Ahern brings more than two decades of concealed carry writing experience (and more than a quarter century of actually carrying concealed weapons on a daily basis) to his new book
This is the definitive “how-to” book giving step-by-step, illustrated instructions on how to carry concealed weapons and how to know when others are as well. Sound advice and alternatives are provided from choosing your weapon, to body language, to holsters, to clothing restrictions, ankle and leg carry options, off-body carry, fanny packs, and much more.
This book also provides information on concealed storage of weapons, spotting techniques, concealing larger weapons and alertness. With the passage of laws permitting the carrying of concealed weapons being adopted by more and more states, CCW: Carrying Concealed Weapons is “must” reading for anyone contemplating the necessity of going about armed in today’s increasingly unsafe world.
CCW: Carrying Concealed Weapons is a book that I have used several times when teaching firearm courses, I recommend it to all firearm instructors for their library, as well as to all people that have decided to take their own personal protection seriously by carrying concealed firearms.
I recommend this book as a good basic guide to carrying firearms unseen.
Every hunter out there who hunts regularly must have heard of or is familiar with Crossbows. Crossbows date back to medieval times, about two thousand years and still thrive well in today’s market, among hunters, artifact, relic and weapon collectors alike.
A crossbow is a type of bow that consists of horizontal bow-like assembly mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles called bows or quarrels. If you can handle a rifle or a bow, then you probably can handle a crossbow with some practice, but before you shoot a crossbow keep in mind that, as with most weapons, safety measures are necessary.
How to Cock a Crossbow
To use a crossbow, you will cock the bow before you load your arrow, then pull the string back by exerting even pressure on both sides of the barrel. Be careful not to misalign the string even by as little as half an inch as this will shift the arrows point of impact, and you will most likely miss your target.
You can decide to cock with tools or do it by hand although cocking by hand is quite a chore. It is a much better idea to invest in a cocking rope which is a featherweight device that reduces the amount of effort exerted in pulling the string. There are also other cocking aids such as the crank operated cocking aid which may come with the crossbow.
How to Shoot a Crossbow
1. To shoot your crossbow, load the arrow into the barrel. The arrows use either flat nocks or moon nocks. Make sure that the arrow is safely in place.
2. Aim for a target. Crossbows come with either a mounted scope or a sight pin arrangement created for getting a clear aim before shooting. Make sure there are no obstructions that could get in your way before you shoot. Also, don’t wrap your thumb around the crossbow forearm.
3. Let it fly. Once you have your target in sight, squeeze the trigger as you would when firing a gun, keeping the target in view as you shoot.
Crossbows are better than Guns
Any seasoned hunter will have a crossbow in his arsenal, for not only is it easy to use, it also has great hunting benefits. Compared to guns, it requires little or no practice to handle a crossbow.
Ammunition Used
Most hunters who hunt with rifles find it easy to switch to a crossbow because the same concept and technique that we use for crossbows applies to firing a gun. The only real difference is the ammunition in each weapon; an arrow from a crossbow and a bullet from a rifle. Also, there’s a kick back when you fire a gun, called recoil. That does not happen when you shoot a crossbow.
Crossbows and Stealth
Gun shots are also quite loud compared to crossbows. When you fire a rifle and miss your shot, chances are the target will escape. A hunter using a crossbow, on the other hand, has the advantage of stealth.
An arrow from a crossbow will not alert the target of your presence, and in the unlikely event that it does, the other game in that area would not notice. Crossbows are also more accurate than rifles, create less damage and they create little to no mess when it hits a target.
State Legislation for Hunting
Most states view crossbows as a part of archery, so hunters that wield crossbows enjoy an extended season of hunting compared to gun hunters, also, bowhunting is much more challenging and exciting and sporting than rifle hunting. This gives the crossbow hunting more leeway when it comes to hunting in most states compared to hunters who use rifles.
Crossbows and Longbows
A hand-drawn bow or longbow on the hand is entirely different from using a gun to hunt. In fact, the crossbow is more similar to the rifle than the longbow.
Using a longbow requires skill, practice, and precision. The archer has to be physically involved in shooting a hand drawn bow.
Your whole body becomes part of the weapon, and if it not aligned at the right angle, you are most likely to miss your target by a long shot.
Crossbows, on the other hand, require less upper body strength to fire a bow. One can use both arms to span a bow into the heart of a game.
Accuracy in shooting a longbow means that each time, the weapon must be the same shape and at the right angle and position. If the parts of the hunter’s body controlling the bow or the bow itself is at a slightly different angle, the entire weapon changes shape, and the shooter will most probably miss the target.
Crossbows are not difficult to use
The only real similarity between both weapons is that they both produce a fast moving projectile launched from a string.
Compared to the Crossbow, the longbow is quite cumbersome and has draw weights although it is also powerful and has an excellent range.
Modern technology has recreated a lot of weapons, including crossbows. Crossbows have evolved over time into sleeker, stronger and much better versions of their medieval counterparts and utilized the compound mechanisms from traditional bows.
Non-bowhunters can quickly master the use of crossbows within a short period. Obviously, a crossbows remains an asset to hunters, as it is a very useful weapon to have in your arsenal for your next hunting expedition.
This is a guest post, I don’t agree that a bow is anywhere close to being the most effective self defense weapon, but in the spirit that people who don’t/can’t own firearms still need self defense tools I am posting it. Besides I still get comments on my video discussing why I don’t like the .410 Judge for a self defense gun.
Archery for home defense…hmmm… you think this is the silliest thing you’ve ever heard?
Let me give you a story:
In 1997, a tale was given of how Claude Gates successfully defends his shop against intruders with only a crossbow. He ordered the burglar to stop, but he refused to, prompting Mr. Gates to fire two shots at him. One of the bolts struck him on the side while the other hit his leg. Mr. Gates was hesitant to acquire a firearm in fear of it being used against him in the heat of the battle. The victim and was arrested!
More such incidents of people using the bow and arrow to defend themselves have been documented, making it clear that archery-based weapons are effective at defending yourself from a physical threat (when in the hands of the right person).
When put on a comparison table with a firearm, the most trusted self-defense weapon by man, archery for self-defense shows a number of benefits that I’ll be discussing with you in a few moments…
Advantages of Home Defense Bow
Portability
One of the things you’ll get to like about using home defense bow is the portability it gives you.
Take for instance the highly efficient takedown bow; it comes in three pieces – middle grip section and two limbs – which you can easily separate by twisting a few lug screws and bam! It becomes extremely portable, unlike most of the home defense options.
You can quickly stash the bag in your bug out bag for easy carry. Plus, it’s incredibly lightweight, adding to its portability.
Versatility
Modern bows have seen tremendous improvements, making them even more suitable for the self-defense task.
Most of the new carbon fiber arrows you’ll get on the market today come with a handy tip that works with a variety of screws in your arrow tips.
This means you’ll have an extensive selection of tips to pick from, from the standard practice tips, small games tips, broad head tips, hook tip, and so much more.
Home Defense Bows Works Silently
When in a self-defense situation, you’d need the convenience of a silent and deadly weapon.
Lucky for you, the bow and arrow makes an ultra-quiet but deadly weapon.
Imagine a scenario where you’re camping in a national forest, and you find yourself under attack in the middle of the night. If you’d just place yourself in a dark corner (where you can easily observe them) with your arrow docked on your bow, the attackers ill have a really hard time telling your exact location.
This will be a huge plus for you, as you’ll have an easy time taking them down, one by one.
Affordability
We’re living in hard economic times. That being said, you’d want to look for an effective self-defense weapon that does not cost you a fortune.
Despite their effectiveness, the bows come with pocket-friendly prices which make them affordable for all, including those on a tight budget.
Besides the bow, the ammunition (arrows) is also cost effective. Once you’ve fully cultivated your archery skills, you’ll find it easy to retrieve all your arrows after making shots and reuse them again and again.
Even better, you can practice making your own bow using readily available materials – like wooden dowels plant shafts, or even the natural found wood.
Legal Limitations
You’ll agree with me when I say the legal restrictions tend to be less strict on bows and arrows than with the guns and bullets.
With this in mind, you’ll enjoy the freedom of using an equally deadly weapon without having to deal with any permits and paperwork.
And the less you have to deal with all this paperwork, the better – particularly when things become messy.
The only (Main) downsides associated with using archery for self-defense:
You’ll need to undergo some intense practice to master archery skills for efficient shooting
The arrows might become a bit cumbersome to pack sometimes.
Powerful Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Home Defense Bow
Know the capabilities and limitations of your weapon.
For instance, the crossbows – the most popular home defense bows – come with different levels of strength.
The higher the power of your crossbow, the harder it might become to pull the string. A 50lb model will be the easiest to pull back as it comes with the least strength; the 150lb models have superior shooting power but will take time and energy to load.
Practice shooting with your bow regularly.
If you buy your home defense bow and keep in your basement, only to retrieve it when intruders come to your home, it might not offer you much help.
An experienced archer knows the importance of regular practicing with their equipment; it keeps them fully prepared to face any attack that comes their way.
Also, you’d want to consider investing in additional accessories, like a drop away arrow rest. They give you a better archery experience.
Use the Home Field Advantage
When under attack, always remember to use the familiarity of your home surroundings to your advantage.
No intruder knows your property more than you do. Exploiting this advantage in your strategy will give you an advantage over any intruder!
Always have a backup weapon.
Although it’s relatively rare, your bow might fail when you’re in the midst of an attack. To prevent such unfortunate incidents, I’d advise you to carry a backup weapon, pepper spray.
Having empty hand combat skills will also be a significant advantage. Know how to kick, throw a punch, escape common holds, and the pressure points. If you’ve already to shoot the intruder and it hasn’t weakened them, try exploiting their wound to your advantage in close range combat.
Know the laws of your region.
Despite the lax laws on archery weapons, some states don’t allow folks to use them.
They consider a bow as a deadly weapon, given its ability to kill a person.
Shooting a person who hasn’t been involved in illegal activity with your bow could lead to serious legal consequences.
Get an Alarm System
Do you have an early means of warning? This could be a home security system or a dog that barks to alert when your home is under attack. This will help you arm yourself in advance as well as secure your family.
Final Thoughts
With your home defense bow, you can easily fight any attackers at your home. As with any other home defense weapon, the effectiveness of your bow will largely depend on the archer (you). With the right strategy execution and preparedness level, you can easily defend your home, business, etc.
The best part about using archery for home defense is that it’s also a hobby that helps relieve stress while increasing your “archery IQ.”
Even if no intruder enters your home in your lifetime, you’ll have enjoyed a fun, inexpensive hobby!
The Amazing History of Early Weapons is 120 pages of illustrated articles reprinted from American Machinist Magazine, 1918. 1. Cannon making in past centuries. 2. Musket manufacture in past centuries. 3. Early attempts at submarine building. 4. Some types of modern (1918) hand grenades. 5. Early history of the marine torpedo. 6. Ancient helmet making. 7. The development of gun manufacture. 8. The forerunner of the tank. 9. Fighting with fire in ancient times. 10. Early attempts at rapid-firing guns. 11. Making boring bars for big guns. 12. Intrenchments and the wire barrier.
This book is reprint from an old magazine, it gives good information, but it is not a step by step assembly guide. I have used this book to build things, but you have to be able to extrapolate from what they are saying.
This book came from the now defunct Lindsey books, which was a priceless tool for preppers, DIYers, and the self reliant. I was very sad when Lindsey decided that the world was now overrun with the stupid and he didn’t want to deal with the public anymore.
I can’t say that the History of Early Weapons is the best of his books, but I did find it pretty interesting as well as a book full of ideas. I believe that the handy and smart modern man, with desire and the willingness to work hard can replicate any of the technology of the 1800’s and earlier.
This means that if you want it, and are willing to do the work any of the subjects in this book can be replicated.
Which is why, if you dig down to the root, is the reason I took up metal casting. One day I hope to build my own cannon.
Every hunter out there who hunts regularly must have heard of or is familiar with Crossbows. Crossbows date back to medieval times, about two thousand years and still thrive well in today’s market, among hunters, artifact, relic and weapon collectors alike.
The Amazing History of Early Weapons is 120 pages of illustrated articles reprinted from American Machinist Magazine, 1918. 1. Cannon making in past centuries. 2. Musket manufacture in past centuries. 3. Early attempts at submarine building. 4. Some types of modern (1918) hand grenades. 5. Early history of the marine torpedo. 6. Ancient helmet making. 7. The development of gun manufacture. 8. The forerunner of the tank. 9. Fighting with fire in ancient times. 10. Early attempts at rapid-firing guns. 11. Making boring bars for big guns. 12. Intrenchments and the wire barrier.