Practice at the range
by gunner
Other than classes and practice in front of the mirror for stance and grip, quality time is needed on the range. Indoor or outdoor range, bottom line is YOU need to shoot and practice! All the studying in the world from a book can not replace actual shooting time on the range. Both are needed, learning from the class book & actual shooting.
Planning a trip to the range is easy. Have your range bag, portable target. Targets can be at an outdoor range, paper on a frame, cardboard mounted on wood or even clay targets for trap shooting. Every outdoor range I have been at will NOT let you bring in the metal spinning targets. To many people there to get hurt with those.
I take around 250 rounds per pistol with me. And I take a 9mm, 45acp, and .357 with me when I go. Most times I do not get all shot off but it is nice to know you have that many if needed.
The pistol I plan on using for home defense is the pistol I shoot most. I practice everything from gripping, loading, stance etc… Even kneeling and shooting. (Make sure the range officer says it is ok to shoot from that position) But I like to shoot the others just so I remember the different feel of each one.
My range bag includes:
Spotting Scope
Range Finder
Ammo
Hammer (For pounding the target in the ground)
Staple gun
Extra paper targets
Quick cleaning kit
Oil
Scope cleaning cloth
Shooting gloves (Sometimes I use these)
Basic weapon tools
Shooting pad
Duct Tape
Glasses with different color lens
Ear plugs & headset
Small wire brushes
Speed loaders
Mag loader tool
These are the things that I take with me. Now the pistols are carried in a separate case and they remain open action and unloaded in the locked case. A few range officers will ask to see in the case before you enter the range.
The range will have a list of rules posted, READ it and LIVE them! Breaking them can get you thrown off the range or worse get you shot or somebody else shot.
Please take time to go shooting, but be careful…
gunner
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Article from a good friend of mine on CC holsters
A WORD ON CONCEALMENT HOLSTERS
By Jim Stouffer
Someone in every class asks, "Where can I buy a good holster?" There are several things to consider when purchasing a holster for concealed carry purposes. First things first. The old saying that 'you get what you pay for' certainly applies here. I realize that it may be difficult to plunk down upwards of $75-$100 for a holster. Relax, there are lots of good quality holsters on the market for less than $50.00. By saying, 'you get what you pay for' I mean to say stay away from those nylon all purpose one size fits all things you can buy for under $20.00 They are unfit for concealed carry purposes. Just ask anyone who has a box full of holsters they have accumulated through trial and error. I suppose nylon holsters have a purpose, the only thing I can think of is you can hang you handgun in them at the range so you don't have to lay it on the ground!
Four cardinal rules for purchasing a holster:
Rule #1 is.......the trigger must not be exposed while the gun is holstered. (For obvious reasons I hope)
Rule #2 is .........your gun MUST fit the holster. Your gun must fit snugly in a holster made for your particular gun. A good rule of thumb is WHEN you turn you holster upside down you gun doesn't fall out.
Rule #3 is ........ The holster must be of such style and quality that it doesn't 'print' under your concealed carry garments. That's why we call it 'concealed' carry.
Rule #4 is ........ Your belt is just as important as your choice of holsters. It needs to be STIFF. ....made for concealed carry. They aren’t cheap. Price range is from $39.95 to over $100.00.
This is where the work comes in to play or is it that the play comes into work? You need to shop around. There are several things to consider when it comes to concealment of a gun/holster. The first thing is this..... What works for me may not necessarily work for you. Everyone's body shape is different. Certain holsters lend themselves to thin folks while others lend themselves to more robust types (like me). There are open top holsters, thumb break holsters, inside the waist band holsters, behind the back holsters, ankle holsters, shoulder holsters, concealed carry purses, fanny pack holsters and a few more.
My suggestion is to pay attention in class, observe the various types, their pros and cons, visit a local gun show, go to a gun shop etc. If you are serious about concealed carry you will study the options, ask questions, try different types then settle on the one you want to invest in. Even at that, over time, like most of the instructors you will have a box full of them! Play or work?.......depends on your attitude.
A word on belts. A limp sagging belt will allow the holster to sag away from your body and thus affect the conceal ability of your rig. You are better off with as wide a belt that your belt loops can handle. Most concealed carry belts are double thickness leather and some of the better ones are reinforced with a plastic, nylon or steel insert. Well worth the expense if you are serious about concealed carry.
There are two companies that have seen fit to donate holsters to us for demonstration purposes. They are both top quality top notch companies. I highly recommend their products. They are USGALCO and DON HUME holsters. You can purchase their products from reputable gun shops and at the gun shows or directly from their web sites. For your connivance here are their web addresses:
Galco Gun Leather A great place to purchase all of your gun leather needs.
Don Hume Leather Good quality leather products to satisfy you concealed carry needs.
By Jim Stouffer
Someone in every class asks, "Where can I buy a good holster?" There are several things to consider when purchasing a holster for concealed carry purposes. First things first. The old saying that 'you get what you pay for' certainly applies here. I realize that it may be difficult to plunk down upwards of $75-$100 for a holster. Relax, there are lots of good quality holsters on the market for less than $50.00. By saying, 'you get what you pay for' I mean to say stay away from those nylon all purpose one size fits all things you can buy for under $20.00 They are unfit for concealed carry purposes. Just ask anyone who has a box full of holsters they have accumulated through trial and error. I suppose nylon holsters have a purpose, the only thing I can think of is you can hang you handgun in them at the range so you don't have to lay it on the ground!
Four cardinal rules for purchasing a holster:
Rule #1 is.......the trigger must not be exposed while the gun is holstered. (For obvious reasons I hope)
Rule #2 is .........your gun MUST fit the holster. Your gun must fit snugly in a holster made for your particular gun. A good rule of thumb is WHEN you turn you holster upside down you gun doesn't fall out.
Rule #3 is ........ The holster must be of such style and quality that it doesn't 'print' under your concealed carry garments. That's why we call it 'concealed' carry.
Rule #4 is ........ Your belt is just as important as your choice of holsters. It needs to be STIFF. ....made for concealed carry. They aren’t cheap. Price range is from $39.95 to over $100.00.
This is where the work comes in to play or is it that the play comes into work? You need to shop around. There are several things to consider when it comes to concealment of a gun/holster. The first thing is this..... What works for me may not necessarily work for you. Everyone's body shape is different. Certain holsters lend themselves to thin folks while others lend themselves to more robust types (like me). There are open top holsters, thumb break holsters, inside the waist band holsters, behind the back holsters, ankle holsters, shoulder holsters, concealed carry purses, fanny pack holsters and a few more.
My suggestion is to pay attention in class, observe the various types, their pros and cons, visit a local gun show, go to a gun shop etc. If you are serious about concealed carry you will study the options, ask questions, try different types then settle on the one you want to invest in. Even at that, over time, like most of the instructors you will have a box full of them! Play or work?.......depends on your attitude.
A word on belts. A limp sagging belt will allow the holster to sag away from your body and thus affect the conceal ability of your rig. You are better off with as wide a belt that your belt loops can handle. Most concealed carry belts are double thickness leather and some of the better ones are reinforced with a plastic, nylon or steel insert. Well worth the expense if you are serious about concealed carry.
There are two companies that have seen fit to donate holsters to us for demonstration purposes. They are both top quality top notch companies. I highly recommend their products. They are USGALCO and DON HUME holsters. You can purchase their products from reputable gun shops and at the gun shows or directly from their web sites. For your connivance here are their web addresses:
Galco Gun Leather A great place to purchase all of your gun leather needs.
Don Hume Leather Good quality leather products to satisfy you concealed carry needs.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
You know since I have been reading and listening to your request for a list of companies that “Don’t respond to request” I think I will start that here on the site & blog. I know it has been a while that you have been asking and after much debating over it I see your point… Why buy from a company that does not care enough to respond to a request. Even if they do not want to participate they can at least let you know. Well after hearing that from you the readers, seminars attendees and public that BUY from these companies, I have to say I agree…
So I sent out request of product you asked for, I guess we will have to see what happens…
So I sent out request of product you asked for, I guess we will have to see what happens…
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Reloading & Shooting Article update...
Hey we are going to have a few articles on reloading both brass and shotshell. We will be trying out different brands of loaders to see which one works the best for the buck… I have written a couple of the companies that make loaders, I have two now at this time to use let’s see if these others want to put their brand on the line…
There is going to be an article also on building a gun cabinet for your home. This will not be the regular vertical style, we are going to build a horizontal type that will hold both long guns and a few pistols. The article will also have photos of “in process” and the finished build.
There is going to be an article also on building a gun cabinet for your home. This will not be the regular vertical style, we are going to build a horizontal type that will hold both long guns and a few pistols. The article will also have photos of “in process” and the finished build.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
I want to thank Lawrence Brand shot for again going forward with another sponsorship shipment to us here for our shoots, and articles. We will again at seminars be giving away a few 25 pound bags as random drawing prizes for the seminar attendees. I also have a radio show coming up and if this gets here in time, we may give a couple away for listener call in prizes.
Also watch later this year for an article on “Hunting loads, reloads vs. factory” as this seems to be an idea that has generated much interest with our readers.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I also want to remind everyone to watch for the “Tactical to Practical“article with flashlights from SureFire, Novatac and Streamlight. I also per your request sent a letter to Insight and HellFighter about a few of their products for this article and the AR project, so I will let you know where we stand on this article in the next few weeks!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The "SIG" Build
And now the "Sig" build up...
Ok now it is time for the AR build up using a couple of nice products from Sig Sauer. We are using the new 700 lumen STOPLIGHT and their mini red dot scope. As on the SureFire build we had a separate forearm handle with a separate side mounted light.
With the STOPLIGHT from Sig you combine the handle / light/ laser in one unit with will leave the sides of your rail mount system open. Weight is about the same as the STOPLIGHT used 4 of the 123 Lithium batteries.
What you gain is the extra space on the rail sides and the combo of grip, light and laser. The grip is not round as in most “tango” style grips, this has a little longer grip that is also thinner in the middle area. You have a momentary “on” button on the back of the unit. On the right side you will find the controls for constant on, strobe and the laser.
The laser is mounted on the left side of the unit and is removable if you wish. It has built in adjustment within the caps the cover the adjustment screws. This is a nice bright red laser that is strong enough to be shown in some daylight.
The mini red is also well built and a strong bright red dot with 11 levels of adjustment. It has two adjustments which you can use a dime if needed to adjust. This is a nice change from the big 40mm size red dots that also has the added advantage of less weight.
The following photos show these products installed on he DPMS AR project…
End of SIG build
Ok now it is time for the AR build up using a couple of nice products from Sig Sauer. We are using the new 700 lumen STOPLIGHT and their mini red dot scope. As on the SureFire build we had a separate forearm handle with a separate side mounted light.
With the STOPLIGHT from Sig you combine the handle / light/ laser in one unit with will leave the sides of your rail mount system open. Weight is about the same as the STOPLIGHT used 4 of the 123 Lithium batteries.
What you gain is the extra space on the rail sides and the combo of grip, light and laser. The grip is not round as in most “tango” style grips, this has a little longer grip that is also thinner in the middle area. You have a momentary “on” button on the back of the unit. On the right side you will find the controls for constant on, strobe and the laser.
The laser is mounted on the left side of the unit and is removable if you wish. It has built in adjustment within the caps the cover the adjustment screws. This is a nice bright red laser that is strong enough to be shown in some daylight.
The mini red is also well built and a strong bright red dot with 11 levels of adjustment. It has two adjustments which you can use a dime if needed to adjust. This is a nice change from the big 40mm size red dots that also has the added advantage of less weight.
The following photos show these products installed on he DPMS AR project…
End of SIG build
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