What this means for our students:

• You save money!  Both courses used to cost $175, this one is only $100!
• You save time! This is a one day course.
• You get more range time!
• You get better training!

This new class includes four hours of classroom instruction on weapons safety, pistol fundamentals and selection, Arizona laws, and marksmanship.  After lunch we will move out to the range for zeroing and marksmanship, multiple target drills, practical shooting, and the AZ CCW qualification.

GET INFO & REGISTER HERE

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

FMI is hosting this special fundraising event to benefit our military veterans.

Date: March 12, 2011

Time:  8:00-5:00

Cost:  $150

Location:  Pima Pistol Club

Learn More & Resgister

© 2010 – 2011, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Blade Tech Phantom IWB Holster for Glock 26

Blade Tech has proven that you don’t need to spend a ton of money to get a quality holster.  I’ll admit that I am a bit of a leather snob when it comes to holsters, but after trying this elegant Kydex holster with my Glock 26, I have no reason to keep shopping.  Blade Tech pretty much got everything right with the Phantom, including the $25.00 price point.  Here are the key features:

• Injection Molded Kydex Body: Perfectly molded to fit my Glock 26 with a sweat guard to keep the slide from digging into the old love handles.  Unlike most cheap leather holsters, the Phantom stays open when the pistol is drawn to permit a one-handed reholster.
• Dual Retention Screws: With two retention screws at the bottom of the holster it is easy to adjust the holster’s grip on your weapon.
• Dual Rubber Belt Loops: I find that clips normally provide a tighter fit than belt loops, but the Phantom has made me reconsider that position.  The high friction rubber loops keep the gun exactly where you want it.  This holster will not shift or slide on your belt.
• Height and Cant Adjustments: The belt loops have three adjustment holes sized for 1.25″, 1.5″, and 1.75″ belts.  The forward loop can be secured in one of two holes on the body of the holster for either a vertical or forward body incline carry.  On narrower belts the loops themselves can also be used to further adjust the height and cant of the holster.
• Pull the Dot Snaps: I don’t know why more manufacturers don’t use these snaps.  Pull the Dot snaps can only be released from one direction and as a result are much more secure than regular snaps.  When I tested the Blackhawk IWB holster, I had problems with the snaps releasing during the draw and reholser.  On the Phantom you must grasp the top of the belt loop and pull down and out.  No other motion will release the snaps.

Blade Tech Phantom and Glock 26

Pull the Dot Snaps & Rubber Belt Loops for Security

The Phantom is an excellent, lightweight holster.  The minimalist design is a sharp contrast to most Kydex holster that completely envelope the pistol, but it has proven to be highly functional, highly secure, and has earned its spot as my preferred holster for the Glock 26.

Buy the Blade Tech Phantom from Brownell’s:

Phantom Holster For Glock~ Glock 26/27/33 Phantom Holster

Phantom Holster For Glock~ Glock 19/23/32 Phantom Holster

Phantom Holster For Glock~ Glock 36 Phantom Holster

Phantom Holster For Glock~ Glock 17/22/31 Phantom Holster

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Browning Alpha Max, My Current Carry Light

The flashlight may very well be the most underrated and forgotten self defense item, but it is one you should carry at all times.  With advances in technology, we can now get better performance in pocket sized lights then we once got from the massive D-cell beasts our parents kept in the kitchen drawer.  So why carry a light?  First, it is just plain useful to have!  I’m amazed at how often I pull out my light during day to day life.  If you have it, you will use it and will be glad it’s there.  Second, a solid flashlight is a great hand to hand weapon that is so innocuous you can even take it on an airplane.  A flashlight can be used in the same manner as a kobutan for striking at joints and boney areas, but unlike the kobutan, a flashlight can also blind and disorient your attacker.  Finally, a bright flashlight is absolutely essential for night shooting.  For self defense it is critical that you identify your target and minimize stray shots and you’re not going to do that at night without a light.  Here are a few things to consider when choosing a carry light.

Size: If it is too big, you won’t carry it.  If it is too small then it either won’t do the job or you won’t be able to find it.  I prefer a light that is one to two inches wider than the palm.  This size is generally small enough to fit in a pocket, but large enough to use as a striking weapon.

From the Top: Too Small, Too Dim, and Just Right

Light Output: Most manufacturers measure light output in lumens.  You should get a light with at least 50 lumens, but I prefer lights with at least 100 lumens.  A primary self defense use of a light is to blind and disorient your attacker, so the brighter the better.  A 100 lumen light is blinding and causes temporary blind spots out to twenty feet.  At five feet it is unbearable.  200 or more lumens will absolutely screw up the attacker’s vision, but the reflected light may impact you as well.  Anything under 50 lumens just does not have the range or brightness to reliably identify targets or blind an attacker at self defense distances.  Many lights also have a strobe feature which will seriously disorient your attacker!

Construction: I prefer metal flashlights.  They are more durable and plastic lights are not going to have the same effect when used as an impact weapon.  A shatter proof lens is another plus.  Additionally, many of the new lights have crenellated heads which provides for more concentrated impact force when striking with the light.

Batteries: This is not a huge factor for me, but I do prefer AA over lithium batteries because they are cheaper and easier to find.  However, lithium batteries have a longer service life and shelf life.  The 3 volt 123 size battery is the most commonly used lithium battery.

On/Off Switch: A bulb type, push button switch on the back of the light is best, since you don’t want to be fumbling for the switch when you need light.  I also prefer momentary switches that illuminate when depressed half way and extinguish when released.  This enables the user to briefly illuminate an area or target without a double thumb click.  Be careful of lights with multiple modes because they usually require the user to cycle through all of the modes to turn the light off.  This can be very distracting during night shooting.

Many shooters like to use gun mounted lights, but I prefer a pocket light.  On the positive side, a gun mounted light does let the shooter use a two handed grip and keeps the light and muzzle in perfect alignment.  However, holster options are significantly reduced and it’s generally not a good idea to draw your weapon every time you want to see into some dark corner!

You can expect to pay at least $50 for a quality self defense flashlight and the more expensive ones will run $200 or more.  Sure Fire lights are nice if you don’t mind paying for the name, but if you’d like a quality light at a reasonable price then check out these websites:

LED Lenser

4Sevens Lights

Tactical Lights on Amazon.com

The Browning Alpha max is also available on Amazon.  Click Here

Feel free to share your comments and let us know about your favorite light.

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

FMI & Consolidated Arizona Training will be in Willcox, AZ on December 3-5, 2010.  We will be hosting the following Classes:

• December 3: Defensive Carbine
• December 4: Defensive Pistol
• December 5: Mental Conditioning for Self Defense and Emergency Medicine.
• December 6: Women’s Self Defense (tentative)

Class will be held at the El Dorado Community Center (Highway 181, Mile Marker 63) south of Wilcox.  The class will start at 8:00 am and will end not later than 6:00 pm each day.

REGISTER

© 2010 – 2011, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Ruger LCP

I call them “cute” guns.  You’ve seen them and probably own a couple.  They are the guns that new shooters, especially women (sorry ladies), always seem to be drawn to.  Pocket guns, snubbies, and ultra-lights.  There are some great weapons in this category and they serve a very valid purpose, but they are invariably the wrong choice for new shooters!

The thought process goes something like this.

“I’m a new shooter and I’m not confident I can really control a “big” gun.  I should start with something smaller and easier to handle.  Besides those big Glocks and 1911′s are going to be a pain to carry all the time.  Oh, that looks cool!  A titanium, snub nose .357.  That’s perfect!”

Wrong!

North American 22LR

The truth is that bigger guns are easier to handle precisely because they are bigger and heavier.  That extra weight absorbs more of the recoil, prevents hand abuse, and provides for better follow up shots.  Small guns, even in the relatively gentle .380, .38, and 9mm calibers, can be wild little beasts that really punish your hands.  The most unpleasant gun to shoot that I have owned was a little .22LR North American revolver.  It was so small, I could never get a good grip and each round was painful.

New shooters need to learn and practice the fundamentals of marksmanship.  If each shot causes discomfort it reinforces the natural recoil aversion we all experienced in the beginning.  This in turn causes flinching, anticipation, and other technique issues, making it virtually impossible for the shooter to reach their full potential.  This, of course, frustrates the student, causing worse performance, and in the end shooting is just not fun.  On the other hand, a medium or full sized pistol is generally easier on the hands and permits the shooter to quickly adapt to the recoil forces and focus on improving their technique.

Keltec PF-9

So does this mean there is no place for the small guns?  Absolutely not!  Experienced shooters have mastered their craft to the point of instinct.  The gun and the recoil have little impact on them because their body and mind compensate for it automatically.  These shooters buy small guns for concealment and short range self defense, not to fine tune their marksmanship.  I’ve had several small guns and swear by my Keltec PF-9, but I shoot them for proficiency not for precision training.

S&W AirLite 357

Here are a couple of tips for selecting that first pistol.

• Take your time.
• Shoot as many guns as possible before you buy.  Borrow guns from your friends or find a range that rents guns.  Believe me, this is a lot cheaper than buying a gun that sits in your safe because you hate shooting it.
• Choose the largest pistol that you can comfortably hold, aim, and manipulate.  If you have a hard time racking the slide on semi-automatic pistols, don’t be afraid to try a revolver.
• Choose the largest caliber that you can comfortably fire.  .38, 9mm, .357, .40, and .45 caliber are generally considered the “best” self defense calibers, but if you aren’t comfortable shooting anything bigger than a .32, then by all means get a .32!  You can always go larger as your skill and comfort level improves.
• Don’t be fooled by what you read in gun magazines!  Remember they make their money by advertising, so they aren’t going to write a crappy review for the very manufacturers that are paying their bills!
• Practice, practice, practice.  OK, this is for after you buy the gun, but it is the only way to master the art of shooting.

Feel free to share your experience with “cute” guns in the comments below.

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

CAT was created to better meet the demand for quality firearms and emergency preparedness training throughout the state of Arizona.  We recognized that individuals in the rural parts of the state were forced to travel to obtain training.  Many of these families, especially in the border counties, are rightfully concerned for their safety, but due to the time and cost just couldn’t travel for training.  CAT is dedicated to bringing the training they need to them at an affordable price.

CAT is currently offering classes in:

• Defensive Pistol
• Defensive Carbine
• Emergency Preparedness, &
• Emergency Medicine
• Youth Weapons Safety

Our minimum class size is twelve students and we are available to teach anywhere in Arizona.

To find out more, contact FMI.

LEARN MORE

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Blackhawk Leather Hoster for Glock 26

I recently purchased a Glock 26 and of course that means that I am back in the market for a holster.  The Glock 26 does fit my Glock 19 holsters, but the shorter grip makes it harder to get a secure grip on the weapon during the draw so I thought a Glock 26 specific holster might be better.  I have a Galco Kydek holster that works fine, but the hard corners dig into my side and I have always preferred leather holsters.  So I purchased a Blackhawk Leather Inside the Pants holster today from a local gun store.

Reinforced Mouth for One-Handed Reholster

My initial impression was that this holster is very comfortable and well made for a mass production holster.  Blackhawk selected a good quality leather, used a very tight stitching pattern, and molded the holster perfectly for the gun.  I particularly like the reinforced mouth which does a good job of keeping the holster open for a one handed reholster.  On the downside, the holster is a very tight fit out of the box.  I had to loosen the retention screw almost all the way to get a smooth draw.  All leather holsters loosen up as they break in so this would not be a big issue if it wasn’t for the belt loop.  The belt loop is oversized to fit up to a 2 inch belt so the holster shifts around considerably during wear and especially during the draw.  I literally pulled the holster out of my pants a couple of times while drawing before I got it adjusted properly.  Another concern is the belt loop snap.  For some reason, Blackhawk uses a standard snap and it is way too easy to unsnap the holster.  More than once, I have unsnapped the belt loop just pushing the pistol securely into the holster.  I’d much rather see a unidirectional snap as is used by DM Bullard and other custom leatherworkers.  I’d prefer a metal clip rather than the belt loop.

Blackhawk IWB Holster

Overall, this is not a bad holster and it is not a great holster.  It will do the job and should last for a long time.  If you need a holster and don’t want to wait several months for one of the custom craftsmen then I wouldn’t hesitate buying one of these.  For me, however, I suspect it will eventually end up in my holster drawer.

Summary:

The Good:

• Quality materials and construction
• Comfortable, slim design
• Reinforced mouth for one-handed rehostering
• Retention adjustment screw

The Bad:

• Excessively tight fit out of the box
• Belt loop permits too much holster movement during wear and draw
• Belt loop snap not “unidirectional”
• Belt loop not adjustable for depth of carry

Verdict:  Readily available and an OK holster while you wait for your custom job.

Update (Aug 12, 2010):  I ended up returning this holster.  The biggest issue is that it just wouldn’t stay in place during the draw.  Even with the retention adjustment screw completely loosened, the belt loops permitted too much movement of the holster.  I think Blackhawk makes a similar holster with a belt clip which would probably work fine.  I really wanted this holster to work, but in the end I wasn’t willing to trust my life with it.

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Gun Belt:

Normal belts are completely unsuitable for carrying a weapon because they are too thin to support the added weight of the weapon for long periods of time.  Gun belts are generally thicker and made with stiffer materials.  A quality gun belt keeps the weapon snug against your body and prevents sagging.  Yes, you can “get by” with a regular belt, but you will need to keep it cinched up tight and you’ll be replacing them more often.  You won’t truly appreciate the difference until you wear one, so just trust me and go get one.  Quality leather craftsman produce belts that look just as good with your suit as they do with your jeans.

For more casual or outdoor wear, you may want to consider the military style “web belt”.  These nylon belts may look flimsy, but they actually carry a weapon quite well.

For leather belts start your search with:

The Belt Man

DM Bullard

Crossbreed

For nylon web belts try your local military surplus store, or:

Wilderness Tactical Products

Holster:

You really do get what you pay for when it comes to holsters.  I highly recommend that you buy a holster that is custom fit for the specific weapon you carry. Cheap holsters sag and shift on the belt, which means the weapon is more likely to print and not be exactly where you expect it when you need to draw.  Custom holsters generally last longer, are more comfortable, and, more importantly, secure your weapon better than cheap mass produced holsters.  Sure a Milt Sparks VM II costs a lot and has a six months wait time, but it is arguably one of the absolute best holsters on the market and will last a lifetime.

The options are endless so resign yourself to the fact that you will end up with a drawerful of holsters that didn’t quite do the trick.  Here a some manufacturers that I like:

DM Bullard Tuckable Holster

DM Bullard

Crossbreed (personally, I don’t like the Supertuck design, but a lot of people swear by them and Crossbreed’s customer service is superb)

High Noon

West Wood’s Landing (good multi-configuration field holster)

Blade Tech (my favorite Kydek holsters)

Uncle Mikes (I have a love hate relationship with these holsters.  They aren’t sexy and don’t provide the best support, but they work and are very reasonably priced.  I generally buy one for my new pistols and use it until my custom holster arrives.  Their inside the waistband holster is also my preferred running and exercise holster for a smaller pistol.)

Cell Phone:

If you carry a gun then you must carry a cell phone.  You absolutely must report any incident in which you or someone else uses or threatens to use deadly force.  If you don’t report or delay reporting the incident, it could very well look bad in court.  Additionally, the cell phone gives you the opportunity to take your own pictures or videos of the scene (after you make sure the scene is safe and you administer first aid if required).

Emergency Contact Card:

Don’t expect to remember important phone numbers after a self defense incident.  Make a little wallet card with your emergency contact numbers such as your spouse, partner, or friend, and your attorney.  On the reverse side you may want to jot down an emergency action checklist (Call 911, Secure Scene, Administer First Aid, Call Attorney).  I know it sounds silly, but case studies show that people forget the simplest things after violent encounters.  There are several cases in which 911 was never called simply because the individual forgot to press the “Send” button on the phone after dialing.

If you have other “essential CCW gear” that you carry, then leave a comment.

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.

Identify the Skills You Want to Build

You can’t practice everything during every shooting session, but it is a good idea to identify the core skills that you want to improve.  Over the course of several sessions you can spend time on each skill.  Core skills may include:

• Marksmanship
• One handed shooting (both strong and support hand)
• Shooting from a holster
• Engaging multiple targets
• Using cover and concealment
• Shooting from different positions, such as kneeling or from your back (if permitted by your range)
• Pop-up or moving targets

Quality over Quantity

You don’t need to fire off hundreds of rounds every session.  In fact, long training sessions with no goal and poor technique are counter productive.  Focus on precision and technique, and limit your individual sessions to 50-100 rounds.  Don’t worry about speed, that will come as you practice.

Structure Your Shooting Session

Have a plan before you hit the range.  Know how many rounds you plan to dedicate for each skill.  A sample shoot might look like:

• Precision marksmanship, 24 rounds (6 rounds each at 3, 5, 10, & 15 yards)
• Strong hand only, 12 rounds (4 rounds each at 3, 5, & 10 yards)
• Support hand only, 12 rounds (4 rounds each at 3, 5, & 10 yards)
• Shooting from a holster, 24 rounds (3 x 2 round groups at 3, 5, 10, & 15 yards)
• Multiple target drills, 22 rounds
• Precision marksmanship, 6 rounds (at 3-5 yards)

I like to start with basic marksmanship to get my mind and body in sync, and like to end with a short range precision group so I can wrap it up on a positive note.

Get Your Mind Right

The goal is to train your subconscious to operate in a mode of “focused detachment”.  For beginners especially, this requires intense concentration, repetition, and precise technique.  When you are distracted by work, family, or illness, you are likely to reinforce poor habits.  So, if you can’t focus don’t be afraid to end the training session.

Have Fun

Change things up so your training doesn’t get stale and boring.  Search the internet for new training drills.  Go with a buddy and stage a little friendly competition for lunch.  Self defense is a serious business, but that doesn’t mean that shooting can’t be fun!

I’d love to hear your thoughts about training with a purpose, so don’t forget to leave a comment.

© 2010, mjshozda. All rights reserved.