Happy Birthday,USMC

242 Years!

Preparation, Practice, = Performance!

The 3 P's are something that I teach in my firearm classes. Tiger McKee summed it up very precise and direct with this articles that he posted on the (Wire).  Thanks Tiger!

Skill Set: Five Stages of Preparation

According to the Kübler-Ross model there are five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced these stages in her book On Death and Dying, in 1969. They apply to dealing with grief from any source, but especially death. They also apply to the way we think about being prepared to defend against a violent attack.

The first stage of grief is denial. In the event of a death survivors cling to a belief that they have received mistaken information. "This can't be true," they say. Denial is a typical reaction to troubling news. The problem with denial is that it does nothing to change past events or prepare you for the future. Denial will not protect you. Recognizing that there are evil people out there and danger can come anywhere at any time allows you to prepare yourself for the future.

Stage Two is Anger. Anger creates frustration. Anger prevents rational thought. Think abut the bad decisions you've made in the past. Chances are the worst choices you've ever made were when you were angry. Your emotions, especially anger, make it difficult to think clearly. You must remain calm before, during and after the confrontation.

Bargaining is next. This is a hope that one can change the past, present or avoid grief in the future by offering a change in the way you live or think. "If I don't go to this part of town I won't have any trouble," you say. Bargaining won't prevent you from coming into contact with the bad guys. When they are in front of you – willing and ready to maim or kill – they probably aren't going to listen your "deal." Bargaining is a lot like gambling; at some point you're going to run out of luck and lose.

Depression is number four. Becoming depressed over the fact that there are evil people out there does nothing to prepare or defend against a threat. Depression creates fear. Now you are afraid to leave the home or venture out into public. Depression distracts, making it difficult to think or process information. Depression is not an option.

Finally, stage five, is acceptance. This is the only viable choice. You accept that there are bad, evil people out there ready and willing to do harm. You understand this danger can occur anywhere. Now you can take steps to prepare for trouble. You seek out training, learning how to defeat the attacker. You learn that at the top of your list of tactics is avoidance and escape, but sometimes this isn't an option. You practice the skills needed, so when the time comes you can apply them on demand under any type conditions. Mentally, and physically, you prepare for the fight, learning that no matter what happens you will win the fight, defeating the threat. The first step to preparing to respond to danger is accepting the necessity for these preparations.

Once you accept the fact that there are evil people out there you can begin to prepare. Can you prevent all attacks? No. "But what about firearms?" they say. Man killed before firearms, and taking them away will only prevent law-abiding citizens from defending themselves. By being armed, trained and with practice you can be ready to stop an attack. Will your response be perfect? Probably not, but it ain't gotta be pretty it just has to work. Violent attacks can occur anywhere, at any time. Personal defense is an individual responsibility. Make sure you are ready.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy

Skill Set: Take the Hit....Tiger McKee, (The Wire)

Skill Set: Take the Hit

If you've ever boxed, sparred or done any martial arts you know you're going to get hit. The same is true in any fight. There is a possibility that you will get hit, cut or maybe even shot. This doesn't mean the fight is over. When sparring you can call time out. In a fight there isn't any pause button. You're injured, but still have to win the fight.

I grew up with a younger brother. We were close enough in age that as we aged there were sometimes fights. No one was old enough to hurt the other, but you learned how to take small boy hit or kick. At this time there were still "fights" in school. It was a test everyone went through, and at some time or another you were going to tussle. Once we got mobile, with driver's license and the ability to roam we began to visit other parts of town. Fights were a regular Friday night event. (Keep in mind these were still "friendly;" nobody used knives or guns.)

Today, a lot of people have never been involved in a physical conflict. They are completely unprepared for those people who will use violence to have their way. If you're not used to being physically attacked it can be daunting, and it's not something you want to get on the job training about either. So, how do you prepare for this type action?

Mental preparedness is first. You need an education on violence. What form will it take? It may be a physical assault. Keep in mind this isn't "playground" rules. People will attack the eyes, throat or any other area of your body. Biting is common. The threat doesn't recognize "equal." If they have a baseball bat, screwdriver, knife, or firearm they will not hesitate to use them. Don't be surprised at what the attack looks like.

Through research you learn that the vast majority of people who are shot survive. The human body can take an enormous amount of punishment and still keep ticking. I know several people who were shot and didn't even realize they were hit until after the fight was over. Then there were some who received relatively minor injuries, went into shock, quit and died.

Injuries will produce blood, especially head wounds. Don't be afraid. It takes around forty percent blood loss - about two liters - before you're done. Take a two-liter soda bottle, fill it with liquid and pour it on the ground. That's a lot of fluid. Broken bones can often be ignored. Many people with serious breaks in arms and legs were still able to function. Sure, at some point you're going to need attention, but you can keep fighting.

Everyone should attend some type training that includes sparring. You're wearing protective gear and serious injuries are extremely uncommon. You learn how to take a hit and stay focused. At the same time you're developing some unarmed skills and improving your ability to physically perform, building up stamina.

I've pretty much decided that I will get hit, cut or shot in the attack. When it does happen it won't be a surprise. The body can take a lot of punishment, and the mind is willing. Regardless of what happens I'm still going to win the fight. I may be wrong, but I allow no doubt.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy

Skill Set: Manipulating Small Pistols

Good information from Tiger McKee, (Tactical Wire).  Very well stated and nothing needs to added!

Skill Set: Manipulating Small Pistols

Small pistols are easy to conceal. They are a viable carry option, especially considering all the options today, which are reliable and come in acceptable calibers. This is the golden age of "defensive" pistols. Larger pistols –what I call combative pistols – have a large magazine capacity, and if necessary can be used to take control of your environment. Defensive pistols, usually smaller caliber with a limited magazine capacity, are used only for defensive purposes. Shoot the threat while creating distance and escaping to a safe area. The smaller, compact defensive pistols will do the job – you'll probably fire three to five rounds. But, if you're going to carry a smaller pistol there are some things you need to consider

First, if you're going to carry a compact pistol then that's what you should train and practice with. Attending training and practicing with a full size pistol is good for learning the fundamentals. The larger pistol is easier to manipulate and shoot accurately. This is fine for the beginning. Once you decide to carry a smaller pistol then that's what you should focus on, working with it almost exclusively so everything is consistent with what and how you carry.

The smaller the pistol the more difficult it can be to manipulate. Larger hands and small pistols can be a difficult combination. For example a lot of compact handguns have a thumb safety, just like their bigger brothers. The problem is that the safety is small, in proportion to the size of the frame. A miniature thumb safety is difficult to operate already due to its size. Add larger hands into the mix and it can become almost impossible. None of my compact pistols have thumb safeties. If I did have one with the small safety I would try to fabricate up a larger safety for it.

Compacts have shorter grips and magazines. This requires you to develop some specialize techniques for inserting and removing the magazine. Normally the grip and magwell will not extend past or below your fingertips. When inserting a fresh mag, to load or reload, it's usually necessary to do a high-tea kind of thing and get most of the fingers of the strong hand out of the way so the mag can be inserted and locked into the pistol without fingers getting in the way.

The same is true when removing the mag, for example when reloading. The fingers and heel of the hand are usually in contact with the magazine, especially if the mag has extended base plates to increase capacity. When the mag release is pressed the hand/fingers are in contact with the mag. It will release, but probably won't drop free. The solution is to use the support hand to strip the mag out of the grip as the hand goes for the new mag.

Usually we use a "C" clamp grip to cycle the slide, grabbing the slide between the heel of the hand and the fingertips. With a smaller pistol it may be necessary to use the "sling-shot" method, pinching the slide between the thumb and first finger of the support hand. Regardless of how your cycle the action make sure the ejection port isn't covered or blocked by the hand/fingers. This can quickly turn a Type I or II malfunction into a Type III stoppage.

There is not set standard way to manipulate small compact pistols. Pistol and hand size will determine what works best. Explore the various options to determine works for you. Once you determine what techniques you need then use them all the time. Remember consistency is key for safety and efficiency. Smaller, compact pistol are good, as long as you know how to operate them properly.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy

The Holster....Tips

Skill Set: Holster Tips

If you're carrying a pistol it must be in a holster. This could be a belt holster, ankle, pocket or a holster inside a purse. Regardless of what and where you carry, in order to do it safely it must be secure, inside a holster.

When the pistol is in the holster it is safe. The trigger is covered on modern holster designs, so the gun can't be fired. Remember Safety Rule II: Never let the muzzle cover anything you're not willing to destroy. With the pistol in hand you must constantly be thinking about muzzle control, keeping it pointing in a safe direction. When holstered you can stand, sit or crawl around on the ground without worrying about what direction the muzzle is pointing.

Always use a holster designed specifically for your pistol. No "one-size-fits-all" holsters allowed. The holster must hold the pistol securely – and protect it from the elements – yet still allow you to easily draw the weapon. You shouldn't need to use two hands to jerk the pistol free from the holster. The holster has to stay "open" after drawing the pistol, without the top mouth collapsing once the pistol is clear. This allows you to holster using only one hand. Since you're probably carrying concealed the support hand will be holding the cover garment out of the way as you holster the pistol. When it's time to draw, or holster, you may only have one hand due to an injury. Your holster must hold the pistol securely, allow you to draw smoothly, and reholster smoothly and safely.

Your holster must allow you to acquire the proper grip on pistol. Obtaining your firing grip on the pistol before drawing it is mandatory. Once it's out of the holster there may not be time to reposition the hand. This is important for holstering too. Just because you decided to holster doesn't mean the fight is over. You've decided to holster, but another problem appears. You're forced to get the pistol back into the fight. A properly shaped holster means you can maintain a firing grip when drawing and holstering.

The holster should stay in place during your daily activities. This is especially true for ankle holsters. Pocket holsters stay in the pocket as you draw. If the holster comes out with the pistol reconsider your choice in holsters. The smaller the pistol the more critical all of these requirements become. A smaller pistol is more difficult to grip, so it's essential the holster fits the pistol and your hand size.

The holster should also be stiff enough that you can hook the rear sight on the lip/edge in order to cycle the slide with only one hand. The holster is also used to strip mags free of the grip for Type III malfunctions. (This is also true of your belt, which may be used for this action using the support hand.) A good holster is used to manipulate the weapon when you're down to operating with only one hand.

Holsters do more than just hold the pistol. They keep the pistol safe, and protect it. With the right holster you can instantly draw, and safely, smoothly holster the pistol. The holster can be used to manipulate the pistol. The only way you'll determine if you've got the proper holster(s) is through training and practice. The good news is that today there are plenty of options. Don't be satisfied until you find "your" holster.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy

Hallways & Corners Highways to Heaven or Hell? -Clint Smith

If you don't have to, don't go!  Rule #1!  As a trained law enforcement officer this is probably one of the most dangerous things you may have to do.  Remember I said trained!  For a civilian it is definitely the worst and most likely a fatal decision to make.  More likely than not you may wind up in a rubber bag!  When you watch this being done by trained professionals it looks pretty simple but that's because these professionals have spent many. and I mean many of hours perfecting this type of procedure.

The following article by one of the best in the business, Mr. Clint Smith, (Thunder Ranch) will give some insight on the do's and don'ts.  If you decide to get some of his type of training, make sure that the instructor has a complete and knowledgeable understanding of this type of training, i.e. practical working experience or certified to teach this venue. 

Hallways & Corners

Highways to Heaven or Hell?

-Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch)

Hallways are by definition are “a corridor or passage in a building”. Corridors are by definition a passageway into which compartment or room’s open or a restricted lane as in an air traffic corridor. These hallways, corridors, or passageways can restrict flow or movement and are generally found in conjunction with doors and corners. Following are some concepts and thoughts for clearing, working and maybe fighting in and around hallways and their adjoining corners.

   

Working both sides of a doorway is the same in halls or rooms but halls will be tighter.

Clearing or Offense

When moving down the hall you have two choices. One is to stay close to the wall to minimize yourself as a target. Two is to move down the middle of the hall to reduce the potential of being hit by ricochets but more importantly flying debris. Much of which technique you select will be based on what material the walls of the hallway you are in are made of. If is a hard material concrete or the like, it doesn’t take a mental giant to figure out one may be hit by gunfire or fragmentation and stuff coming down the hallway.  If it is required to move in the hallway then approach open doors and corners with caution. Kick in your program as discussed earlier on doors and doorways. Visually slice the opening with your eyes keeping the muzzle of your weapon in support. Do not lead into the opening with your elbow, foot, hat brim or the end of the weapons muzzle! Work from the right side of the hall to clear the left corner then back up, cross over and work from the left side of the hall to clear the right corner visually. Look as far into the area you are clearing as possible. Use fixtures inside the room to help you clear it. Look at mirrors, windows or anything that would reflect or show the movements or location of possible threats.

Holding or In Defense

In applying defense there are notable assets to engaging your opponent in doorways, at corners and definitely in hallways because their movement is restricted and their exposure is great while their available cover is negligible. The length of your hallway or corridor of course dictates the potential exposure time that you will have to engage the threat. Anything that could be added to slow the forward momentum of your opponent is helpful. As in stairways, furniture, debris, gunfire or bright lights…all serve to retard the forward movement. Once movement is slowed or stopped the only deciding criteria in the hallway is who can provide the best marksmanship to stop and hold the threat’s forward movement.

An example of this is we may be holding safe ground at the end of a hallway on someone who says he wants to commit suicide but in reality wants us to dispatch them because they don’t have the guts to do themselves in. The problem with this scenario is sometimes the dummies kill us also as part of their death wish, hence the reason for giving guidelines like the ones above.

Bad Places

As before when you start down a hallway remember the last safest place that you cleared in case the hallway becomes untenable. There will be a hallway that can’t be cleared by going straight ahead and you had better consider it. You will either back up or be stuffed in a bag. Don’t apply the thought process of “Well, they may get me, but I will take them with me.” The bottom line is the same; you’ll be in the bag. Movement in a hallway that restricts movement and flow is very dangerous. Minimize your exposure time in them by avoiding them or moving through them as quickly as possible.  There are two choices as mentioned before, going fast or slow. Whatever your speed of movement your muzzle should be between you and the threat so you can protect yourself. If you can move with someone in support of your movement to give you supporting fire then do so. Last, but not least the wise and prudent person would plan a method of an organized withdrawal to deal with the worst-case scenario.

 Hallways with door openings and were to be looking

Corners

Basic construction of doors, hallways and stairs creates corners. As a result these corners restrict flow or movement. To clear or work around corners compresses the potential threats to close to us. Corners can come singly or in pairs in the forms of a ninety-degree turn or also as one hundred eighty degrees as in a hallway entering a room. Corners are most often found in a vertical plane but can be horizontal as in a stairwell overhang. The same rules apply maximize the distance to the corner and expose the least amount of you while trying to see the most amount of the area your trying to clear. Use your eyes with the weapon muzzle in support as you clear the corner.

Working corners at the pivot point

Home on the Range

This brings us to a point of interest; even as cops you should never have a tactical problem in your own home. Clear it now and practice often so you get it right. Set mirrors and furniture to your advantage to help you clear areas without entering. Proper placement of a mirror can help you look down a hallway before you stick your head in. There is the thought that your opponent could look in the mirror back and see you, but you would rather that they see you in the mirror than shoot you in the head as you attempt to clear an area. A good practice exercise is to have someone hide a full-length mirror any place in your home where a potential human could hide. Go look and find it and what you see in the mirror is the same thing a real threat will see of you. Did you expose your entire body or just a bit of your head with the muzzle in front of it slicing the corner.

All applications of tactics are dangerous and your preference should be to pass on doing whenever you can…then again if you have to do it better to be up to the task required. This skill is acquired over time and practice and the more you practice, the less likely it is that you’ll have to use or do it. One final thought is people shoot you because they see you and they see you because you let them. So don’t let them see you. And if they want to shoot you make them shoot through something to get the job. 

I can be shot, I have been, but I will not do anything to help it happen again.

If they want to shoot us, make the bastards work for it.  ~C

Skill Set: Simple and Effective....Tiger Mckee, (The Wire)

Skill Set: Simple and Effective

There are no advanced skills. Responding to a threat is a matter of being able to apply the fundamentals. The techniques used should be simple to understand, easy to learn – with the appropriate investment – and easy to apply. For example moving, communicating with the threat - issuing verbal commands, using cover, and shooting if necessary. Don't forget to be thinking too, figuring out how to best solve your problem. These concepts are fairly simple. For some reason though, a lot of people like to look for secret or magic techniques. They try to make it a lot more complicated than it really is.

With most things you have to figure out what you're trying to do before you can determine how to do it. Take the basic fundamental of pressing the trigger as an example. To fire an accurate shot you press the trigger smoothly, without disrupting the sight picture or anticipating the recoil. Hold as steady as possible, press and let the shot fire whenever the firearm decides it's time to fire. You're looking for a "surprise" break on the trigger. This is simple to understand, but if you don't grasp the concept you'll never learn how to press the trigger properly.

You start applying this concept with the basics, firing one accurate round at a time. Try to go too fast – for example pushing to see how quick you can dump the whole magazine on target – and you'll never master the basics of a good trigger press. When you get to the point you can always fire one good shot then start working on firing two accurate hits. Eventually you get to the point that no matter how many you fire, they are all accurate. The same principle applies to drawing the pistol, acquiring a proper grip and every other skill needed to use the pistol safely and efficiently.

A lot of times we'll read about the techniques a professional/competition shooter uses. It may be a new or different way they've come up with to press the trigger. Just keep in mind these guys have been shooting a long time, with thousands of hours racked up on the range. Their job is to shoot. After that much time they have modified the basics, changing them in order to create the best performance they can produce. But, they all started with the fundamentals just like everyone else. Then, over time, their techniques evolved to fit them personally. Often times you'll hear them say, "This is what works best for me." This doesn't mean it's going to work for you. The only way to find out what works is to do it.

At some point you'll begin modifying the way you do things. The way you acquire the grip on the pistol while still in the holster changes as you become more comfortable with drawing. You discover exactly where the support hand needs to be on the pistol. Over time the amount of pressure used to grip the pistol changes. This is good; you're discovering what works best for you. Just don't stray too far from the fundamental concepts.

Don't be afraid to experiment. But keep in mind just because something is new or so and so does it doesn't mean it's better for you. When you change and then realize it's not working go back to what you were doing before. Don't try to force something to work. The techniques you use should be easy to understand, easy to learn, efficient and effective. Practice will make it all better.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy