Well, sorry for the long wait in putting out a new post, but I have been dealing with an injury that eventually ended up requiring knee surgery, and pretty hefty surgery.
Fortunately, I won't be out of the game forever, but rehab and recover will take some time. The good news is I'm expected to make a full recovery. The bad news is that it will take some time and that means no running and gunning for a little while.
So, if you follow my YouTube channel, which was just starting to pick up, there will obviously be a delay in any cool videos. At least some I had floating around in my head especially with the nicer weather arriving in Arizona.
Also, gear reviews, the testing portion will be delayed, as I can't really go out and shoot right now.
But, I will be writing when I can. So, stay tuned, I'll do what I can to keep this blog interesting.
Thanks,
BFTM
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Listen Up Primitive Screw Heads!
"All right, you primitive screw-heads, listen up! See this? This... is my boomstick!"
-ASH, Army of Darkness, ca. 1993
ASH chose a shotgun. I choose an AR15 variant, suppressed and short. I have decided to write about the why this obviously scary looking tool is my preferred choice. This post of course has been prompted by the ridiculous ruling recently handed down by the omniscient beings from Mt. Olympus in Wonderland, a.k.a. Maryland...
Let us explore the various options for confronting a deadly force threat inside your home. The good as well as the bad.
Calling 9-1-1
When seconds count the police will be there in minutes. While it is a given that 9-1-1 should be called regardless it is a silly instrument of self-defense and preservation. It almost hurts to have to explain that the reality of a violent encounter will mean another human being trying to cause you bodily harm to the pain of death. Since humans have yet to develop telepathy I will have to assume that another human's efforts at causing me pain are to the goal of ending my life. I do not have to wait and see if it is their actual intent to kill me dead, it is a reasonable assumption that anyone attempting to cause me serious physical injury or using any instrument capable of expediting that endeavor is actually, in fact, an asshole.
What to do in the face of such dire and dreary circumstance? Defend yourself with a phone call! Said no one ever (who actually has a brain or has dealt with real violence instead of the cartoonish and unrealistic drivel on television, movies, or games).
Can anyone honestly believe that merely making a phone call is any sort of barrier against a violent stranger (or perhaps known subject) in your house to cause you harm?
Seriously, what manner of buffoonery is this? Did the collective intelligence quotient of the species suddenly decline in the last decade?
If another human being wants to cause your physical harm to the pain of death and kill you dead, making a phone call will only make sure someone comes to collect your body.
It's gruesome. Of course it is. Violence isn't pretty. It's not supposed to look clean or sanitized. It's not supposed to make you feel all fuzzy inside (unless you are victorious, then you absolutely will feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy).
Less-than-Lethal Options
What the hell does that even mean? Someone, presumably wants me dead as a door nail, and my response is less-than-lethal? Electronic disruptive devices, chemical irritants, Kung-fu, loud noises?
"Theatricality and deception are powerful agents for the uninitiated...."
The key element in understanding the role of less lethal options is that they have high failure rates. They are meant to gain compliance, not win fights. In law enforcement circles they fall on a use of force continuum. This is an important idea to understand. Law enforcement places less lethal very low on the response chart to a lethal threat. So should you. You don't bring pepper spray or a taser to a gunfight. Or a knife fight.
Why?
I suggest, given the opportunity and barring any preexisting medical conditions, that you experience first hand being tasered or pepper-sprayed. Do it where you have to fight during it. What are going to discover? That you can fight through it. And if you can fight through it, so can the guy trying to inflict death upon you.
There is a time and place for the use of less-lethal force options. They are not when someone is trying to end your life.
Although, not technically a less-lethal force option I'm going to include knives into this sub-category. Maybe not battle axes or a samurai katana, but a knife and even a stick. (Read baseball bat and golf club, too).
Why? Because this is my house and the bad guy is in it trying to harm me and mine. Distance is my friend. Terrain is my friend (this is my house who knows it better?). Why would I give up distance and close by choice, having chosen a knife as my tool, and risk finding out this guy is Bruce Lee reincarnated?
I don't know this guy, most likely, and even if I did, why give up advantage?
If you find yourself in a fair fight for your life your tactics suck.
This brings us to firearms. Oh, does that open a can of worms...
"Don't disparage another man's favorite firearm, you'd be better off talking about his mother than speaking ill of his choice of firearm for "home defense"."
Well, I would make fun of your mother but in some countries cows are sacred.....
Well, I would make fun of your mother but in some countries cows are sacred.....
Firearms
What are the rules of a gunfight?
1. Bring a gun. Preferably a long-gun.
A long-gun isn't a 6" barreled handgun.
Now before anyone loses their minds let's talk 'bout it.
Handguns
First and foremost a handgun is mostly a secondary or back-up weapon. The advantages of a handgun are most recognizable within the United States. For better or for worse our society generally is not comfortable with seeing firearms out in public. I blame several sources for this irrational mindset, but I cannot change the forces that influenced society in the past, so I must work in the present.
Granted, in some places open carry is generally more accepted, but without digressing too much I believe open carry is not a good tactic. It could play into a strategy, but for a lone, everyday person carrying a weapon for self protection, open carry is a poor option. I prefer to advocate CCW and believe that CCW should not require a permit. I believe in training almost to the point of advocating some form of mandatory training, but I feel it is incumbent upon the responsible, truly responsible member of my community, to pay for training with at least as much money as he has spent on tacticool gear.
Another advantage of a handgun in a house is the ability to strategically place weapons in various locations throughout your house. However, as nice and cool as this sounds, is it realistic or a product of the influence of popular media? I'll the individual decide. If you honestly believe the possibility exists for a running gun battle lasting a long time within your house, then plan accordingly.
So, we see that the main advantage of a handgun is in CCW carry in the outside world. Now, here's why I don't think it's the "ideal" option for "home defense":
It's a handgun.
That should end the argument, but I don't believe in being smug. I believe in providing some form of education. So, let's start with basic gunfighting knowledge. How do bullets stop threats? Well, in the real world there are only three (a fourth, as well, but it can hardly be considered). I list them as follows:
1. Central Nervous System
2. Loss of Blood / Hydraulics
And, with modern medical advancements, you are more likely to survive being shot than instantly dying as a result. I've talked to lots of people shot up and still breathing to this day.
3. Musculoskeletal / structural Damage
4. Psychological
I'm only mentioning this because it is "technically" considered a way bullets/guns stop threats. But once it is explained you will see why this should never be considered by anyone serious about this business.
Psychological is when you shoot at your threat, completely miss, and this scares off your attacker. This is where the myth of one shot stops originates. Or stopping power.
We are not mind readers. In many cases once the rounds start to fly no one can tell who's missing and who's hitting. This, in my opinion, should not be listed in popular literature as a method of stopping a threat. It is random, not based in the physical world, and completely reliant upon factors that cannot be in some way controlled. By this, I mean that shooting the head is some degree of control of ending the threat. Shooting vital organs and causing blood loss is some degree of control. You can know that eventually these will stop the threat. Even shooting the musculoskeletal support system enough will eventually degrade an attackers ability to continue the fight. But shooting for psychological effect? Silly.
So, sorry for the brief (not really) primer into the way bullets stop threats, but it is necessary if we are going to have a valid discussion on the role of a "home defense" weapon.
Back to Handguns.
.22LR to .500S&W. There are a lot of calibers to choose from. However, statistically speaking, handguns are poor man stoppers. Without arguing 9mm vs 45ACP the key with handguns are making lots of holes.
For the home consider trying to quickly stop a threat from down the hall, while receiving fire, and trying to make accurate hits. Add in hollow point ammunition or FMJ and any miss is punching through drywall and intermediate barriers within your house.
Handguns typically have limited capacity magazines or cylinders. Handguns require a lot of training and practice to actually get good at. Here's a simple drill. Set up a target at 7 yards. Using a shot timer draw and empty your gun as fast as you can. Don't cheat, burn those suckers out. Now look at your target.
Honestly ask yourself, add in distance in a house, moving target, low light, reciprocated threat, and ammunition that won't quit. Especially, if you have family members in other parts of the house perhaps beyond your target who may not have a clue what's going on.
The concealability advantage of a handgun suddenly looses appeal in a "home defense" environment.
This is not a tactics post. A handgun is better than nothing.
SHOTGUN
All I need to do is rack my pump action and that punk will be running. I don't need to aim, just point and click.
If you believe any of the above statements, let me help you.
A shotgun is ultimately better than nothing, but not without severe consideration into its deployment.
Relying on the psychological effect of racking a pump shotgun is stupid. We're talking about defending your life and the lives of those who live in your house (presumably loved ones).
Contrary to popular belief within the ranges of CQC typically found inside a house you DO have to AIM a shotgun in order to hit your target.
Which brings us to the the ammunition. Buckshot and slugs are completely ill-suited. You miss and a slug is traveling to presumably the next county. A typical residence offers poor cover, it primarily provides concealment.
If your counter argument is that you use birdshot, you don't want to stop a threat? You're right I wouldn't want to get shot with birdshot (or anything for that matter), but I might prefer it if my opponent is using it against me.
And then shotguns typically have even poor ammunition capacity than handguns are are slower, more complicate to get back into a fight. You're going to rely on 4-7 shots in close quarters? With ammunition that will most likely over penetrate? Is slow to reload? Might not have a light or be really, really long?
Shotguns serve a very specialized role. Even a short barreled shotgun is designed for something else. Better than nothing, but we're are talking about making a choice and not what tactics to employ with your only options.
AR15
The evil black rifle. I feel this is the best option. There is ammunition available that limits over penetration. It might not be the best field ammunition, but it works great inside residences.
You have at least 30 rounds of available ammunition. Less time between reloads. It is quicker to get back into a fight if you have to dump the magazine and replenish your ammunition.
Two handed shooting = accuracy. Available CQC red dots/holographic sights designed perfectly for ranges needed.
You can get the rifle in a short barrel without losing ammunition capacity or functionality.
Add a suppressor to your short barrel. Add a 60 round magazine. Use proper ammunition. Mount a light.
I feel like I shouldn't even have to list the vast array of advantages. It almost seems like trying to explain the advantages of having a sun. (Life on earth wouldn't exist without one...)
Any argument against the AR15 can easily be countered with real-world, functional replies. Ammunition available is less likely to over penetrate like handgun rounds or shotgun rounds and still be lethal to stop the threat unlike birdshot or wad cutters.
Length is mitigated by going with a short barreled rifle or AR-pistol. Ammunition capacity, barring those that live in less free states, is great. 30-60 rounds without sacrificing mobility.
Add a red dot/holo sight for quick/accurate targeting along with two handed shooting for mitigating stray rounds.
A suppressor mitigates flash and sound disruption. Nothing like launching a round from a short barreled AR inside a house to simulate flashbanging yourself. (Or a 16" barrel for that matter). Consider a muzzle device if suppressors are not an option, but owning an AR is.
Easily add a weapon light to help with target ID (the big one. Blue on blue in your house is one of the most tragic events you could ever hope not to experience) and help disrupt the night adjusted vision of your opponent.
Throw a sling on and if you have transition to go hands on or use just one hand, you're covered. Even with a 16" barrel AR you are not giving up that much mobility within your house. You have the defensive position. Post up and wait. But again, this is not a tactics post.
In short, there is no good argument against the AR15 as the ideal home defense weapon. Money/cost? This is your castle, your home. Start pinching pennies.
The only one thing would be local laws. If you don't live in a free state I can't help you. It doesn't change the effectiveness of the AR platform, though.
Finally, a rifle round (even though it is still technically small arms) is better than a handgun round at incapacitating a threat. And the ultimate purpose is stopping the deadly threat you have just found inside YOUR house.
I hope this helps explain some things about the reality of choosing a home defense weapon. Ultimately, something is better than nothing, you just have to realize the limitations of each and train/adjust accordingly.
Whatever you choose, train. Train. Train.
Granted, in some places open carry is generally more accepted, but without digressing too much I believe open carry is not a good tactic. It could play into a strategy, but for a lone, everyday person carrying a weapon for self protection, open carry is a poor option. I prefer to advocate CCW and believe that CCW should not require a permit. I believe in training almost to the point of advocating some form of mandatory training, but I feel it is incumbent upon the responsible, truly responsible member of my community, to pay for training with at least as much money as he has spent on tacticool gear.
Another advantage of a handgun in a house is the ability to strategically place weapons in various locations throughout your house. However, as nice and cool as this sounds, is it realistic or a product of the influence of popular media? I'll the individual decide. If you honestly believe the possibility exists for a running gun battle lasting a long time within your house, then plan accordingly.
So, we see that the main advantage of a handgun is in CCW carry in the outside world. Now, here's why I don't think it's the "ideal" option for "home defense":
It's a handgun.
That should end the argument, but I don't believe in being smug. I believe in providing some form of education. So, let's start with basic gunfighting knowledge. How do bullets stop threats? Well, in the real world there are only three (a fourth, as well, but it can hardly be considered). I list them as follows:
1. Central Nervous System
- Computer chip shot
- head shot
- Taking out the brains ability to communicate with the rest of the body
- With this target no matter what the subject is doing gravity will take over
2. Loss of Blood / Hydraulics
- Injuries to vital organ: heart, lungs, etc
- Injuries to arteries, blood flow disruption
- As a result of bullet wounds, blood flow to the brain is disrupted
- Takes time
- Takes lots of bullets
And, with modern medical advancements, you are more likely to survive being shot than instantly dying as a result. I've talked to lots of people shot up and still breathing to this day.
3. Musculoskeletal / structural Damage
- Injury caused to muscles, joints, ligaments, support that are not fatal but impair ability to fight.
4. Psychological
I'm only mentioning this because it is "technically" considered a way bullets/guns stop threats. But once it is explained you will see why this should never be considered by anyone serious about this business.
Psychological is when you shoot at your threat, completely miss, and this scares off your attacker. This is where the myth of one shot stops originates. Or stopping power.
We are not mind readers. In many cases once the rounds start to fly no one can tell who's missing and who's hitting. This, in my opinion, should not be listed in popular literature as a method of stopping a threat. It is random, not based in the physical world, and completely reliant upon factors that cannot be in some way controlled. By this, I mean that shooting the head is some degree of control of ending the threat. Shooting vital organs and causing blood loss is some degree of control. You can know that eventually these will stop the threat. Even shooting the musculoskeletal support system enough will eventually degrade an attackers ability to continue the fight. But shooting for psychological effect? Silly.
So, sorry for the brief (not really) primer into the way bullets stop threats, but it is necessary if we are going to have a valid discussion on the role of a "home defense" weapon.
Back to Handguns.
.22LR to .500S&W. There are a lot of calibers to choose from. However, statistically speaking, handguns are poor man stoppers. Without arguing 9mm vs 45ACP the key with handguns are making lots of holes.
For the home consider trying to quickly stop a threat from down the hall, while receiving fire, and trying to make accurate hits. Add in hollow point ammunition or FMJ and any miss is punching through drywall and intermediate barriers within your house.
Handguns typically have limited capacity magazines or cylinders. Handguns require a lot of training and practice to actually get good at. Here's a simple drill. Set up a target at 7 yards. Using a shot timer draw and empty your gun as fast as you can. Don't cheat, burn those suckers out. Now look at your target.
Honestly ask yourself, add in distance in a house, moving target, low light, reciprocated threat, and ammunition that won't quit. Especially, if you have family members in other parts of the house perhaps beyond your target who may not have a clue what's going on.
The concealability advantage of a handgun suddenly looses appeal in a "home defense" environment.
This is not a tactics post. A handgun is better than nothing.
SHOTGUN
All I need to do is rack my pump action and that punk will be running. I don't need to aim, just point and click.
If you believe any of the above statements, let me help you.
A shotgun is ultimately better than nothing, but not without severe consideration into its deployment.
Relying on the psychological effect of racking a pump shotgun is stupid. We're talking about defending your life and the lives of those who live in your house (presumably loved ones).
Contrary to popular belief within the ranges of CQC typically found inside a house you DO have to AIM a shotgun in order to hit your target.
Which brings us to the the ammunition. Buckshot and slugs are completely ill-suited. You miss and a slug is traveling to presumably the next county. A typical residence offers poor cover, it primarily provides concealment.
If your counter argument is that you use birdshot, you don't want to stop a threat? You're right I wouldn't want to get shot with birdshot (or anything for that matter), but I might prefer it if my opponent is using it against me.
And then shotguns typically have even poor ammunition capacity than handguns are are slower, more complicate to get back into a fight. You're going to rely on 4-7 shots in close quarters? With ammunition that will most likely over penetrate? Is slow to reload? Might not have a light or be really, really long?
Shotguns serve a very specialized role. Even a short barreled shotgun is designed for something else. Better than nothing, but we're are talking about making a choice and not what tactics to employ with your only options.
AR15
The evil black rifle. I feel this is the best option. There is ammunition available that limits over penetration. It might not be the best field ammunition, but it works great inside residences.
You have at least 30 rounds of available ammunition. Less time between reloads. It is quicker to get back into a fight if you have to dump the magazine and replenish your ammunition.
Two handed shooting = accuracy. Available CQC red dots/holographic sights designed perfectly for ranges needed.
You can get the rifle in a short barrel without losing ammunition capacity or functionality.
Add a suppressor to your short barrel. Add a 60 round magazine. Use proper ammunition. Mount a light.
I feel like I shouldn't even have to list the vast array of advantages. It almost seems like trying to explain the advantages of having a sun. (Life on earth wouldn't exist without one...)
Any argument against the AR15 can easily be countered with real-world, functional replies. Ammunition available is less likely to over penetrate like handgun rounds or shotgun rounds and still be lethal to stop the threat unlike birdshot or wad cutters.
Length is mitigated by going with a short barreled rifle or AR-pistol. Ammunition capacity, barring those that live in less free states, is great. 30-60 rounds without sacrificing mobility.
Add a red dot/holo sight for quick/accurate targeting along with two handed shooting for mitigating stray rounds.
A suppressor mitigates flash and sound disruption. Nothing like launching a round from a short barreled AR inside a house to simulate flashbanging yourself. (Or a 16" barrel for that matter). Consider a muzzle device if suppressors are not an option, but owning an AR is.
Easily add a weapon light to help with target ID (the big one. Blue on blue in your house is one of the most tragic events you could ever hope not to experience) and help disrupt the night adjusted vision of your opponent.
Throw a sling on and if you have transition to go hands on or use just one hand, you're covered. Even with a 16" barrel AR you are not giving up that much mobility within your house. You have the defensive position. Post up and wait. But again, this is not a tactics post.
In short, there is no good argument against the AR15 as the ideal home defense weapon. Money/cost? This is your castle, your home. Start pinching pennies.
The only one thing would be local laws. If you don't live in a free state I can't help you. It doesn't change the effectiveness of the AR platform, though.
Finally, a rifle round (even though it is still technically small arms) is better than a handgun round at incapacitating a threat. And the ultimate purpose is stopping the deadly threat you have just found inside YOUR house.
I hope this helps explain some things about the reality of choosing a home defense weapon. Ultimately, something is better than nothing, you just have to realize the limitations of each and train/adjust accordingly.
Whatever you choose, train. Train. Train.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Train or Train Not; There is No Magic
"Do or do not...." the wise old Master Yoda once told a disparaged Luke Skywalker when trying to impart Jedi knowledge. "...There is no try."
While us Earthlings lack hokey tricks like the Force or light sabers and clairvoyance we do have trusty blasters. But, these blasters also come with a wise caveat for our ever mortal endeavors: Train or Train Not, There is No Magic.
When we choose to take up arms, we do not do so lightly. It is no trivial task to take personal charge of your safety. It should not be taken lightly nor without due regard.
Yet, as an observation, many who do fail to secure proper training with their newfound instrument of self-defense. Or, perhaps, after obtaining a paltry 3-16 hours of train fail to obtain more or even practice what was learned.
Shooting is a perishable skill. That is fact. Indisputable, cold, hard fact. Even more so is the art of gun fighting. Oh, you may possess the will, but muscles that do not remember are a cold comfort to the mind that wishes victory and finds performance...lacking.
Creasy Bear taught us that there is no such thing as tough. Only trained and untrained. Is that true? Am I not a badass because I believe it so? I mean, am I not a badass because I own all the right gear? That is to say, I am a badass because I took a class in classical bad assery some moons ago.
Sadly, internet commandos, armchair generals, and YouTube operators might have you believing something as silly as, "By buying Product X, currently being fielded in country by Unit Y, that you can achieve the same stellar results."
This is not to say quality gear doesn't have a place or worth. On the contrary, good gear is good. But good gear doesn't make a bad shooter an instant "two-way range" bad ass like Revolver Ocelot.
Frankly, there is no substitute for good training. But good training, like a fruit bearing tree, needs pruning, care, and watering to bring forth good fruit. You have to maintain training standards. Constantly seek to improve yourself. Seek out new training without believing you have the answers and know everything there is to know.
Beware the man with one gun, for he surely knows how to use it.
Train or Train Not; There is No Magic.
Just because you want it so badly, doesn't mean the combat fairy will come and wave her magic wand over your head when the wolf knocks at your door. It has been said by better men than I, you will not rise to the occasion, but fall to the highest level of training you have maintained proficiency at.
And that, friends, will happen regardless of what brand pants you're wearing.
The key is constant refreshing. Constant pushing and improvement. In a gunfight you most likely won't be able to pick your opponent. You don't know their level of training or proficiency. But, honestly, that doesn't matter. You are competing against yourself, your last personal best. Your smoothest draw. Your smoothest reload.
You have to constantly best yourself, because that's your only chance at besting your opponent.
Train hard and train often, but most importantly train (correctly).
Monday, August 25, 2014
Fire Clean Update 8/25/14
So, I have treated my Glock 19 as well as a couple AR15's with Fire Clean and I have to say it does work wonders on carbon. I still use a bore cleaner (I like MPro-7 or Otis brand), though. I went shooting today and shot quite a bit. Speer Lawman 124gr 9mm. Here are some photos:
Just disassembled the weapon and yes that is a bit of carbon.
I see carbon. Also, I can see where the bullet nose hits the feed ramp on chambering
This is after wiping with a paper towel. No brushes yet. You can see it did a good job just with wiping. I did later use a brush and Q-tips to clean the deeper nooks.
Again, lots of carbon.
And, again, just wiping it off with a paper towel.
Now, this is not to say that all you need to do is wipe it down and you're good. I still needed to use Q-tips and a nylon brush to clean the slide and frame, but it took 1/4 of the time to do so since the carbon just wiped away.
Supposedly it treats the surfaces making subsequent cleanings easier. Time will tell.
Train hard and train often.
Grip Force Adapter Gen 4
So, I installed a Grip Force Adapter Gen 4 on my Glock 19. Here's 10 rounds at 25 yards. You can see the three rounds it took to warm up. More practice! I had to file the grip pin to contour with the frame. I like it. It's definitely different from the OEM Glock medium beaver tail.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Slight Break
Sorry for the delay in current posts. Taking a slight break to mourn with family during a recent loss.
Regular programming will resume shortly.
Thank-you.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Sunday Thought 8/10/14
Just a quick thought today as I already pushed out a decent review of the Griffon Industries HMMS.
Speaking of gear and equipment, particularly with the AR15 platform and variants and then handguns my piece of advice would be this:
Don't be in a rush to add the latest tacti-COOL piece of hardware or upgrade to your weapon. The fundamentals never change.
I am firm advocate of training to use your AR15 with iron sights before learning how to shoot with an optic. If you can fight effectively with just irons, then when you "upgrade" to a red dot or holosight, that's just icing on the cake to take your mastered fundamentals to the next level.
Same with handgun upgrades. Unless you bought a brick like a Hi-Point, there really isn't anything you should be gunning to upgrade at once except for sights on a handgun, especially the Glock. Stock sights on a Glock should be upgraded at the time your buy your Glock. That's about the only caveat to gear.
Triggers, optics, barrels (for handguns) should only be explored after you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals and make a stock gun run. After that the upgrades become enhancements and not crutches.
Train Hard, Train Often.
Speaking of gear and equipment, particularly with the AR15 platform and variants and then handguns my piece of advice would be this:
Don't be in a rush to add the latest tacti-COOL piece of hardware or upgrade to your weapon. The fundamentals never change.
I am firm advocate of training to use your AR15 with iron sights before learning how to shoot with an optic. If you can fight effectively with just irons, then when you "upgrade" to a red dot or holosight, that's just icing on the cake to take your mastered fundamentals to the next level.
Same with handgun upgrades. Unless you bought a brick like a Hi-Point, there really isn't anything you should be gunning to upgrade at once except for sights on a handgun, especially the Glock. Stock sights on a Glock should be upgraded at the time your buy your Glock. That's about the only caveat to gear.
Triggers, optics, barrels (for handguns) should only be explored after you have a firm grasp of the fundamentals and make a stock gun run. After that the upgrades become enhancements and not crutches.
Train Hard, Train Often.
Griffon Industries HMMS: A Brief Review
I have been shooting a suppressed SBR for some time now. I like using a SureFire SOCOM MINI-556 on a 10.3" SBR 556 AR15 variant.
If you've shot with or have experience shooting with suppressors you already know one thing about them that is universal: they get extremely HOT! As in, burn the skin right off of you, hot after long strings of fire.
For recreational shooters at a square range, this really isn't much of a hazard outside of remembering to let the suppressor cool before trying to bag a gun or remove a quick attach suppressor.
For anyone who might have to use a suppressor and then transition or go hands-on in close quarters that skin-searing suppressor suddenly becomes a concern.
A few companies exist out there, and since this is a specific review, I'll talk about one I decided to try out for the suppressor on my SBR: the Griffon Industries HMMS.
HMMS stands for Heat & Mirage Mitigation System and can be found at their webpage. It retails for around $129.95 USD and comes in a variety of colors. Since my weapon is subject to certain restrictions I chose Black in the Mini length.
According to their webpage:
This System was designed and created by a former special forces operator to help avoid contact burns in CQB environments as well as mitigate mirage for Sniper/DMR applications. The system has been tested extensively by different organizations in both military and law enforcement. Their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, as this is the first product of its type to be able to handle both Rapid Semi-Auto fire and sustained Full Auto fire. We are offering four lengths that should cover the majority of suppressors on the market today.Upon opening the box are I discovered a neat PVC Griffon Industries patch, which has found its way onto my plate carrier. Also, the HMMS.
*To prevent the HMMS from sliding forward during rapid-fire, simply tighten the shock cord & tie a new knot.
Features and uses: Safety device for urban and vehicle operationsInner Core rated and tested at 3000 deg/F Can be used to remove suppressors after sustained use - Hand Safe External Heat Fire Retardant thread MSDS Compliant Reduce mirage & dissipates heat NON-ASBESTOS *Full Auto Rated - Tested to 9 mags full auto continuous by members of NSW
Available Lengths:Mini – 5” (ex. Surefire Mini, AAC Mini-4)
SOCOM – 6” (ex. KAC QDSS-NT4, GemTech Halo)
Middy – 7.5” (ex. AAC 762-SDN-6)
DMR – 9” (Surefire FA762K)
My first impressions were that the item is nicely crafted and that the interior material is some sort of heat resistant material. It uses a nylon bungie cord to adjust for diameter fit on the suppressor which can be tightened as needed (more on this later).
I mounted it to my suppressor and off to the indoor range I went. I posted a video of the HMMS on my YouTube account.
You can see in the video that I needed to adjust the tightness of the HMMS. It shot loose and actually I I burnt the interior of the insulating material. That's my fault, not any fault of the HMMS.
I didn't film all my shooting with the HMMS, but I put quite a few rounds through it. It performed quite well, actually. After a short string of fire, or even a magazine, the HMMS would not be hot enough to burn. Even after several strings of fire the HMMS got hot, too hot to comfortably handle, but not hot enough to burn skin on contact, which would be perfect for close quarters, vehicle, or hands-on applications.
Here are some photos of the HMMS taken after the above posted video.
I recommend this piece of gear. However, $130 is no small chunk of change for such a specialized piece of gear (not really knowing to what market and specialization it's intended for), but for the average shooter this is not a cheap piece of gear, but worth every penny.
I will be picking one up for my AAC Cyclone perhaps in one of the Kryptek offerings. And that will be going on a bolt-gun (which I eventually do a write up on).
Train hard. Train often.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Sunday Thought
Sitting here, winding the day down after a good, home-cooked meal, thinking as I listen to some music. I'm thinking a regular Sunday Thoughts might be a good addition to the blog. We'll see it how it goes.
I've been benched with some injuries preventing me from getting out and shooting some videos, photos, and reviews or training ideas.
So, a thought crosses my mind as I'm reading on the internet (generally a bad idea as the current modern culture seems to have elevated the amateur to the rank of expert with nothing more than a YouTube account, but that's for another day).
Maybe we get too hung up the latest buzz word, dynamic, critical incident, disruptive, tactical or what have you. While these are all good descriptors, does it matter?
When the metal meets the meat are you dynamic? Do you find yourself in a critical incident evolving in a disruptive tactical environment? Does the thought even cross your mind? Or, do you do as your body tells you and either fight or run?
I'm a big, perhaps the biggest, unknown proponent of training. I think anyone who carries a gun should train, should get training, and continue to train. There's no excuse. (This is not a rights discussion. It's a right, that's a given. I'm talking about something else here).
But, as I look around and take training, get trained, watch training, read training what I'm finding is a mass opaque lens clouding the vision of many.
Maybe I'm not clear with this. It is just mostly, rambling thoughts on a Sunday evening. Here's what I'm getting at:
A gun is a gun. A bullet is a bullet. When it breaks flesh it doesn't matter what you call it. Bullets obey the laws of physics. A gun can't do anything the laws of nature don't allow. Cool names are a cold comfort six feet under the earth. My trigger finger mechanically pulls a trigger causing the gun to mechanical in a variety of ways to strike a primer igniting the gun powder sending a ball of metal towards the target.
You've heard it said: the only things that matter are trigger control and sight alignment. Two mechanics that are 100% mental when the stress is on. When the wheels fly off during a stressful situation it's because the driver lost his mind.
Mindset matters perhaps above all else. Yes, you have to know your gun and how to shoot it, but that is all useless when the metal meets the meat.
I agree there are better ways to do things, this isn't a tactics discussion. But, if you obtain the superior tactical position, yet freak out and dump rounds no where near the bad guy, while he just stands there calm as a breeze and smokes you, what good did it do?
We, those who live by the gun, need to be physically fit, we need training and to rehearse the training often. But, we cannot neglect the mind. How do we do this?
I don't know, I'm not a psychologist. But, I think we do it by training under stress as a start. Even perhaps as equally important is talking with and hanging out with other warriors who carry the same traits as we do. Group discussion, group debrief, group hanging out.
Like our ancestors before, gathering around the fire at night and sharing war stories. Talking shit to each other. Listening to those who have experience. Learning from each others mistakes.
We each have to win our own battles and stand on our own when our mettle is tested, but we shouldn't exist outside the culture of warriors.
So, I guess my thoughts are rambling, but that's ok. One of the perks of this being my blog. Seek out good training, but don't get caught up on buzzwords. Buzzwords don't put bullets on target. Focus does. Discipline does. Hard work does. The latest brand touted by X, Y, or Z won't make you the next Elvis of gunfighting.
Gear supports need, but never dictates it. I don't become a better shooter by shortcut.
Owning a gun does not make you a gunfighter, any more than owning a guitar makes you a rockstar.
Train hard. Train often.
I've been benched with some injuries preventing me from getting out and shooting some videos, photos, and reviews or training ideas.
So, a thought crosses my mind as I'm reading on the internet (generally a bad idea as the current modern culture seems to have elevated the amateur to the rank of expert with nothing more than a YouTube account, but that's for another day).
Maybe we get too hung up the latest buzz word, dynamic, critical incident, disruptive, tactical or what have you. While these are all good descriptors, does it matter?
When the metal meets the meat are you dynamic? Do you find yourself in a critical incident evolving in a disruptive tactical environment? Does the thought even cross your mind? Or, do you do as your body tells you and either fight or run?
I'm a big, perhaps the biggest, unknown proponent of training. I think anyone who carries a gun should train, should get training, and continue to train. There's no excuse. (This is not a rights discussion. It's a right, that's a given. I'm talking about something else here).
But, as I look around and take training, get trained, watch training, read training what I'm finding is a mass opaque lens clouding the vision of many.
Maybe I'm not clear with this. It is just mostly, rambling thoughts on a Sunday evening. Here's what I'm getting at:
A gun is a gun. A bullet is a bullet. When it breaks flesh it doesn't matter what you call it. Bullets obey the laws of physics. A gun can't do anything the laws of nature don't allow. Cool names are a cold comfort six feet under the earth. My trigger finger mechanically pulls a trigger causing the gun to mechanical in a variety of ways to strike a primer igniting the gun powder sending a ball of metal towards the target.
You've heard it said: the only things that matter are trigger control and sight alignment. Two mechanics that are 100% mental when the stress is on. When the wheels fly off during a stressful situation it's because the driver lost his mind.
Mindset matters perhaps above all else. Yes, you have to know your gun and how to shoot it, but that is all useless when the metal meets the meat.
I agree there are better ways to do things, this isn't a tactics discussion. But, if you obtain the superior tactical position, yet freak out and dump rounds no where near the bad guy, while he just stands there calm as a breeze and smokes you, what good did it do?
We, those who live by the gun, need to be physically fit, we need training and to rehearse the training often. But, we cannot neglect the mind. How do we do this?
I don't know, I'm not a psychologist. But, I think we do it by training under stress as a start. Even perhaps as equally important is talking with and hanging out with other warriors who carry the same traits as we do. Group discussion, group debrief, group hanging out.
Like our ancestors before, gathering around the fire at night and sharing war stories. Talking shit to each other. Listening to those who have experience. Learning from each others mistakes.
We each have to win our own battles and stand on our own when our mettle is tested, but we shouldn't exist outside the culture of warriors.
So, I guess my thoughts are rambling, but that's ok. One of the perks of this being my blog. Seek out good training, but don't get caught up on buzzwords. Buzzwords don't put bullets on target. Focus does. Discipline does. Hard work does. The latest brand touted by X, Y, or Z won't make you the next Elvis of gunfighting.
Gear supports need, but never dictates it. I don't become a better shooter by shortcut.
Owning a gun does not make you a gunfighter, any more than owning a guitar makes you a rockstar.
Train hard. Train often.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
KKM Precision Barrel Glock 19
Quick upload of some photos for the barrel that just arrived today. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, so I won't be using it, yet. First impressions: pretty cool looking, but that won't mean jack if it doesn't do what I want it to. When I can I will post pictures of 20-25 yards and then out to 40-50 yards and see if there is any real difference or advantage. Enjoy the following photos.
Stay tuned for a shooting update with photos.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Close Quarters Sights Only?!?!?!
The following photograph is to demonstrate a simple concept. When asked if a 40 yard shot with a handgun off-hand is feasible. The most common reply is that it is not. Below I offer 40 yards off-hand with a Glock G17 Gen 4 using Ameriglo Pro I-Dot sights. My first three were off to the left side of the target. Once I focused the rest were center-of-mass. Good hits. Hits I feel confident making and I still have room for improvement. Always working to better myself.
This next picture is same gun from 20 yards. I called the flyer to the right. This target is the backside of a VTAC target. Same sights. Ameriglo Pro I-Dot.
Why does it matter? Well, frankly, you don't need specialized target sights to hit accurately with standard everyday carry "combat" sights. Don't buy into the misinformation that "distance" shots are not feasible with sights designed for close quarters engagements.
For those not familiar with the Ameriglo sights here are a couple photos.
Sight picture. Big front sight dot. Blacked out rear sight with a single tritium insert. I took this photo to show how bright the front sight is after hitting it for a moment with a flashlight.
The above is how they look from the side of one my Glock 19 Gen 4.
I like these sights. I also like Trijicon HD sights, which I have on my XD45 5". I just like the Ameriglo better on my Glocks.
The point to this is: You can be accurate at decent distances with sights marketed as close quarters, quick engagement. It all boils down to the fundamentals: sight alignment and trigger control (the most important of the fundamentals).
Shooting is a perishable skill and needs to be watered often to stay alive. Hit the range and if you have nothing more than 50 rounds practice those fundamentals. Speed is fine. Accuracy is final. All the tacticool gadgets and moves won't matter if you can't hit what you want.
Train hard. Train often.
(Post composed on iPad mini)Sunday, July 20, 2014
Combat Accuracy
"At least, it's combat accurate...."
"I'm working on combat accuracy...."
Combat accuracy. Combat accurate. If you do any kind of firearms training or even purview videos on YouTube about anyone with a word to say about "tactical" firearms training or shooting you're bound to hear these terms being tossed around.
But, what does it mean? Unfortunately, especially for beginners, the concept of COMBAT ACCURACY is one of the most dangerous and detrimental training scars in the shooting world.
Let me explain:
Here's a common "tactical"paper range drill:
From 5-10 yards draw, lateral step, and engage the target as quickly as you can. Use a shot timer.
Here's the most common result:
A shotgun effect of rounds all over the torso of the target that, under any other circumstance, would have the objective observer wondering if the shooter even had sights on the gun?
But, hey, that's "combat accurate."
Here's some truth. That's piss poor shooting, unless the target is jumping all around and shooting back at you. On the paper range you're not being shot at. The target rarely jumps around. Even with movement on a static paper non-aggressive target, you should be able to do better than a shotgun effect with rounds scattered around like you have no sights on your gun.
Here's the caveat: If you manage to get similar results in a Simunitions scenario, that's "combat accurate".
In my opinion, the use of the term combat accurate is detrimental to learning to fight with and shoot a gun. It is not something that should be trained for specifically, i.e. you shouldn't go to the paper range with the expectation of loosing rounds all over the place and be satisfied with the end result.
Combat accuracy is more accurately (see what I did there?) used as a descriptor for a post force-on-force scenario/incident evaluation.
Fast is fine, accuracy is final. At the bare minimum you, as a trained shooter, should be able to hit what you're aiming at. No excuses. No misses from 25 yards and in, at a minimum. That's a simple demonstration of a solid understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship. Trigger control never changes. Slow, fast it is always smooth and controlled. That is why we train. We train and we train and we master the basics so that the basics look like magic to the untrained.
Shooting a man-sized silhouette from 50 yards isn't magic, but to the untrained it sure looks like it is. In fact, you will hear some say impossible, impractical, not realistic, and to that I say it's a demonstration that that person knows how to shoot his gun. Even more so from 100 yards. I got asked once when speaking with a group of friends about shooting from 100 yards with a handgun if the rounds fell into the ground around 60 or 70 yards. I'll just leave that right there. It's not magic and it's not rocket science.
It has been said that there are no advanced techniques only masterful execution of the basics. There is some truth to that. Trigger control and sight alignment. If you can't do these consistently, don't bother being fancy and calling your piss poor shots "combat accurate". It's on a paper range with non-aggressive pictures.
This is not a tactics article, this is a concept article, so I won't go into detail on advanced shooting techniques, that's not the point of this post. Simply put, it is better to be able to call every shot than to practice a piss poor result and call it "combat accurate".
I was told once by a great instructor that training translates the following way on most occasions:
Lt. Col. Grossman put it as follows: you will not rise to the occasion, but fall to your highest level of training. If your training is to sloppily shoot at a paper non-aggressive target and call it "combat accurate", you're failing to see the point.
Range training is a chance to master your gun. To be able to call your shots, consistently. Force-on-force training is the place to see if your training has paid off in "combat accuracy".
Definitely push yourself in training to see where the wheels fall off. But don't settle for less and call it sufficient.
Combat accuracy should only be used to describe the end result of either a force-on-force scenario or an actual incident. Not a term used to describe the end result of a paper range training scenario.
If you push yourself and the wheels start to come off then back off a little and keep training. Keep pushing. There is literally no limit. You're only competing against yourself. Even in a gunfight you're fighting against yourself. Because you have no way of knowing the training level of your opponent. All you know is yourself. All you can do is beat your personal best to win the fight.
Remember on the training range you should strive for nothing less than perfection, which is simply defined as your personal best, which I already said has no real limit. Time and effort along with quality training can bring you very far on your path.
I tell persons new to shooting (mostly because they're not indoctrinated by some other mindset) that the most important thing you can learn to do is to put bullets where you want them at will with minimal effort.
Once you can do that everything else is gravy. Shooting from cover, turning, moving, clearing corners, slicing the pie, reloads, malfunctions training, all of that means little if you can't call your shots and the only way you do that is work.
A little perspective: your ability to perform a tactical speed reload means little if the bullets you're feeding your smoke wagon aren't finding their mark. You're fighting yourself because you don't know how good of a shot the other guy is. The idea is to put bullets on him faster than he puts bullets on you. And more than he does. I like to imagine in training against a paper target that the bad guy is super man and can outshoot me any day of the week. I want to win and continue to enjoy the 4 F's of life. So that means I need to be faster but also more accurate faster. Think about it.
So, the whole point of this is don't short change your training by labeling a piss poor result as "combat accurate". Change the way you think about that term. It has a place, for sure, but it's not on a static one-way range. And if you let yourself fall into that trap, you're only hurting yourself and anyone who depends on you.
Train hard, train often, amigos.
"I'm working on combat accuracy...."
Combat accuracy. Combat accurate. If you do any kind of firearms training or even purview videos on YouTube about anyone with a word to say about "tactical" firearms training or shooting you're bound to hear these terms being tossed around.
But, what does it mean? Unfortunately, especially for beginners, the concept of COMBAT ACCURACY is one of the most dangerous and detrimental training scars in the shooting world.
Let me explain:
Here's a common "tactical"paper range drill:
From 5-10 yards draw, lateral step, and engage the target as quickly as you can. Use a shot timer.
Here's the most common result:
A shotgun effect of rounds all over the torso of the target that, under any other circumstance, would have the objective observer wondering if the shooter even had sights on the gun?
But, hey, that's "combat accurate."
Here's some truth. That's piss poor shooting, unless the target is jumping all around and shooting back at you. On the paper range you're not being shot at. The target rarely jumps around. Even with movement on a static paper non-aggressive target, you should be able to do better than a shotgun effect with rounds scattered around like you have no sights on your gun.
Here's the caveat: If you manage to get similar results in a Simunitions scenario, that's "combat accurate".
In my opinion, the use of the term combat accurate is detrimental to learning to fight with and shoot a gun. It is not something that should be trained for specifically, i.e. you shouldn't go to the paper range with the expectation of loosing rounds all over the place and be satisfied with the end result.
Combat accuracy is more accurately (see what I did there?) used as a descriptor for a post force-on-force scenario/incident evaluation.
Fast is fine, accuracy is final. At the bare minimum you, as a trained shooter, should be able to hit what you're aiming at. No excuses. No misses from 25 yards and in, at a minimum. That's a simple demonstration of a solid understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship. Trigger control never changes. Slow, fast it is always smooth and controlled. That is why we train. We train and we train and we master the basics so that the basics look like magic to the untrained.
Shooting a man-sized silhouette from 50 yards isn't magic, but to the untrained it sure looks like it is. In fact, you will hear some say impossible, impractical, not realistic, and to that I say it's a demonstration that that person knows how to shoot his gun. Even more so from 100 yards. I got asked once when speaking with a group of friends about shooting from 100 yards with a handgun if the rounds fell into the ground around 60 or 70 yards. I'll just leave that right there. It's not magic and it's not rocket science.
It has been said that there are no advanced techniques only masterful execution of the basics. There is some truth to that. Trigger control and sight alignment. If you can't do these consistently, don't bother being fancy and calling your piss poor shots "combat accurate". It's on a paper range with non-aggressive pictures.
This is not a tactics article, this is a concept article, so I won't go into detail on advanced shooting techniques, that's not the point of this post. Simply put, it is better to be able to call every shot than to practice a piss poor result and call it "combat accurate".
I was told once by a great instructor that training translates the following way on most occasions:
If you're great in training, you will be good in reality.If you're good in training, you will be OK in reality.If you're OK in training, you will suck in reality.If you suck in training, you better train some more before reality calls.
Lt. Col. Grossman put it as follows: you will not rise to the occasion, but fall to your highest level of training. If your training is to sloppily shoot at a paper non-aggressive target and call it "combat accurate", you're failing to see the point.
Range training is a chance to master your gun. To be able to call your shots, consistently. Force-on-force training is the place to see if your training has paid off in "combat accuracy".
Definitely push yourself in training to see where the wheels fall off. But don't settle for less and call it sufficient.
Combat accuracy should only be used to describe the end result of either a force-on-force scenario or an actual incident. Not a term used to describe the end result of a paper range training scenario.
If you push yourself and the wheels start to come off then back off a little and keep training. Keep pushing. There is literally no limit. You're only competing against yourself. Even in a gunfight you're fighting against yourself. Because you have no way of knowing the training level of your opponent. All you know is yourself. All you can do is beat your personal best to win the fight.
Remember on the training range you should strive for nothing less than perfection, which is simply defined as your personal best, which I already said has no real limit. Time and effort along with quality training can bring you very far on your path.
I tell persons new to shooting (mostly because they're not indoctrinated by some other mindset) that the most important thing you can learn to do is to put bullets where you want them at will with minimal effort.
Once you can do that everything else is gravy. Shooting from cover, turning, moving, clearing corners, slicing the pie, reloads, malfunctions training, all of that means little if you can't call your shots and the only way you do that is work.
A little perspective: your ability to perform a tactical speed reload means little if the bullets you're feeding your smoke wagon aren't finding their mark. You're fighting yourself because you don't know how good of a shot the other guy is. The idea is to put bullets on him faster than he puts bullets on you. And more than he does. I like to imagine in training against a paper target that the bad guy is super man and can outshoot me any day of the week. I want to win and continue to enjoy the 4 F's of life. So that means I need to be faster but also more accurate faster. Think about it.
So, the whole point of this is don't short change your training by labeling a piss poor result as "combat accurate". Change the way you think about that term. It has a place, for sure, but it's not on a static one-way range. And if you let yourself fall into that trap, you're only hurting yourself and anyone who depends on you.
Train hard, train often, amigos.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Musashi Quote?
I did not make this. I cannot take credit for it. Unfortunately, I do not remember where I first saw it. I like it and I'm sharing it. In fact, I don't even know if Musashi even said it. It has been too long since I last read The Book of Five Rings. But the quote and painting are awesome.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
What is effective?
What is your effective range? How far can you shoot accurately? And, perhaps, even more importantly: how far will you actually ever be called upon to shoot? Let's talk about these things briefly while you look at the above picture. For this post we will speak concerning handguns as this is far more applicable to the everyday responsible gun owner than, say, carrying your musket around everyday. (I have written extensively about CCW on my older blog and I will work on distilling or perhaps even reporting the content here).
Let's talk effective range and what that actually means. The great thing about good training is that there aren't many super-secret double meaning phrases or terms. Effective range is simply at what range are you effective? Even better, what is the maximum range you can be effective?
This is highly personal and will vary from person to person and skill level to skill level.
Let's define effective for the sake of argument. Effective is not missing. You cannot miss fast enough to catch up in a gunfight. Which, brings up another component of effective: time. So, effective is not missing as fast as you can. Or, in other words, shooting as fast as you can guarantee hits. It's been said: fast is fine, but accuracy is final.
Your level of effectiveness will obviously change when you add distance to the equation. For example, at 5 yards you can be blazing fast and accurate. In fact, you have to be because there isn't much time or distance between you and your adversary. 1/10ths of seconds mean the world.
How far away can you guarantee hits? You're responsible for every single bullet that exits your gun whether you're being shot at or not. If the threat is too far away, should you bother throwing lead you know will not hit its mark? What's the backdrop? Can you create distance? Do you have to close the gap and engage? Can you get to cover? So many factors to consider, there is no concrete answer except you cannot miss.
Training plays a big role here. You can increase your effective range with good, solid training and frequent practice. If you won a gun you owe it to yourself and your community to get training and a CCW permit (where required by law).
This plays into our next question. How far can you accurately shoot? Test yourself. Push your limits. This is not a speed exercise, but an accuracy exercise. See how far away you can hit center of mass on a silhouette.
Train. And train outside your comfort zone. Anyone can spend all day at the 7 yard line and feel good about themselves. But what are you actually proving? You're only competition is yourself. You can't pick the skill level of your opponent, but you know yours and how far and hard to push yourself. Plus, if shooting from 25 yards becomes easy then that only helps your closer range shooting.
Train outside what's easy and comfortable. (Be safe about it) but train.
Oh, and if you're, wondering. The above picture is off-hand G17 9mm at 40 yards. Not perfect, but don't let anyone tell you it's not a practical shot.
Good training.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Ready. Set. Go.
I believe in being ready. I believe in being able to face any situation ready. Mentally first, and then physically.
What does being ready mean? Well, it does not mean paranoia nor over-zealousness. It means being ready.
When we say we’re ready it means go ahead with the scenario. It means starts the test. It means let’s go.
In short being ready means: I’ve done all I can to prepare let’s begin. Being ready isn’t perfect and oft-times more mental than physical, but being ready is a constant state.
Let’s talk about two places to be ready:
1. Ready anywhere you go.
2. Ready to get home from you are.
Ready anywhere you go. This is sometimes called EDC or Every Day Carry. And this can get completely out of control.
The best way to avoid complete failure in a stressful, critical situation is to keep things simple. This should apply to EDC, but many times it does not. I’ve seen EDC that looks more like long-term survival gear than I’m going to the grocery store EDC.
So, what’s wrong with that? Support gear supports need, not defines need. Theoretically you can carry a rucksack everywhere you go and at a moment’s notice setup permanent camp. But you have drifted away from the principle of being ready. You have moved outside the realm of practical where your support gear supports your needs, not defines them.
For this reason you should compartmentalize. Unless you live in a remote area the majority of possible scenarios are simple and easily dealt with.
1. Ready anywhere you go.
Ask the question the next time you are inside the grocery store or pumping gas. What do I need right now on my person? If something should go awry: the most celebrated of these types of scenarios is a robbery or attack. I say celebrated because it usually the more frequently cited yet rarest of occurrences. However, it shouldn’t be discounted simply because of its rarity, due to the fact it is perhaps the most important one to be ready for.
So the ultimate worst thing that could happen at any given moment is being attacked: not simply robbed, but another human being trying to hurt, kill, or maim you.
At that moment what do you need? Is it a pocket water filter? A compact emergency bivy? 50 feet of paracord? A GPS? What is it you need at that moment?
A weapon, preferably a gun with a spare magazine carried in a quality holster with a quality gun belt. Or a knife, even better a gun and pocket knife. Think CCW.
So, for that moment that’s all you need. But let’s go one step further and talk about what you need in the moment the attack is over, with you preferably being the victor because you were ready mentally and physically.
What do you need? A med kit. Chances are it was a surprise attack and the bad guy hit first. Better patch yourself up. A cell phone. You better be calling the police after this. And you’re going to need medics on scene.
And if this incident took place at night you should have a small but decent light.
That about covers the need for the ultimate worst scenario.
But that doesn’t happen every time you go buy your coco puffs. So, do we need to expand our EDC?
Just a tiny bit, a pen and paper can be a valuable EDC item when out and about. Take some notes down when on the phone, jot down an idea, leave a note if you door ding someone, &c.
In urban non-apocalyptic America that about covers it. Obviously I left out wallet, driver’s license, insurance cards, &c. If you’re not carrying that stuff around, well, you need more personal guidance than a blog post.
That’s EDC ready in a nutshell. You remain light, fast, unencumbered, and most important you are ready for just about any modern urban non-apocalyptic American scenario. Almost everything else can wait to get fixed when you get home.
EDC for yourself. Of course, this is if you drive everywhere you go. And if you drive you must be in a vehicle.
EDC for a vehicle is something a father figure should have taught you. I’ll briefly go over some items for most places in urban America:
Something to change a flat, battery, fuse, wipers, and small lights. Jumper cables too.
Insurance and registration
Snacks and a water bottle (for long nights home stuck in traffic due to a fatal accident, or if you have kids with you during said traffic jam)
Flares and flashlight
First aid kit
Maps
Camera
Extra Ammo (a spare magazine – not an arsenal)
Pen and paper (which should be part of your personal EDC)
Depending on season, a jacket or sweater in case of a sudden weather change. Just toss it in the backseat.
The above-suggested items support need for almost every imaginable scenario in urban non-apocalyptic America. It will get you through just about every car break down, traffic jam, minor collision you can think of without requiring a Mad Max truck.
As with the personal EDC anything else isn’t an emergency and can be fixed later.
The key to the above lists is that they’re simple. You can get away with carrying that stuff and still blend. You won’t draw attention to yourself but still be ready. It’s not the forefront of your day but if the situation turns south you’re ready.
Everybody talks about preparing for when the SHTF or the end of the world as we know it. That’s cool and let’s you get away with all sorts of neat gadgets. But, that’s not EDC, and that stuff should be in your house.
And even that should be kept to support need not dictate it. Natural disasters happen far more frequently than societal collapse.
Now, the second EDC I’ll talk about is #2.
2. Ready to get home from where you are.
This is a bag. Preferably a backpack. And this is for those times when earthquake or flood or other disaster has blocked the roads home. This is for when you have to walk home from where you were earlier in the day: work or fun. But this is not an end of the world bag. It’s something you can toss in your trunk or backseat and forget about. Checking on it every month to make sure items are fresh or season appropriate.
Being stranded in your vehicle is not a good thing. Walking home, even if it takes a night is better. How frequently does this happen? Highways get taken out and people stranded somewhat regularly. A natural disaster can wipe out your way home for a day or two.
Depending on the situation and your personal capability. Walking home could be the best option. And it doesn’t have to be a disaster. You could have catastrophic vehicle failure and have no one to come help you and no funds for a motel, taxi, tow truck, whatever. Rather than suffer it out, walk home. For me from where I work to where I live is an average 35 mile distance. So, most likely an overnight walk.
The “Get Home Bag” is just as simple as everything else. Remember this is not for the apocalypse. Here are some suggested items:
You will notice many of these items cross over from the other two lists we just spoke about. Simplicity.
Climate appropriate spare clothing (ie a jacket)
Change of small clothes (a change of underwear and spare pair of socks)
GPS and compass
Paper maps
Flashlight
Fire Kit
Batteries
Water (or small filter) and bottle (I like the platypus bottles)
Emergency Bivy
Pen and Paper
First Aid Kit
High Energy Snack
Hat and Sunglasses
Extra prescription glasses or contacts
Paracord
Extra Ammo (a spare magazine or two)
It has a couple items that blur into the SHTF, but walking home because all roads are inaccessible, though not permanent, can be a crazier scenario than the situations you’ll encounter just EDC. It is, after all, a get home bag and if you can’t drive home or get a ride home and end up walking a tad bit extra won’t hurt.
Or the Get Home Bag could just be what you take with you into a motel until the roads clear up. It doesn’t have to be the end of the known world. And this bag isn’t set up for a sudden end of the world scenario happening while you went grocery shopping.
Society might not have collapsed forever, but the next couple days could be hectic. It’s nice to be able to say, “Ready.” When asked to face such a scenario.
Remember to always ask yourself if the gear supports need or is defining your need. Keep it simple, blend, and remember the mental will keep you alive the longest. Be able to you’re ready.
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