Many new gun owners ask the question “Shouldn’t I shoot a warning shot first”? I answer the question in this video. Watch here.
Defensive handgun
New Gun Owner? Consider This.
Over the last few months, a tremendous number of Americans have purchased firearms because of the current situation. There are things to consider AFTER buying a gun for the first time. Watch the video here.
Should You Mount A Light On Your Handgun?
Weapon mounted lights have been around for some time now. Various people have different views in regards to them. Are they a help? A hinderance? Are they worth the financial expenditure out of your preps budget? Lets see if we can answer these questions.
Since many, if not most, violent encounters happen in darkness, being able to control illumination in the situation could be vitally critical. Consider also, that in a grid down
situation, inside of buildings will be dark even during daytime. Weapon mounted lights come in a number of varieties and configuration, but for our purposes, we will discuss those you might mount on your handgun. Many lights will also incorporate a laser in green or red combined with the flashlight, as well as giving strobe capability to the flashlight. Some also incorporate Infrared capability, although laser and infrared add considerably to the price. The majority will incorporate on/off switches that you can leave the light on, tap for a quick look, or switch to strobe.
Most modern firearms manufactures are making mounts for lights on the frames of their handguns. Mounts come in two styles, the Picatinni rail and the Weaver rail. The better light manufactures are designing their lights to work on either. For handguns that do not have a dedicated rail there are companies that have made add-on rails that connect to the trigger guard. Most lights that you can use on your handgun can also be used on a long gun or shotgun that has a rail.
Before weapon mounted lights became popular and available, many techniques were developed to incorporate using a regular flashlight held in the off-hand while the handgun was held in the firing hand. These are illustrated to the left. These techniques are still valid, however they have been supplanted to a large degree by weapon mounted lights.
Advantages Of Mounting A Light On Your Handgun
It is attached, so this leaves your off-hand free for other things like opening or closing doors, etc. In addition, a handgun is usually more effective when used in a two hand hold. The light allows you to do a quick on/off look, or to keep it on if you are navigating a dark area where you require light to manuever. If your light has a strob feature, it may be useful to blind and temporarily confuse and adversary. If you are using a laser equipped light, the laser will pinpoint exactly where the bullet will strike.
Disadvantages Of A Light On Your Handgun
Unless you have a holster designed to accommodate a light on your handgun (many are available) it will be an on/off affair. With the light mounted directly on your weapon, it will illuminate your position dead center. There are a number of proper techniques for properly using a weapon mounted light in a low-level light situation. 
One of the best training manuals that cover this issue is Gabe Suarez’s Tactical Advantage. Keep in mind for a SHTF situation that these lights are battery-powered, and although they last a long time you need to keep spares, or be able to recharge them solar.
What To Look For In A Weapon Mounted Light
Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. Quality needs to be your first consideration. The light needs to be able to withstand the recoil of repeated firing, especially if you are considering using in on a rifle or shotgun also. The amount of light projected is measured in Lumens. A lumen range of between 100 and 400 is satisfactory.
The following are examples of some of the most popular lights that have a good reputation for reliability. They have a variety of capabilities and span a fairly broad price range.
SureFire X300 Ultra LED Weapon Light
SureFire makes a wide range of quality flashlights and weapon sights. This model is one of the most popular and widely used. It can also be had with a red or green laser sight incorporated as the X400 Ultra. Projects an estimated 600 lumens of light. The x300 is powered by two CR123A batteries.
Streamlight 69120 TLR-2 C4 LED with Laser Sight Rail Mounted Weapon Flashlight.
Streramlight is also a major provider of weapon mounted lights, and along with
Surefire, they garner most of the market. The TLR 2 can be had in a variety of models from basic light to those with green or red laser or strobe. It projects 160 lumens of light and has an ambidextrous switch. It comes in various models and price ranges depending on if you want laser capability or other features.
The Nebo 6109 is a very inexpensive light compared to many others. It has an 
ambidextrous on/off switch that has a strobe option which is something that costs more in other brands. This light would be suitable as a first budget light for training, to be mounted on a .22 cal weapon, and for those who would be using it very little. It has a lumen output of 190 lumens.
There are very large number of weapon mounted light available. Decide on what your tactical use for one might be, shop around, read the reviews and buy the best quality you can afford.
Custom Glock Backplates
Armed professionals have been customizing their weaponry from the beginning of time. Warriors painted their shields with their own design, or the emblem of those they served. The firearms age continued the custom. Engraved handguns and personalized grips are just two examples. For the modern warrior who happens to carry a Glock, the backplate is a perfect place for individualization.
I found these while doing some research on other equipment. The ones illustrated below are just some of my favorites, but there is a tremendous variety that is sure to please almost any Glock owner. Click on any of them to link to the source, and for more.
In Defense of the Venerable 1911a1 .45acp
New innovations replace old ideas and we call it progress. The plethora of modern high capacity magazine handguns has caused many to relegate the 1911a1 to the trash heap along with the Model T Ford. Hold on cowboys, not so fast!
Defensive Firearms Resources For Women
I am old enough to remember when the average Jane depended on the average John to protect her. When I was a kid, a woman carrying a concealed handgun with license to boot was a real rarity. But no more. The ladies are taking their self defense reins in the teeth. You’ve come a long way baby!
Shotgun, Rifle, or Handgun? Defending Your Home
I am often asked by students which I would recommend as the ideal home protection weapon. A handgun, rifle, or a shotgun. This is not a question that has a cut and dried answer. Each weapon has it’s own supporters and each weapon has both pros and cons compared to the others. So what do you need to know to make the right choice for your home defense?
Martial Arts For Preppers. Is One Right For You?
Prepping for survival in any SHTF situation will have many components. Health, physical fitness, and the ability to defend yourself will be among them. Training in the right martial art could combine these three subjects. Many preppers are already involved in a martial art. But if you are not and are interested in finding one right for you, then there are certain steps you need to take. Not all martial arts are “martial”. So how do you find the right one for your needs?
The Tactical Advantage (Book review)
Every now and them, someone writes a book that is so universally correct, that it simply fills the bill for a wide range of audiences. This is one of them.
Warning Shot. Do You Ever?
As a firearms instructor I am frequently asked by students if it wouldn’t be a good idea to shoot a warning shot before having to shoot another person in self defense in their home. This is an honest and legitimate question asked by intelligent people who would prefer not to harm anyone if possible. I get very few questions that have a cut and dried answer, but this is one of them.
The Army’s New Handgun. What Should It Be?
Published reports indicate that the Army has decided to kick the M-9 Berretta service pistol to the curb and not consider the upgraded M-9A3 for it’s new Modular Handgun System. So what should replace it?
Boyd’s OODA Loops! (No, It’s Not a Cereal)
Whether reacting to an immediate attack, or formulating a bug out plan, or putting together a long term sustainment plan, the thinking process is the same.
Current Classes Being Offered
To see what current classes we have scheduled in the Phoenix Arizona area, please go to our website here.
Glock: The AK of the Pistol World
I remember when the “plastic pistol” first came on the scene, and like many traditionalist, I dismissed them.
Fundamentals of Handgun Marksmanship
This is going to be a bit of a long article. This is a compilation of a series of articles I did for my website that was intended to guide the new handgun owner in the very basics of handgun marksmanship. These articles do not replace competent instruction by a qualified firearms instructor.
Tactical Pistol Shooting 2nd Edition (Book review)
By Erik Lawrence and Mike Pannone
Gun Digest Books
This is another outstanding example of the tremendous amount of really good training material available to the law abiding citizen who wishes to be an accomplished hand gunner.
Selecting Ammunition for the Defensive Pistol
The handgun is in reality a poor defensive weapon compared to a rifle or shotgun. But it has the advantage of being lightweight, portable, concealable, and probably more likely to be on you when you need it.
Defensive Mindset, The Color Codes
What’s in your mind today?
Selecting a handgun for defensive use.
The world of Defensive Weaponcraft has been overwhelmed by opinions about the best handgun for self-defense or the best caliber or the best load, etc. Anyone who reads any of the gun magazines for very long could get a headache trying to sort out the conflicting opinions.
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