Get your ammo here!
01 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
We haven’t discussed long guns very much, however, adding a good carbine to your self- defense repertoire is not a bad idea. It allows you to add more tools and training to your tool box, which always gives you an advantage when dealing with criminals and low lifes.
Recently, bulk ammo. com gave me a chance to shoot some of the high quality .223 rounds that they stock. They shipped me out a box so that I could try it out and see for myself. They sent me a box of Hornady Match .223 Rem. Now, I know that most of this sounds like a foreign language but it won’t soon, so keep reading. The round is shot through rifles of many different shapes and sizes but is most commonly used with an AR-15 type rifle, similar to what the army uses but produced for civilians.
These are the types of rifles I refer to as carbines. The caliber refers to the width of the bullet measured in inches across. The bullet is .223 of an inch and is how it gets its name. Hornady is the name of the manufacturer and Match refers to the quality of the components that go into making the round. This round was also a 75 gr round. This refers to the weight of the bullet. The most common weight for a .223 is around 55 gr, so this round would be considered quite a bit heavier than most of the target rounds that you would shoot for practice.
http://www.bulkammo.com/bulk-223-ammo-223rem75bthpmatchhornady8026-20
Check out the link to bulk ammo’s website and se the actual round.
I enjoyed shooting this round and would definitely recommend it for the serious shooter. It cycled well in my firearm without any problems and was a proficient round at 50yards to 200yards. It also worked great with self defense training.
Thanks bulk ammo for letting me give it a try!!
Find What Fits!
08 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Physical Training, Product Reviews
Three is the lucky number of the day. We are talking, Glocks, S&W M&P’s and Springfield XD’s. If this doesn’t mean anything to you now, don’t worry it will. We are continuing our conversation about choosing the right gun for you. It can be a lengthy, expensive and intimidating process but hopefully with some help from these articles and some perseverance, you will be able to find the gun or guns that fit. I promise though, all the hard work will be worth it.
Last time we talked about making sure that you find a firearm that works for your individual needs. This requires you to ask some questions; What your intended use for the firearm is, what size of firearm suits you best, is it comfortable, caliber, etc. Make sure you find the gun that fits your requirements. For more about this, check out my last article. http://womensselfdefensenetwork.wordpress.com/
So why, Glocks, S&W M&P’s, and Springfield XD’s?, well I have shot many different firearms and done my own research on firearms that work better for women and these are the three that I believe work best for women. I have chosen these three types of firearms for several reasons, not only for their features that work better women, but for their reliability, better function and all around good quality.
Lets talk about why these firearms work better for women. First, they come in a varied range of calibers and frame sizes. This is important because it allows you to find which configuration of the two works best for you, and that you can handle comfortably. For example: if you need a smaller framed weapon for concealed carry you may choose a smaller caliber to reduce recoil. These types of firearms almost have endless combinations to help you find what fits.
My favorite aspect of these weapons is the shorter trigger reach. Trigger reach is the distance from the back strap of the firearm to the trigger. This shorter trigger reach helps with those of us that have smaller hands. The smaller grip helps you control recoil and allows better weapons retention. The most important aspect that this feature helps with is trigger control. If the distance to the trigger of your firearm is too long for the length of your finger then your accuracy will suffer. The trigger of your firearm should comfortably sit in the middle of the pad on your finger above the first knuckle.
These firearms are reliable, great for training and have created a firearm that gives women a chance to enjoy the shooting sports.
Hopefully this information can help you find a firearm that fits. Good luck!
Just Cuz it’s Pink, Doesn’t Mean it Works.
23 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Physical Training, Product Reviews, Uncategorized
One of the biggest questions I get, as a firearms instructor, from guys and gals, is what type of firearm is best for a women. To put this in perspective, that is like asking a women what pair of shoes is better. Inevitably, the answer to this question will be hugely varied. Most of these answers will also lead with a question in return, well it depends… where am I going, what am I doing, and what am I wearing?
Funny enough, these are the same type of questions you should be asking yourself when you look for a firearm as well, whether you are a guy or a gal.
Girls, firearms shopping is truly a lot like shoe shopping, just with a bigger price tag and less complaints from the men folk about the bill. It’s a win, win. Just think, it is a form of shopping that your guy will actually enjoy coming along for and best yet, you can find a weapon or a couple of weapons that meet your needs for several different occasions; just like those new heels you bought to go with your new dress and the tennies you bought for kicking around the town, you can never have too many shoes or guns!
Ok, enough with the shoe analogy but they are very similar. Buying a firearm does take research and time. Firearms are not a one size fits all, different firearms meet different needs. There are small guns and small calibers that are great for concealing but you give up power; how many rounds you can carry; and they are more difficult to shoot. Revolvers, are easier to operate but again you don’t have as many rounds and they are not as easily reloaded in an emergency. Larger frame guns are great for training, are more comfortable to shoot but are hard to conceal.
So, the best thing you can do is ask the same questions as you would when shopping for shoes, where am I going, what do I need it for, Does it fit, and what am I wearing (can I conceal it)? Then you find a gun that meets the majority of these needs. This is why I said before, that you might find yourself with more than one firearm, it is likely that you will not find a single firearm that meets all your needs. That is ok, just make sure you get the gun that works for you or guns.
Also, just like anything else you might find a gun that fits most of your needs and then you will have to adapt to some things to fit the guns requirements. Like wearing a longer shirt to cover it while you’re carrying. It is better that you get a gun that feels comfortable and that you can work with, that might be a little more difficult to conceal (you can always change what you wear), then to buy a firearm that you are completely uncomfortable with.
A final word to the wise, just because it’s pink, shiny or cute looking doesn’t mean that it will work well for you. The gun industry hasn’t caught up to women and firearms yet and their solution to a more interested women’s market is to paint a guns, made for a guy, pink. I carry a glock 26 most of the time, not the prettiest gun out there but it is black and accessories with everything I wear, but more importantly it fits my needs.
So don’t get lulled into buying what the guy behind the counter is selling or what the guy next to you is putting in your hand. Make sure you listen to what they have to say and then try out several firearms; pick them up, try to manipulate all the moving parts, and find the gun that fits you and your needs.
Stay tuned in and the next couple articles we will go over some of the guns I have found that work better for women in general.
Back in the Sattle
10 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
After running a city council race for three months, I am back in the sattle. Rip roaring and ready to be insightful.
We have talked about situational awareness on this blog, being physically prepared and psychologically prepared for a criminal event. But today, I would like to talk about all those things in a different context. Disaster and Emergency preparedness. It is great to be prepared for those little or more individual events, like a criminal act, but what about big life altering events like earthquakes, storms or even economic melt down? Are you prepared for those? I know I’m am not as prepared for these things as well as I would like to be. So what does this have to do with self defense??
A lot actually, in an emergency your likely hood of needing your self defense skills, your good physical fitness and a strong emotional and psychological resistance to panic, goes way up. This is the time when you can let your colors fly and be the hero to you and your family. Vindication for all those times they call you crazy for giving up a Friday night to train in weapons, martial arts, or fitness. In a time of emergency if you have a plan and the resources to execute it, then you are going to be better off then 95% of the other people out there. (Ok, I just made that statistic up, but I would wager a large amount that it is pretty close.)
So what do you have to do to prepare? Well the great thing about training for self-defense is that most of those skills transfer over to emergency preparedness. Look at you…killing 2 birds with one stone, that is how you get it done ladies. You use your skills of emotional preparation, by running through scenarios of events that might happen and how you will react to them. You have strength and endurance from your workouts and a walk back to your house from your office, even with a pack on, is a piece of cake. Plus, you have defensive skills that will protect you and your families lives and resources (which are the same as your life) in an emergency.
The other aspect of emergency preparedness is getting supplies and resources. This is the hard part but don’t stress it too much, there are great websites and blogs out there like http://survivalcache.com that can help you with all the cool stuff you need to survive. Plus, if you watch a little Man vs Wild with your man and can make a comment on Bear’s gear, your bound to win points.
Stay Safe!
The best Defense…
01 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mental Training, Physical Training
- don’t be caught dead here.
The best self-“defense” is not a good “offense” but never to be in the game in the first place. Don’t be an easy target.
This means that you can train until you are a master at self-defense techniques, you can have the coolest new tactical gear and the best weapons but the question is, why use them if you do not have to? Maybe you do not have all of those things, yet the question is still remains the same, why put yourself in a situation where you might need self-defense, if you do not have to?
There are places, people and things that you do in everyday life that either put you further away from having an encounter with criminals or crimes or more likely to have a problem with being attacked. Understanding this makes all the difference in living safely. You should always be aware of what is around you and where and who your daily routine brings you in contact with and if this routine can be changed to ensure your safety.
Criminals work in a certain way; they do this because they have found that certain techniques work better than others for committing crime. In effect, criminals are professionals, experts at their “jobs” if you can call it that. They in their own twisted way have made a profession and developed skills by taking advantage of others. These skills and techniques include things like: working late at night; in low or no light conditions; in places with few or no people; they pray on those that are weaker or have made themselves vulnerable through isolation; drugs or alcohol; and many more.
- Inebriation effects your ability to be aware of your surroundings
Thinking about how criminals act will give you a good idea of places, people and situations to avoid. Now, I know that we are all busy and we can’t change our whole routine just to avoid what might happen. However, we can be more aware of our surroundings and make a conscious effort to notice potential danger zones and identify places we need to be more careful and more prepared. And, also to identify the places, people and situations that we absolutely do need to avoid in order to be safe.
Young women have the highest potential of getting attacked and if you think about it this makes since if you consider the all that we have talked about. Young women tend to stay out late, go to parties with unknown men, some drink alcohol and take drugs; all things that make them a little more vulnerable. This is not to say that young women can’t have fun but they need to be aware of the risks. We all do, and the best part about this kind of self-defense is it just takes a little bit of thinking, a few changes and awareness. No fancy gear, no long days at the range and no expense, just common sense and taking the time to think about your life.
Sight Alignment
24 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
Remember that for comprehensive instruction you will need to find an instructor that will teach you and know how to help make sure you have this skill down. However, this is a great starter video so that you can understand the terms and concept of Sight Alignment.
Fitness-Ragnar
15 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
This week I am posting early because I am off to run the ragnar relay race. It is the Wasatch Back. Fitness is one of the best parts of self-defense training. But don’t worry you don’t have to run a race like the ragnar to be good at self-defense. Start slow and you will get to your self-defense and fitness goals in no time. The key is to be persistent. 
Fitness like I said is great as long as you stay safe while training. So the self-defense tip while short today is important. Being aware is the most important part of your exercise program. Many women are attacked while running. Learning how to protect yourself from the bad guy does not just mean hand to hand training or firearms training but it means to stay out of situations that are dangerous.
While running you should not listen to music with headphones as it limits your ability to hear people that might be approaching you from behind. Find routes that involve a lot of people, this does not include mountain trails or central park at night. Seclusion makes it easy for an attacker to get you one on one.
Change your route often. A routine can be followed, every time you go running go a different way and if possible at a different time.
Be smart and safe. and get running.
8 things you should think about before carrying a gun.
10 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Mental Training, Physical Training
It often strikes me funny the conversations that I frequently have as a firearms instructor with other people. My job as a firearms instructor, or at least what I believe to be my job, is to create an environment that will fulfill the needs of all people to be protected. Whether that protection is from the government, someone you know or the possibility of randomly being a victim. I, however, find that my efforts to fulfill those needs do not always line up with what most people see as being needed. What I mean by that is I meet a lot of people who do not think that they need training in order to learn how to defend themselves or they believe that their previous experiences of being around firearms their whole life is a sufficient amount of information and skill to provide them with the ability to defend themselves effectively. I am here to tell you that I was one of those people, until I started to train to be a firearms instructor and learned that self-defense skills, tactics and shooting is a completely different world.
This does not mean that you have to be an instructor or spend every spare hour you have training and thinking about how to protect yourself but it does mean that if you are one of these people that say, “I don’t need all that or I have been around firearms my whole life and I can protect myself”, then you are in trouble.
It is this false sense of security about our abilities or knowledge about “violence” that get us most in trouble in situations where we need skills not empty words and vibrato to save us. Enough said.
Thing Number 1 that you need to think about is: ( in the spirit of Dr. Suess I will name these sections, thing 1-8
Learning both armed and unarmed self-defense techniques. Will you always have your firearm with you? Will it always be readily accessible in seconds? The FBI has statistics that let us know the average gun fight is within 3 feet of each participant. Three feet is arms length distance. It may very well be that you will have to first know how to get out of an arm grab before you can access your weapon.
Thing 2
Learn the basic laws of your home State. In our world of lawyers and lawsuits, it is extremely important that you know what the laws are and when it is appropriate according to the law to use self-defense. Also, knowing the law can help you understand better your right to carry.
Thing 3
Know your enemy. Take a class on criminal behavior. Criminals do not have the same moral restrictions that normal people posses. You need to learn that these nasty people do not have a problem with hurting or killing you. It does not even cross their mind twice.
Thing 4
Learn how to avoid these situations through tactics. Knowing how to shoot someone or kicking them where it hurts is fantastic but why be in that situation if you don’t have to be. Staying out of those types of situations is as easy as learning a few tactics and maybe making some changes in lifestyle. But change is good, right?
Thing 5
Take a tactical shooting course. Yes, I know, you have been around firearms your whole life. But you haven’t been in scary stressful situations with firearm your whole life. You need to learn how to deal with your firearm when you are losing functionality and thought because you are so scared of what might happen next.
Thing 6
Choose the appropriate firearm. While I respect the history behind Grandpa’s lever action rifle or the shotgun that has been in the family for years, that doesn’t mean that is the appropriate gun to protect you and your family. Women be careful with this one because I know a lot of guys who think they are helping by picking out your firearm but do much more harm than good. A firearm should be chosen by the person using it and should be as close as possible to fulfilling all the needs that that weapon should provide.
Thing 7
Choose a good instructor. You wouldn’t go sky diving with an instructor who had only been around parachutes their whole life but had never jumped out of a plane, right? Well let’s hope not. So make sure that your instructor really knows their stuff and that they are experience in the type of training that they are offering. This does not mean they have to be law enforcement or military and in fact sometimes that is just a façade to get customer to take their classes. Do some homework.
Thing 8
Practice. Once you learn the skills, use them as much as you can. That way they will become second nature and you won’t have to think in a self-defense situation when someone is running at you with a knife, “know what did my instructor tell me to do?”
Your life is the most important thing you own. It is not crazy or unreasonable to seek out training to make sure that you continue to live. It is also not a bad investment of your money, either. We buy life insurance policies to make sure that our family won’t be left with nothing in case we die. But wouldn’t it be better to put some of that money it to being proactive and making sure that we can stick around to be with our families. I believe it is.
