Concealed Carry Archives - Page 2 of 3

A Great Home Defender: The .38 Special

A time proven axiom is that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. This applies to the .38 Special revolver as a home defender. I have trained many shooters over the years to use the double action revolver well, and most, if not all have chosen a .38 Special as the baseline caliber. [Read more…] about A Great Home Defender: The .38 Special

Armed Good Guys: The Difference a Gun Makes

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: The Difference a Gun Makes

Review: Kel-Tec PF9

When looking for a good example of the most popular American carry gun, the slim line 9, the Kel-Tec PF9 is a good place to start. This is among the least expensive quality handguns and a proven performer. The Kel-Tec PF9 was among the first ultra light 9mm handguns. The pistol features a polymer frame and double action only trigger. The trigger is tight but smooth breaking at 6.5 pounds. This isn’t a striker-fired handgun; the PF9 uses a hammer. [Read more…] about Review: Kel-Tec PF9

Properties of Survival

In order to survive a threat, three primary elements need to work together. First and foremost, you need to become aware of the threat. You then need to assess the threat. And finally, you must decide upon and carry out the appropriate response. [Read more…] about Properties of Survival

Armed Good Guys: Goodbye Mr. Carjacker

Op-ed: Training and Values for Concealed Carry

There are many reasons for training. Training is a serious business but also a profitable business for many. A few genuinely train to save lives. Others train and go through the motions and seem to have lost contact with the reason we train. I maintain that training often reflects the individual’s personal values. [Read more…] about Op-ed: Training and Values for Concealed Carry

Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

One thing I noticed while working in a retail gun store, was that many people disregard ergonomics for new shooters. This was especially evident regarding carry pistols. I will state for the record, the best way to determine a good carry gun, is to personally handle the guns. This first step will immediately tell you which guns do not fit your hand. Once the list has been narrowed down, rent the remaining guns and let the mechanics of shooting tell you which is best. [Read more…] about Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

Gun Test: Glock 43X — Slimline

Glock introduced two exciting, and well designed, pistols at the 2019 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, with an official January 2 launch date for the Glock 43X and Glock 48. Concealed carry is a very important part of the market. Glock’s service pistols are renowned worldwide for reliability and combat ability. The Glock 17, Glock 19 and other models are widely respected. In concealed carry, the search was on for a viable improvement over both the Glock 19 and the Glock 43. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Glock 43X — Slimline

Review: Glock 48 9mm

One of the great revolutions in handgun manufacture is the polymer frame, striker-fired revolution. Glock led the way and still dominates the market. Arguably, Glock remains first with the most. I should note that I am not the greatest Glock fan, but I certainly am not a Glock basher. The Glock is, in my opinion, the baseline gun for personal defense and a great choice for many shooters. The Glock is as reliable as a handgun may be, easy enough to use well, and chambers popular cartridges. The Glock 48 follows this tradition. [Read more…] about Review: Glock 48 9mm

Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

During firearm training classes, the question of flying with firearms comes up a lot. People have a fear of flying with firearms, but it’s just a lack of knowledge about the process. As long as you know how to proceed it’s not a big deal. [Read more…] about Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

10 Tips for Concealed Carry

Practice (which in its verbal form is spelled “practise” in British spelling) is something you do while learning to get better. For example, doctors and lawyers practice their profession. That is not to say they are not knowledgeable. Instead, it is an acknowledgement that there is still more to learn. Concealed carry is much the same. I started to carry concealed close to three decades ago, yet I regularly attend trainings or look to articles or videos in an attempt to reinforce my skill set or learn something new. [Read more…] about 10 Tips for Concealed Carry

Keeping schools gun free?

There are many in the Education Industrial Complex who are outraged when anyone suggests teachers, other school employees, and carry permit holders have the option to legally carry a defensive firearm on school property. Their theory, “If there are no guns at school, there will be no school shootings.” Quite honestly, that is correct, except 300+ million guns aren’t going away, and criminals don’t follow the law. [Read more…] about Keeping schools gun free?

Caring For Leather Holsters

More than 20 years ago, my first book was published. Thirteen books later, Holsters for Concealed Carry and Combat is dated. Some of the makers mentioned in the book are retired or deceased, including the late great Lou Alessi. However, there are interesting new makers with real talent. Regardless the maker, leather holsters need care. [Read more…] about Caring For Leather Holsters

Affordable Concealed Carry: SCCY

In mid-2012, I first read about a new gun manufacturer, SCCY, that was making an affordable CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) in Florida. Needless to say, I was curious and wanted to test it. Over the years, I’ve always tried to review a variety of guns, at a variety of prices. I understand that anyone would love a $1,000+ gun, but for some that is a currently unattainable dream. Every socioeconomic class in the U.S. has the right to self-defense as well as the ability to defend those they love.
[Read more…] about Affordable Concealed Carry: SCCY

Law Enforcement and Open Carry — A Good Interaction

After an injury a couple of years ago, and a serious case of pneumonia, I have changed exercise from running to brisk walking. Recently, I spent a couple of months in Middleton, Wisconsin. Most of my walking in the area started about 0500, but on Monday, July 9, I had stayed up late, coming back from a play at American Player’s Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin. I slept in. I didn’t get out to exercise until after 0800. It was a mistake. Instead of a few cars along the route I was walking, it was a minor rush hour north of Lake Mendota. As usual, I was open carry. [Read more…] about Law Enforcement and Open Carry — A Good Interaction

Armed Good Guys: “Drop the Gun, or I’ll Drop You!”

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: “Drop the Gun, or I’ll Drop You!”

Armed Good Guys Stopping Bad Guys —The News You Didn’t See

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make for the headlines of innocents being killed that the media focuses on. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media cannot cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it happened. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys Stopping Bad Guys —The News You Didn’t See

Kahr: Innovative CCW Handguns

In the early 2000s, more states started allowing citizens to carry concealed handguns. At that time, most gun manufacturers were still focused on full-size handguns, which were not the most ideal for CCW. The guns that were available for CCW at that time were typically chambered in less powerful rounds, with a .380 being the beefiest round you could get. Kahr saw the need and developed a very innovative line of handguns. [Read more…] about Kahr: Innovative CCW Handguns

Cocked and Locked: Reality Therapy

On my first night as a peace officer, the training officer I was assigned to asked, if I was prepared for a war. I was carrying a cocked and locked, hammer to the rear, safety on, Colt Combat Commander .45 in a Safariland holster. Two spare magazines were on the left front. I may have been a little ahead of the times. [Read more…] about Cocked and Locked: Reality Therapy

Choosing Your First Concealed Carry Handgun

Choosing your first concealed carry handgun is a daunting task for most people. You may be at the mercy of the salesperson behind the counter or relying in the advice of a buddy or family member who “knows stuff about guns.” Neither choice would be good or bad, if you do your own homework and make an informed decision. The following six tips will put you on the right path. [Read more…] about Choosing Your First Concealed Carry Handgun