tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472708644687766692024-03-12T17:40:26.316-06:00self defense carryDiscussing aspects and responsibilities of a citizen's right to carry a concealed handgun for self defense. Legal and ethical responsibilities and consequences. Safety and security. Review and analysis of various handguns, holsters, practices, techniques and training necessary to become proficient, safe and responsible.Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-57619278657885699432015-12-13T15:18:00.004-07:002015-12-13T15:18:39.353-07:00Self Defense Carry Website<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rather than trying a re-direct (which doesn't always work well) to take you immediately to the new <span style="color: red;">Self Defense Carry</span> website please click the link below. It's the same content, and more, expanding all of the time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.selfdefensecarry.com/">http://www.selfdefensecarry.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay safe.</span></div>
Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-77548236038631309212015-12-09T09:10:00.002-07:002015-12-09T09:10:55.226-07:00Dumbing Down the Discourse<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image sqs-col-6 span-6 float float-left" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1440690561729_70997" style="background-color: #cececf; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #120c0c; float: left; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; margin-right: 17px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 14px 17px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out; width: 281.5px; z-index: 10 !important;">
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If I see another stone-stupid, amateur YouTube blab fest passing itself off as an intelligent product review, I may just throw up. Honestly, the open availability of the internet and video cameras (really good ones are now standard equipment in any smart phone) and the urge to be a media personality have produced a slew of extremely bad, boring and pointless video reviews.</div>
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They actually aren’t reviews. They are a painful rehashing of data available from the maker’s site. There it is in a condensed and accessible format. On Johnny Blade’s video channel, it is just part of the mash up. Here is a recent example. I’m researching various knives, folding and fixed blades, for opinions and demonstrations on ergonomics, use and function. There are many, many YouTube knife “review” videos out there, such as this one (my fictional compilation resulting from exposure to too many of these so called reviews).</div>
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First, a crudely done title card appears, accompanied by bad heavy metal bar band music. Then, a sudden slightly out of focus cut to a kitchen table where upon lies a knife. The reviewer’s voice, “What’s up, guys? Rusty Ninja here. Today, I thought I’d, like, take a look at my new blade… Cool. Got it last week and I really like it. Its a Blatherslice Mall Warrior.</div>
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A hand and wrist wrapped in a thick “survival bracelet” appears in the frame, grabs the knife, and the hand flips the blade out as the guy says something like “<em>Ka-swish</em>! Awesome blade, dudes…!”</div>
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He brings the knife closer to the camera so it is even more out of focus and turns it, spins it around, points it in different directions while commenting, “Awesome… Check that blade. Cool G10 scales, pocket clip (he points helpfully to the pocket clip as if the viewer has never seen one before), tight lockup, no blade play (as he grabs the blade in one hand and tries to wiggle it back and forth).”</div>
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“Yeah, another cool blade from Blatherslice. OK, let’s go over the specs on this one. The blade is, uh…, let me check, ah… yeah, four point two inches long, the overall length is…”</div>
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This goes on for perhaps four or five minutes which is about half the entire video, if we are lucky. After the recitation of specifications, we are treated once again to the disembodied hands and forearms moving, twisting, opening, closing, turning the knife in various ways while the voice reads off the various features: scales, clip, opening device, blade shape (as if we can’t see that already). Everything one could get from a quick look at the maker’s page and specifications table.</div>
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One helpful reviewer explained, twice, what the “cutting edge” means. Just in case you weren’t sure. </div>
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If we are lucky, the disembodied voice will keep his personal life, past adventures and preferences for particular knives to himself, but usually we are not that fortunate. One video “reviewer” spent about 20% of the time talking about the braided lanyard he had made for his knife. Another, by a very well known, opinionated reviewer, spent almost a half an hour on one knife review, much of which wandered far off topic, including a peruse through the maker’s catalog for a number of those minutes.</div>
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Some reviewers spend far too long droning on about themselves and criteria that don’t really have much use in describing a knife’s design requirements and functionality. Some reviewers have constructed lists of items that must be laboriously checked off. This could be easily distilled into a few salient points that are relevant to the particular design, but that would require some actual analysis and possible field experience. </div>
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Good knife designers create and build knives for distinct purposes which, if the designer knows his or her stuff, will be expressed in the characteristics of the knife. Hopefully, these features will be there because they derive from the designed purpose, not to make them attractive to mass market customers who will buy something mostly because it looks cool.</div>
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What criteria and function did the designer have in mind when he chose the blade shape, grind, steel and length? Why is the swedge where it is and shaped as it is? Why did the designer choose a thick (or thin) blade? Why is the handle shaped as it is? For what intended purpose? Is the handle material suitable for the intended use and if so why, or why not if the reviewer disagrees? Does it cut well? Show me. What kind of cutting work is it best suited for? Show me.</div>
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Reviewing stuff is not easy if it is done well. You can’t get a new gizmo, play with it for a day or two and create anything meaningful for a review unless it is a review of how happy you are to have bought or been given something you like in the first place. I have reviewed, among other things, guns, holsters and firearms accessories. These things are serious pieces of equipment, and are made to be used. One has to spend time putting them to the uses the designers intended in order to understand how they perform and will last in their jobs. At times, what seemed to be good initially, turned out to be not so good, but without using it and paying close attention to those parameters over time, it is not possible to produce a decent, useful review.</div>
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My opinion is that the best knife reviews, both video and text reviews, are smart, focus on the design and use of particular knives, demonstrate excellent video and graphics and well written, in depth text. Not poorly made or written summaries that point out the obvious and rehash information readily available from the maker. </div>
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Some reviewers that I particularly like:</div>
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<a class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" href="https://spydercollector.wordpress.com/" style="-webkit-appearance: none; background-color: transparent; border-radius: 300px; border: 2px solid rgb(12, 8, 247); color: #0c08f7; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: bebas-neue; font-size: 15px; height: auto; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; outline: none; padding: 21px 34px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.1s linear, color 0.1s linear; width: auto;">SPYDERCOLLECTOR</a></div>
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<a class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" href="https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php" style="-webkit-appearance: none; background-color: transparent; border-radius: 300px; border: 2px solid rgb(12, 8, 247); color: #0c08f7; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: bebas-neue; font-size: 15px; height: auto; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; outline: none; padding: 21px 34px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.1s linear, color 0.1s linear; width: auto;">SPYDERCO EDGE-U-CATION</a></div>
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<a class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" href="https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/video.php" id="yui_3_17_2_21_1449675422574_1484" style="-webkit-appearance: none; background-color: transparent; border-radius: 300px; border: 2px solid rgb(12, 8, 247); color: #0c08f7; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: bebas-neue; font-size: 15px; height: auto; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; outline: none; padding: 21px 34px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.1s linear, color 0.1s linear; width: auto;">SYPDERCO DESIGNER INSIGHT VIDEOS</a></div>
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<a class="sqs-block-button-element--medium sqs-block-button-element" href="http://t.co/cQQs5lbn5e" id="yui_3_17_2_21_1449675422574_1472" style="-webkit-appearance: none; background-color: transparent; border-radius: 300px; border: 2px solid rgb(12, 8, 247); color: #0c08f7; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: bebas-neue; font-size: 15px; height: auto; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal; outline: none; padding: 21px 34px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.1s linear, color 0.1s linear; width: auto;">THE LATE BOY SCOUT VIDEOS</a></div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-26439898290225965942015-12-09T09:02:00.002-07:002015-12-09T09:02:30.092-07:00A Very Quick Look at the Spyderco Dragonfly 2<div class="sqs-block video-block sqs-block-video" data-block-json="{"layout":"caption-hidden","overlay":false,"description":{"html":"<p>Uploaded by Michael Scott on 2015-11-23.</p>","source":"<p>Uploaded by Michael Scott on 2015-11-23.</p>"},"hSize":null,"floatDir":null,"html":"<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/rwVNHBF6iCo?wmode=opaque&amp;enablejsapi=1\" height=\"480\" width=\"854\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\n</iframe>","url":"https://youtu.be/rwVNHBF6iCo","width":854,"height":480,"providerName":"YouTube","thumbnailUrl":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rwVNHBF6iCo/hqdefault.jpg","resolvedBy":"youtube"}" data-block-type="32" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1448316585478_15685" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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Ever since I was a youngster growing up in Texas I have carried some kind of knife, most usually a pocket knife. There was a time many years ago when I lived on our little mountain farm in Colorado when I was not without my old Buck Ranger. Now, being an old person, I still carry a knife every day. The modern buzz-term is EDC (every day carry) which I think is sort of pretentious. It's a pocket knife, which is an essential tool for many tasks, and the tool that is capable of making other tools if needs be.</div>
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These days I opt for quality, a small size and light weight and a knife I can always depend on. My favorite knife in this role is the Spyderco Dragonfly 2. There are many video and text reviews of this little knife available on the internet. Most are merely re-hashing of the specifications data available on the Spyderco site, along with ten to thirty minutes of bodiless hands fondling the knife before the camera while the "reviewer" goes on (and on) telling you little of substantive interest. I've written about this before.</div>
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So, I herewith put to you a very brief look, not a review, of the Dragonfly 2, and a small comparison look at it with a Delica 4 for your enjoyment and information. If you should like more information, I suggest starting with Spyderco.com, and, if that is of interest, join the Spyderco Forum for further discussions, questions and answers.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-6008731309903175382015-12-09T09:00:00.001-07:002015-12-09T09:00:04.686-07:00Old and Armed to the Teeth<div style="background-color: #cececf; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px; margin-bottom: 28px;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />My wife and I went on our regular walk around town today. It was pleasant for 7000' in southern Colorado. Small town, little traffic and it seems you know most everyone you meet. Still, there are strange cars and strange people in town. Now that summer is coming, so will the tourists and travelers. The last thing you expect here is trouble. But like Monty Python so accurately noted: <em>No one expects the Spanish Inquisition</em>.<br /><br />I remember in another small town in Oklahoma, many years ago, awakening in the middle of the night to see a large man standing in our bedroom doorway in the moonlight. He didn't linger after I snatched my S&W .41 from the bedside table. I chased him though the house, out the back door into the night. He disappeared into a car that started up on the street and sped away with the lights out. He was caught a few days later. Had a record. Peeper. Looked to me like he was trying to climb the perp ladder.<br /><br />So, even here, you never know.<br /><br />The interesting thing was that I took an inventory of the weapons I was carrying today on our walk. Well, two were actually weapons and two were tools that can readily serve as weapons if the need arises and one was just a tool.<br /><br />One S&W M&P Shield in 9mm<br />One Ruger LCP<br />One Spyderco Delica 4<br />One Spyderco Tenacious</div>
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One Fenix AAA flashlight</div>
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Why two of each? I've come around to Massad Ayoob's philosophy that if you are going to carry a gun, you might as well carry two. If one becomes inoperative, dropped, taken, then you have another. If you have a friend in a bad situation that could work with you and he or she doesn't have a gun, you have an extra to give to them.<br /><br />Two knives? Well, I like knives. They are the most basic of tools. With a knife you can make other tools. I don't really need a backup knife, I just like the ones I have and sometimes take two along just because I feel like it.</div>
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The flashlight? Well, sometimes you need a light to see in dim or dark places.<br /><br />Now there are some people who would consider a senior citizen who walks about his own little village packing what they might consider to be four deadly weapons to be odd, if not a little crazy. I understand that but I can't do much with people like that so I just don't raise the subject. I can also see the remote possibility that some might be thankful for it, should the worst ever be realized.</div>
Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-55477356418682170432015-12-09T08:59:00.002-07:002015-12-09T08:59:13.970-07:00Carrying a Non-Tactical Knife<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-03215116524b93c6b92a" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: none; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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<strong id="yui_3_17_2_18_1449675422574_1539">As I wrote in an earlier post,</strong></div>
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I believe the word "tactical" that is so frequently applied to gear, especially self-defense gear, is grossly misused. So, this post is about a knife that does multiple duties, none of which are tactical, but which I hope will be outstanding in all respects.</div>
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Like many people, I think a knife is man's most basic and fundamental tool. It's a tool that can be carried in your pocket to do many things including, if needed, make other tools. Besides, I just like well made knives. That said, I should note that I can't afford expensive well made knives, although I like to look at them and research them on the internet.</div>
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I've had a number of small to medium knives that suites what is generally referred to as EDC knives, "every day carry". I'm not sure I like that term so much either, but it's pretty well embedded in the language so I'll go along with it. In keeping with my new philosophy to simplify and focus on the essentials and necessaries, I decided to look for an EDC knife that would be suitable for cutting onions, string, cardboard, sticks, fingernails and a bad person if absolutely necessary.</div>
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I attempted to avoid "unnecessary" features, like additional locks, odd blade shapes, assisted opening devices, tricky locks, ball bearings, and strange blade shapes. I've had knives with all of some of these features and they have all eventually ended up in a drawer or on eBay.</div>
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So what do I expect in a general all-purpose carry knife.</div>
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One that I can carry without it being a bother. It should be light enough to keep in my pocket all day without discomfort or distraction. It should be easy to retrieve and open, with one hand if necessary, to do normal knife tasks. The handle should be big enough to fit my hand comfortably yet not bigger than necessary and should be made to resist slipping even when wet. The handle should also be made so that the knife can be used hard and long without discomfort.</div>
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The blade should be long enough for most ordinary tasks from cutting string to slicing up food in the kitchen. It should be made of steel that is hard enough to hold an edge through a long work session, yet not so hard or shaped so weirdly that it is difficult to sharpen. For my purposes, the blade configuration should be for a slicer and piercer, not a hacker, chopper or pryer. It doesn't need to be especially coated to resist marks or not reflect the light. I don't plan to be cutting things in the dark. And the blade and handle should be shaped to accommodate different grips for different cutting tasks ranging from heavy force to light, precise slicing. Jimping and finger choil, where appropriate, should be present and well made.</div>
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Overall, the knife need not have accessories like assisted opening devices, ball bearing pivots, "safety locks" in addition to the normal locking mechanism.</div>
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How does one find candidates for this kind of knife? This is where the internet helps and hinders. It helps to be able to identify a wide variety of knives first from their images on the internet sites, to finding reviews or write-ups posted there. While photographs are pretty much self explanatory, knife reviews are quite another story.</div>
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There are sites and blogs that regularly devote their time to obtaining and reviewing knives. Online stores like Amazon and Knife Center, etc., will post customer 'reviews' for their products. I've read many of these regarding knives I have been interested in, but I have also come away with the knowledge that many are basically useless regarding real information, many are there because the writer has an issue or prejudice against or for certain brands, designs or companies. Many unfavorable reviews are based on the country of origin for a knife, not about the knife itself. Customers reviews can be both the most informative, and the worst and you must read carefully before accepting an individual's opinions as fact.</div>
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Some non-customer reviewers, knife fans who take the time to review knives of their choosing either on blogs like this one, or with videos posted on You Tube, often have their prejudices as well. Many times these are clustered around the country of origin - Chinese made knives are automatically considered somehow inferior to American made, and while Japanese made knives are better than Chinese made ones, American made is still considered better. This, obviously, is not the</div>
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<em>de facto</em></div>
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case.</div>
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It's an opinionated review jungle out there.</div>
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I decided that I would look at the quantity of reviews over time for knives that fit in my categories, as above, looking for those knives that had been around for a number of years (longevity of design and the manufacturer carries some weight), and the percentage of good vrs bad reviews from both independent reviewers and customers over an extended period. If a knife had been on the market for less than a year, for example, and the reviews were 85% positive, but among those reviews were many 'no content' reviews, i.e., "This is an awesome blade. It's really sharp and my friends think it's way cool." or "I just got this knife yesterday and I really love it." and the overall review numbers were small, like less than twenty after a year for sale on a decent online store, I disregarded the high positive percentage.</div>
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I looked for stable designs, usually gradually improved over time, with hundreds of reviews. I also at the content posted by the reviewers - do they have much of substance to say about why they like or don't like a particular knife. These are the important ones.</div>
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Appreciating all of the work put in over the years by the owners of Spyderco knives, I looked through their inventory and found a number of models that fit my likes and criteria. All of these had strong reviews, and the designs had been around for years and were continually upgraded by Spyderco.</div>
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I made the mistake of buying one of their less expensive models, a 'byrd' Meadowlark 2. Chinese made, but that's not a problem for me. The price was very good, less than half of their standard model that is most similar to the Meadowlark, the Delica which has better steel and is made in Japan. I received the Meadowlark and immediately was sorry for my choice. While I like the overall design, the blade shape, the opening mechanism that is merely a hole, not studs, flippers or torsion bars, the quality of manufacture was substandard. And, the knife came in a package that had already been opened and the inside of the knife was dirty.</div>
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Note the open, dirty tape on the package.</div>
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The inside flaps were torn, and the poor re-sealing job is evident in this photo.</div>
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Spyderco knives come new with the clip mounted on the tip end of the handle over the lanyard hole. This one has been moved. Note the wear marks on the clip screw holes around the lanyard hole.</div>
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I think the knife was a returned item, but even so, the blade was stiff and hard to open. Adjusting the tension of the pivot screw had no effect, except to loosen the blade so it dragged on the liners. I immediately returned it.</div>
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However, I think the design meets my criteria for what I want in a carry knife, so I ordered the better model, the Delica, which has been around for about twenty years in it's original configuration. Now, Spyderco offers generation four of the Delica with good steel, reportedly outstanding handle material and the blade shape and design that interests me. And, the reviews are almost embarrassingly good.</div>
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I am hoping that this will be my last carry knife purchase, at least as far as design, function and company goes, I will have the opportunity to put it to the test beginning next week. I'll report here on what I find.</div>
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FFG handle. Flat ground blade.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-67744387275802844882015-12-09T08:58:00.001-07:002015-12-09T08:58:07.426-07:00Tactical? Please Give Us A Break<div class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1442259607786_111493" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: none; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Lately, it seems that you can have anything in a "tactical" offering: knives, hats, pants, flashlights, ball point pens for Christ's sake. Probably my iPhone is a tactical unit unbeknownst to me. Some things are actually tactical and some aren't.</div>
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The first "tactical" fighter, the Fokker Eindecker</div>
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The Eindecker was purposely designed in 1915 to apply tactical operations against an enemy force - to shoot down enemy aircraft using a synchronized machine gun. The other items are just things.</div>
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Things actually become "tactical" when used in a tactical way. A ball peen hammer can be a tactical instrument. Or not. Depending.</div>
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Tactical, definitions of:</div>
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of or relating to combat tactics: as</div>
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a. (1) of or occurring at the battlefront, (2) using of being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront, (3) of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose, (4) made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view.</div>
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I've been looking at new folding knives for everyday, general use, commonly called "edc" knives by the literati of knives. It's hard to find one that isn't also referred to as "tactical" in some way. I've also seen tactical shirts, pants, jackets, boots, flashlights, walking sticks and can openers. It's become almost silly the way marketeers will slap the word "tactical" on practically anything. And, raise the the price a few points as well.</div>
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Take a basic folding knife with a frame lock and a three inch drop point blade. This would be a basic all around knife suitable for slicing potatoes, string, cardboard, deer skin, wood or punching through drywall. Put on some high-grip scales, add some serrations and a black coating, and shazam! you have a tactical knife worth considerably more in purchasing dollars and prestige for the tactically-minded male who buys it.</div>
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I think the "tactical" mindset has gone way far over the edge. I see videos instructing what appear to be normal people in three day courses of advanced handgunning, or example, that, at some significant expense to the participants, prepare them for the zombie apocalypse. Why? I would say that in a real zombie apocalypse, a handgun would be the least effective gun I'd want to get my hands on.</div>
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So called gear "reviewers" truck themselves and their buddies out into the desert, gear up in all sorts of camo clothing, vests, ammo carriers, helmets, gogggles, gloves, knives, flashlights, carbines, pistols and knives and video themselves blasting the crap out of various targets they've hauled along with them. It is pretty obvious that they are playing at being military "operators" preparing for the apocalypse. Any apocalypse will do as long as it comes pretty soon before they get too old to play.</div>
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Tactics, both actions and gear, are best left to the military. Any study of military history shows that tactics tend to get modified and invented in action anyway. Wearing tactical pants and toting a tactical knife won't get you any real advantages other than make you feel like you are someone you aren't.</div>
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But, this "tactical" craze won't peak anytime soon I'm afraid. There is too much money to be made with it. We will just have to hunker down and get through it the best we can, separating the acutal useful stuff from the "tactical".</div>
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That's my tactic.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-18003182202711844432015-12-09T08:56:00.002-07:002015-12-09T08:56:37.959-07:00Sometimes It Takes A Gun<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1449343561609_93408" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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We live in a small town, a village really, of about 900 people, which grows to three times that number in the summers when the part-timers come back to enjoy the mountains. Today, early December, life is quieter and often remains so for hours. We don’t worry overly much about shootings here, except perhaps for someone getting in a little target practice just outside town, or maybe scaring off a bear in the back yard at night. But that doesn’t mean we are complacent. Colorado Springs is only an hour and a half up the road.</div>
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As you already know a Christian fanatic, fueled by images of “baby parts” which were such a big part of Fiorina’s campaign rhetoric (not to get into the fact that the story was completely fabricated, a blatant, and as it turned out, dangerous, lie.) killed innocent people at a Planned Parenthood office there. This was another religiously motivated mass murder, followed shortly thereafter by another religiously motivated mass murder in San Bernardino, planned and executed by a couple with obvious jihadist connections. The fundamental difference was that one was a Christian motivated mass murder and the other was a Moslem motivated mass murder.</div>
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What has all of this to do with violence in our small village? It’s put everyone on edge. I’d say the anti-gun folks are stressing and the pro-gun folks are increasingly wary and many of them go about armed. A friend was talking with a Sheriff recently who said that he and his deputies just expect anyone they deal with around here to be armed. To him, this was a good thing. He, and many others believe that we need to be able to defend ourselves and fight back when necessary.</div>
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However, it will not have escaped your notice that the press and media have exploded once again with “gun control” issues after the San Bernardino shootings. Someone said that doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result each time was a definition of crazy. Possibly so. Certainly a definition of ineffectiveness. I’d like to explore this a bit.</div>
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People who claim to be anti-gun are lying. They aren't really anti guns. They want the police or military to show up with guns when they are called upon to confront violence and evil. Most would almost certainly be glad if, in a dangerous situation like being subject to the attentions of a deranged gunman or gunwoman, you or I showed up with a gun and fought back. A few of them might be glad if they found a gun and were able to fight back themselves. Most anti-gun people would not know what to do with it, but still… Anti-gun people aren’t protesting against the people with guns who came to protect them. They are generally pleased when murderers get shot in the commission of their crimes or soon thereafter.</div>
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So, if guns themselves are not actually evil things, just tools created to perform specified tasks, and the evil or bad things done with guns are really the fault of those who wield them, then what is the problem? </div>
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The problem could be that anti-gun people just don’t want to get shot and have gotten into their heads that if no one had a gun, they could not be shot. Never mind that someone bigger, stronger, more trained, more vicious than themselves could just beat them to death or worse, and that by not having a gun, they would be in no position to stop that. That would be OK because there would be no “gun violence”, which is a nonsensical and stupid term to begin with. Let’s try “hammer violence”, “bat violence”, “knife violence”, “fist violence”, “screwdriver violence”, “table lamp violence”, “garrote violence”, “bottle violence”, etc. It’s just violence which can take many forms but needs a bad actor to make it happen. Take away the gun, the knife, the screwdriver and the bad actor remains.</div>
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I suspect the anti-gun people have fundamentally not accepted the fact that we are all mortal. Sure, they know this intellectually, but seemingly not personally and emotionally. We are all on the river to death but our actual last port of call is unknown. I don’t think they believe that they will live forever but their actions indicate that if they do the right things, take the right attitudes, eliminate as many dangerous items and situations, they will live a lot longer. While many pro-gun people may also be of the same mind regarding our actual end on the earth, I would conjecture that they are more concerned with how their life is lived and what it means than the details and date of their leaving of it. </div>
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As I get closer to the eightieth year in my life, I have come to believe that there are no “safe places”, there are no hedges or guarantees and that the quality of one’s life is more important than the duration of it. It is important to love and be loved, be a moral and kind person, and to actively stand up and oppose idiocy and evil whenever they are encountered.</div>
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It is a sad comment on our times when ordinary citizens must consider going armed in order to fight such evil if it should appear. But, sometimes it takes a gun.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-29343676162333114002015-12-09T08:56:00.000-07:002015-12-09T08:56:07.484-07:00Bond Arms' Hand Held Shotgun<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1448316585478_36896" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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Bond Arms Patriot Derringer with the 3.5" barrel chambered for .410/.45 Colt</div>
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I recently received this beautiful T&E (test and evaluation) gun from Bond Arms. As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be putting this one to the test over the next few months. I will also be getting the ideas and reactions from some of my friends whom I have invited to comment on and shoot the pistol. Some of whom are quite familiar with handguns, and some not. Some young and in their prime, some old and frail, or at least not very athletic and strong and with little handgun experience.</div>
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I have also received four holsters for this gun. One from Bond Arms made as a "driving holster". Could also be a "sitting down holster" too. D.M. Bullard kindly sent me one of their full-grain custom made concealment holsters, the Bodyguard, for this gun, a holster design I have experience with and like. Paul G., owner and chief kydex bender of pjholsters made up and sent two IWB concealment holsters. Mine are straight drop since I prefer appendix carry for concealment. I will be giving these all a real world test and reporting here on my findings.</div>
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So, for now, some photos of my Bond Arms Derringer "system" for concealed carry and self protection:</div>
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Three Bond Arms Derringer barrels - all are interchangeable</div>
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Patriot with 3" barrel and Bond Arms Driving Holster</div>
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pjholster without the hammer shield</div>
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pjholster with the hammer shield</div>
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pjholster shot-shell holder</div>
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D.M. Bullard's Bodyguard OWB holder</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-71209561033774597322015-12-09T08:55:00.000-07:002015-12-09T08:55:20.165-07:00The Gun Nuts and Toxic Topics<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1447285520517_15988" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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Those of us who like, own and understand guns are often stereotyped as a collective aggregate of paranoid nuts who are afraid the government – most often the Federal government – is out to outlaw and confiscate all civilian guns. We are also generally presumed to believe that FEMA death camps have been secretly built under selected Walmart stores to house those who won't surrender their guns. Personally, I would find this hilarious if it wasn't a belief firmly held by more than a few whack-o conspiracy theorists who use this idea to feed their internet free speech machines. This unfortunately transforms the hilarity into a more deeply felt sadness at the hold ideology has on certain people.</div>
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Jade Helm has come and gone. Texas is still a state in the Union. It's not under martial law. No guns have been confiscated by the "government". The death camps underneath Walmart stores have yet to have been found. The paranoid voices have moved on to other conspiracies lurking in the shadows of their minds and the gun nuts remained concerned that guns will soon be outlawed and confiscated. Even given all this, I think that, in a more ordinary way, the gun nuts may be right.</div>
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I do not think that there is any kind of secret conspiracy among government and clandestine powers subject to the new world order, Huffington Post or the Illuminati, to name only a few of the ghosts that haunt the conspiracy minded paranoid among us. It think it is more simple and prosaic than that. It is simply that the anti-gun people may eventually get enough political clout to force a majority of the congress to enact draconian anti-gun laws that will, in effect, accomplish their goal of removing guns from the hands of US citizens. Period.</div>
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There will be no conspiracy among evil, liberal, commie, secret societies. Instead, there is more of a chance that rather ordinary people will become so motivated by the fear that they and their friends and families will be somehow so threatened by the mere existence of guns possessed by strangers that they will successfully demand guns be outlawed. Logic and reason play little part in this, rather these people are motivated by fear of the unknown (they know little to nothing about guns other than what they read, see on the news or in the movies, most of which is flat wrong or misleading at best), and they are motivated by the belief that guns are bad. "Guns are bad" is a "toxic topic" – you can't discuss it in any kind of open-ended or reasonable manner. Toxic topics are not open to real debate or investigation, but, like religion, are matters of belief, dogma and emotion. To understand this idea, consider the question of torture.</div>
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Most people, certain fundamentalist religious states excepted, will say that torture is bad, unethical and should be a crime, or at the least, certainly avoided in almost all circumstances. A significant number of those would go further, declaring that torture is a violation of fundamental human rights and cannot be condoned under any circumstances. A strong statement that should be subject to discussion and analysis, but you will find it impossible to engage such people about it; it's not open to discussion except in support of their beliefs. They won't hear anything against it. But listen to this.</div>
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Based on an actual incident, the following scenario will illustrate the necessity of rational discussion about hard ethical topics: A man stole a car but before he was apprehended, he ditched the car someplace and was soon captured on foot. Taken to the police station he was urgently questioned as to the location of the car. He would not reveal that nor admit to the crime, although circumstances and evidence conclusive enough to convince the police that we was, in fact, the guilty car thief. The police revealed that, unbeknownst to the thief, a baby was in the car when he stole it. Now, the baby is locked alone somewhere in that car, the weather is hot and the child in danger of being severely injured or of dying if not found and given medical attention. Still, the thief refuses to admit to taking the car or its location. Officers questioning the man torture him by smacking him around until he reveals the car's location. The infant is rescued and survives.</div>
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In this case, was torture, the violation of the thief's civil and human rights in pursuit of a more ethical end, justified? Are there instances when the end really does justify the means? What part does intent play in these ethical acts and decisions?</div>
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I think these are valid questions and queries of this sort need to be asked and discussed, not taken off the table because they contravene or "disrespect" someone's notions of ideology or dogma or rights.</div>
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I think that guns are one of these topics that need rational and evidence-based discussions. This is not likely to happen with a large segment of people since they consider it to be "off the table" and not open to reason, evidence or discussion. In other words, they won't touch it. It is toxic.</div>
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What can one do? I think the choices are two: ignore it or confront it whenever necessary. Ignoring it won't do anything to change or address it. Confronting toxic topics will perhaps lose you some friends and cause people to mutter about you over their cups of herbal tea, but you certainly aren't going to change any minds by keeping silent.</div>
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I was in my local gun store a couple of years back, talking with the owner when a stranger came in. He approached the counter where we were and eventually said to me, "You look familiar."</div>
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"I don't think we've met," I said.</div>
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"Weren't you at the Tea Party meeting last week?" he said.</div>
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"I'd rather shoot myself than go to a Tea Party meeting," I said.</div>
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You could tell he was confused. Here I was, engaged with the owner of the gun store about who, in his world, I had to be. But, I had quickly declared my belief that gun ownership did not automatically mean agreement with certain political views. I was open to what he had to say, but he turned quickly and left. Too bad.</div>
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There are all sorts of us who like guns, own guns, carry guns and believe the Second Amendment was created to give us a fighting chance should we ever be called upon to preserve those rights again, but who don't fit the nut case mould as many anti-gun people would like us to. And, we are willing and able to get into those toxic topics and not let them win by default. </div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-25694896580795385112015-12-09T08:52:00.001-07:002015-12-09T08:52:42.459-07:00So Much for Theory, Welcome to Jerusalem<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1445127491087_32328" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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The Palestinians, and other religiously motivated individuals, continue to attach Jews in Israel. Now, there are unaffiliated youth who are turning to knives in the streets, on the busses and in public places. Read about it here: http://michaeldouglasscott.com/2015/10/17/so-much-for-theory-welcome-to-jerusalem/</div>
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How does this relate to self defense carry? The article points out that the Israeli authorities are making it much easier for their civilians to carry guns, and point out that armmed civilians have been a definite help to their police and armed security. They also point out that civilians will need to be armed and vigilant to counter these threats.</div>
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The article also mentions that these kinds of religiously motivated attacks are increasingly happening in the western countries and will likely continue and increase. That includes the USA. </div>
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If we think we will be immune to these kinds of religious fanatics, we are wrong.</div>
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Best to be prepared.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-24336235555993556342015-12-09T08:51:00.003-07:002015-12-09T08:51:34.921-07:00Enemies<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1444844579589_27810" style="background-color: #cececf; clear: both; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 27.2px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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Enemies among us. Who are they? It is easier to say who they are not. </div>
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They are not your friends or allies. They don't look different than you. They don't wear uniforms. They are not harmless but are armed and mean to do you harm. They don't take prisoners. They don't care about you. They are not interested in a 'fair fight'. If you don't give them what they want, they may kill you. They may kill you even if you do.</div>
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One thing they all have in common is the determination to make you do what they want. Give up your money. Hand over your possessions. Surrender yourself, and perhaps your loved ones, to their pleasures. Provide them with their brand of twisted entertainment. Suffer. Die. Their reasons are many, but their intent is the same. Conform to their demands or suffer the consequences.</div>
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Broad generalizations sweep these people into certain identifiable categories: criminals, psychologically ruined psychopaths, religious zealots, and political hardliners are a few of the more obvious ones. We know they are out there among us, but we have no way of recognizing them unless they commit a dangerous act. By then, it is often too late for the victims to take measures to protect themselves.</div>
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Mr. Two Time Loser with that meth monkey on his back needs more drugs. Drugs cost money. He walks into a neighborhood convenience store, pulls the pistol he stole from his last burglary and demands money from the clerk. He gets some, but not as much as he feels he is entitled to so he herds the clerk and the customers into the back room intending to take what money they have on them, but panics and begins shooting.</div>
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The situation is that only the criminal is armed. The police are unaware of what's going down, being involved with their regular duties, and perhaps dealing with other criminals who have committed various crimes. They can't be everywhere. You have to call them for help. What can the potential victims do?</div>
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They can do anything but act like lambs at the slaughter. Rush the shooter. Throw things. Act like a group of angry people who won't go quietly into that good night. The odds are that someone is going to be hurt. However, if no one does anything to stop the shooter, everyone is going to get hurt, or worse. There appears to be a kind of herd mentality in these incidents where a jerk with a gun can be instantly obeyed by a group of people who stand a very good chance of successfully opposing him. But, no one wants to fight back.</div>
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The situation changes if someone in the group is armed. By deciding to carry a gun that person has made the commitment to not stand idly by in fear if confronted by a deadly threat. Now, the criminal and the group are on an even keel. One of our potential victims pulls her legal pistol from her purse and opens fire on the bad guy. What happens?</div>
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In the vast majority of situations like this, the bad guy, or guys, run. They do not like to be shot at. They panic when their lives are in danger. They run. Even if they don't, in the rare cases when they chose to stand and fight, the potential victims are energized enough to either defend themselves or to flee and seek shelter.</div>
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Another scenario which today is becoming increasingly possible and is more deadly than the violent criminal encounter happens when the enemy is motivated not by money or personal animosity, but from an imperative to force his ideology on everyone else. During the last century these ideologues were motivated by political and national systems like Nazism and Communism. They were quite clear in their aims, declaring war on their enemies and wearing uniforms to openly identify themselves. But, that was old school. Today, the ideologues we have to worry most about are motivated by religion, don't wear uniforms and are quite willing to kill as many unbelievers as necessary to force their way of life and religious laws on the rest of the world.</div>
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America has been fortunate to have suffered only a few attacks from the religious extremists, but we can certainly expect more, along with the rest of the civilized world, as they push out among us and convert more of our gullible and disaffected citizens to their jihad.</div>
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I don't intend to get bogged down in the debate about whether Islam is a religion of peace or not. I think it is obvious that many of Islam's most fundamental adherents are the jihadists that inflict and promote violence in the name of Islam around the world. There is no need to rationalize about poverty or political issues, just listen to what they say about why they do what they do.</div>
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These people are the enemy, just as the meth addict with a gun is the enemy, or the home invader from across town, or the road-rage psycho who wants to kill you for driving too slowly is the enemy.</div>
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The only question one has to answer is what to personally do about this. There are a limited number of choices.</div>
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You can do nothing and just go on with your life as if there are no enemies about and plan for your future as if it was going to be a peaceful extension of your present.</div>
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You can keep your cell phone charged so you can dial 911 if the worst happens and you need help and protection from evil.</div>
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You can get in shape and take your pick of martial arts classes to increase your defensive capabilities.</div>
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You can be fatalistic and convince yourself that it will never happen to you, but only to someone else.</div>
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You can make sure your will is up to date. </div>
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You can do all of these things and you can also arm your self and get the necessary training to better protect yourself and others should it come to that.</div>
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The anti-gun people will readily buy into many of those steps but the last one. And, for them, that is their choice. However, they do not get to prohibit me from legally owning and carrying a gun just because they don't chose to prepare meet the enemy. </div>
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That is their choice. They don't get to chose for me.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-26268109305883902352015-12-09T08:51:00.001-07:002015-12-09T08:51:04.636-07:00Mr. Deringer's Modern Day Child<div class="sqs-block image-block sqs-block-image" data-block-type="5" id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1444084452756_25726" style="clear: both; height: auto; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px 17px 14px; position: relative; transition: box-shadow 0.1s ease-in-out;">
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Mr. Deringer's derringer .41 Cal Black Powder Single Shot</div>
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We call them derringers because they were Mr. Deringer's invention and over time, the spelling became notoriously loose. By today's definition a derringer is a very small, lightweight "pocket" pistol. Or purse pistol, depending. At one time they were also called "muff pistols", but women generally don't carry muffs now. They are also famous, of course, because President Lincoln was murdered with one, but still, for the era when they were in vogue, the derringer was a popular and effective close quarters gun. Being a single shot, they were most often sold in pairs. One and a backup. I remember building a plastic scale model of a derringer, like the one above, from a kit when I was a youngster. I have always been fascinated with them.</div>
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Last year I acquired a new model derringer which, although designed along the same principles as Mr. Deringer's original pistol, and intended for the same use, is a safe, modern, robust and efficient expression of the type: the Bond Arms derringer. You may know about this Texas company and the small but dedicated group of its followers. They, like the gun itself, are unique, original and determined. Unfortunately, I gave in to the persuasions of a friend and sold it to him. One of my less sound decisions.</div>
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Bond Arms Patriot Defender .410/.45 (for one) Two Shot</div>
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Bond Arms derringers are unique in that they offer a small but robust two-shot answer to the question of self protection. The owner and chief bottle washer of the company, Gordon Bond, is vocal and convincing about the Bond Arms derringer's place and effectiveness in personal self protection. I suggest that you take a trip over to their website and look at a few videos and see what Gordon has to say. I won't plow the same ground here, but I will state my personal ideas about his line of handguns.</div>
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Handguns come in all flavors, sizes, calibers and designs, and all are aimed at a certain function. Some are just big hand canons, firing large and powerful projectiles from long, heavy barrels. Perhaps their function is to punch holes in metal walls or stop enraged grizzlies. I've never been quite sure. Some are revolvers, some are semiautomatics. Some are designed and intended for competition, or target shooting, or concealed carry. The design intent, or requirement, should define the form and function of the weapon. Some handguns strive for a middle of the road approach to maximize sales. Some are decidely narrow in their intended application, like a Ruger Mk. II .22 target gun, for example, or a small frame, five-shot, snub nose revolver. The vast majority of handguns do share one common trait: they offer five or more shot capacity before having to be reloaded. In this aspect, Bond Arms is one of the few that stray from this philosophy. The big question is, why?</div>
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I would like to offer a few suggestions of my own. </div>
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Generally, opinions on this question revolve around range, effectiveness, the overall average number of rounds that are expended in a self defense gunfight scenario, which is, I believe something like 1.45. And, what I would term as <em>suitability</em>. More on suitability a bit later.</div>
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<strong>Range</strong></div>
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The majority of situations in which a citizen must resort to and fire a gun for self defense happen within a range of one to five yards. Some are even closer than that, involving bodily contact. Timing is also a factor in these situations. Attacks are most often sudden and unexpected. To mention only one example, I watched a video recently of a man who was preparing to back his car out of his garage when another man holding a pistol, walked quickly into view, approaching the diver's side from the rear of the car. The driver had just enough time to see the assailant in his side mirror, pull his own gun, which appeared to be a mid-sized semi-auto, and fire over his shoulder out of his open window at the approaching gunman. The bad guy immediately fled without firing his weapon. Was he shot? I don't know, but the driver's quick, almost reflexive action stopped the encounter and the threat.</div>
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Rage? Maybe three feet. Maybe less. Timing? About two seconds.</div>
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The man who was about to be assaulted had no time to go to a two-hand shooting hold, nor time to aim in any meaning of the term. Where did his rounds go? I don't know and he probably didn't either. I think the bad guy ran just because his intended victim was firing in his general direction. I can't help but wonder where those rounds would have ended up if the episode had not occurred in a garage.</div>
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So, in most instances the range is short. Most guns carried for self defense will far exceed this modest range, which can be a real problem. You shoot quickly, one, two or three rounds. You hit the bad guy with one, and the others miss. Where do they end up? You are responsible for each bullet that leaves your gun. Do they travel across the street and into a neighbor's house? Into a passerby? You won't know if you are not a top shot with a handgun in a adrenaline-soaked, high stress, life-threatening situation. And who is? Not even the professionals, those men and women who train with and carry handguns as part of their jobs, can be acceptably accurate under such circumstances. Look it up. The "miss" rate of law enforcement personnel in these scenarios is shockingly high. You or I won't do as well. We will do considerably worse.</div>
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With the standard handgun used for self defense by the average person, the only real answer is to shoot it. A lot. Train, practice in scenarios that will be somewhat like the one you may have to deal with some day. Not just shooting at paper targets or cans, but drawing from concealment and firing safely and accurately. This is not easy. In fact, it is damned difficult. Besides, who has the time, opportunity or money to burn through ammo like that? Certainly not most folks.</div>
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<strong>Effectiveness</strong></div>
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"Effectiveness" is the land of "stopping power". Actually, it is the fantasy land of "stopping power". Shoot a large, strong, crazed male bent on doing you serious bodily harm with 12 gauge 00 buck and you might stop him. Then again, you might not. The human animal is a hardy and strange thing. Studies of law enforcement shootings reveal that sometimes humans don't stop after being shot, even when they have been shot multiple times with large caliber bullets. The image of someone being literally blown off of their feet that is all too common in the movies, is just that: a movie special effects effect.</div>
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I define <em>effectiveness</em> in terms of self defense as the ability to stop the threat, not to knock someone down. If an aggressor is threatened by the sight of a gun and stops or flees the encounter, then the threat has been stopped. Game over. Nothing left to do except call the authorities and report what happened. Do this because it is the right and legal thing to do and it might stop someone else from being harmed by the individual that threatened you.</div>
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So, having to shoot someone to stop their threat of deadly force (and you must be certain of what the law requires before you resort to deadly force) may not necessarily effective. There is much you can do about that except to be prepared and confident and try your best. After reading about and viewing many real-life videos of these kinds of situations, I am very confident that in most instances, shooting at an aggressor, even multiple ones, is sufficient to stop the threat. They usually run away. Not always, of course, but if we insist on perfection, we will be hiring squads of bodyguards.</div>
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So, forget about the stopping power of different loads, bullets and calibers. One may stop a deadly threat by displaying a .22 auto.</div>
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<strong>Number of Rounds Fired</strong></div>
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This relates directly to the discussion on effectiveness, above. Obviously, more damage will be inflicted with more rounds hitting the target. But, again, that doesn't guarantee it will stop the threat. There are many, many documented instances of aggressors being shot multiple times, even with rifle and large caliber rounds, but they keep on coming, or fighting. Yes, it is good policy, if one is forced to shoot in self defense, to shoot until the threat is stopped, but that may only take one shot, or it may take many more than the self defense gun has available. There is no hard-and-fast rule here.</div>
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<strong>Suitability</strong></div>
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Is the weapon – a handgun in this discussion – suitable for self defense? Most knowledgeable people would say yes, with certain reservations. Usually this question pivots around caliber, power and capacity. However, these, I think, are not the main points when considering that most people are not well trained and have never been in a life-or-death confrontation. The important points are, I think:</div>
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<strong>Will you have a gun available when you need it?</strong></div>
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As many people have said, if your carry gun is not going to get carried much, then it fails at its intended purpose. Doesn't matter if it is your beloved 1911 .45 or a Glock, if it's home in the safe, you are going unarmed. If a gun is too large, too heavy, too thick, too uncomfortable in any way, at some point, it will be left behind. The best gun is the one you have when you need it, and the one you are most likely to have on you is small enough and comfortable enough to carry. Always. No handgun is really "comfortable". They are more and less acceptable as a carry gun, but that's about it.</div>
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<strong>Can you shoot it quickly and accurately enough to hit an assailant at close range?</strong></div>
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As discussed above, if you use one of the "standard" self defense carry guns like a semi auto or revolver and don't practice consistently and often, then the answer is no. You can't. Especially when things turn suddenly bad and deadly and you are cranked out of your skull with fear and adrenaline. </div>
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<strong>Will the projectile that you fire have a low probability of injuring an innocent person should you miss?</strong></div>
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Again, unless you are a top shooter in combat situations, the answer is no. Even if you were, the odds of all your rounds going where you intend are small.</div>
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This brings me back to the original derringer. Mr. Deringer designed and made a small, easily carried handgun that was effective at very short range, easy to shoot and not deadly far beyond the immediate range needed to stop a threat. I suspect that the Bond Arms derringer, the modern expression of Mr. Deringer's original design, might be just the carry gun for the average citizen. It is a two-shot, rather than a one-shot pistol. It is made with modern materials and quality workmanship. It handles a wide variety of modern ammunition. It appears to be small enough and well configured for concealed carry so that it will be acceptably comfortable over long periods. Loaded with .410 shot shell ammunition, accuracy at close range should not be an issue, and since shot power dissipates rapidly with range, it will be less of a danger to others beyond the immediate vicinity. Being a single-action gun, it should be very safe to carry, and simple to operate.</div>
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Probably the biggest issue for some will be the gun's two-shot capacity. In practice, this may not be as important as many people believe. Again, I believe I am correct when I state that the majority of civilian self-defense confrontations occur within a very short range and that they are quickly over once the intended victim shoots at his or her assailant. It is very rare that a standup gunfight ensues in these situations. Rapid reloading of the Bond Arms pistol will require focus and practice and may prove to be acceptably fast. </div>
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The best way to decide these matters is to put them to the test. Fortunately, I have a new Bond Arms Patriot model coming soon which I will use for just those purposes. I will be testing both the .410/.45 caliber barrels, and the .38 Special/.357 Magnum barrels on the gun. All Bond Arms derringers have the capability of easily accepting barrels of different calibers.</div>
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I will use it frequently, and carry it daily. Right now the weather is changing. I will be migrating from T-shirts to sweaters to parkas over the course of the fall and winter which will offer a good test for the gun as a carry piece and its effectiveness when things are nice and balmy, and when fingers are frozen and gloves and coats are a hindrance. I will be reporting on my experience with this pistol regularly. I will also be reporting on the experiences and thoughts of friends who will also be trying this gun out, most of whom have little or limited experience with pistols and are older, like me, and smaller and female. I want to see if this would be a good concealed carry and an around the house gun for people of limited strength and abilities.</div>
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I will be putting my S&W M&P Shield in the safe and going with the Bond Arms Patriot as my primary carry piece for the foreseeable future.</div>
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I will let you know how that goes.</div>
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Stay safe.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-20126099230691537062015-12-09T08:49:00.002-07:002015-12-09T08:49:49.454-07:00Dressed for the Streets<div class="body entry-content" id="yui_3_17_2_6_1449675422574_471" style="background-color: #cececf; color: #120c0c; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 16px; line-height: 27.2px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the streets in a comfortable T-shirt, pants and the S&W M&P Shield and a spare magazine.</td></tr>
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Now that you've read the caption, you might think you can spot the Shield and magazine somewhere. The fact is that you and 99% of the other people who saw me dressed exactly like this last week had no idea that I was carrying a weapon. That's the idea.</div>
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Concealed under the shirt: M&P Shield with LaserMax, mag in Kytex holder and the holster</div>
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When one first begins carrying concealed the temptation to check every wrinkle and bulge is difficult to resist. When you look down and see a fold out of place in your shirt, you know it is because your gun is printing. Maybe it is, but to the uninitiated, one fold or small bulge looks very much like all of the other folds and bulges, if they are aware of them at all. Which they usually are not.</div>
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If you have gone to all of the trouble and expense to satisfy the local and state bureaucracy in order to obtain your concealed carry permit it is important that you use it. In a recent survey there were a disturbing number of responses from people, with permits, who carry their guns only when they think they may "need to". What does this mean? That these people are fortune tellers, read the future, have spent the morning with a deck of Tarot cards perhaps? It's wishful thinking.</div>
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No one can foretell when and where the need to protect oneself or others from the threat of deadly violence will occur. A few minutes perusing the internet for incidents of self protection by citizens will quickly reveal that these things happen any time, any place, often for no discernible reasons other than that the perpetrators want your money and, or your life for twisted reasons of their own.</div>
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"Ooops..., wait a minute, I forgot my gun," is not the response one wants to have when bad trouble starts.</div>
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The only sane alternative is to pack your gun legally all of the time. All. Of. The. Time.</div>
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This is called playing the odds. Odds are that you will never need it. However the consequences of the odds not falling in your favor can be serious and vicious in the extreme, especially if you've foregone the means to protect yourself. This is not to say that the outcomes of violent encounters won't be harmful to you and other innocents, but at the least you will have the option to effectively fight back.</div>
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Maximize your odds.</div>
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Carry whenever possible. Find holster combinations that will not inhibit this. No holster makes a gun "so comfortable that I didn't know I had it on." That is just advertising bull. There are holsters that are less obnoxious to wear than others, but you are going to have to find a few that are tolerable, that you can get used to having on, like your belt or your shoes. </div>
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Wear your gun in a place on your body so that it is accessible whenever you need it. Standing, sitting, lying down, driving while belted in your car. Pocket holsters and behind the hip carry are popular, but when one is seated, which is more than half of the time during the day, they are very hard to access. The best places to carry are, 1. appendix, 2. cross draw, and 3. shoulder holster.</div>
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You can find excellent holsters made for these carry positions from many reputable makers. Spend some decent money to get quality holsters. They are as important to you as carrying a quality handgun. If you invest in holsters for more a couple of effective carry methods, you will have some flexibility in where you carry that you can vary according to circumstances such as weather and dress.</div>
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You should pactice shooting, of course. But also practice (without ammunition) drawing, presenting and dry-firing your guns from your holsters wearing the clothing you would normally wear with them. Violence most often happens quickly and by surprise. Most self defense shootings take place within three to five yards, or closer. You must be quick and you must be effective. </div>
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Practice how to aim your fire in close and quick situations. The old advice to line up the front and rear sights into the standard "sight picture" is not going to do you much good in these quick, close self defense scenarios. Practice focusing on the front sight only. It should be larger and well marked to stand out so it can be quickly acquired by your eyes. Better yet, combine a good, highly visible front sight with a laser sight.</div>
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Many of the objections to a laser concern reliability, operability and taking the time to pick up the red or green laser dot on the target. I consider a laser to be an aid which is useful in practicing target acquisition and trigger discipline during dry firing sessions, and as a possible sighting aid in a real gunfight situation. The important thing to remember is that the laser is another option in your tool kit. If you learn to shoot quickly and instinctively with your front sight, you also have the option of engaging with the laser should the situation permit. A laser is especially important in low light conditions, a period in which most criminal encounters tend to happen.</div>
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If you train without the laser, and again with the laser, you will have the option to engage with it or not. It is a good tool to have, yet does not make you dependent upon it.</div>
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In the photographs below, note that the LaserMax is designed to complement the form factor of the pistol, doesn't interfere with the grip or trigger guard and is light weight so that its presence on the pistol is not really felt. Is it always necessary? No. Is it there if I need it? Yes. Nice thing about the LaserMax is that one can control when it is on or off since it is not dependent on the shooter squeezing the handgrips. Sometimes I want to have a proper shooting grip, but I don't want the laser engaged. My choice.</div>
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Carry as comfortably as possible, with more than one good holster for options, train to be quick and accurate, consider a laser to increase your options and stay safe.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-1675375806618860222015-12-09T08:46:00.001-07:002015-12-09T08:46:23.714-07:00It's Not Terrorism, and It Is Predictable<div>
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<span class="s1">Last week Ayoub El Khazzani, a 26 year Moslem who was living in Europe after returning from Syria, was about to shoot up a French train car of innocent people but instead got his ass severely kicked by American, British and French passengers. Without these people immediately putting their lives on the line to stop Khazzani, the world would have yet another “terrorist” massacre to worry about and argue over.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I understand the worry, but I am becoming increasingly intolerant of the arguments. With instant access to social media and internet sites, such as this one, anyone can and do broadcast their opinions to millions of other people. Yes, opinions are part of free speech, but that does not preclude many of opinion pieces crowding the social media-verse from being ignorant, ill-informed or purposefully distorted. The two most frequent and equally ignorant opinions – giving the benefit of the doubt that their authors are mis-informed rather than merely stupid or biased – claim that acts of “terrorism” are always the result of societal and political disenfranchisement or maltreatment of oppressed people, and that the real problem is guns.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I want to address both of these opinions, but first, a word about what happened on that train in France. According to the New York Times, “…the authorities in at least two countries already knew quite a lot about Mr. Khazzani before he surged into notoriety on Friday afternoon: He was on a French list as a security threat, and Spanish officials told news media there that he had traveled to Syria — not in itself an offense, unless he went there for jihad. Had he been living in France, a tough new surveillance law, approved at the end of July by France’s constitutional council, would have likely turned up even more on him.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Yet with all that the authorities already knew about him, he managed to board unhindered the heavily traveled Amsterdam-to-Paris high-speed train with a sack of weaponry, probably in Belgium, and was ready to inflict serious damage, with dozens of rounds of ammunition, an AK-47, an automatic pistol and a box cutter.”</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There is no doubt that Khazzani intended to kill as many people on that train as possible. Unfortunately for the world, he won’t be the only one to attempt something like this, and France won’t be the only country where these so-called terrorists will strike.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">“We are now faced with unpredictable terrorism,” said Jean-Charles Brisard, a French security consultant and terrorism expert.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Unpredictable? Terrorism? Not so much. The confusion inherent in the use of these terms is part of the problem.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">These types of attacks are not really “unpredictable”. Much the same as mass shootings in the US, one can predict (supported by the basic statistics relating to those events) that mass shootings will almost invariably occur in places where people are unarmed. In this country, we advertise where those places will be. We call them Gun Free Zones, posted with prominent signs that No Guns Are Allowed. Why? It is not for the education of would be mass-shooters. Or for people bent on criminal acts such as armed robbery. When someone who is determined to shoot as many people as possible with minimum danger to themselves is searching for a target rich, low risk environment, gun-free zones are obvious choices. Gun-free schools. Gun-free movie theaters. Gun-free shopping malls. Any place where law abiding citizens are prohibited from carrying legal firearms will do. And, with historically one exception, that is where the killers go.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">A case might be made that the entire country of France is a gun free zone, military and police who make up a minuscule number of the population excepted.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">How might we deal with this? Mr. Brissard has an opinion:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">“The most plausible scenario is some return to the situation prevailing in France in the mid-1990s after a series of Islamist attacks on trains and train stations. For a brief period, <i>military personnel patrolled inside the trains</i> [my italics] and baggage was checked. Mr. Brisard noted that such patrols have, potentially, a much more dissuasive effect than the mere sight of armed soldiers in train stations.”</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Why wouldn’t a Boy Scout patrol, or large, muscular men in black T-Shirts with “Safety Patrol” be just as effective? Guns, that is why. Military patrols pack firearms. Police pack firearms. They do this for solid reasons. People like Khazzani don’t want to deal with armed opponents, they want helpless victims. However, if we were to take Mr. Brissard’s proposal to seriously, it would be necessary to dramatically increase the number of our military personnel, provide training, pay them and care for them in order to run patrols in all of the areas where they would be needed. This is just not possible. Nor, would I want to live in a military-patrolled society.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">An obvious answer to this problem is to allow citizens to carry their own firearms for self defense and the defense of innocent people. Do not prohibit the ability of people to defend themselves and fight back effectively against violence that others want to inflict upon them. If Khazzani knew that there would be a number of armed individuals on the train who would not hesitate to fight back, my sense is that he would have searched for a different opportunity. Another gun free zone.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Yes, I can now anticipate the blow-back, the outrage among those who think that all guns are evil and more guns just lead to more violence, a conclusion not supported by objective fact and research. However, I’d like to quote Sam Harris who has what I consider to be one of the best reasoned responses to these objections. Sam is an intellectual, an atheist, a liberal in most senses of the word, with degrees in Philosophy and a doctorate in NeuroPsychology. Sam has a very practical and common sense approach to violence and guns:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">“Although I might find a few useful things to say to such readers [of his article on <i>The Riddle of the Gun</i>], let me concede that the bar is probably set too high. Thinking about violence is not everyone’s cup of tea...It is irrational, however, to imagine that such insouciance can pass for an informed opinion on how best to respond to violence in the event that it occurs. I have now heard from many people who have never held a gun in their lives, and are proud to say that they never would, but who appear entirely confident in declaiming upon the limitations of firearms as defensive weapons. Before proceeding, perhaps there is general rule of cognition we might all agree on: <i>It would be surprising, indeed, if avoiding a topic as a matter of principle were the best way to understand it</i>. [my italics]</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">With respect to guns, I need to make a practical and ethical decision about whether or not to own one, given my specific security concerns and the level of violent crime in the society in which I live. ... The choice to own a gun comes down to this: If I hear a window break in the middle of the night, I want to be armed with more than my idealism.”</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Or, in this case, if some whack-job pulls out an AK-47 in the midst of my shopping experience, train ride, or Walmart parking lot, I want to be armed with more than idealism or a can of pepper spray.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Anyone who seriously opposes the right of people to protect themselves from violence have no business trying to impose their paranoia and fear on others. I could go on to argue against all of the themes anti-gun people have put forward, but I will save that for later. I now want to turn to the other term which I think is confusing and misleading: terrorism.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The handy term terrorism has become a general catch-all to explain acts of violence in support of an opposing philosophy, political system or religion. To call people like Khazzani terrorists is to dilute the nature and definition of the threat they pose, and thereby to dilute the appropriate responses to them and the threat the pose to the world. These people are Islamic zealots who are determined to establish a world caliphate in order to rule in obedience with religious laws that date from the middle ages. They believe that God has mandated that they enforce his will, as dictated to an illiterate merchant fifteen hundred years ago, or kill anyone who opposes, disagrees or “insults” these dictates.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This is not a joke. These people are not disaffected, poor minorities who have been driven to violence by injustice and oppression. The 911 hijackers who killed over 3000 American were all well educated, well to do or wealthy and living well in the United States. What they had in common was belief in the fundamentals of Islam, in “holy war”, in the world caliphate that God demands they establish.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">These people are religious fanatics. Not “terrorists”. This makes them immune from the frequently proposed solutions their apologists put forward. Better living conditions. Jobs. Relief from “oppression” by a foreign government. Democracy. They really don’t care about that. They care only about what Allah and his representatives tell them they must do or suffer Allah’s consequences.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Which can be severe.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Insult the Prophet. Death. Leave the faith. Death. Speak out for reform. Death. Don't surrender. Death.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Pretty effective it appears.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">What can one do in the face of violent fundamentalism? Not much except to educate as many people as possible, especially the children. As long as their societies remain closed to education (remember the young Moslem girl Malia who at 14 was shot because she wanted to go to school? If not, you should learn about her.) that approach is also closed to us.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I don’t have any answers to this terrible world problem, but I do have an answer to what is coming – more religious violence here and in Europe. Stop incidents of violence as soon as they begin. Let the violent people, religious and otherwise, know that they are not safe anywhere from armed citizens willing and able to fight back.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Is this perfect? No. Will innocent people suffer? Yes. Innocent people are and will be suffering anyway. Why let this continue without fighting back?</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1">be armed</span></div>
</div>
Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-1415635787670692342015-08-18T14:28:00.001-06:002015-08-18T14:28:43.870-06:00Another Lesson Learned<p> Sunday I went out with a good friend to get in some shooting – target practice, a bit of training and fun. It turned out to be a learning experience for me as well as a fun afternoon. What did I learn? Well, that I cannot shoot a Ruger LCP well enough to justify keeping it as a self defense gun. Now, I love the Ruger LCP. I've had the older model, and, later bought this one, the newer model with the improved trigger. I have shot a good number of rounds through the LCP platform, but this weekend, I learned that I can't shoot it accurately enough.</p><p>This is not a gun problem. This is a shooter's problem. My problem, and not necessarily yours or anyone else's problem. I spent a few years moderating a gun forum that had quite a number of LCP owners and entusiasts as members. I'm certain that many people can perform up to expectations with their small .380 handgun, but my experience has been different.</p><p>What happened was this. I have a new LaserMax CenterFire sight on the pistol. I believe firmly that on small, self defense handguns, a laser is a necessary accessory. Most bad things happen in the dark, or darkness, and a laser can help ensure one hits what is being aimed at, especially with a gun like the LCP which has minimal sights to begin with. I fired some close range, steady rounds to ensure the alignment of the laser was correct, then moved to a steel target set up about chest high, and about chest size. Drawing and firing the first magazine at ten yards was enlightening. I shot more plants and dirt than steel, even with the pulsating red dot to aid my aim.</p><p>Not good. Reload. Shoot without the laser, still quickly, although slower than one would take in a real crisis situation. Six shots. Two hits. Again. Same speed but closer. Two hits again. Moved to about five yards and repeat. Better, but only 50% hits. Even with more attempts it didn't get any better.</p><p>If I had to place the errors anywhere it would have to be with two things, the very small form factor of the gun, coupled with a difficult and long trigger pull.</p><p>The short barrel, light weight and two-finger grip necessary on this pistol require the shooter to have an exceptionally steady hand, especially when pulling the trigger. Any slight variation will move the barrel way off target. Unfortunately, even with Ruger's improved trigger on this newer LCP, the effort and distance required to pull through to the break point is too great to maintain acceptable accuracy for me. </p><p>The LCP generates a significant amount of recoil which, coupled with the light weight of the pistol, jerks it off target with each shot so one must be very deliberate getting it back on target and trying to make a smooth trigger pull for the next round. Frankly, this was very difficult for me.</p><p>During the afternoon, I fired many rounds through the M&P Shield 9mm, an M&P 40, and a .38 special airweight, all with acceptable accuracy in slow and rapid fire. Not marksmanship competition accuracy, but with good "stopt the threat" accuracy.</p><p>Why do I have an LCP in the first place? It is small, very small, light weight, easily concealable and comfortable to carry all day, and it is effective with the modern self defense loads. All this is good, but not worth anything if the gun can not be used effectively and responsibly. For me, it's not effective, and perhaps more importantly, not responsible since I do not want to ever endanger innocent people by not being able to shoot at and hit the threat and nothing else.</p><p>I can not justify keeping the LCP for those two reasons. I will sell it and point the buyer to this article, so that he or she will understand the limitations and advantages of the pistol.</p><p>I encourage you to evaluate your carry arms for their effectiveness and responsibility when being used by you. You might be in for a surprise.</p><p>I certainly was.</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-22493242278887768742015-08-02T16:41:00.002-06:002015-08-02T16:41:31.777-06:00A Naked Man, a Knife, a Hammer and LSDLike many of us who carry, I am sometimes asked 'why?', and if I'm paranoid. I try to explain that although I live in a very peaceful community, sometimes bad things can happen. Any where. Any time. Case in point from a very liberal, and some would say, laid back town where I used to live:<br />
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"<span style="color: #414141; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px;">A Boulder (Colorado) police officer shot and killed a University of Colorado student believed to be high on LSD late Monday, after the man attacked residents with a knife, then confronted police with a hammer while naked, officials said.</span><br />
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Police said the suspect — identified by the coroner as Samuel Forgy, 22 — climbed onto a railing at the 19th Street apartment complex as if he was going to jump down on the officers on the landing below him.</div>
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Police said an officer tried unsuccessfully to use a Taser on Forgy before he was fatally shot by a second officer, but a neighbor who witnessed the confrontation said the stun gun and the handgun were fired almost simultaneously.</div>
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"There was a crackle and then 'pop, pop, pop,'" neighbor Nikki Larsen said Tuesday morning. "One after the other. It was less than a second. In an instant of time, Taser — then three gunshots."</div>
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CU officials confirmed Forgy was a student on the Boulder campus, where he was majoring in applied mathematics. He transferred to CU last year from the Community College of Denver, according to his LinkedIn profile.</div>
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Bouler police said they were originally called to the scene after a resident of an apartment at 1841 19th St. phoned 911 shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday to report that a man was acting erratically and was outside the apartment, screaming.</div>
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When officers arrived, police said, they found a 23-year-old victim with cuts to his face. The man suffered multiple knife wounds, including a 6-inch cut to his forehead and a bite on his hand, police said." – from the Boulder Colorado newspaper, The Daily Camera, 7/28/15</div>
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That bad things happen unexpectedly, anywhere is not news. What is interesting as well in this sordid tale are the opinions and observations of people who were nearby or who head about this incident and have made their comments on it.</div>
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Note the neighbor who claimed that the stun gun [<i>sic</i>] and the handgun were fired "almost simultaneously". Less than a second. An instant of time.</div>
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Most probably not. Eye witness (or ear witness, in this case) testimony has been proven notoriously inaccurate. People are not video or audio recorders. Their brain interprets what they see and hear, and often, distorts or even creates memories of events, especially traumatic events. What is apparent is that there was the sound of a taser, then sounds of gunfire. </div>
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Why would the neighbor say this? Probably because she believes it, but that doesn't make it accurate. Perhaps she doesn't like guns or violence and believes that the young, naked man, high on acid, already having cut up one person and threatening the police with the hammer, should not have been shot.</div>
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I read one account of this in the campus paper in which one person, allegedly at the scene, complained that the police should have only shot to injure the naked man instead of shooting him to stop him. Which, in fact, did stop him from harming anyone else. The police rightly pointed out that when someone is intent on doing you death or bodily harm, it is not a good idea to try a Hollywood shot to merely "wing" the person, or, like Roy Rogers, shoot the hammer out of his hand.</div>
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This is, unfortunately not an a-typical scenario or reactions to it, but similar to what one can expect should you ever have to use your weapon in self defense. There are those who will not accept, condone or approve your actions even though they are moral, legal and necessary to save your life. All the more reason for you to know your legal and moral rights and be prepared to act upon them should that awful necessity arise.</div>
Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-26766310362121946032015-07-27T12:43:00.001-06:002015-07-27T12:43:53.342-06:00A New Carry Gun, A New Laser<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBKl3o3HdjU/VbZ1J7iKvuI/AAAAAAAAGV8/-w6E2oCmIwY/s1600/1430870400_cflcp2.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qBKl3o3HdjU/VbZ1J7iKvuI/AAAAAAAAGV8/-w6E2oCmIwY/s640/1430870400_cflcp2.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New CenterFire Laser from LaserMax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few months ago I replaced my original Ruger LCP with one of their new models having the improved trigger and sights. The sights are still rudimentary and not useful for the intended purpose of this pistol, which is, concealed carry for up-close encounters. Although the LCP and its kin are often referred to as "point and shoot" guns, that moniker belies the fact that small, short barrel handguns are notoriously difficult to shoot with acceptable accuracy. We are not talking about bulls eyes or "driving tacks", but about hitting a 20" diameter circle at, say, five to fifteen yards, at the outside.<br />
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I've shot these small handguns a lot, and have helped and witnessed others to shoot and become familiar with them. They are not accurate in the hands of the ordinary person. Period. Standing at the range, wearing ear protectors, using two hands and sighting carefully, the average person who gets little to no practice can't hit a center-of-mass sized target more than two or three times out of seven shots. Take away the range environment and jack up the adrenaline, crank up the heart rate and the realization that someone close to you is about to do you bodily harm or death, and it just gets worse. Oh, and turn out the lights too.<br />
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I have reviewed laser sights and their advantages and disadvantages, which are few in comparison with the benefits they offer, elsewhere in this blog. See the links below. Here I would like to provide a brief update on the LaserMax CenterFire.<br />
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When I sold the old LCP, the laser went with it. Now, I'm a fair shot with my LCP but it quickly became obvious to me that I am a better one with a laser than without, so I acquired another CenterFire from LaserMax. (See below for my head-to-head laser comparison post.) I had it installed within five minutes of opening the packaging. It is that easy. Mine required only slight tweaks in elevation and deflection to get the bright red dot exactly where I wanted it across the room and aligned with my iron sights.<br />
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The dot seems brighter to me than the one on my old laser, but I think they are the same power and wavelength. Perhaps the optics are a bit improved. I immediately liked the new switching arrangement: a "tap on", "tap off" switch that is easily accessed by my forefinger going right on top of it with the draw. If I want the laser on, a slight tap will do it. Tap again, and it is off. I developed the technique of just swiping my forefinger along the laser housing and protruding switch as I move it to the trigger. This automatically activates the laser.<br />
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Nice thing for me is that it doesn't activate unless I want it on.<br />
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Now, I'm back to my comfort zone for carrying small and concealed: the improved Ruger LCP and the improved LaserMax CenterFire.<br />
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Life is good.<br />
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<i>See the links below for more information on my blog about lasers:</i><br />
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<a href="http://sdcarry.blogspot.com/2014/04/laser-myths.html" target="_blank">Laser Myths</a><br />
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<a href="http://sdcarry.blogspot.com/2013/10/lasermax-micro-rail-mounted-laser-sight.html" target="_blank">Rail Mounted Micro Laser</a><br />
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<a href="http://sdcarry.blogspot.com/2013/10/lasers-pick-your-color-red-or-green.html" target="_blank">Lasers: Pick your color</a><br />
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<a href="http://sdcarry.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-top-button.html" target="_blank">Dueling Lasers: LaserMax and Crimson Trace</a><br />
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<br />Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-73954069761827305352015-07-26T12:26:00.000-06:002015-07-26T12:26:08.995-06:00AIWB Holsters Trial Results<b>Late last year I acquired seven AIWB </b>(Appendix Inside Waist Band) holsters for testing and review. There are many, many such holsters on the market now, some good, and some not so good. I could have asked for and received more holsters but to have been even-handed in my testing, it would have taken me far too long to use each one long enough to provide a fair evaluation. So, I chose these as my guinea pigs: <b>Cook's IWB</b> Holster with Adjustable Belt Clip, their #1 best seller currently; G-Code Holster's <b>Incog Eclipse</b>; Blade-Tech's <b>Klipt</b>. I also tested four <b>Remora </b>holsters: the standard no-clip holster, the Micro, the Carbon Carry Hybrid holster, and the Clip IWB holster.<br />
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I carried my S&W M&P Shield in these holsters over a period of half a year, alternating them, getting each experience in my daily carry activities, winter, spring and summer. This is important since, like most of you, my activities vary from day to day and week to week. As the seasons change, so do my clothing needs and preferences. A good holster should be adaptable to all of these varying conditions and requirements. As you will see, some were, and some were not. I will discuss each holster in turn, then my conclusions at the end of this article.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cook's IWB</b> Holster with Adjustable Belt Clip</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cook's with the Shield<br />belt side</td></tr>
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This is a kydex holster with carbon fiber imprint. It has an ABS 1 1/2" belt clip that is adjustable for cant. The holster was shipped with an extra 1.75" clip.</div>
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As you can tell from the photos, the quality of this holster is right up there with the best. Fine attention to detail. Smooth edges and corners. The carbon imprint (an option) is flawless. The Shield fits perfectly. The tension was as I like it originally and I never had to adjust it, although a screw is placed correctly if that is needed.</div>
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The sweat guard works as it should and is no bigger than it needs to be. Note that the magazine release is also covered. For AWIB carry I settled on the 1.5" clip, slightly canted as you see. Gave it the best concealment under a T-shirt, which are the mainstays of my summer wardrobe.</div>
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The Cook's holster is easy on and easy off yet holds to the belt firmly and won't come off unless you open the clip and deliberately take it off. I carried this one many times and it was always comfortable, didn't pinch or poke and holstered easily and unholstered just as nicely. I found that it conceals your weapon very well. I have worn the Shield in this holster to many public events, all day, under a basic T-shirt and no one has ever been the wiser. After one all-day outing my wife asked me after we returned home if I carried a gun that day. Silly question, but still it spoke volumes about this holster.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">G-Code Holster's <b>Incog Eclipse</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G-Code Incog Eclipse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G-Code Incog Eclipse</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">G-Code says that their INCOG series holsters are "joint development projects between Haley Strategic Partners and G-Code Holsters."</span></span><br />As with the Cook's holster, this is a single-clip, kydex (I think. More on this later on...) holster that has what G-Code refers to as "tactical fuzz" bonded to the outer surface. This "fuzz" is what G-Code calls a suede-like synthetic outer laminate which is supposed to dampen noise during movement and reduce the "reflective signature in the IR spectrum and blend with the surrounding environment." All this may be true in certain situations, but for an AIWB holster the fuzz's main advantage is comfort and friction. I'm not overly worried about reflective IR signatures or blending in with AIWB carry.</div>
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Of all of the holsters I tested for this writeup, I found the Eclipse to be the best. It wasn't far and away more comfortable than Cook's, but I think the "fuzz" is a bit softer, tends to grab a bit more on my clothing and doesn't move around much at all. For me, I'd say I prefer it. Not by a lot, but still I tended to reach for the Eclipse instead of the Cook's more often.</div>
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I haven't found the need to change the position of the clip but it is easily done. The aluminum stand-off looks kind of funky at first, but it is solid and puts the clip out even with the holster body. Note that the clip is sprung outward and is plastic, not metal. I hate metal clips. Thin, springy, sharp and tend to catch on things and are pretty obvious. Not this one. It flexes open easily, grabs the belt, even my thin nylon one, tenaciously and somehow almost disappears. How do they do that?</div>
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And, it's a 'tuckable'. I hardly ever tuck my shirt over my weapon. I've done it, and it works, but typically I don't bother.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blade-Tech's <b>Klipt</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blade-Tech Klipt</td></tr>
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This holster is a less expensive and basic version of the Cook's and Eclipse holsters, and many other similarly designed kydex holsters on the market. Its main virtue is the cost: $29 msrp. This is likely due to the fact that these holsters are moulded from injected thermoplastic, not kydex. Can't tell you much more than that except I would venture that because they are moulded on an assembly line, Blade-Tech can produce in volume and bring the costs down.</div>
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Injection moulding can produce as fine a holster as kydex, so don't let that stand in the way of regarding the holster for what it is and what it can do. I'd say that this holster performs all of the functions as the previous two almost as well at far less. The Klipt concealed and secured the Shield as well as the Cook's or Eclipse, stayed where I put it, is lightweight and offers an easy draw and re-holster. It certainly came in third in the comfort department, but not by much. There were times, when wearing it all day, that I would have been hard pressed to quickly declare which of the three holsters I had on.</div>
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There is not much more to say other than if you want an inexpensive yet quality AIWB holster, this one is definitely worth consideration.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Remora</span></b><br />
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Remora holsters have been a conundrum for me since I got my first one almost five years ago. I have used pretty much all of their holsters except for their new shoulder holster rig. Sometimes I love them. Sometimes I don't. When the pistol comes out of the carry holster for the day, it goes into a Remora and into the drawer or safe. If I keep a pistol close by in the house, it will be in a Remora. If I zip out to the yard or maybe just down to the store, I may slide the pistol in a Remora under my waistband and take off.<br />
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Other times when I'm moving about a lot, like sitting, kneeling and bending, the Remora will work up from it's AIWB position and I can feel it riding too high under my belt and have to take the time to reposition it. I was doing yard work one day and my Remora-clad LCP fell out onto the lawn.<br />
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I strongly suspect that if I carried in the strong-side position, I would not have this issue. But, I don't.<br />
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So, I have this odd relationship with the Remora. I have some. I use them often, but not for extended out-in-the-world concealed carry. I reviewed the newer ones below.<br />
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<i><u><b>Standard no-clip holster</b></u></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remora standard clipless holster</td></tr>
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This is the one that sometimes gives me fits. It is a high-friction, clipless holster with a smooth interior for an easy draw, and high-friction outer material to adhere between your waistband and body, or undershirt. It's biggest drawbacks are, using it in the AIWB position, it's tendency to work up and out of the waistband position, and the inability to re-holster with one hand. (I don't buy the notion that this isn't necessary. One may have one hand occupied with supporting or helping another person, or that hand or arm may be injured so that two hands are necessary to put the gun safely away.)<br />
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<i><b><u>Micro</u></b></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remora Micro</td></tr>
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The Micro is essentially a standard Remora holster, open at the bottom as well as the top, with a swiveling metal clip attached. These modification perform two functions: the open bottom allows similarly shaped guns with varying barrel lengths to fit. It is much like the 'belt slide' design, but for IWB carry. The swiveling clip – why they put the clip on a swivel is beyond me – keeps the small surface area holster in place. And makes it tuckable.<br />
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This is a surprisingly comfortable holster and pretty much disappears under a light shirt. Two handed holstering is a must. But, I don't like steel clips and the bottom of the clip-swivel sometimes hangs up trying to don the holster.<br />
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It is inexpensive. It works. Of bells and whistles, there are none.<br />
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<i><b><u>Carbon Carry Hybrid holster</u></b></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remora Carbon Carry with Shield</td></tr>
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The Carbon Copy is Remora's foray into the world of standard type hybrid holsters. I think the main difference is Remora's "no-slip" material on the back side of the leather backing which enhances it's IWB capability. Otherwise, it is very similar to other hybrid design holsters with leather backing and kydex shells. Better made than some, especially the Crossbreed brand.<br />
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I have tried this holster for AIWB and although it works, it is better used for strong side carry in my opinion. The Remora folks also advertise this as an optional OWB carry holster and it probably will work that way too, but I didn't try it.<br />
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<i><b><u>Clip IWB holster</u></b></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remora IWB Clip (Remora's photo)</td></tr>
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I have used Remora's photo of this holster because I found the holster to be unsatisfactory and took none with my gun inserted. The basic idea is good, and one I had implemented before on a Remora holster, although in a different fashion. Turing the "clipless" holster into a "clip" holster is a means to overcome the tendency of the clipless design to work up and out of the waistband when carried in the appendix or cross draw positions. I earlier took a Remora clipless with mag pouch attached, drilled a hole between the holster and mag pouch, on the sewn seam there, and attached a kydex clip to it. This worked perfectly in the AIWB position, being comfortable (the wide surface area of the holster plus mag pouch contributing to that) and the clip kept it in place.<br />
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This design, from Remora, on the other hand has a big problem. It is very difficult to put on and even harder to take off. The metal clip is fitted over a loop sewn onto the holster. The clip stays there because there is a short lip bent into the end of the clip so that it can't slide back off the loop. The end of the clip that goes over the belt is also bent down into a channel and back up forming a lip. Getting the clip over your belt and waistband is hard due to the bend of the clip at the bottom of the loop – it catches something, pants, belt, and snags up. After you do manage to get your belt over that lip and under the clip proper, it holds tight. Trying to remove the clip is a struggle. You have to seriously pull the clip apart, no easy task for some of us with old and or weaker hands, then struggle to get that lip at the end of the loop to release the belt.<br />
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I tried this a number of times and finally gave up.<br />
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Remora, use a good plastic clip and attach it securely to the holster in such a way that it doesn't interfere with getting the holster on and off. And, forget the swivel thing.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
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After months of use and testing, it has come down to a toss-up between the Cook's holster and the Eclipse. I am leaning more toward the Eclipse for two reasons: 1. the holster is a bit smaller and the tactical fuzz makes it a bit, but not a lot, more comfortable, and 2. the clip is better.<br />
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After extensive use of holsters for mid-sized semi-autos like the Shield and the Ruger SR9c I have come to favor the minimal designs. Less is more in the sense of, with the right design, an AIWB holster should be as small and unobtrusive as possible while meeting the requirements of security, accessibility, concealment and comfort. Personally, I find a small, conforming excellently designed synthetic holster to be much more useable, comfortable and secure than a slab of leather, clips and kydex or plastic stuck inside my pants.<br />
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For the ones I tested for this article I am declaring the G-Code Eclipse as the one that meets my requirements the best.<br />
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<br />Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-39517135623929774252015-06-30T16:01:00.001-06:002015-06-30T16:01:29.202-06:00Inalienable Rights
<p> The "three inalienable rights" as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. They are:</p>
<p><em>We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.</em></p>
<p>It seems fitting that with the approach of the anniversary of that declaration that those words, which helped spawn a nation, be revisited in light of the current controversy around guns. </p>
<p>Sometimes, regardless of one's feelings about guns, guns are often necessary to protect those rights. Sometimes it takes millions of guns, sometimes it takes only one. But, it is certain that there are times when only guns will do the job. If a nation is being threatened and its citizens are being killed by its enemies, it is going to take guns, lots of guns, to take care of the bad people. If a person is being threatened with death or grievous bodily harm by others, sometimes only a gun will protect them. I won't insult your intelligence by giving examples. If you can't think of any you are either simple minded, disconnected with the world the rest of us occupy or just a gun hater. I can't help you with any of those, however I can assure you that there are times in which only access to a gun will prevent harm from coming to innocents. It isn't guaranteed, just like your seat belt, but it will most certainly be a big help.</p>
<p>While all of this may be blindingly obvious to most people, it does not seem to make a dent in the minds of most gun haters. To understand and accept the fact that people have the right to defend themselves and other innocents from evil people and evil deeds requires one to accept that the world is a messy, unpredictable and sometimes violent place. Wishing it was not so does not make the need for protection go away or become somehow invalid. That is what we call wishful thinking which should be left behind with other childhood beliefs as one assumes adulthood.</p>
<p>Well reasoned, logical and supportable argument does not make headway with people who have emotional and unrealistic attitudes about guns. Those people are afraid of guns. They don't understand guns or why anyone would like or want to have them. They think guns are dangerous, which is one of the few true thoughts they may have about guns, and hence, no one should possess one because they themselves, might get shot.</p>
<p>I must confess, I don't get this attitude. If gun haters were to get their way and make it totally illegal for anyone in the United States to own or possess a gun, why do they think that would make anything better? Do they think people who want guns to do bad things won't get guns and continue to do bad things? Do they think that making heroin and crack illegal has removed heroin and crack from our streets or society? Do they think a crack addict looking for money for his next pipe will give a shit if they may have to kill someone to get it? Do they think that knowing the law-abiding citizen won't be carrying a gun will make the criminal more mild, meek and gentle as he robs you and leaves you as another dead witness to his crime? Do they think a 90 pound female can defend herself against a determined 200 pound rapist? Do they think calling 911 as the psycho home invaders kick in the door will do the job?</p>
<p>No, they don't think this at all. They don't think this will happen to them. Maybe to some poor unfortunate who should have known better than to walk to her car in the dark after work, but, certainly not to them, and besides, they wouldn't be caught dead carrying a gun anyway.</p>
<p> Just like trying to convince a new-age science hater that homeopathic cures, acupuncture, Reiki and ancient Chinese folk cures don't work, or a bedrock fundamentalist that Jesus didn't ride around on dinosaurs, rational discussion will not convince a gun hater that guns are only benign tools that can be used for any purpose the gun's owner determines, whether that be for good or evil. For them, guns are bad, evil, scary and dangerous and they will forever fight your right to own or carry them to defend your inalienable rights.</p>
<p>Except when someone uses a gun to preserve theirs.</p>
<p>In the end, it is a free country and if the gun haters don't like guns, that's ok with me, but don't think you can tell the rest of us what we can and can't do to preserve and protect our inalienable rights. Grow up. Take responsibility for your lives and stay out of mine.</p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-84220701119999875562015-05-28T11:26:00.000-06:002015-05-28T11:26:47.422-06:00Are those firecrackers?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>I had originally thought to begin my articles on holster comparisons for AIWB carry. </b>I received some holsters from Alan Bogdan of Remora for inclusion in my comparisons that included a couple of new designs which are interesting. But, that changed while I was mowing the lawn last Sunday.<br />
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We live in a very small Colorado town. It is in a rural area and I would guess that at least half the households in town, and more than that outside on the farms and ranches, have at least one firearm. So, it's not unusual to hear shots off in the distance. However, while my trusty mower was hacking at the grass, someone opened up not more than two blocks away. A group of shots. Then a few more. Right in town. Got my attention.<br />
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Considering the times we live in and the fact that bad things can happen anywhere at any time, and being the cautious person I am, I stopped the mower and went into the house to trade my LCP in for the Ruger SR9c loaded with the 17-round magazine. I strapped it on, clipped a spare magazine to my belt and went back outside.<br />
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More shots.<br />
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"Are those firecrackers?" my wife asked.<br />
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"No. Gunshots," I said.<br />
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She looked at the black Ruger poking out from under my shirt.<br />
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"Don't worry," I said. "Probably nothing. Just being prepared."<br />
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She went back to weeding the flower bed. I went back to mowing and listening. After a while the shooting stopped. Someone shooting targets, I thought.<br />
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I mowed all of the front, and most of the back, carrying the Ruger all the while. Now, many people I know, some from my "former life" in California, and some here in Colorado, would consider me paranoid. I consider myself prepared.<br />
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Then, over the next few days I read about things like this:<br />
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A man jumped into a woman's car at a busy carwash in broad daylight and started to drive it away. She jumped on the hood as he pulled out and, hanging on for her life, was carried away toward a busy street. A bystander who was a concealed carry holder, drew his gun, chased after the speeding car and shot the carjacker through the driver side window, causing him to stop and saving the woman who was still hanging onto her car. People at the scene felt that she was in danger of being killed if the carjacker had managed to get out into the busy traffic.<br />
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The Chicago Tribune reported that a Uber driver and holder of a concealed carry permit in Chicago (that must be a rarity...) shot and wounded a gunman who opened fire on a crowd of people in Logan Square thereby saving a number of innocent people from injury or death.<br />
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In New Holland, Wisconsin, a man drove up to a busy fire station where there were also women and children present, got out of his car and pointed a gun at them. After getting people out of the back door two firefighters who have concealed carry permits, put the man at gun point, finally convincing him to put his weapon down. He was arrested, but unfortunately, released on a relatively low bond. He needs help and one hopes he doesn't return or try this somewhere else.<br />
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Orem, Utah, Macy's parking lot. A fugitive from the police, after wrecking a stolen pickup truck he was driving while fleeing from the law, tried to steal another car in Macy's parking lot. He dragged a woman out of her car but before he could drive it away, an armed bystander with a concealed carry permit, stopped him and forced him out of the stolen car at gunpoint. The fugitive then attacked the citizen, trying to wrest the gun from him, and was shot by the citizen. He later died in the hospital. Who knows how much more damage and possibly death might have been caused had the fugitive gotten the citizen's gun and continued his rampage?<br />
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There are many incidents like these that happen every day. How many make the "national" news? How many get compared to the anti-gun stories that flood the outlets and television shows when a bad guy uses a gun, or, sometimes, when the police use weapons to do their job and protect themselves and us?<br />
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Seldom, if ever.<br />
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This brings up an important consideration for those of us who elect to legally carry a concealed weapon in public.<br />
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There may be times when we are faced with a frightening physical and ethical situation: other peoples' lives are at risk and we have the means to effectively intervene and possibly stop that threat.<br />
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It seems to me that we have signed up to do more than just be able to defend ourselves when necessary. We have also implicitly signed up to protect those who are not so prepared, even those who would gladly deny us the right to carry a gun in order to defend ourselves and them.<br />
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Most times we are concerned with and interested in such things as holsters, carry positions, caliber, ammunition characteristics, sights, lights and automatics versus revolvers. We don't spend enough time talking about or thinking about the responsibilities and implicit social contract we have taken on by carrying a concealed weapon. This is not a good thing, for when the shit actually hits the fan, we will be dealing with a life-changing crisis that unfolds in seconds and doesn't allow time for reflections or second thoughts.<br />
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You have to think about this hard, well in advance, and prepare yourself for what may happen, even if you happen to be mowing your lawn on a sunny day.<br />
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<br />Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-75836831057549733942015-04-27T12:01:00.000-06:002015-04-27T12:01:38.298-06:00Colorado Concealed Carry on Campus: The Facts are In<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: usconcealedcarry.com</td></tr>
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I suppose if you have your emotional life bound up in something, it won't matter whether that something turns out to be true or not. You will continue to insist your emotional viewpoint is right even though the facts (reality) show you to be wrong. Case in point, Colorado's <i>twelve year experience</i> with legal on-campus carry.</div>
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When the Colorado legislature decided to even the field, dispensing with the often contradictory and unrealistic web of local, municipal and county concealed carry laws by establishing state wide statutes that invalidated all of those others, the Regents of the University of Colorado felt that they were somehow superior to the lawmakers and could rule over the state colleges regardless of the wishes of the people and legislature.</div>
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The Colorado Supreme Court said otherwise. Naturally, certain segments of the communities involved were terribly shocked and outraged, predicting an onslaught of gun violence on campus. Pretty standard fare for them. However, after over twelve years in which adults with valid carry permits have been carrying their guns on Colorado campuses, there have been no shootings by concealed carry permit holders, or by anyone else. A Colorado University employee did discharge her weapon while "showing it" and was promptly and properly fired.</div>
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I want to put forward a few quotes by David Kopek from his Washington Post article of April 20, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/04/20/guns-on-university-campuses-the-colorado-experience/">Guns on university campuses: The Colorado experience</a>.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">"</span>In 2003, the Colorado legislature enacted the <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">Concealed Carry Act</span>. The statute was written by County Sheriffs of Colorado, the organization which represents all 62 of Colorado’s elected Sheriffs. The Act passed with broad bipartisan support, including all Republicans and almost every Democrat except some from Denver and Boulder." <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><br />
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Even though, as Mr. Kopek points out, the act had broad bipartisan support, there were some people who felt that their personal opinions matter more and they needed to help everyone else bow to their wishes. They are still pushing to get their way mostly by fear-mongering and presenting their cherry-picked and skewed ideas that "guns are bad”. Even after twelve years that solidly demonstrate otherwise, these people are still not satisfied and and tried again in 2013 to have legal handguns banned from college campuses. As the Colorado Sheriffs have pointed out, adults who have been licensed to carry guns in the state should not lose their right of self defense when they attend or teach at a college campus.</div>
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I think the most telling parts of this story are demonstrated by two things: the fact that violence has not escalated on Colorado campuses since this act was enforced, just the opposite, and that especially for women, the campuses are safer places than before. Here are a couple of examples from Mr. Kopel's article that brings this point home.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">"</span>The Colorado Sheriffs’ support for defensive arms carrying is confirmed by national data. For example, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts in-person interviews with several thousand persons annually, for the National Crime Victimization Survey. In 1992-2002, over 2,000 of the persons interviewed disclosed they had been raped or sexually assaulted. Of them, only 26 volunteered that they used a weapon to resist. In none of these cases<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(45, 109, 157); color: #2d6d9d;"> </span>was the rape completed; in none of the cases did the victim suffer additional injury after she deployed her weapon."</div>
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And, in particular the testimony of Amanda Collins, again from Mr. Kopel's article:</div>
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"In 2012 the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 7-0 that the University of Colorado must obey the Concealed Carry Act. This was consistent with the precedent the CU has no special exemption from civil rights statutes.</div>
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But in 2013 a bill was introduced to outlaw licensed carry on all campuses. Rape survivor Amanda Collins testified before the Senate State Affairs Committee about how a ban on campus carry had affected her life. As a 21-year old, Msw Collins had a Nevada defensive handgun license. But the University of Nevada at Reno did not allow licensed firearms on campus. She was raped in then parking garage of the campus police station, which was closed for the night.</div>
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The crime took place just a few feet from an emergency call box.</div>
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“How does rendering me defenseless protect you against a violent crime?” she asked the Colorado Senators. State Senator Evie Hudak told Collins that if Collins had been carrying a gun, statistics showed that the gun would have been taken from her. Actually, statistics show that fewer than one percent of defensive gun use results in the defender’s gun being taken.</div>
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“Respectfully senator, you weren’t there,” Collins responded. “Had I been carrying concealed, he wouldn’t have known I had my weapon; and I was there. I know without a doubt in my mind at some point I would’ve been able to stop my attack by using my firearm. He already had a weapon of his own; he didn’t need mine.”</div>
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Because the rapist was not stopped that night, he later raped two more women and murdered one.</div>
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Senator Hudak resigned in December 2013, to avoid a recall election.”</div>
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I think that supporting licensed adults the right to carry on campus for self defense has been proven to work, regardless of the dire predictions from the hand-wringing fear ridden opponents, and that it is certainly a step forward for women in Colorado. Predators like to prey on the weak and having a concealed carry equalizer on your person takes that advantage away.</div>
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Women, arm yourselves.</div>
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-58680670763436701792015-04-23T17:39:00.000-06:002015-04-23T17:39:22.533-06:00Armed to the TeethMy wife and I went on our regular walk around town today. It was pleasant for 7000' in southern Colorado. Small town, little traffic and it seems you know most everyone you meet. Still, there are strange cars and strange people in town. Now that summer is coming, so will the tourists and travelers. The last thing you expect here is trouble. But like Monty Python so accurately noted: No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.<br />
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I remember in another small town in Oklahoma, many years ago, awakening in the middle of the night to see a large man standing in our bedroom doorway in the moonlight. He didn't linger after I snatched my S&W .41 from the bedside table. I chased him though the house, out the back door into the night. He disappeared into a car that started up on the street and sped away with the lights out. He was caught a few days later. Had a record. Peeper. Looked to me like he was trying to climb the perp ladder.<br />
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So, even here, you never know.<br />
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The interesting thing was that I took an inventory of the weapons I was carrying today on our walk. Well, two were actually weapons and two were tools that can readily serve as weapons if the need arises.<br />
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One S&W M&P Shield in 9mm.<br />
One Ruger LCP<br />
One Spyderco Delica 4<br />
One Spyderco Tenacious<br />
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Why two of each? I've come around to Massad Ayoob's philosophy that if you are going to carry a gun, you might as well carry two. If one becomes inoperative, dropped, taken, then you have another. If you have a friend in a bad situation that could work with you and he or she doesn't have a gun, you have an extra to give to them.<br />
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Two knives? Well, I like knives. They are the most basic of tools. With a knife you can make other tools. I don't really need a backup knife, I just like the ones I have and sometimes take two along just because I feel like it.<br />
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Now there are some people who would consider a senior citizen who walks about his own little village packing what they would consider to be four deadly weapons to be odd, if not a little crazy. I understand that but I can't do much with people like that so I just don't raise the subject. I can also see the remote possibility that some might be thankful for it, should the worst ever be realized.Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-42001865561963868542015-03-24T13:46:00.000-06:002015-03-24T13:47:33.915-06:00Control<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modifications to the LCP for better control</td></tr>
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For many people, carrying a small, but effective, modern firearm like the Ruger LCP, loaded with modern self defense ammunition is a comfortable and effective solution. However, these types of small handguns can be made more effective and comfortable by applying a good quality "gun tape". In fact, many handguns can be improved by the simple addition of added friction, or traction, to the gripping surfaces.<br />
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There are companies that sell pre-cut patterns of grip tape for different popular handguns. The grip surface is usually offered in either a 'rubberized' or 'abrasive' surface. Each has its advantages. I have chosen to use more generic products on this LCP which are both cheaper and just as effective as the pre-cut offerings. Either, though, will provide a definite improvement to a handgun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgn0ZOM4ISwsFKicdYizoJ_uML3dlrRdSo8ZnTdC0w8e6WL1DeTyAtcJ2Iwn_AsF742K3eR3KEdfNFRyizrL7hyphenhyphenajYCqKUWLtyajdu-SJxeP5wg5mbJGxZQE5dL3xIwmQZ9tSOPN7nG4/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgn0ZOM4ISwsFKicdYizoJ_uML3dlrRdSo8ZnTdC0w8e6WL1DeTyAtcJ2Iwn_AsF742K3eR3KEdfNFRyizrL7hyphenhyphenajYCqKUWLtyajdu-SJxeP5wg5mbJGxZQE5dL3xIwmQZ9tSOPN7nG4/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgn0ZOM4ISwsFKicdYizoJ_uML3dlrRdSo8ZnTdC0w8e6WL1DeTyAtcJ2Iwn_AsF742K3eR3KEdfNFRyizrL7hyphenhyphenajYCqKUWLtyajdu-SJxeP5wg5mbJGxZQE5dL3xIwmQZ9tSOPN7nG4/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgn0ZOM4ISwsFKicdYizoJ_uML3dlrRdSo8ZnTdC0w8e6WL1DeTyAtcJ2Iwn_AsF742K3eR3KEdfNFRyizrL7hyphenhyphenajYCqKUWLtyajdu-SJxeP5wg5mbJGxZQE5dL3xIwmQZ9tSOPN7nG4/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI0TKJYqgpRp9lNG_tvZyhucQW5JypCpUbBangE4v9KR8lmgOF_uVHVzuXSVbz1SgGlStIk30xDfyQGXNMZkzhIwPQ-7yK3Y192uD_5r6BNGhQzDtVjM7BXTua7HENzyZBMSSZ-UU2mw/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI0TKJYqgpRp9lNG_tvZyhucQW5JypCpUbBangE4v9KR8lmgOF_uVHVzuXSVbz1SgGlStIk30xDfyQGXNMZkzhIwPQ-7yK3Y192uD_5r6BNGhQzDtVjM7BXTua7HENzyZBMSSZ-UU2mw/s1600/2015_+3_18_17_35.jpg" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side mods</td></tr>
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In the photograph above, you will note that I have used two different types of materials. One is skateboard tape, which is a high-friction and rather abrasive surface that I have attached to both sides of the rear of the LCP's slide. This ensures a solid, non-slip grip on the small side making racking the slide much easier and sure. This is an especially good modification for small and medium size handguns due to the small slide serration area, and is also an improvement for semi autos with stiff recoil springs, or those compact models with nested springs. Those are difficult to rack for some people, especially those of us with weaker or smaller hands due to injury, or age.</div>
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The sides, front and rear of the grip are covered with a generic "gun tape" which I bought through Amazon. I paid somewhat less than the cheaper pre-cut alternative, but got enough tape for three or more applications. Having used a pre-cut grip kit on my M&P Shield and comparing that with this generic 'gun tape', I can detect little difference.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side mods</td></tr>
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By following the maker's directions to ensure the surfaces are clean and dry, then heating them with a hair dryer, applying the cut out sections and then heating again with the dryer and pressing them down firmly, I got a very good, solid fit. The tape adds little bulk, does not inhibit the draw from my holsters, except for the Kusiak which I will discuss in a subsequent post, and gives the little LCP a solid, non-slip presence in hand.</div>
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These simple modifications are within anyone's capabilities, are inexpensive and quick and will improve the feel and control of any handgun.<br />
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-17580040773192132015-03-18T18:14:00.001-06:002015-04-28T11:26:28.989-06:00False Hope: Concealed Carry PermitsOf the fifty states in the Union, only three — Vermont, Alaska and Arizona — do not require their citizens to apply and pay for a concealed handgun permit. Yes, pay for. There are always fees. It's like the poll tax. No money, no permit. If you are a law-abiding citizen, but can't come up with the $200 or $300 for classes and a permit, too bad. Is this fair? No. Does anyone making the rules care? Not so much.<br />
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But, as many people will say, aren't permits a good thing? Don't they weed out the bad, the unstable, the questionable who might want to carry a loaded gun concealed among the rest of us? It's a hope. But, as I hope to show, a false one.<br />
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What's in a permit that might provide a higher level of safety among the public? Well, you have to get a background check. Yes, but what does that mean? It usually means that if the applicant is known to the system, flags will be raised. A criminal record? Flag. A restraining order? Flag. Some record of alcohol or drug abuse? Flag. Arrest record? Flag. It should be obvious that many people who are flagged by a background check may not, indeed, be a liability with a firearm or anything else for that matter. Some people would then be prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm when there may be no actual or practical objections.<br />
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Then, those who can pay for the necessary training classes and permits, and who don't get flagged by the system, are issued permits and can carry concealed amongst the unarmed public. Does this make the world a safer place? No. It just means that there are fewer people who can carry a concealed firearm for self defense to counter those other people out there who don't have permits, never applied for a permit, and don't care about permits, rules, laws and regulations.<br />
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People who have their reasons to harm others, whether those reasons be for greed, religious fervor, malice, envy, power or just a twisted psychopathic brain don't care about permits and never bother to apply. They carry what they want, when and where they want and are much happier if they know you, and those around you, are unarmed.<br />
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In states where legislation that would follow Vermont, Alaska and Arizona's rule that the citizenry should not be prohibited from arming themselves if they so desire has been defeated, and those opposing such legislation get all dewey-eyed and jubilant that they've somehow made themselves safer, no one stops to observe that in those three free-carry states, there has never been an increase in violent crime that could be legitimately connected to permitless concealed carry. The violent crime waves tend to occur in states and cities that make it extremely difficult for a citizen to walk armed for their own protection.<br />
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But, as we all know, reason plays little part in this struggle. Reason will show that an armed society is a more polite and less dangerous society. Reason, however, usually loses out to fear, fear among the ignorant, uneducated and timid who just don't like guns and don't like people who do like guns. They would rather have a cop on every corner and in every classroom, but they of course, want someone else to pay for that.<br />
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Me, I respect cops and the job they do to keep us as safe as they can, but I certainly don't want to encourage a police state. I would rather be able to stand a chance against the bad guys, the terrorists and the ones who want to kill you and me as their ticket to their twisted version of heaven.<br />
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Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247270864468776669.post-78069340311065846422015-03-17T11:58:00.001-06:002015-03-17T11:58:04.505-06:00When Other Lights Have Failed<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/high-res/fenix-pd35-2-003.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://www.fenixtactical.com/images/fenix/high-res/fenix-pd35-2-003.jpg" id="blogsy-1426615050794.2346" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="1024" height="575"></a></div><p> When the Fellowship of the Ring leaves Rivendell they are given various items and weapons to guide them on their journey and protect them when things turn bad, as they soon do. Bows and arrows, knives, rope and a light. Not being able to carry (or effectively use) a bow and arrows, being only minimally skilled with a knife to the degree of not endangering myself or others, not packing a rope, that only leaves a light.</p><p>Yes, a light can serve as an effective self-defense carry tool. I'm not very interested in those "tactical" lights with the scalloped bezels meant to be used as a striking weapon. That might come in handy as a last-ditch defensive weapon, but I'm not building my tactics around that. Instead, I'm suggesting you consider carrying a quality, dependable, high-output flashlight as part of your EDC (every day carry) gear.</p><p>Why? Because one of the most important tools in anyone's self defense carry inventory is <em>awareness</em>. The best way to defend oneself and others is to avoid dangerous or potentially dangerous situations. To do this effectively means that one must cultivate awareness to see and acknowledge potential threat situations. This is much easier to do when potential threats or threat environments are readily visible, but not so easy in low light conditions or in the dark. However, if you carry a good flashlight it is a simple matter to click it on and take a look around.</p><p>In the larger town near out little village, Walmart is a popular place. It is busy day and night. It has a very large parking lot that is not well lit the further one gets from the building. The parking lot is always at least half full, and frequently more than that. There have been, and continue to be, incidents in which people are accosted, items stolen and people robbed. Panhandlers and sometimes drug dealers, or people looking for money to buy drugs, are in the lot at night. Walking to your car it pays to be alert and shining a very bright flashlight beam around does two things: spots potential trouble in your area, and alerts anyone who might be interested in trouble that you are aware, alert and looking out for yourself.</p><p>Any time you are out at night, especially alone, you should have a good flashlight with you and be ready to use it liberally to check out your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, you can retreat and call for help on your cell phone. You do carry a cell phone, don't you?</p><p>Obviously, if you are armed and must resort to your weapon for self defense at night, having a reliable, high-power flashlight at your disposal is a critical component of being successful in stopping a threat. Not only will it illuminate your threat, but if it's truly a bright light, will make it very difficult for that threat to see.</p><p>When I will be out and about at night, I carry the Fenix you see at the top of this post. Otherwise, I carry a small, but bright, Fenix light clipped to my pocket for that and general purpose use, like not tripping on my way to the bathroom at night, finding little things I drop in dark places and looking for my lost keys...</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Mayonardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13519243031719427874noreply@blogger.com0