Butt kickin' and dry-firin'...

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Wow, this fall has been busy for me and the gals.  I've been feelin' like a one-legged man in a butt kickin' contest... no offense intended to those with one leg... it's just an ol' sayin' that's been around for years.  I've picked up the NRA's Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor certification, been accepted into the NRA's Training Counselor program for early next year, and completed the Ohio 4H Shooting Sports Shotgun Instructor certification.

My main gal and I are stepping up as the lead advisor (me) and the Ohio Shooting Sports Coordinator (her) for our 4H club.  I've also been appointed to the Board of Directors for our local sportsmens club and still serve on the county 4H committee.  All that has been on top of our regular duties as professional educators, parents, church members, etc.

I'm starting to learn to say no with some authority, but you wouldn't have guessed that from the previous paragraph.  Sometimes things have to go or slow down and as some of you have noticed... the blog is down to about one post each week, but I still enjoy keepin' the blog up as it relaxes me and keeps me in touch with so many great folks out there so I'm committed to at least one post every week or so.

Of course, I still find time for prepping, hunting, the outdoors, and shooting.  Having a place to shoot and hunt out back is sure an advantage.  I've been trying to make sure I get my exercise each day by ridin' the Schwinn Airdyne, weight lifting with dumb-bells, keeping my trigger fingers and hands strong with the Grip Master while driving to work, and walking the trails to check trail cams.


A few friends of mine have recently lamented that they haven't been able to get much range time in lately or even for months.  Even with our own range here at home, I still do a lot of dry-firing with both pistols and rifles and practice drawing from concealment fairly regularly... even out on the shootin' range.

There's been a lot written about dry-fire practice, including some good things by my friends Ron, over at When the Balloon Goes Up, and Matt, over at Jerking the Trigger.  I think one of the keys to effective dry-fire practice is being methodical and focusing on fundamentals and technique over speed... almost like developing a kata in a martial arts discipline.  Dry-firing isn't anything new, bulls-eye and rifle shooters have been using the technique for many decades.  I even ran across an advertisement (below) for a dry-firing arm weight from fifty years ago in the November, 1962 edition of Guns magazine.


There are a lot of ideas, tools, lasers, special equipment, and other gadgets to assist the shooter with dry-fire practice, but I have two items that I believe are critical.  First, the Triple-Check... make sure your gun is unloaded, the magazines are unloaded, there is absolutely no ammunition in the area, you're aiming at a safe target or location and TRIPLE CHECK your gun to make sure it is empty.  That's right, three times, check it... check it... and check it again.

The second critical item is simply DO IT!  Practice dry-firing regularly.  Work on the fundamentals   Get the trigger pull going in a steady motion, straight to the rear until it breaks.  Make sure your grip is consistent.  Practice operating the controls on your gun.  Always be aware of what your muzzle is covering if you're practicing drawing from concealment.  Oh, and don't forget your off-hand... you know, the one you don't use to write.

So, feel free to let me know if you have any ideas or tips that help improve the dry-fire practice experience... but for now I need to get back to... Butt kickin' and dry-firin'...

Makin' a list, checkin' it twice...

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The gals and I are what some might call "preppers".  That term can cover quite a range of activities and lifestyles.  When you grow up or live out in rural areas like we do, what folks call prepping is just how we've always lived.  When the Blizzard of '78 hit northwest Ohio, we were snowed under for almost two weeks... no power, no school, no police, no fire service or EMS... folks took care of their own and each other... the firewood cut and stacked many months before kept us warm, the summer's garden produce was canned and stored in the basement, we melted snow for water, and we survived and helped others as best we could. Besides, ridin' a snow mobile right into downtown to get items at the grocery store was pretty cool and that was back when you could call "Joe" to open up his pharmacy at midnight to get a prescription for the elderly neighbor.


These days a lot of folks live paycheck to paycheck, some by choice, some not... but many live day to day if they were ever faced with their food, water, or shelter supply stopping.  While I'm not sure you can plan and prepare for every possible circumstance without it consuming your life, I think most folks can plan and prepare for some.  Like anything, to do it right you need to educate yourself, make a plan, and follow through... at a steady pace, not a crazy-mad rush that causes you to burn out and drop the whole matter.


For more immediate needs, the gals and I have Bug Out Bags (BOBs) ready to go and we've added Get Home Bags (GHBs) to our preps.  What's the difference, well the BOBs are set up for "buggin' out" and have supplies for at least three days and possibly up to two weeks of survivin', while the GHBs have what we anticipate needing for one day, maybe overnight... to get home from work, a friends, shopping, etc.


We're currently on Christmas break and my daughter and I went through our BOBs to check and update our preps and I changed out some clothing as I've lost some weight.  My daughter said she would like a list of everything that's in the bags and where 'cause she can't always remember... which I thought was a profound idea since I can't remember every little thing, let alone the expiration date or age of some supplies AND I have lists of just about everything else in our lives... lists for planning, lists for to-do, lists for the budget, lists for reloading, lists for groceries... boy have I got lists.


So we made a list of what was in each of our BOBs and GHBs, put them in zip-lock bags and put the bags right inside the top compartment.  I also made a list of future items and upgrades.  For example, we have to live within our budget and we have to do almost all our preps in triplicate as there are three of us.  I like the L.A. Police Gear backpacks we have, but they are not the best and while we chose Coyote brown/tan to look less tactical and conspicuous, we'd like to eventually get better quality bags that have a frame and look even less tactical... although the Molle strips are very handy.


The GHBs are $29.99 gear bags from Cabela's that we picked up on sale for $9.99 each.  They probably won't make it to the summit of Mt. Everest and back, but they should make it home with us.  The GHBs were also packed with consideration for the vehicles they sit in during the summer months so 120 to 130-degree heat won't ruin anything inside.

If you're interested in putting your own BOBs together or updating what you have, there are plenty of lists already out there on the internet.  Greg Ellifritz has a recent list in his post over at Active Response Training for the BOB and the GHB.  Greg has his BOB weighing in at 55 pounds, but realizing his physical condition in comparison to knowing what our physical condition actually is... we've tried to keep our BOB's under thirty pounds before we add the fire-power and requisite hardware.  James Wesley, Rawles' Survival Blog has plenty of information and lists for planning or checking your preps when it comes to BOBs and GHBs.  Survival Cache also has a list to consider for a BOB.

So we hope you folks don't have to use your BOBs or GHBs anytime soon, although we've tried using and replenishing ours on occasion to test our preps, but you might want to make a list... and the gals and I do hope you have a very Merry Christmas... and be good... because we're not the only ones... Makin' a list, checkin' it twice...

Hoppe's Universal Field Cleaning Kit

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There are a lot of good bore cleaners, solvents, lubricants, and tools for cleaning and maintaining guns.  It seems like I've tried most of them at one time or another.  While I really like Hoppe's BoreSnakes and I keep some OTIS Deluxe Rifle/Pistol Cleaning System kits in convenient places, sometimes you still find yourself in need of a cleaning rod out in the field, on the range, or while you're on the go.


One of the most compact, packable gun cleaning kits I've run across at a reasonable price that has a rifle-length cleaning rod is the Hoppe's Univeral Field Cleaning Kit. For under thirty bucks, this kit has a six-piece rifle-or-shotgun-length aluminum cleaning rod, some Hoppe's Lubricating Oil, a can of Hoppe's 9 Bore Cleaner, a variety of cleaning patches, patch holders, a shotgun adapter, and a handy nylon case with Velcro closures that's about five inches, by six inches and barely an inch-and-a-half thick when closed up. 

There's a pocket with a Velcro closure sewn in the lower flap of the case and a pocket sewn in behind the bore cleaner, oil, and cleaning rod stretch loops.  You can keep the cleaning patches in one pocket and the rod ends an accessories in the other pocket.  One area lackin' for this kit is that no bore brushes or jags were included, so you'll have to supply or purchase those separately.
It never fails when you're out shooting that eventually you'll get a stuck case, bullet, or other situation where a BoreSnake or cable just won't work. With a full-length cleaning rod taken apart and stowed in the case, It will easily slip into your range bag or even a pocket in your cargo pants or backpack.... or even into the top pocket of a Ruger 10/22 Take-Down Rifle bag. Besides, my gal's used to my Hoppe's 9 cologne after all these years.
So if you're lookin' for a handy little cleaning kit... you might want to take a look at this little kit from a name that's been around for quite some time... Hoppe's Universal Field Cleaning Kit

Ma'am, what you need is a five-shot snubby...

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So gals... would you let your guy pick out your new purse or bra without you? Yeah, it's a pretty personal decision... it needs be a good fit for you, it needs to be the correct caliber... uh... size, it needs to be one of good quality plus reliability, and you don't really want it to cause any discomfort.  These are the same basic reasons as to why you need to educate yourself and choose your own gun too.


This past weekend, I taught another NRA Basic Pistol/Ohio CCW course, and five of my students were ladies who, for the most part, were completely new to shooting.  Several had asked me about buying a gun beforehand, but I encouraged them to come, go through the course, and try some of the rather large selections of handguns we happen to have on hand and then make a decision on which type and kind of gun to purchase.
Now there's been more articles arguing 'bout revolvers verses semi-autos than you can shake a stick at...some that have valid points, but many that aren't looking at specific, individual gun owners. I discussed a recommendation for revolver I gave a while back and I still stand by that recommendation for that particular person.  Tellin' someone they need a specific gun without knowing them well or educating them and making sure it fit's that particular person's needs is like tellin' a gal she needs a 34DD bra without havin' a clue what size she really is.  
Most recently, Greg Ellifritz over at Active Response Training posted the first part of his Firearms Manifesto which I whole-heartily agree with.  It's a fair assessment as it's always a very personal choice. Caleb, over at Gun Nuts Media discussed the topic of snubby revolvers a while back too, and he sums up their short-comin's... pun intended... pretty well, but I've got another view too.
There were three gals this past weekend in my course that did their shootin' with five-shot snubbies... three gals with almost no shootin' experience among them... and you know what... they all shot really well.  Are they ready to win an IDPA match next week? No... but after a good day of learnin', tryin', checkin'out, and decidin' for themselves, they chose to do their shootin' with the snubbies... over the full size revolvers, mind you.
These ladies all felt the semi-autos were fine, but a little complicated... for them.  As with many I've trained, and even though I've shown them how easy it is to work, check and run a semi-auto... they felt most comfortable with the .38 snubbies... the weight... the size.  I even offered to start'em with .22s, but these three preferred their snubbies.  Now I will say, the Ruger SP101 and the LCR's are fairly easy shootin' with .38 Specials, especially when compared to the snappiness of an ultra-light gun like the Smith & Wesson Airweights.

Even with those short sight radiuses, light-weight guns like the Ruger LCR, and long-double action trigger pulls didn't seem to mess up these gals and I think I know why.  Fundamentals.  They learned and practiced the fundamentals of safe shootin' and they were consistently keeping groups of hits on nine-inch targets at fifteen and twenty-five feet without any problems... initially from the benchrest position, then from the two-handed isosceles position while standing. 
Having confidence in their knowledge about the operation of the gun lends itself to gaining confidence for mastering the fundamentals of shootin'.  One of them did try a 9mm semi-auto, but by the end of the day, they were pretty sure the revolver was for them... for now.  Are they ready to compete in the next IDPA match? Probably not? Are they ready to go out and purchase their own gun, practice, and join the ranks of American gun owners? YES!
I prefer a semi-auto, although I've been known to carry a five-shot snubby from time to time too.  Maybe these gal's will move on to a semi-auto someday too. One recommendation I have though, guys, let your gals pick out their own bras, their own purses, and their own guns.  And ladies, regarding purses... you need to educate yourselves and make your own decisions, but I recommend on-body carry for concealed carry instead of your purse... although that is a topic for another day.
That way, when a gal chooses a snubby as her personal firearm, it's not because some guy told her that's what she needed... it's because she educated herself, looked at her options, and finally said to herself... Ma'am, what you need is a five-shot snubby...

Do you practice like you carry?

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That seems like a very simple question... and it is a simple question.  There are a lot of folks who practice often, many even compete in various shooting sports matches, IDPA, USPA, etc., but is it truly preparing you for your daily needs when it comes to carrying concealed?  I also know a lot of folks go to the shootin' range and stand there putting holes in a fixed target at a fixed distance.


It's OK if you go to the local shootin' range occasionally or regularly, but are you drawing from concealment?  I'm talkin' bout real concealment, not the unzipped jacket or shoot-me-first concealment you see folks sportin' at an IDPA match.  It was a high of eighteen degrees 'round here yesterday.  CCW folks are not walkin' around here with t-shirts tucked into their jeans covered by an unzipped wind-breaker or fishin' vest.

Now don't get me wrong, practicing shooting at the range or in competition are great for building skills... just like weight-lifting and aerobic exercise is great for football players, but you still need to get out on the field and run some plays before game day.  And just like the coaches, you need to track your progress too. Are you "scoring" your targets while timing yourself? If you're not keeping track of your hits and accuracy while timing yourself, how do you know if you're getting any better?

Do you practice and run your gun, holster, and equipment like you carry daily?  Do you practice reloading from your concealed extra magazine?  Do you have a "competition" holster and a "daily carry" holster?  Do you practice with your "daily carry" holster too?

Now I realize that many folks don't always have a place to practice that allows you to draw and fire from concealment... let alone shoot move or practice seeking cover, but it would be good if you can at least find some place that will let you practice you real-life skills occasionally.  We're fortunate to have a place out back, but I'm sure if you look around your area, you'd eventually find some place to practice those daily carry skills.

So when you're walking around in 18 degrees with gusty winter wind blowing about... how fast can you get to your gun when your wearing three layers of clothes under your fully zipped-up, heavy winter jacket?  Do you carry in an alternative location in that situation?

As I asked before... Do you practice like you carry?

So, what are your thoughts?

Governor Malloy’s Common Sense (Idiotic) Gun Safety Reforms

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Via Paul

 
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday called for immediately banning high-capacity ammunition magazines, requiring background checks for the transfer of any firearm and expanding the state’s assault weapons ban.

 If you can stomach suchWeb Extra: Malloy’s Full Proposal (pdf)
The Democrat has expressed frustration with the pace of the General Assembly’s response to the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. His release of what he calls “common sense gun safety reforms” comes a day after he questioned whether a legislative task force can reach a bipartisan agreement on gun law changes — an accusation that miffed minority Republican leaders who contend the task force is still working.

More @ CBS

List of North Carolina Schools Partnered with the United Nations

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Via David

  North Carolina has 30 schools partnered with the United Nations to teach our children how to ”promote intercultural understanding and respect, not as an alternative to a sense of cultural and national identity, but as an essential part of life in the 21st century“.

This NGO of UNESCO is nothing more than another means to indoctrinate our children into a new world order. Our nation is under attack from both enemies foreign and domestic. How will they defeat a nation founded in Liberty? By using proven techniques: propaganda, disarmament,tyranny and the corruption of our own children.

United States Beddingfield High School
4510 Old Stantonsburg Road, Wilson

United States Ben L. Smith High School
2407 South Holden Road, Greensboro

United States Cedar Ridge High School
1125 New Grady Brown School Road, Hillsborough

United States Charlotte Country Day School
1440 Carmel Road, Charlotte

United States East Mecklenburg High School
6800 Monroe Road, Charlotte

United States Garner Magnet High School
2101 Spring Drive, Garner

United States Grimsley High School
801 Westover Terrace, Greensboro

United States Harding University High School
2001 Alleghany Street, Charlotte

United States Hickory High School
1234 3rd Street NE, Hickory

United States High Point Central High School
801 Ferndale Blvd, High Point

United States Hillside High School
3727 Fayetteville Street, Durham

United States Hunt High School
4559 Lamm Road, Wilson

United States Hunter Huss High School
1518 Edgefield Avenue, Gastonia

United States Jacksonville High School
1021 Henderson Drive, Jacksonville

United States Kinston High School
2601 North Queen Street, Kinston

United States Marvin Ridge High School
2825 Crane Road, Waxhaw

United States Millbrook High School
2201 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh

United States Myers Park High School
2400 Colony Road, Charlotte

United States Needham B Broughton High School
723 St Mary’s Street, Raleigh

United States North Mecklenburg High School
11201 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville

United States Parkland High School
1600 Brewer Road, Winston-Salem

United States Ralph L Fike High School
500 Harrison Drive, Wilson

United States Reidsville High School
1901 South Park Drive, Reidsville

United States Rocky Mount High School
1400 Bethlehem Road, Rocky Mount

United States South Iredell High School
299 Old Mountain Road, Statesville

United States South View High School
4184 Elk Road, Cumberland County, Hope Mills

United States W.G. Enloe High School
128 Clarendon Crescent, Wake County Public Schools, Raleigh

United States Walter Hines Page High School
201 Alma Pinnix Drive, Greensboro

United States West Charlotte High School
2219 Senior Dr, Charlotte

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