Tennessee Gun

Tag: self defense

  • Revolver Loading and Unloading

    Revolver Loading and Unloading

    Revolver Loading and Unloading
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    As I have said before, I believe that proper technique is crucial to consistent performance under stress. We learn proper techniques from refining what works and discarding what does not. On the range I see several ways of manipulating revolvers, but those that consistently follow a proven manual of arms tend to do much better than those that “just put the durn bullets in the gun”.

    The Revolver Loading and Unloading technique I am demonstrating today stems from the FBI method. It is not the only accepted method, but it is the most widely accepted method. Ayoob’s stress fire method is designed around perceived weaknesses in the FBI method and I recommend any person that uses a revolver for self-defense study both. I am not going to discuss Mr. Ayoob’s method because it is proprietary, and I am not a certified instructor in his method. I will however link to a video of him describing it for those interested.

    Any method of action that an individual performs under stress should be simple, free of unnecessary actions, use gross instead of fine motor skills, and be proven –as always I will tell you what, and try to explain the why so that you can decide for yourself what works.

    Procedure

    • With the revolver in a two handed shooting position, use your shooting hand to engage the cylinder release. At the same time remove your non-dominant shooting hand from the gun. Bring your free hand underneath the revolver and place your ring and middle finger on the cylinder. Your pinkie and index fingers should be extended and touching the right side of the revolver framing the cylinder.
    • Using the two fingers on the cylinder, and as you are engaging the cylinder release, press the cylinder so that it swings out of the frame. (Your hand should remind you of the international sign language motion for “I love you” or “hook ‘em horns” if you’re from Texas). When this is done you should have good positive control of the handgun and can now remove your shooting hand from the grip. This is done for a couple reasons. It is simple, it provides great retention of the gun, its ergonomic, it frees your dominant hand for the fine motor skill of loading the bullets in the cylinder, and it allows your non-dominant thumb and index finger to control the motions of the cylinder to rotate for loading.
    • With the cylinder open, rotate the handgun to orientate the muzzle skyward. If the cylinder is full of unfired cartridges, they will most likely fall out due to gravity. If the rounds are spent, then they have expanded inside their chambers and will need help to be extracted. With the palm of your shooting hand come over the top of the gun and deliberately strike the extractor rod. You need to make sure your force is centered on the top of the rod of and perpendicular to the rod. Strike it forcefully to cause the rounds to move freely, but not so hard that you damage your palm. If you don’t have the help of gravity, have large aftermarket grips, and/or press the extractor rod hesitantly and with too little force, the spent rounds my hang up and not be fully extracted.
    • Now reverse the orientation of the revolver so the muzzle is pointed downward at a slight angle. This also uses gravity to help the process.
    • Use your dominant hand to feed rounds into the cylinder, and your support thumb and index to rotate the cylinder. You may do this one round at a time, or if the stars aligned and you have put in your practice sometimes you can insert two rounds into adjoining chambers at the same time. Because this process is time consuming there are devices designed to speed the process.
    • I use Bianchi strips for my carry revolvers. A Bianchi strip is a piece of rubber that has cut outs to hold 6 rounds in a row. You can use the strip to insert two rounds at a time in your cylinder. This cuts movement from 6 similar actions to three. It is also great because it keeps the rounds together and orientated correctly. It’s MUCH easier to reload from a strip than 6 loose rounds in your pocket. I choose the strip instead of the speed loader because it is flat and easier to conceal.
    • Speed loaders come in all sorts of configurations, but they generally are a reverse model of the specific cylinder of a revolver model with a means to hold rounds by their rims. This leaves the bullets hanging out. Since the loader matches the cylinder, the bullet tips line up with the cylinder chambers allowing all 6 rounds to drop into the chamber once the loader’s release is activated.
    • No matter what method is used, once the rounds are loaded into the cylinder, reacquire a firm shooting grip with your dominant hand. As you use the thumb of your non-dominant hand to press the cylinder closed rotate your middle fingers out of the gun.
    • Establish a two handed grip, and raise the gun to proper shooting level.
    • Lastly, I feel the need to explain that as long as a round is lined up with the barrel when the hammer is fully rearward and cocked the gun will go off. It does not have to be fully loaded. Academically I understand that is overly simple, however, there have been officers killed while reloading who have had rounds in the cylinder. If you only have a few rounds in the gun, but a bad guy is on you, you can accelerate the process and fire the gun as is. However, if you just blindly close the cylinder the rounds may or may not line up with the barrel – if they are not, you will just pull the trigger without the gun firing. Also if you put close the cylinder in such a way as to ensure the round is in line with the barrel as the cylinder closes, that round will be rotated away from the barrel as the hammer is cocked.
    • If you know what direction the cylinder of your brand of revolver rotates – ensure that your live rounds are placed so that they are directly beside the top-strap so they are rotated one click to align with the barrel. Smith and Wesson rotates counter clockwise, so a single round will need to be to the immediate right of the barrel. Colt on the other hand rotates clockwise, so a round will need to be in the chamber to the left of the barrel.

    I know that may be a little confusing, so feel free to watch the video for a live explanation.

  • Concealed vs. Open Carry of Handguns

    Concealed vs. Open Carry of Handguns

    Concealed vs. Open Carry of Handguns
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    This post addresses the issue of concealed vs. open carry of handguns.

    One of the things I love about gun owners is that they (as a whole) are a fiercely independent sort. They take what you tell them and apply it to their life and toss it up to winnow out what works for them and what doesn’t.

    As an instructor of firearms I run into this very often, and it has definitely impacted my teaching style. If you have read my book, or taken one of my classes you will know that I when asked “what kind of gun should I buy” I refuse to give a make and model but (sometimes infuriatingly) quiz the questioner on what they want the gun for and help them decide for themselves, because, if they ever have to use it, I want them to have what works for THEM and not me…

    Once a shooter knows the fundamentals, and the law of their jurisdiction, they can begin the journey toward being able to effectively employ a handgun for self defense. There are several schools of thought, and I can give my opinion, but in the end it is the gun owner that must decide what works for them.

    With that in mind, and because of two incidents I will post videos of below (they are not ccw/open carry per se, but about law enforcement dealing with the armed citizen), I have had firearm usage bubble up to the front of my mind. I knew this would be a controversial post on youtube, and it has gotten quite a few comments but before I go further I would like to give a few caveats:

    • I have no problem with open carry. I think it is how the framers of the Constitution envisioned the bear arms portion of the 2nd Amendment.
    • I don’t have a problem with seeing guns in public, I carry one every chance I legally can, and feel a sense of fraternity with other individuals that take responsibility for their own life. They get the same knowing wink I give a guy wearing a “shoot me first” vest (oops I meant 5.11 Vest).
    • I am not telling you how you should carry your gun. It’s called personal protection, so how can I tell YOU protect how to YOU…

    My mindset, therefore the direction of the majority of my classes revolves around the defensive rather than sporting uses of firearms. So when I think and talk about handgun carry I want every edge possible. That’s why as a general rule I advocate concealed rather than open carry.

    Defensive use involves your reaction to a threat. I carry a gun because I know that bad guys exist and that they may choose me as a target. If they pick me, I want to have the most effective tools at my disposal. But I am not expecting an attack. If I was expecting an attack, I would either not be there, or I’d have a buddy on over watch with a .50.

    So my use of a handgun in a defensive situation would be unexpected (not a “surprise” just unexpected). This gives the criminal the upper hand at the initiation of the problem. At this point I am reacting. Action is faster than reaction.

    One of the big youtube comment streams was I am less likely to be attacked if I am open carrying. I admit that is likely to be true. However, you cannot prove a negative. You may not have been attacked because of your gun, OR you might not have been around a criminal planning a violent assault. My manner of dress, speech, presence, and alertness are my main deterrents.

    In my mind MY gun is not used as a deterrent, it’s used as a fight stopper. And so I would rather employ it most effectively as a defensive tool than as a signpost saying “hey I got a gun, pick someone else.” If someone has to be chosen by the thug – that “oh crap, I didn’t know he had a gun” look is priceless on a thug.

    Feel free to comment, and disagree. I have put a lot of time into developing this idea of what, how and why I carry a firearm, and it works for me, so I won’t be mad at you for disagreeing. If you have a better way, or a rational argument, who knows I may evolve to a better program.

  • Simplest Way To Become a Firearm Instructor

    Simplest Way To Become a Firearm Instructor

     

    So You Want to Be a Firearms Instructor
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    So You Want to Be a Firearms Instructor?  I can tell you that of all the things that I have done to improve my life, becoming a firearm instructor was one of the best.  I have received much more in return than I put into learning the ropes and gaining the certifications.

    The only caveat is, that a weekend NRA firearm instructor course may certify you, but you cannot stop learning if you want to a competent instructor.

    It took me over a year of teaching to become comfortable, and I have spent many thousands of dollars on books and continuing education courses, and I think that is only a good start.  I have been an instructor for more than 15 years and I am still learning.

    As far as becoming a firearm instructor, unless you are a law enforcement officer and can talk your way into a FBI or P.O.S.T. class, the simplest way is through the NRA training program.

    If you are interested, and want to know more, please feel free to email me directly at [email protected]

    There are a few ways of becoming a firearm instructor, some better than others.  While I don’t think a 17 hour course on the weekend will prepare you to be a firearm instructor if you don’t already posses the right knowledge, skills, and attitudes.  It is a good start if you are serious about the process.

     

  • How to Avoid Violent Crimes

    How to Avoid Violent Crimes

    Avoiding Violent Crimes
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    Avoiding Violent Crimes is something that takes awareness and common sense.  A mindset that enhances personal safety takes effort and constant vigilance, but it is not the same as acting all barney fife.

    Col. Jeff Cooper had the right idea when it came to avoiding violent crimes when he established his color codes. You can gain a lot from learning to stay aware and ready to act without being on edge and paranoid.

    In  the article below, you can get some great tips on how to avoid being the victim of a violent crime.

    Sexual Assault

    • Use initials instead of first names on mailboxes and phone listings.
    • Avoid remaining alone in an apartment laundry room or parking garage.
    • Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are alone.
    • It is risky to accept a ride home from someone you have just met.
    • If you decide to physically resist assault, remember that your goal is to incapacitate the attacker long enough to run to safety and get help.
    • If you have been a victim of sexual assault, call police immediately. Do not bathe or change clothes or you may destroy evidence.

    Robbery

    •  Avoid carrying valuable items or large amounts of money.
    • Always think ahead. For example, when traveling at night, have your keys ready to enter the house or to start the car.
    • If you are confronted by a robber, the best advice is to cooperate.
    • If you resist, there is a greater chance that you may be hurt.

    Bank Machines

    •  When using an automatic bank teller, always be watchful of any suspicious people around you.
    • The chances of being robbed at night are much greater, especially if you are alone.
    • If you find someone waiting and watching outside in the area of an ATM machine, do not use it. Leave the area and report the incident to the police immediately. You could save someone else from being a victim of crime.