One of my favorite phrases ever is “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!” I find it is applicable to a lot of things in life. At the beginning of a new year – and an election year that promises to be more polarized than ever – I want to offer you some encouragement, and encourage myself, to stay ready.
90-Second Skills Test: The 5-Yard Roundup
The 5-Yard Roundup is another low-round-count drill that tests a lot of skills. It is easy to run, doesn’t require much in the way of range facilities, and can be completed in about 90 seconds. Best of all, it will tell you an awful lot about your abilities as a shooter.
NPE Carry: Galco Front Pocket Horsehide Holster
This review marks the next in our series of NPE carry holsters. Over the past several months I have worked with several Non-Permissive Environment carry holsters. This article is our Galco Front Pocket Horsehide Holster review.
Shooting Drill: Old Bakersfield PD Qual
When I first saw it, I realized that the Old Bakersfield PD Qual would become a staple in my shooting repertoire. Within ten rounds you can do a very good assessment of where you stand as a defensive pistol shooter. If I ever teach handgun classes, may very well be the opening drill of the class. Let’s take look at it.
Opening the Class: Instructor Introductions
I have written previously that an instructor should be able to give an introduction in no more than 90 seconds. This was in response to some (too) long instructor introductions that went into way too much detail. I have recently come to realize the opposite is true – it is possible to give way too little detail. This article is a guide to effective instructor introductions that give students everything they need and nothing they don’t.
Shooting Drill: I Failed the Old Air Marshals Qual (FAMS TPC)
The old Air Marshals Qual, aka the FAMS TPC (Federal Air Marshals Tactical Pistol Course) is reputed to be one of the most difficult qualification courses in law enforcement. In this installment, I demonstrate…and fail it.
NPE Carry: What is a Non-Permissive Environment (NPE)?
We have already gone through several articles in our NPE Carry series. We’ve talked about a gun, some holsters, and have at least a few more articles to go in the series. But we haven’t discussed what a non-permissive environment is. So let’s take a look at that.
Well-Rounded Shooting Drill: The BATFE Handgun Qual
Today we take a look at another shooting qualification, this one from the BATFE. In my opinion this is one of the most well-rounded shooting qualifications I’ve shot in a while. Close-range, SHO, WHO, 25-yards, malfunction stages – it seems to have a little bit of everything. The qual is the BATFE Handgun Qual and I found it John Daub’s excellent Drills, Qualifications, Standards, and Tests.
NPE Carry: Mika’s Pocket Holster Review
This review marks the next in our series of NPE carry holsters. Over the past several months I have worked with several Non-Permissive Environment carry holsters. This article is our Mika’s Pocket Holster review, a very cool pocket holster and viable NPE carry option.
Someone Trained in CPR Saved My Life
The title is not clickbait. On Saturday, January 6, 2024, someone who was trained in CPR saved my life. I’ve said in the past that CPR is at least as important the TCCC-style, tourniquet-based training, and I’m now even more adamant about it. Though no one performed CPR on me, someone trained in CPR saved my life.