certain things a pistol just can’t do." (From gunsandammo.com)

Lubrication wars! - Specialized cleaners and lubes? Engine oil, brake cleaner, and lithium grease? Here's an advocate for the latter. Here's the chase: "I’ve used Gun Butter, Wilson Combat Lube, 10-8 Performance Lube, and even FrogLube. They all work just fine, but they don’t work any better than products designed to work inside a V8 at 4000 RPM." (From the web site)

Meditations on shooting -- On making shooting fun for someone you are introducing to shooting.

Mr. Completely - The blog of a local (Kitsap County) Senior World Champion steel shooter. Be sure to see the piece that KING 5's Evening Magazine did on his shooting (and note the emphasis on safety).

The Nine Worst Holsters - Types of holsters to avoid and why.

NRA National Match Results - The NRA National Outdoor Rifle & Pistol Championships are fired at Camp Perry, OH, during July and August. The top shooters from around the country come to compete in centerfire pistol, rimfire pistol, small bore rifle and high power rifle, with dozens of matches, trophies and awards.

The Other Three Rules -- What can happen if you forget there is more than just one rule of safe gun handling. (From the Cornered Cat)

Putting Down The Man Gun - One shooter's story of why he switched from a .45 [The Man Gun] to a 9mm. S.W.A.T. Magazine

RimfireCentral.com - "Hobby and Info Source For All Rimfire Caliber Ammo and Firearms" (from the site).
Forums discussing all aspects of rimfire firearms (e.g., merits of subsonic rounds) and some non-firearm threads.

Responding to a Violent Home Invasion - ... we’re going to take a look at the various factors involved in choosing a rifle or a shotgun for home-defense. (Spoiler: The rifle wins in his analysis, but there are dissenting opinions in the comments.) (from the article)

Shooting to Stop: Caliber Considerations for Self-Defense - Almost every time we see a discussion on social media about handgun-cartridge selection for personal defense, we see responses from people who feel the need to share with us that people have been killed with such cartridges as the .22 LR, .22 WMR and other small calibers. Sadly, these folks appear to not understand the purpose of defensive shooting. ... Armed citizens do not deploy their defensive firearms unless they are justified in using deadly force. But our goal is stopping, not killing. We want to stop the attack as quickly as possible. (From the web site)

Snohomish County No shooting Designated Areas This map may be purchased from Snohomish County Planning & Development.

So You Want To Own a Gun -- Advice for the first-timer. This is the beginning of a multi-part series: part 2 (Safety, technique, and the .22LR), part 3 (Self-defense basics) and part 4 (hunting, target, and competition shooting), and part 5 (an unplanned topic discussing the Aurora CO theater shooting). A future post on getting the most out of plinking appears to be planned. (Available as a Kindle book from Amazon ($0.99))

The Evils Of Speed Holstering -- Problems with shoving your pistol back in your holster. (Slightly NSFW full leg photo of injury [from hip].) Remember, there are no prizes for being the first to reholster. (From DownRange.TV)

The Stylish Man’s Guide to Concealed Carry How to arrange good-looking clothing around the decidedly non-standard bulge of a handgun is a topic worth looking at. It’s something that a whole range of men need to think about: police detectives, security guards, entrepreneurs in dangerous countries, and even your average American civilian who prefers to be armed. (From the web site)

The Three Worst Carry Guns - There’s lots of handguns out there, and we are living in the golden age of polymer framed, striker-fired handguns. There’s so many options, many of them good, and most of them all designed to perform the same basic function in the same basic ways. Certainly, each manufacturer puts their own little twist on the appearance of their product, but on the inside, many of them are fairly identical.
    There are, however, three commonly carried handguns that are the absolute WORST to carry on a daily basis, and they might not be what you think. [Spoiler: Not a list of makes and models] (From the web site)

Trust But Verify: Function-Checking Your Guns - “Trust but verify.” Those words were spoken by NRA Honorary Life Member and 40th President of United States Ronald Reagan. He was talking about the Cold War, but I’m choosing here to apply it to new firearms. Modern firearms manufacturers are very good, indeed, at producing firearms that work well pretty much out of the box. But should you trust the gun completely straight from the box? (from the article)

What’s "Plinking"? - Plinking can be a great way to introduce new and young shooters to the joys of the shooting sports. And, goodness knows, right now it would really be a good idea to introduce young shooters to the enjoyment of safe shooting sports. It’s a way to bring on the next generation and to reinforce the importance of the Second Amendment. (from the article)

When To Choose Between IWB vs. OWB Holsters - One hotly debated yet somewhat confusing topic in the gun world is which style of holster is the best. Some folks insist that you can only carry concealed with an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, while others insist that outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters are safer. Other folks in different camps tout their favorite reasons for choosing one over the other. However, just like there is no perfect gun for every person and every application (that’s for a whole different article), there is no one perfect way to carry a gun that is superior to all the rest. Let’s look at the differences between IWB vs OWB holsters and how each can be a great carry option depending on your situation. (from the article)

Why the 9? A number of [police] departments who issue .40 S&W, .357 sig, and .45 ACP sidearms have switched to 9mm pistols or have been rumored to be considering it, leading many people out there to ask why a department would “downgrade” to a 9mm. Let’s explore some of the reasons why agencies are looking at going to 9mm pistols…

Legal

Puget Sound/Washington lawyers dealing with firearms issues. This list is not exhaustive. Suggestions for additions are welcome. Appearance on this list is not an endorsement.

Ferguson, Royce - "Helping people who have been injured, wronged, or accused of crime."

Knapp, Mark S. - Advocacy & Criminal Defense. (Email)

Newman, David M. - Rainier Law Group - Gun rights restoration. (Mr. Newman has made the legal presentation in many of the Club's personal protection classes.) (Email)

Organizations

BER&PC Boeing Employees Rifle & Pistol Club

BESSC Boeing Employees Shotgun Sports Club

Civilian Marksmanship Program - The CMP is involved in all of the National and Regional rifle matches, including the National Matches at Camp Perry. They also sell military surplus M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, 1903 Springfields and 1903A3 rifles, ammunition and parts to civilians who meet certain criteria. BEEGC is an affiliated organization (which permits our members to purchase firearms from them).

GOA Gun Owners of America

Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club A nice club with a great range in Langley, WA

Marysville Rifle Club We usually hold our July and August club meetings there and do some trap shooting.

NRA National Rifle Association

Washington Arms Collectors -- WAC puts on one of the largest gun shows in Washington State. Members also receive the monthly Gun News magazine.

Washingtonians for Wildlife Conservation

Sites devoted to specific firearms

AR15.com The one place to find out everything there is to know about the venerable AR-15. Message boards, equipment exchange, tools and services section, this site has it all!

Buying a Budget AR-15 - Report of an experiment of looking at a lowest cost tier AR to see if it could hold its own as a "basic bullet launcher."

Colt 1911 Animation - A page on the 1911forum website that has an interactive animation of a 1911 pistol as it goes through the loading, firing, and ejection sequence. Very cool stuff!!!

Glock 21 Torture Test - Read one man's journal of mistreatment and abuse of a Glock 21 (45 ACP) in an attempt to make it fail to fire. He even dropped it from an airplane!

The Glock Store - Your ultimate online source for Glock Parts and Accessories

The Gospel According To John (Moses Browning) - John Moses Browning was perhaps the finest firearms designer, ever. His designs continue to work and to serve almost 100 years after they were created. There is an ongoing controversy about the reliability and safety of current 1911s vs. other "modern" pistols and I think this about sums the situation up. [quoted from the site]
A somewhat humorous view of the 1911 vs. the later "improvements" made on the design.

High Powers and Handguns - A web site dedicated to the Browning High Power, this is a link to their "other handguns" section with many interesting and informative articles on all types of handguns.

The M1911 Pistols Organization The organization is an on-line reference on the M-1911 pistol, first created in 1994, as a service to Internet community interested in this fine firearm.

SigForum - A forum page with messages and discussion for all Sig Sauer firearms.

Suppliers, stores

Ammo Man - Rifle and Pistol ammo

AmmoSeek - No more wasting time searching all over the web for available ammo at reasonable prices! AmmoSeek will search various online retailers for ammunition that is IN STOCK and available for shipping. (From their web site)

Brownells, Inc. - One of the best and most complete sites for gun parts, gun accessories, gunsmithing tools, metal & wood finishing supplies and how to books. The professional and amateur gunsmith's main resource.

BulkAmmo.com. - "If you are looking for bulk ammunition, you came to the right website! We pride ourselves on offering only the best deals to the most serious shooters for bulk handgun ammo, bulk rifle ammo, bulk shotgun ammo, and bulk rimfire ammo." [from their web site]

CCR Refinishing - Firearm Refinishing services, quality craftsmanship at an affordable price. Refinishing of handguns, rifles, shotguns using Cera-Hide a teflon/moly based ceramic coating.

Concealed Carry Clothiers - A site with holsters, belts, vests and other items for concealed carry, tactical tips, etc.

Damsel in Defense -- Non-lethal defense items primarily for women. (Lorraine, our past president, is a distributor.)

Davidson's Gallery of Guns - Website of a firearms distributor. Order your gun from them and have it shipped to your favorite FFL Dealer!

Discount Gun Sales - A great gun shop with something for everyone! They have four locations in the area; Everett, Kirkland, Seattle and South Center. EGC appreciates their support. When you go into their store, tell them you are a EGC member and thank them for their support!

Discount Safety Gear.com - A source for prescription safety glasses. [Hat tip to Diane Turini -- see Diane's comments]

GrayGuns - The official home of Grayguns Inc. Bruce Gray is a master gunsmith, Grand Master practical shooting competitor and Captain of Team SIGARMS. Grayguns Inc. specializes in firearms instruction, industry consulting services and high grade pistolsmithing.

Gunbot.net - "Near realtime tracking of who has ammo, mags and reloading supplies in stock." Site loads slowly.

GunBroker.com - GunBroker.com is an informative, detailed, secure and safe way to buy and sell firearms and hunting/shooting accessories. GunBroker.com promotes responsible gun ownership. Ownership policies and regulations are followed using licensed firearms dealers as transfer agents. Currently GunBroker.com has over 2 million registered users, with 500,000 auctions running at any time. (Description supplied by GunBroker.com)

Jackye's Enterprises Inc. - Everett WA. Corporate apparel, embroidery, engraving, & team uniforms

Kesselring Gun Shop - Burlington WA. New & used firearms

Lucky Gunner Ammo - "In stock ammo is what Lucky Gunner Ammo is all about. Whether you are looking for handgun ammo, rifle ammo, or shotgun ammo, you've come to the best place on the Internet to find it all in stock and ready to ship - today! Lucky Gunner Ammo carries bulk ammo and discount ammo for all of your ammunition needs. If it's ammo for handguns, rifles, or shotguns and you see it on our website, we've got it here, - cheap, online, and in stock, ready to ship to your door!" (from their site).
"Everything You See is IN STOCK. We Ship SAME DAY or the Next Business Day." (also from their web site)
(Hat tip to say uncle)

Midway USA - Their online catalog boasts "62,539 Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing, Hunting and Outdoor Products"

Natchez Shooter's Supply - A great mail-order site with great products and great prices on all types of shooting, hunting and reloading products.

The NRA Store - Give your favorite gun enthusiast a special gift from the NRA store.

Oregon Trail Bullet Company - A Pacific Northwest maker of cast bullets for reloading. They have an excellent reputation for good quality and reasonable prices. Makers of LaserCast® and TrueShot® bullets.

Precise Shooter - PreciseShooter is a startup company dedicated to firearms services to the employees of high-tech companies in Seattle metropolitan area.
We are the company of engineers built for engineers!
PreciseShooter carries a small selection of products which we personally research and use, and for which we can guarantee the exceptionally high quality and price-performance ratio.
We primarily specialize on products for highly accurate target shooting. If you are a competitive shooter who lives in Seattle area, you have come to the right place! (from their web site)
FFL transfers: $25 per gun
Located on Aurora Ave N in Seattle near Green Lake. Relocated to 19820 40th Ave W, Lynnwood.

Robar Guns - Famous for its NP-3 finish, Robar refinishes all types of firearms and also offers custom gunsmithing.

Sierra Bullets links - Large list of categorized links

Sinclair International (A Brownells Company) -- Products for the precision shooter. Ammo, reloading, accessories, books/video/software, parts/tools.

Sportsman's Guide - The Sportsman's Guide sells top-quality Discount Hunting Boots, Discount Ammunition, Discount Ammo, Discount Hunting Gear, Gifts, and more at low prices.

Sprinco - products and accessories for firearms. Their recoil reducer for 1911 pistols is recommended by an EGC club member.

Top Gun Supply - Specializing in fine quality firearms, parts and accessories.

West Coast Armory North - Pro shop and indoor range.

Winchester Firearms - The main web site for the Winchester Firearms Company

Training, competition

The 21-Foot Rule. - If you are attacked from inside of 21 feet, you will have to adjust your tactics. (from Shooting Illustrated)

3 Great Drills for a Home-Defense Shotgun - Thinking you’ll come out on the winning end of a home invasion just because you keep a shotgun by your bed is wishful at best. When the adrenaline surges, you’ll revert back to your training, and if you haven’t had much training, you can easily revert back to the way it was before you were born. Point is, you should practice shooting, reloading and moving with your shotgun, all while under pressure, until those skills become routine. Here are three drills to help you survive an attack. (from the article)

5 Best Pistol Drills for the Armed Citizen - Picking the best of anything is a dangerous proposition, as everyone has their favorites. So, sticking my neck out, here’s my list of five pistol drills that combine skillful gunhandling, accuracy and speed. (From the web site.)

5 Gunfighting Myths Debunked By Massad Ayoob - "Exposing the facts and cold, hard truths of real-world gunfights!" #1 is: IF YOU CAN’T DO IT WITH SIX, YOU CAN’T DO IT AT ALL! (From the web site)

5 Must-Know Drills for Your Home-Defense Shotgun - Unless you grew up on an Argentinian dove field with an eight-shot Benelli in your clutches, you likely don’t move and reload as fluently as you should while shooting a shotgun. But if you have a go-to home-defense shotgun, these actions should be as ingrained as hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock. There are several home-defense shotgun drills that can help. (from the article)

The Appleseed Project - The Appleseed Program is designed to take you from being a simple rifle owner to being a true rifleman. All throughout American history, the rifleman has been defined as a marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away — no ifs, ands or buts about it.

Are Long-Barreled Handguns More Accurate? - Massad Ayoob is finding himself more accurate with compact handguns. He speculates on the reasons (eye sight changes as we age, better fit to his hand).

Back to Basics: Understanding Your Handgun Trigger - A discussion of the various types of handgun actions: striker-fired, single action & double action revolvers, single action semi-automatics, double-action-only semi-automatics, and double action/single action.

Armed Defense Training Association - Building Practical Self-Defense Skills
The ADTA is a member-led, member-instructed non-profit based in Federal Way, Washington. We originally came together with our various skills and experience because we wanted to be able to learn and practice handgun skills beyond what you can do at a typical gun range. Today, as a group we contract out with local ranges, provide our own Range Safety Officers, develop Instructors and Mentors from within our membership, and conduct down-range exercises you can't do by yourself -- movement, presentation, concealment, reloading, multiple target, low-light, contact, and more. Every month, the ADTA conducts valuable workshops and live-fire range sessions to help everyone both maintain the important self-defense skills they have, and to share and learn new skills in an inclusive community of peers. (From the web site)

CCW Training: Are We Practicing the Wrong Skills? - Over the last couple years, I’ve started paying more attention to the skills we practice ostensibly in relation to using a handgun for self-defense and their actual frequency of use in reality. Conversely, there are skills that frequently show up in defensive encounters that are, unfortunately, almost never practiced. (From the web site)

Concealed-Carry Myths - Many new concealed-carry permit holders subscribe to a variety of myths that could have potentially deadly consequences. Here are five of the most common. (From the web site)

Concealed-Carry Practice Session. - "When we go to the range, we tend to do what’s fun or easy rather than concentrating on improving our weakest skills, and that’s OK." Suggestions for a 20 round concealed-carry practice session. Remember: At West Coast Armory North, you must be checked out by range staff before drawing and firing from a holster. (from Shooting Illustrated)

Developing A Smooth Concealed Carry Draw - Making the change from someone who owns a defensive pistol to someone who carries a defensive pistol on a regular basis can be a daunting task. Most of us are not used to carrying a pound or more of metal or plastic around our waistband, so finding and using a concealed holster that works with our gun and our lifestyle can be a daunting task. (from the article)

Dry Fire Routine - Instead of doing the same thing every day for a month and then changing the routine when you feel comfortable, this [routine] is designed to put emphasis on the important things and still get in some practice of less in-demand skills. It also keeps things interesting so you don’t burn out doing nothing but press-outs or basic trigger press drills day after day. (From the web site)

Electronic Sights: A look at why they exist, how they work, and how you use them. - A look at the history, types, and uses of electronic sights.

Finding a Handgun Grip that Fits - A few common grip problems that can prevent you from shooting a handgun well.

Firearm Training: Live with Your Defensive Firearm - In his various writings, Col. Jeff Cooper admonished his students and readers to live with their defense gun. In this manner, the defensive shooter learns to manage, handle and operate the gun until it becomes secondary nature to do so. Thus, the individual’s focus can be on the threat and not on the mechanics of the defensive tool used to deal with the threat. (from the article)

Firearms Academy of Seattle - A Seattle-area training facility teaching tactical firearm survival skills.

Fisch and Tips: Grip - Everything you need to know about proper grip on a handgun from a security professional with decades of shooting experience.

Front Sight - Firearms training

Good Shooting Habits - Discusses "muscle memory" aka habitual practices and the importance of making your training support the activity you are training for. "It has been said that practice makes perfect and we know that is wrong. Only perfect practice makes perfect. Watch out for those bad habits—they just plain aren’t worth collecting." (From the web site)

Goodbye Low and Left: 8 Ways to Cure a Flinch. - If you want to improve your handgun shooting, at some point you’re going to run into the issue of flinching. There tends to be a lot of shame and self-denial involved with this problem, but every shooter deals with it at some point. (from the article)

Handgun Speed vs. Accuracy: What's the Right Balance? - There are many thoughts regarding how much accuracy is good enough for deadly force encounters involving a handgun. The problem with asking this question is it doesn’t present the full picture. On the one hand, you have to be accurate enough to stop the deadly threat. What does that mean, exactly? Therein lies the problem: Nobody can say with absolute certainty. Then, there is the idea you need to have crazy-accurate shooting skills like those that defy trick-shooter ability. More often than not, folks settle with having decent accuracy skills. From one point of view all of these are correct. What separates them is the time, resources and finances you have available for training. (from the article)

How to Properly Grip a Pistol - Head instructor at Babes with Bullets Ladies Action Shooting Camps and World Champion Target Shooter, Kay Miculek, demonstrates for beginner target shooters how to properly grip a semi-automatic pistol. (Video) (From the web site)

How To Grip a Semi-Auto Pistol - I've learned a lot from every firearms instructor I've trained with, ... With Todd Jarrett, it was hearing him yelling “Grip the gun 20 percent tighter!” at the whole firing line. “Twenty percent tighter than what?” you might ask, and the answer was 20 percent tighter than however tight we were gripping it right then. (from the article)

How to Operate a Rifle in the Dark - The topic of shooting in limited-visibility conditions has received periodic coverage in these pages over the years. We have mainly focused on the techniques and equipment that help ensure proper target identification, acquisition and engagement. However, a recent conversation with a family member reminded me many rifle shooters are unfamiliar with a more immediate dimension to night work: operating and managing equipment they cannot see. (from the article)

How to Practice Shooting - So I think what a lot of people are looking for is some kind of road map to basic proficiency with a handgun. If you don't have a good instructor walking with you through that in a training class, it can be pretty difficult to figure out on your own. A few months back, I got to talk to Ernest Langdon from Langdon Tactical about this very subject. He had a lot of really good advice, which you can find in the video below, or scroll down and continue reading the transcript. (From the web site)

How to shoot a handgun accurately - Massad Ayoob: You can get the most of your handgun's intrinsic accuracy by simply performing marksmanship basics correctly. (from the article)

How To Use An AR-15 - A ton of people have purchased ARs in the last 10 years or so, and a lot of these people are either first-time gun owners or brand new to the AR platform. If you fall into one of those categories, this post is for you. I can’t teach you how to be a great marksman in just a few minutes, and I don’t want anyone to think that a video or an article can take the place of real, in-person training from a qualified instructor. However, this should get you going in the right direction so you at least know how the gun works and how to handle it safely. (From the web site)

InSights Training - InSights Training Center offers the most complete self-defense, firearms, and tactical training available to civilians and private organizations, law enforcement, and military. We have taught more than 10,000 private citizens, law enforcement officers, instructors, SWAT teams, corrections personnel, security officers, and military personnel. (from the web site)

Lessons from an accidental discharge - "Yes, there IS such a thing as an accidental discharge! We had one on the range during an advanced pistol class this weekend." (From the web site)

Making The Right Moves - Once the defensive shooter has begun to grasp the basics of gun handling and marksmanship, it is time to begin to work on tactics. One of the most important tactics is movement: By quickly moving when an attack occurs, we cause the attacker to have to readjust his aim and his stance. There may also be a psychological advantage in that the attacker’s confidence is weakened and he may not feel so quite in charge of the situation. (from the article)

More Than Just A Gun Bucket: How to Choose A Good Holster - To select an optimal, quality concealed-carry holster, it's important to remember that a holster is more than a gun bucket. It must meet specific requirements for safety and retention. Most mass-produced handguns can be used effectively for self-defense as long as the user's skill is up to par, but a poor holster can be a serious liability. Modern handgun choices have never been better, but unfortunately for every quality holster out there, it is easy to find several that have serious flaws that make them sub-optimal for everyday carry. (from the article)

The Mozambique Drill: A History and How To - Most people who have been exposed to defensive shooting techniques have heard the little slogan, "Two to the body, one to the head, is guaranteed to leave them dead." Fewer shooters know this refers to a defensive shooting technique called the Mozambique Drill. But a large number of defensive students may be confused regarding the difference between the Mozambique and the Failure Drill. Well, as they say, here is the rest of the story. (from the article)

The Other Three Rules -- Why there is more than one rule of safe gun handling.

Pacific Firearms Training, LLC - NRA certified firearms training by Vern Zimmerman, retired special operations and US treasury agent, and NRA Training Counselor (also a former BEEGC president).

Self-Defense for the Aging Shooter - As the years go by, we go through a lot of physical changes that affect just about everything that we are capable of doing. It can affect our ability to defend ourselves and, more importantly, aging often makes us look like we can’t defend ourselves. As we age, regardless of our ability, we begin to look like easy victims to criminals. (from the article)

The Sight Alignment Dilemma - When shooting, success is often defined as ‘hitting the target with the projectile up to the maximum range of the firearm and capability of the shooter.’ This is a simple enough a task when you effectively align the muzzle with its intended target. . . . The more demanding the time requirement, the greater the skill required of the shooter, creating an alignment dilemma. (from the article)

Skills Check: 5 Body-and-Head Drills - As any pistol shooter knows, it’s easier to make fast shots on large targets at close range. As the distance increases, or the targets get smaller, we have to slow down a bit. Achieving this balance of speed and accuracy, and knowing our capabilities at any given time, is the essence of defensive or combative pistolcraft. These drills are designed to work on your skills transitioning from large to precise targets, quickly. (from the article)

Skills Check: The Bane Drill - In the wake of recent terrorist events, my friend and TV personality Michael Bane proposed that defensive shooters should be capable of making a head shot at 25 yards and a body shot at 50 yards. His reasoning: This level of accuracy could be necessary to stop a killer, and he believes armed citizens should ensure their weapons and training are up to the task. (from the article)

Skills Check: One- and Two-Shot Drills - Here are a couple of drills that will take about a box of pistol ammo and help you practice making every shot a good hit. You’ll need your pistol, 49 rounds of ammunition and a silhouette target with a head and center scoring area. You can easily make a practice target using an 8- or 10-inch paper plate for the center and a 3x5 card for the head shot. (from the article)

So You Bought Your First Gun… - Purchasing your first gun and bringing it home is just the first step in responsible gun ownership, and there is a big difference between buying your first gun and knowing how to use it as an effective self-defense tool. Once a gun is purchased, the next step is learning and living by the rules of gun safety. Then, making the commitment to practice with your gun and carry it on a regular basis. Since you are now relying on it for person protection on a day in, day out basis, keeping your gun, yourself, and everyone around you safe is of the utmost importance. (from the article)

Stop Holding Your AR Like That. - [I]f you own an AR-15 today then there’s a good chance you either own or have at least considered buying a vertical fore grip. Forward grips may be the most popular tactical rifle accessory out there today, but few truly understand why they came about in the first place and what they were actually designed to do on modern rifles. (from the article)

The Problem with Stopping Power -- A discussion of hand gun stopping power. (From DownRange TV)

Thumbs-Forward Handgun Grip - One of the most recent two-hand grips to show up in defensive training is the thumbs-forward grip. This grip chokes up high on a semi-automatic pistol with both thumbs pointing straight forward along the left side of the frame. It offers significant recoil management for faster follow up shots, and some argue it is inherently accurate. (From the web site)

Training & Practice: You Need Both to Build Self-Defense Skills - Some folks don’t realize that there is a big difference between training and practice. In training, we are learning new skills at a defensive training school or from qualified individuals. But learning those new skills is of little value if we don’t practice them after the training session. In order for those new skills to be effective, they have to become habit (No, it’s not muscle memory). You can’t perfect a new life-saving habit during two days of training, or even a week-long class. (from the article)

Training is Just as Important as the Firearm You're Carrying - I suppose it’s human nature for people to think that they will be able to improve their own shortcomings if only they had the newest and latest model and caliber. That sort of thinking may sell a lot of guns & gear, but it doesn’t do much for saving lives. So let’s look at a few things that are as important as the actual defense gun that is currently riding in your holster. (from the article)

Training For a Gunfight – How to Train for the Gunfight - ". . . we carry guns because we just might have to use them in defense of life. Therefore, we had better prepare ourselves by running drills that build skills we might actually use for real." (From the web site)

Trigger Finger Discipline / It's called RULE Number Three, not Guideline Number Three - One of the very first really tactical holsters was designed in the early 1900’s by the S.D. Myres Saddle Company and named after Tom Threepersons, the El Paso gunfighter. The Threepersons holster was designed to securely hold the revolver with a minimum of leather and allow for a truly quick draw. In subsequent years the holster was adopted by quite a large number of lawmen, including the FBI. The most noticeable feature of the holster was that it left the revolver’s trigger guard fully exposed. (from the article)

Understanding Point Shooting - Point shooting is a defensive-handgun technique that is probably as old as the first defensive handgun. Some have called it instinctive shooting, although there is nothing instinctive about shooting. Others have called it hip shooting, although shooting from the hip is only one part of point shooting. It is simply a defensive technique where the gun is pointed at the target and fired without using the sights. (from the article)

What’s Wrong With My Grip? - Short version: 1. Lack of Strength; 2. Injury; 3. Poor Instruction–One Size Does Not Fit All; 4: Gripping With Only Your Hands.

Why You Aren’t A Better Shooter - "Everyone wants to be a better shooter. Even the best competitors, sportsmen, and tacticians push themselves to new and better skill. But what happens if you get stuck? What if you go to the range week after week and don’t seem to be improving? What if you aren’t sure your skills are where they need to be? What is a good accuracy standard?
"If you’ve been shooting for any length of time, you’ve asked yourself these questions. If you’ve hit a plateau and are wondering how to push your skills to the next level, here are nine possible reasons to consider:" (From the web site)