A well regulated militia being necessary to the July/August 2019 Volume 9, Issue 4 security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Random Shots Disclaimer The opinions expressed in Random Shots are those of the author(s), and

do not necessarily represent the positions of any other individual or Edited and Published by organization. Gary Evens, Rangemaster and NRA Certified Firearms Instructor & Range Safety Officer Violent Criminal Actors hundreds of incarcerated VCAs. In one instance, the VCAs where shown videos of people walking. Some of those people had been victims of crime before. In the vast majority of cases, the VCAs were able to easily pick out who had previously been a crime victim based only on how they walked. Some of the other facts that Dr. Aprill pre- sented were disturbing. Most VCAs began their criminal history while they were still children, and most had already spent consid- erable time in prison. The average amount of time a murderer spends behind bars in the United States is just 8 years. Obviously, the threat of being arrested and sent to prison is not a deterrent to these individuals. Indeed, for many VCAs, going to prison is the In late February, I attended a day-long satisfaction (and excitement) they get from equivalent to going to college or graduate Buckeye Firearms Association-sponsored causing others to suffer pain. school for normal people. He said that at seminar at the Makoy Center in Hilliard, One of the surprising tidbits of information any one time there are about 150,000 mur- Ohio featuring Dr. William Aprill from Dr. Aprill provided is the process VCAs go derers walking around free in the U.S. Aprill Risk Consulting. Dr. Aprill is a men- through to select who will be a victim. Eve- tal health professional and firearms instruc- ryone they meet is a potential target but tor. A former deputy sheriff and deputy instead of going through a “decision tree” to U.S. Marshal, he is a recognized expert on decide who to attack, they use a simplified the behavior of violent criminals. Around process that basically consists of a “go/no 350 people attended, about 20% of them go” signal to decide who to attack—i.e. a being women. “decision trunk”. That “go/no go” signal is I found his descriptions of how violent often simply how the prospective victim criminal actors (VCAs) think and act to be walks (i.e. their gait). If they walk with their quite enlightening. It has been said before, body erect and are looking around, they are and Dr. Aprill did so once again—they bypassed. If, on the other hand, they are (VCAs) don’t think like we do. For the walking around distracted, with their heads most part, they suffer from antisocial per- down and looking at their cell phone, etc., sonality disorder and, as such, they lack any they are a good candidate to become a vic- empathy for others, most especially their tim. victims. They are only interested in fulfilling Dr. Aprill was able to collect data about their own needs, which often consist of violent criminal behavior by interviewing things their victims have, and the personal

“As a society, our attraction and attachment to handguns is based on the American past, on the convenience of a handgun, and probably on a basic misunderstanding of the handgun’s limits.” — Clint Smith Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 2

pistols that I had acquired up to this point, but the difference in their grip angle made them impractical substitutes for the center- fire self-defense handguns that I normally use, but the 22/45 was a different story. It uses the familiar M1911 grip angle and thus should be a closer approximation to my centerfire pistols’ grip angle. The one con- cern that I had about using the 22/45 was the gun’s extremely light weight. The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Model semi- automatic pistol is a great plinker/training If you are concerned at all about protecting pistol. The receiver/barrel shroud is made yourself from crime, it is vital to understand measuring about ¾-inch wide by just over of lightweight aluminum, while the grip the kinds of things that Dr. Aprill talked ¼-inch tall with four of those hits all touch- frame is made from glass-filled nylon about in his seminar. Hopefully the Buck- ing (see the holes marked in blue in the ac- (similar to polymer plastic). The result is a eye Firearms Association will bring him companying photo—the ones marked in red pistol that weighs a mere 25 oz. (empty). back again. I understand that the Dayton where from shooting my Mark IV Competi- My Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite Model has a Chapter of the ARMED Lady will be host- tion Model pistol)! The group was centered “Diamond Grey” anodized aluminum re- ing Dr. Aprill in September to again present less than ½-inch below my point of aim. A ceiver—other colors are available. It has a his “Unthinkable” seminar about violent little tweaking of the elevation adjustment 4.40-inch tensioned barrel that is threaded criminal behavior. and I should have the 22/45 hitting right to accept a suppressor, muzzle break, etc., where I wanted it to. -- G.R. Evens and has adjustable sights. Its overall length is 8.40 inches, the width is 1.22 inches, and This is where I started to struggle and get   the height is 5.50 inches. The trigger pull frustrated. Once again adjusting the rear My Ruger Obsession weight out of the box—as measured on my sight proved to be a challenge as it had Lyman digital trigger pull gauge—was an when I sighted-in my Target Model and average of 3 lbs., 11.6 oz. It comes stand- Competition Model Mark IVs. However, ard with two magazines and an accessory rail this time instead of having a windage adjust- mounted on it from the factory. MSRP for ment problem I had an elevation adjustment the 22/45 Lite Model is $559, but I was able problem. It did not seem to matter how to get mine for over $140 less. many “clicks” I turned the elevation screw—or which direction I turned it—my One of the things that I discovered about hits all seem to be in the same place. the Mark IV 22/45 Lite, and other Mark IV 22/45 versions, is that their magazines will Once again, my point of aim was the bot- Part V: The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite work in Mark III 22/45-series pistols, but tom edge of the center black square and you I decided to get the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 the Mark III magazines will not work in the can see where my hits were, clustered near Lite Model for use as a small-caliber substi- Mark IV guns—something you need to be where my original 5-shot group with this tute for the 9mm pistols that I routinely aware of if you are considering upgrading to pistol was (see the accompanying photo). I train with during many of the classes that I the Mark IV and already have earlier 22/45 shifted my point of aim to the upper left take and as a loaner gun for students to use models. (It does appear that Ruger may be square and once again my hits were low. I when I am teaching a beginners’ handgun using the newer Mark IV baseplate on the made more elevation adjustments, including class. A few years ago, I had purchased a spare Mark III 22/45 magazines that they running the adjustment screw all the way in Kimber .22 LR Conversion Unit that fits on are now selling as the baseplates appear to my Colt (and Ruger) Model 1911 pistols. I be identical. If so, get the ones for the Mark like it but have had one problem that I just III because they are selling locally for about can’t seem to solve—the gun tends to have $10 less than the Mark IV magazines.) a failure to feed with the first or second I couldn’t wait to get this lightweight pistol round in the magazine, no matter which out to the range to see how it shot—and magazine I use—I have four different ones how well I could shoot it since I was not for it. I had also previously purchased a used to a lightweight pistol like this one. As S&W M&P22 as a training pistol for the is my usual practice, I started out at the M&P9 pistols that I have, but found that range at 7 yards—when I do my initial while its shape is the same, its light weight shooting at an indoor range I usually start at did not represent the centerfire pistols at all. 5 yards—and I used a pistol rest. I used my And, the backstraps are not replaceable on usual sighting-in target, five 1-inch black this .22-caliber version of the M&P. squares surrounded by a ¼-inch grid. My I was impressed with the Ruger Mark-series first five shots went into a small group Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 3 both directions. Eventually I got some issues I had. time to go back to the 7-yard range and see movement of my hits, as you can see when I the results. Following a suggestion made by the Ruger shifted my point of aim to the upper right customer service rep, I removed and rein- I continued using a pistol rest at the shorter black square, but I still wasn’t able to get stalled the elevation adjustment screw on distance and still had to make a couple of most of them hitting within the square. I the rear sight. Now I needed to return to sight adjustments to “tweak” things. I also did not mess with the windage adjustment at the range to sight-in the pistol again. I de- had to settle for a center hold as there just all since my shots seemed to be good in that cided to start out at the 15-yard range this wasn’t enough adjustment available to ena- axis. time, again using a pistol rest. I used bulk ble me to get the 6 o’clock sight adjustment All together I fired almost 150 rounds Federal 36-grain, copperplated hollow-point I prefer. through my new 22/45 Lite Model. And high velocity Champion ammunition for this once again, I used Federal American Eagle range session. I also decided to use a center 40 grain solid lead high velocity ammuni- hold rather than trying to get a 6 o’clock tion. I did experience a few feeding jams hold. One again, the sighting-in experience with it but no “stovepipe” jams. was frustrating. I turned the elevation screw clockwise and counterclockwise but the When I got home from the range, I logged change in bullet impacts on the target were into my computer to check some of the on- not that significant. Finally, I decided to line forums to see if this rear sight adjust- once again refer to the Internet to see if that ment challenge was common for the Ruger would be any help. It was. The accompany- Mark IV pistols since I had issues with all ing image was posted on one of the Ruger three Mark IV pistols that I had purchased. Forum pages. It turns out several people have encountered problems. Many of those writing on the forums indicated that the leaf blade used by Ruger in their adjustable rear sights is de- signed for the pistol to be sighted-in at 25 I was quite satisfied with my final 10-shot yards and that it is too short to allow sight- group as you can see here. The 10-ring in ing-in at ranges of 10 yards or less. They this target measures just 1-inch in diameter, indicated that you could install a shorter with six hits in or touching the 10-ring with front sight or get a taller rear sight leaf three of those touching the ½-inch X-ring. blade. Many of them indicated that they had The remainder of the group consisted of contacted Ruger Customer Service and that two hits in the 9-ring and two more in the Ruger was more than willing to send them a same hole in the 8-ring for a score of 94 replacement blade, but they had to tell points out of 100. Overall, this group meas- Ruger what size they needed. This was of- ured 1½-inches by 1-inch, good enough for ten not easy to determine as Ruger does not a “tactical” training pistol at 7 yards. publish this information. I checked the I fired about 150 rounds through my 22/45 Ruger website, but I was not able to find Now that I had an idea of how much point during this range session. I also discovered any alternate rear sight blades for the Mark of impact movement I should expect from something else during it. Once again, I ex- IV pistols except the “V”-notch blade that is each “click” of elevation adjustment, it did perienced a couple of failure to feed mal- used on the Hunter Model. There are after- not take me long to get things “dialed in”. functions. But, when I switched to loading market adjustable sights that are available Here you can see the results at the 15-yard 10 rounds in my magazines instead of just 5, for the Ruger Mark IV pistols, but that range. My hits started out low but gradually the problem went away. I guess the extra would mean paying more just to get the moved higher as I made sight adjustments. spring tension from having more rounds in guns shooting to where I want them to. By this point, I was shooting 10-shot the magazine made a difference. groups, so I could get a better idea of where I did contact Ruger by e-mail about the my hits were generally going. Now it was The 22/45 really surprised me with its accu- problem that I have been having with all racy—ignoring the elevation issue. It was three rear adjustable sights on my Mark IV much more accurate right out of the box pistols. The very next day they called me than my Target and Competition models and after talking to their representative and were. The trigger pull weight was heavy like describing the issues I was having, they de- it had been on the other two pistols, but cided to send me a replacement rear sight, since this gun will not be used for target some replacement sight blades, and a re- shooting, I can live with a heavier trigger placement (fiber optic) front sight for my pull. 22/45. I told them that I had gotten the sights on my other two Mark IV’s working If you are looking for a great little .22 pistol at the distances I will normally be shooting for plinking and other recreational shooting, them at, 15 and 25 yards. Kudos to Ruger you should seriously consider the Mark IV for their quick and positive response to the 22/45 Lite Model. It would be especially Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 4 good for teaching someone to shoot a pistol these are mental skills that have nothing to way you can judge whether it will cover that is still a little unsteady with their grip. do with how well you can shoot your gun. what you need to learn about defending -- G.R. Evens Indeed, if used properly they may enable yourself. you to succeed in defending yourself with- -- G.R. Evens   out ever having to resort to using your handgun. If you cannot lean to master these   skills, you may remain in a “freeze” state while your assailant continues to harm you, perhaps to the point of killing you. All of those shooting skills you learned will do you no good if you are never able to get your gun out of your holster. I am not alone in thinking that most ad- vanced self defense classes are placing prior- ity on the wrong things. Grant Cunningham thinks so as well and has laid out what he feels are the priorities in his book, Defensive Pistol Fundamentals. He believes that most courses approach self defense from the per- spective that you can recognize the attack When you signed up for the training to get coming in advance and proactively take your concealed handgun license, you proba- steps to either escape or engage the attacker bly thought it would cover everything you before any harm comes to you. However, needed to know to defend yourself from a the data on violent attacks show that the Part IV: Clearing Rooms violent predator. Well, you couldn’t be vast majority of them occur suddenly and A home, especially an older one, contains more mistaken! The basic training you get without warning. The victim—that would many rooms—a living room, kitchen, dining in concealed carry class covers just the minimum be you!—is caught completely by surprise room, family room, den, bedrooms, bath- the state requires, and that is usually just and unprepared to respond quickly enough rooms, closets, laundry rooms, etc. In con- enough to enable you to handle a handgun to prevent themselves from being injured. ducting your search for intruders and/or to safely and to understand the rules for con- In his book he states, “...the skills necessary reach other occupants of the house to pro- cealed carry. Seldom do they have anything to go from zero expectation of lethal force vide them with protection, you may have to to do with teaching you the skills you need to actually shooting a second or two later move through multiple rooms. Doing so to defend your life with a firearm. are very different from those needed when will present challenges to you, especially you can see it coming and have the oppor- considering their layout in relation to each Some of you have recognized this short- tunity to get ready.” other. (See the accompanying image.) For coming and have gotten additional training. instance, in many cases there will be rooms Cunningham points out that when you are Most of the advanced courses that are avail- within rooms, such as a bedroom that has surprised, your body is going to automatical- able teach you about how to select a con- closets and an adjoining bathroom. It won’t ly react, often in ways you do not expect, cealed carry firearm, holster, etc.—it sure be enough to just search the bedroom for and those automatic reactions—which you would have been nice to know this before threats. You will also need to search the have no conscious control over—can be you took your initial class and bought your closet and bathroom before you can declare counter to the training you received to bring concealed carry handgun—, how to draw the area to be “clear”. (An additional chal- your handgun into use. He believes the key your handgun from a holster (and some- lenge is presented if there are multiple en- is to understand how your body is going to times a purse if you are a woman), how to trances into a room, such as a shared bath- instinctively react and to develop your self quickly reload your gun and to clear mal- room located between two bedrooms.) functions, and so forth. You also probably defense skills around those automatic reac- spent a lot of time on the range learning tions. how to shoot accurately and rapidly. Those When you take a self defense class, you are all important things to learn, but are they should expect to spend considerable time in the most important things needed for you to the classroom learning about the mental and defend yourself from an attack? instinctive aspects of defending yourself, Time at the shooting range is always fun, and not so much time on the shooting range but improving your physical skills in using a learning how to operate your gun. If the handgun are secondary to other skills that are class you sign up for has you spending most essential for you to know to defend yourself. of your time on the shooting range, then The primary skills that you need to learn are take it for what it is, an advanced shooting class, not a self defense class. Ask questions how to recognize that you are about to be No matter what the configuration is, the attacked and how your body is going to before you take the class so you understand exactly what it is that will be covered. That first step in clearing a room is to enter it so automatically react to that attack. Many of you can search for threats and confirm there Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 5

nel”. Start out close to one wall and move meaning other types of semi-automatic pis- in small “slices”, exposing as little of your tols are bad choices for self defense. It is body as possible, so you can see into the just that they have features which require room. Each “slice” should cover about 5- someone to spend more time learning how 10° of arc, enabling you to see more of the to operate them and thus will have to ex- room you want to search before you have to pend more ammunition becoming proficient actually enter it. with them. Searching through a building that contains In terms of investments in training time and multiple rooms, in the dark, is a daunting ammunition, the next easiest type of pistol proposition if you think someone is there to learn how to use proficiently are those that might present a lethal threat to you or with Double-Action Only (DAO) actions. others. It is something that should be left to These have a consistent trigger pull from the professionals, but sometimes you don’t shot-to-shot and, due to their long and heavy trigger pull, they typically do not re- are none before moving on. Typical rooms feel that you have a choice. So, if you do quire any safeties to be manipulated. They will have an “entryway” that is narrow and decide to venture outside of your safe area, are also hammer-fired, meaning they have a may have a door that can be opened and do so with caution, do so slowly, and expect higher bore axis and thus controlling their closed. The narrower this “entryway” is, the to be attacked at any moment. recoil is more difficult. (The amount of more difficult it will be for you to see into -- G.R. Evens training time would be about the same as that room. If it has a door and the door is with a double-action revolver except for the closed, it will be impossible to tell what is   time it takes to become proficient in reload- inside that room unless there is an interior ing revolvers.) window you can look through to see what is What is the Best Handgun for inside. It takes a little longer—and more ammuni- Self Defense? tion—to learn how to proficiently use a It will be important for you to understand Single-Action (SA)/Single-Action Only which way any closed door opens. If possi- (SAO) pistol. These guns have excellent ble, you want to start on the hinged side of a triggers—probably the best found on any door that opens away from you. Then handgun—but as a result they also have move slowly in narrow arcs to see more and external safeties that the user must learn more of the room. On the other hand, if how to manipulate quickly. The shot-to- the door opens towards you, you probably shot trigger pull is the very definition of should start on the side the doorknob is “consistent”. All of these guns have ham- located on, pulling the door open while you mers, either external or internal, meaning are standing well clear of the opening. Then their bore axis sits higher and thus it takes you can move slowly in narrow arcs to see longer to learn how to manage their recoil. into the room and locate any potential A Follow-Up The Colt Model 1911 is probably the best threats. In the last edition of Random Shots, I wrote about which handguns were best for self- example of this type of semi-auto pistol. As you prepare to enter a room during your defense based on the criteria Grant Cun- Personally, I like them a lot, but have found search, you will want to avoid standing in ningham had listed in his book, Defensive the manual thumb safeties difficult to use at the “fatal funnel”—that area that is visible Pistol Fundamentals. A polymer-framed, high times, especially if they are small and I am to someone on either side of the doorway magazine capacity, striker-fired, safe-action under stress. and through which you must pass to enter semi-automatic pistol was by far the best The hardest pistols to learn how to shoot the room. Instead of standing in the middle choice with my recommendation being ei- are the Double-Action (DA) semi-autos. of the “fatal funnel” you will want to use the ther a Glock 19 or a S&W M&P9 M2.0 (They are also known as DA/SA pistols “pie-ing” technique used in clearing around Compact model (with a 4-inch barrel), since they have a long and heavy trigger pull a corner to clear the area of the “fatal fun- chambered in 9mm Luger. for the first shot and then short and crisp These pistols have a very consistent trigger trigger pulls for all subsequent shots.) All of pull from shot-to-shot and they are less these guns have hammers that must be de- complicated to operate because they gener- cocked when the user is finished shooting ally lack external safeties except for the ones them and before setting them down or re- incorporated into their trigger mechanisms. holstering them. Since they have hammers, As a result, it is easier to train someone how they also have a higher bore axis. It takes to effectively shoot one of these guns. That time to learn how to manage the incon- means less time and fewer rounds of ammu- sistent trigger pull between the first and nition being fired. Less time and lower cost subsequent shots, the effort to manipulate are a good thing in the eyes of most people. the decocker/hammer-drop safety, and the additional felt recoil. I personally like this However, this shouldn’t be interpreted as type of pistol and have used several—the Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 6

Beretta 84 and 92/M9, the Sig about the idea of shooting fast. That con- to rush their third shot, the one to the head, P226/228/229, the Walther PPK/S, etc. cern is that by firing multiple shots really and entirely miss or hit outside the small The very first semi-auto pistol I owned was fast, you don’t give yourself or your assailant area of the head deemed necessary to stop a DA/SA S&W Model 39—but I also agree time to assess the impact of the rounds you the threat. There are many examples of it takes a significant investment in time and have already fired on ending the threat. people being shot in the head and of them training ammunition to learn how to use Since the law typically requires you to imme- being able to continue fighting. If this hap- them well. diately stop using lethal force the moment pens, you still have failed to stop the threat the threat is stopped, firing additional shots with that third shot. So, you can learn how to be proficient with after that point is reached could make you any of these various types of semi-automatic Instead, you should continue firing shots liable for criminal prosecution. pistols, but you must be willing to invest the until the threat has ceased. Where you aim time and ammunition learning how to shoot When this drill is used, a buzzer or signal is those shots will be a decision you will have them accurately and quickly, while also man- usually sounded to indicate when you can to make; continue shooting at the head or aging the trigger pull, recoil, and external start to draw your handgun and fire at the shift back to the chest area where— controls (i.e. safeties). Unfortunately most target. Typically it takes 0.25 to 0.50 sec- supposedly—your first two shots failed to owners are not willing to make this invest- onds for you to realize the signal has been produce the desired effect. Maybe those ment. sounded and then to begin to take action. A two shots were good, but the effect was just -- G.R. Evens good time to draw a handgun from conceal- delayed. Maybe not. ment and fire the first shot on the target is Because instructors fail to explain it as part about 1.5 seconds. From this point (at dis-   of the drill, I think the idea that this drill tances of 3-5 yards), you now have 1-1.5 typically instills in students is that three seconds to fire another shot, shift your shots is all that it takes to stop the threat. point of aim from the chest area to the This is seriously flawed. It will take howev- head, and fire a third shot. As I’ve previous- er many shots it takes, one, three, many, or ly written, it will take your attacker about even none—the mere sight of your gun’s 0.25-0.50 seconds to realize they have been muzzle pointed at them may cause the as- hit with your first round and then another sailant to change their mind. I would pro- 0.25 seconds or so to decide what to do— posed that the typically “failure to stop” drill either continue their attack on you or stop. should be modified to require the student to Whatever they decide, it will take you anoth- continue firing shots into the head area if er 0.25-0.50 seconds to react to their deci- their first shot does not strike within the sion. As you can see from this example, this designated zone in the head target until a action-reaction cycle can take 0.75-1.25 sec- successful hit is made. This would instill the onds. If you wait to assess the results of idea that you must keep shooting until the your first shot, you have now used up all of threat is stopped. It is a common drill used during advanced the time allotted to you to complete the drill firearms classes—two shots to the high cen- and you still have two more shots to fire— (A variation on this drill—often referred to ter chest area and one shot to the “head”. and go through this action-reaction loop for as the A-B-C drill—involves firing two Also known as the “Mozambique Drill”, the each of those shots. shots to the high center chest, one or two to theory behind it is that after firing two shots the pelvic region, and then one shot to the into an assailant’s chest and failing to stop The dilemma occurs because you don’t head. The purpose of shooting into the them from continuing their attack—perhaps know if the assailant will decide to continue pelvic region is to take away the assailant’s because they were wearing body armor, they their attack or end it once you start shoot- ability to move, producing a “mobility are “high” on drugs, or you just missed—, ing. If you wait to see what the impact of stop”. I question the wisdom of such an you then fire one shot into their head, right your first shot was, you risk having more approach. While a “mobility stop” may between their eyes, and that should end the damage done to you (or someone else you make some sense if your attacker is trying to fight. The drill is usually conducted at rela- are trying to defend) and possibly being reach you with a knife, club, etc., it will not tively short distances, typically three to sev- killed. If you continue shooting after the necessarily stop them from continuing their en yards, and within a very limited amount assailant has decided they have had enough attack on you if they are using a firearm. of time—two to five seconds from start to and stop their attack you could be criminally And, if you are only trying to achieve a finish with more time being allotted as the charged with excessive use of force. De- “mobility stop”, why did you fire your first distance between you and the target increas- spite what you think, it will be up to investi- es. gators, prosecutors, judges, and juries to determine if you acted reasonably or not. I do have some concerns with the way this drill is typically conducted, specifically with My second concern is that this drill typically the time limits and the idea that three shots consists of firing just three shots. However, are all it takes to stop a threat. if, as the exercise proposes, your first two shots failed to stop the threat, what makes In the January/February 2019 edition of you think the third shot will? It is not unu- Random Shots, I addressed my concerns sual for the individual completing this drill Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 7 shots into the chest area which could pro- have a medical condition causing your duce a lethal result?) tremors. While your instructor may intend this drill to While we cannot entirely eliminate our be a way to teach you to quickly shift your “wobble”, perhaps by following these steps point of aim and fire accurate shots without we can reduce its magnitude and shoot more having to set up multiple separate targets for accurately as a result. And, since we cannot you to shoot at, they usually fail to explain it eliminate it, at least now you have an excuse this way. Instead they create the impression for when you throw the occasional shot that the three-shot “failure to stop” drill is a outside of your intended impact zone. valid self-defense tactic. I have a problem -- G.R. Evens with that. -- G.R. Evens    

size of your “wobble zone” can seem to be exaggerated when you use a red-dot optic or some sort of magnified sight on your gun. In the March/April 2019l edition of Random It is less obvious when you just use your Shots, I wrote about my efforts to learn a iron sights. new grip and stance to improve the accuracy of my shooting. The Weaver stance has It is very distracting, but no matter what we declined in popularity over the years. One Weebles Wobble But do, we cannot entirely eliminate it. All we of the big reasons for this is that reviews of can hope to do is control it. hundreds of actual gunfight videos show that participates, even those with extensive They Don’t Fall Down So how can we control our “wobble zone”? training to use the Weaver stance, naturally An article posted on “The Professional Some of you may not be old enough to re- revert to a more instinctive fighter stance Gunfighter” website (http:// member “Weebles” but at one time they that much more closely resembles the Isos- progunfighter.com/tremors/) in 2015 offers were all the rage back in the 1970’s. These celes stance. As Grant Cunningham points the following: little toys had weights in the bottom that out in Defensive Pistol Fundamentals, this is a allowed them to wobble but not fall over. • Learn to properly execute the funda- result of the instinctive responses of the So what do they have to do with firearms mentals of shooting, especially your body to a surprise assault that are ingrained and self-defense? Let me explain. trigger press. into us as a result of thousands of years of evolution. Try as we might, we cannot Unless we use some sort of mechanical rest • Learn to ignore the wobble. to hold our firearm, the sights will move overcome these instinctive responses. Cun- around to some extent due to the weight of • Reduce the amount of caffeine in your ningham feels it is more efficient to use and the gun being supported by our hands and diet. build on these natural responses rather than try to adapt a position that does not feel arms. The amount of this movement is • Build up the muscles in your hands, natural. I agree with Cunningham on this known as your “wobble zone” and it is arms, shoulders, and core. more pronounced when you are shooting a and it was one of the main reasons I origi- handgun. How much movement there is • Stay hydrated. nally decided to not use the Weaver stance. However, when participating in evaluations depends on how steady your grip is on the • Take steps to reduce your stress level. gun, and that depends on the size and that judge your performance not on how weight of your gun, the configuration of the • See your doctor to determine if you you would respond to a real-world attack, grips on your gun, on the amount of but rather on how smoothly you can draw strength you have in your hands and arms, your handgun and present it to the target, and on any medical condition that may and how accurately you can shoot, I will use cause you to have tremors. These tremors the technique that best supports those goals. may be a result of drug and/or alcohol use, I expect that should I need to respond to a your age, whether you’ve had a stroke, or if surprise attack, I will revert to the Isosceles you suffer from certain diseases like Parkin- stance and I accept that. My shooting skills son’s. are such that I will be able to get the neces- As a result, your sights can appear to move sary speed and accuracy doing so to stop the in a figure-8 pattern about your point of threat at close ranges. If I am forced to aim. This movement can be very distract- shoot at longer distances—25 yards or ing, especially with regard to your trigger more—I will have more time and will be control, causing you to rush your shots and able to use the Weaver stance to get the missing your intended point of impact. The accuracy I need at those longer distances. Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 8

I did find something buried in Cunning- in the November/December 2018 edition my shots were hitting the target with my ham’s book that seems to be having a posi- of Random Shots). I did, by getting a gym optic re-installed, so I headed off to the tive effect on my shooting accuracy. In membership and regularly working out on GCFGA’s ranges. describing how to manipulate the trigger weights three days a week since early Janu- While I knew I’d be shooting at 15 and 25 when shooting a double-action/single- ary. yards during the competition, I decided to action pistol, Grant suggested that you I also began testing different brands of .22 start at the 7-yard range to just confirm might want to consider modifying how you Long Rifle ammunition to see if what I had whether I needed to make any gross wind- press the trigger. He points out that with been using—36 grain CCI Mini-Mag—was age and/or elevation adjustments. To elimi- most pistols and revolvers, the trigger the most accurate in my gun, a Ruger Mark nate as many variables as possible, I used my moves around a pivot point located just III Hunter with a Vortex Crossfire red dot MTM CaseGard Pistol Rest to confirm above the trigger guard. As a result, when optic sight. (It was not, but only by 0.028- where my shots were going. I placed my pressing the trigger it rotates back and up- inch, tied for second with another CCI load sight’s red dot in the center (X-ring) of my wards. The exception to this are those pis- as most accurate at 7 yards. The most accu- target and pulled the trigger. (The X-ring I tols using the Colt-designed trigger mecha- rate ammunition was 40 grain Remington was aiming at is ½-inch in diameter.) I was nism from the Model 1911 pistols, which Thunderbolt, quite a surprise given that it is quite surprised when my first five shots— moves straight back and does not pivot. not advertised as a precision target load, but see the below left photo—were all in the 10- Cunningham then points out that the trigger instead is marketed as a general “plinking” ring and just slightly low and to the right, finger is also pivoting when it presses the round.) with an extreme spread of 0.424-inch and trigger, usually around the first knuckle. So, 0.454-inch from the center of the X-ring. I while the trigger is moving backwards and As the start of the 2019 NDR pistol league made a slight windage adjustment and fired upwards, the trigger finger (for right-handed drew near, it was time to decide which gun another five shots. This time all my shots shooters) is moving towards the right. The and ammunition I would use. Starting in went into the center of the bullseye, with all result is shots going low and left because late 2018, I began not only testing .22 am- my hits either in or touching the X-ring (see these two movements force the barrel to munition, but also testing the ammunition in the center photo). This group measured move slightly in that direction. He then several different .22-caliber handguns— 0.356-inch, just 0.004-inch larger than what suggests that instead of pivoting the move- more about that in an upcoming series of I had achieved with the Remington Thun- ment of the trigger finger at the first knuck- articles. However, I had not quite complet- derbolt load during my formal ammunition le, you might want to press straight to the ed the evaluation, so I decided that I would test. I considered this more than adequate rear with that first knuckle, in effect keeping at least start out this year’s competition us- for me to now move to the 15-yard range the part of your finger that is resting on the ing the gun and ammunition that I had used and make my final sight adjustments. face of the trigger at a right angle to the the previous year. Besides, my Mark III trigger. I tried this in dry fire and noticed Hunter was the second-most accurate gun in I fully expected to have to make some eleva- that my front sight did not move to the left my testing so far, only my High Standard tion adjustments at the longer distance, and and lower when the trigger broke. I am now Supermatic Military Citation was more accu- I did. The righthand photo shows my first focusing on making this change to see how rate. Since my eyesight still affects how five shots were about 1½ inches high with much of an improvement it makes on my accurately I can shoot, especially at longer an extreme spread of 0.985-inch. Adjusting shooting accuracy. distances, I decided to stick with the gun the elevation brought my next five shot that gave me the greatest advantage—i.e., group right into the center and just slightly Another benefit of this technique that I am the one with the red dot optic. high and left of the bullseye by 0.233-inch, still evaluating is that it seems to reduce the with all five shots in or touching the 10-ring amount of movement in the other fingers of However, I had taken the optic off my pistol and a group size of 0.970-inch. That was the shooting hand in tightening their grip on temporarily when I had an issue getting it to good enough for me, since I won’t be using the pistol. go back together again after I made a modi- a rest during the NDR League competition fication to it. (My gunsmith later found a -- G.R. Evens and considering the size of the bullseye tar- spring had slipped out of position and it was gets used in the NDR competition with jamming everything up. It was a simple   their 3¼-inch 10-ring. At the 25-yard dis- matter for him to re-position it properly and tance, my hits should be a little high if I everything worked fine.) But since I had Getting Ready for the used a rest, but I tend to shoot a little low at taken it off, I now needed to confirm where 2019 NDR League At the end of last season (2018) of the Greene County Fish & Game Association’s (GCFGA) NDR pistol league competition, I indicated that I needed to do some things over the winter to better prepare myself for the next season. One of the things I said I was going to do was to improve my arm strength so I could hold my gun steadier (see my “2018 NDR League Results” article Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 9

this distance using my standing, two-handed Using a standing, two-handed grip with no on Saturday. At that meeting, sparks were stance and grip. rest did result in my shots hitting the target flying amid allegations of financial impropri- just a little low at the 15 yard distance (see ety, a legal battle between the NRA and In mid-April (2019) we had our first NDR the top target below) but were nicely cen- Ackerman McQueen (the NRA’s public League shoot, a practice session that doesn’t tered at the longer 25 yard distance (see the relations firm and the producers of NRATV count towards the end of season standings. bottom target below) when I placed my red media), an investigation launched by the However, I scored ten points above my dot on the center of the X-ring. New York attorney general into the organi- average for the 2018 season, so I decided to zation’s tax-exempt status, and demands for have my score count instead. I shot a 455— Only 12 of my hits were outside of the black changes at the NRA’s top leadership level. a 271 out of 300 on the slow fire portion at bullseye. The one low in the 6-ring was a Prior to the meeting NRA President Oliver 25 yards, and a 184 out of 200 on the called shot by me, one that I should not North had demanded that Wayne LaPierre timed/rapid fire portion at 15 yards, not bad have taken. (NRA’s long-time Executive Vice President) at all considering the occasional 20-30 mph I think my arm strengthening exercises did resign over financial concerns, but it was wind gusts we were experiencing. My aver- help as the gun didn’t shake as much in my North that ended up resigning because of an age overall score in 2018 was 445.1, with a hand except for when I took the shot that alleged conflict of interest—North is also an 264 average for the slow fire portion and a went into the 6-ring and another three in the employee of Ackerman McQueen as a me- 181 average for the timed/rapid fire portion. 7-ring, one that was high and two that were dia personality. I certainly have had my I was able to hold my shots to a 6½-inch low, at the 25 yard distance. concerns with some of the NRA’s decisions (horizontal) by 10¾-inch (vertical) group over the past few of years, primarily with generally centered on the 5½-inch black I was pretty satisfied with how my prepara- changes to their firearms training program bullseye on the NRA B-8 target. A total of tions for this season have gone. Now it and the rollout of the NRA Carry Guard 11 eleven of my shots hit within the 1 /16 -inch remains to be seen if I can sustain this level program, and I have written about them in X-ring, with another thirteen in the 3¼ - of performance. Wish me luck. previous editions of Random Shots. Hopeful- -- G.R. Evens inch 10-ring. Those hits accounted for 240 ly the NRA’s Board of Directors will be able of my 455 total points.   to sort everything out as we face increasing threats from a well-financed anti-gun move- ment and liberal politicians and their media supporters as we go into the 2020 Presiden- tial campaign. But, lets get back to my trip. As I got close to the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, traffic was heavy, and parking was a little hard to find. Then streets were closed as I got next to the convention center and Lucas Oil Field (the NFL football stadium where the Indianapolis Colts play) in preparation for President Trump and Vice President Pence The 2019 NRA Annual speaking at the NRA Leadership Forum (held at the football stadium) later that day. Meeting I managed to find a parking spot in a lot I had many conflicting activities with family about five blocks from the convention cen- and friends in various locales in Florida, ter and paid my $10 to park for the day. Michigan, and Ohio for the last weekend in (Just one block closer to the convention April, but Indiana won out as I travelled to center, the price for parking doubled to $20 Indianapolis to attend the 148th National per day.) Rifle Association’s (NRA) Annual Meeting It took me about two hours to drive from and Exhibits. (I attended my first NRA my home to the convention center, arriving Annual Meeting there in 2014.) I decided to just after 10 AM. The event had been open go on Friday because of the weather fore- for about an hour already and thousands of cast. It was raining—heavily at times— people were there already. My first stop was when I left home and headed west. About at registration to get my credentials that an hour outside of Indianapolis, the rain would enable me to get into the exhibits and stopped. The forecast was for blue skies attend the various seminars. (There is no and sunshine for my return trip home. cost for NRA members to attend the vari- (Saturday’s forecast was just the opposite; it ous seminars or visit the exhibition hall.) would have been clear and sunny when I left That took just a few minutes and I was off home and then the rains would come for the to the exhibit hall where I started at one side rest of the day.) As a result, I missed the and worked my way towards the other side contentious members’ meeting that was held Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 10 of approximately 650,000 square feet of Piqua (Ohio) in August. Ruger Mark IV pistols. They had them exhibit space. There were over 800 differ- available, but I’ve been able to get them BlueOps, an Israeli start-up company, was ent companies and organizations displaying cheaper from Midway USA. At the Boyd’s displaying an interesting pistol training sys- their products and/or services. The smaller, Gunstock booth, I looked at the variety of tem. It consisted of a special magazine that less-well-known companies were located on laminated wooden stock options and in- you insert into your own gun and that con- the outside edges, with the larger, more-well quired about the availability for the Ruger tains instrumentation that records your -known companies in the center. For the American Rimfire Rifle that I’m considering shots during dry-fire. It records your total next few hours I wandered around the ex- purchasing. time, split times, and other data. You can hibit hall, viewing products and talking to link to the Internet where you can compete I also stopped by several ammunition manu- representatives from the various companies with other users of the device in virtual facturers’ booths and talked to the various and organizations. shooting competitions. Right now, maga- representatives. At the Cor-Bon booth the One of my first stops was at the SnagMag zines are only available for Glock pistols, rep confirmed they had completed their booth where I got a pocket magazine holder and pricing has not yet been determined for relocation to Grafton, Ohio from South for my Glock 48 magazines. It the U.S. market. The company did not have Dakota and were ramping up production. clips in your pants pocket just any product brochures available, but they Currently they are shipping their most popu- like a pocket knife does, and did take my e-mail address and will send me lar loads and working to restore their reputa- holds your magazine in a con- more information since I had expressed an tion with several ammunition distributors sistent place where it can easily interest in their product. that had dropped them when the company be retrieved yet is deep enough encountered problems in their previous At the Kimber booth, I talked to one of into the pocket so the magazine management in their other location. At the their representatives about issues I was hav- itself cannot be seen. As with CCI and Aguila booths, I talked to them ing with the magazines that are used with many companies attending the about the .22-caliber ammunition test that I their .22 Conversion Kits that work with show, SnagMag offered dis- am conducting. The Aguila reps asked if I 1911-style pistols—they just don’t reliably counts on the products they could send them a copy of my results once feed the ammunition that I’ve used in them. were selling for the weekend. the testing is finished. Their rep took down my e-mail address and My next stop was at the Mantis booth. said he’d get in contact with me after the I only saw a few new guns that were being They were marketing a training system—the show to get more information. Much the introduced at this show—there were others, MantisX3—that I found intriguing. Their same thing happened at the Chiappa booth but I just didn’t see them—but I did see and tiny product consists of a small device that when I asked about parts being available for handle several including some that had pre- attaches to the Picatinny rail on your gun. my early-generation reproduction Spencer viously been announced at the SHOT Show The device contains a gyroscope and accel- carbine in .45 Schofield chambering. My in January. Some of the products I handled, erometers that measure the movement of particular model has been out of production and my impressions of them are listed be- the gun. You then aim your gun at a point for a few years. I broke one of the extrac- low: and proceed to fire it. The device transmits tors on mine and need a replacement. The its data to an app on your smartphone or rep said he was sure they had the part I • Colt King Cobra – A 3½-inch barreled, tablet where you can review it. The data needed, and he would confirm that once he .357 Magnum, six-shot, stainless steel, tells you how your gun moved during the got back to Italy (where the company is double-action revolver with an external process of firing each shot. It then provides based) and let me know. hammer. A second version, not previ- recommendations on how to correct any ously introduced, with a 2-inch barrel problems that you might be having with and a bobbed hammer was also on dis- how steadily you hold your gun while shoot- play. I found the double-action trigger ing it. This looked like just what I needed to pull on them to be very smooth, not analyze concerns I had with my shooting, so requiring a lot of effort. I was surprised I got one. (I’ll write a separate review of when I found the single-action trigger this product once I get some experience pull on these guns felt a little more using it myself.) The MantisX3 can be used “stiff/gritty” than the double-action on pistols or rifles, during live-fire or dry- trigger pull did. It was a nice gun and At the Surefire booth I picked up one of fire, and can even be used on CO -powered had a good “heft” to it. If I hadn’t 2 their new “Stiletto” multi-output rechargea- BB/pellet guns or Airsoft guns. Once bought one of Colt’s new snub-nose .38 ble pocket flashlights. This tiny (and flat) again, the company offered a show discount Special Cobra revolvers when they light puts out an impressive 650 lumens of on their product. came out in 2017, I would probably put light on its highest setting. I stopped by the the 3½-inch King Cobra on my “need- Project Appleseed was well-represented, and LabRadar booth to look at their portable to-purchase” list. they were offering a 50% discount if you doppler radar chronograph. They appear to signed up for one of their events. Having be very user friendly, but their cost, even • Kimber EVO – This is a small semi- attended two Appleseed events in the past, with the NRA show discount, was a little automatic pistol chambered for the and not yet qualifying for my Rifleman’s much for me at over $550 each. At the 9mm Luger cartridge, with a capacity of patch, I took advantage of this discount and Volquartsen booth I inquired about the 7+1 rounds, that has been getting some signed up to attend an Appleseed event in availability of their accuracy kits for the very good reviews. It appears to be Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 11

Kimber’s follow-on to their sub- for their classic Single-Six revolver that that such a kit was being planned for sale to compact Solo pistol that was intro- they have made since the early 1950s. I civilians once they fill the military contract duced several years ago. The EVO is a certainly hope not. The Ruger booth obligations. little larger than the Solo and is striker- was a “mad house” packed full of peo- At the Smith & Wesson booth, I asked a fired rather than (internal) hammer- ple, so I didn’t get a chance to talk to representative from their Performance Cen- fired. It has an aluminum frame rather any of the representatives there. In ter about the availability of 5-inch non- than the polymer plastic found on most handling the Wrangler, it is a light- ported barrels for their M&P9 pistols. He striker-fired pistols. I found the trigger weight aluminum alloy and comes with indicated that demand for the 5-inch guns pull on the EVO to be light, but a little a Cerakote finish rather than the tradi- was quite low so he did not think they “mushy”, lacking a sharp break when tional blued or stainless-steel finish. would be offering a barrel like I was inter- the sear is released to fire the gun. There are three color combinations— ested in and suggested that I look at after- black, silver, or burnt bronze—all with market barrels. • Walther PPQ Q5 Match Steel Frame - black six-shot cylinders. I was not im- This is a variation of Walther’s striker- pressed with the Wrangler. While it has That led me to the Clark Custom booth fired PPQ semi-automatic pistol, cham- a low price—an MSRP of around $250 where I talked to Jess and Logan Clark—the bered in 9mm Luger. It is specifically with a street price of $200 or less—, it owners and co-stars (along with the Miculek designed for competition use. I found also looks and feels very cheap. It may family) of the Outdoor Channel’s Shootout the gun to have a nice “heft”, but the appeal to beginning shooters, back- Lane television program. They do not offer trigger seemed to have a lot of take-up packers or fishermen, and other out- barrels for the M&P-family of pistols and before hitting the break point. The doorsmen that like to have a cheap suggested that I talk to Randy Lee at the design of the adjustable rear sight pistol to deal with snakes and other Apex Tactical booth. Before I left, I asked seems to be a little fragile to me— pests while out in the wilderness and the brothers about who had really won the probably okay for a pistol intended for for plinking. “frankengun” competition on a recent epi- competition use, but not something I’d sode of Shootout Lane. On the program the • want on a self-defense pistol. SIG Sauer P210 Standard and Target Miculek’s won, but Logan claimed he was Model Pistols – SIG has re-introduced • Springfield Armory 911 – These are “robbed”. It was fun being able to talk to their famous P210 pistols. These are 8- them for a few minutes. (At the time I was small single-action pocket pistols cham- shot, single-stack, stainless steel-framed, bered in .380 ACP. It was a little small there, they were the only two working at the semi-automatic pistols chambered in Clark Custom booth.) for my hands, so I wasn’t that im- 9mm Luger. They are known to be pressed with it, but it did have a solid some of the most accurate centerfire I did stop by the Apex Tactical booth, but feel. pistols ever made since they were first Randy Lee was busy. Instead I talked to • Remington Model 700 NRA American introduced shortly after the end of another of their reps that said she was not Wilderness Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor – World War II. I found the Standard certain about the availability of 5-inch M&P This was a new version of their classic Model to be a little “crude” compared barrels but would check. (They do have bolt-action rifle with a synthetic black to the Target Model. The finish wasn’t them.) I ended up getting a trigger reset and dark green stock and matt-black quite as good, the walnut grip panels modification kit and new trigger shoe for Cerakote metal parts. The barrel was are a little plainer, and the trigger pull is one of my M&P pistols. (I had previously shorter at about 20-inches, was fluted, grittier. I found the Target Model to be had these modifications made to another and threaded for a suppressor or com- excellent in all respects. These are not M&P that I own and liked the changes in pensator. It does not appear in the inexpensive pistols, being priced at how the gun feels while shooting it.) Once current Remington product catalog or $1,250 to $1,450 or higher for some again, they offered a good show discount. versions with custom features. on their website yet. There is a similar At the Glock booth, I got autographed pho- Model 700 NRA American Hunter While at the SIG Sauer booth I talked to tos from Team Glock profession shooters model, also in 6.5 Creedmoor, that has their representatives about the availability of Michelle Viscusi and Shane Coley. I asked a slightly lighter colored stock. I do not an “M18” slide/barrel conversion kit for Shane if Glock was considering abandoning currently have a Remington 700 in my their M17 pistols. The M17/M18 is the the cutout on the bottom front of the Gen 5 rather diverse gun collection so I may newly adopted standard sidearm for the U.S. Glock 19 frame. The cutout, also found on add one of these since I do like the 6.5 military. The Army is fielding the M17 the Gen 5 Glock 17, is designed to enable Creedmoor chambering. (I also found while the Air Force, Navy, and Marine the user to get a better grip on the magazine that Winchester has added the 6.5 Corps will issue the slightly shorter M18 to pull it out of the gun during malfunction Creedmoor to their line of Model 70 version according to some recent articles clearing. With the shorter grip length on the bolt-action rifles, but I already have two I’ve read. Being a modular chassis design, Gen 5 Glock 19, that cutout comes right Model 70’s in different chamberings.) the configuration of these guns can be easily where my little finger lands on the grip and changed. I’ve been thinking about getting is quite uncomfortable when gripping the • Ruger Wrangler Revolver – This new an M17—which is based on SIG’s P320 gun. Shane said Glock was doing that and model .22-caliber single-action revolver striker-fired pistol design—but would also spent the next couple of minutes looking was announced a week or so before the like to get a kit so I can convert it to the about their booth to find an example to NRA meeting. I don’t know if Ruger M18 configuration. The SIG reps indicated show me. The G19 without the cutout will intends for this gun to be a replacement Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 12 be coming out soon in their Gen 5 MOS- everywhere except at Lucas Oil Field be- artery when I am seated. That is something configured guns and eventually in the regu- cause the President and Vice President were I do not want to put a bullet hole in because lar G19 as well. there. With liberal politicians and their me- I will bleed out and die within a very short dia supporters claiming the NRA is a bor- time. I had tried appendix carry with my There were several other celebrities/TV derline “terrorist” organization, you would 9mm S&W M&P Shield, but the holster that personalities in attendance, and I got to talk have expected the streets of Indianapolis I used—a Blade-Tech Klipt model for use to some of them. At the Wilson Combat would be flowing with enough blood to with a Shield equipped with a Crimson booth, I talked briefly to Mike Seeklander make Chicago appear to be a calm paradise Trace Laserguard—was uncomfortable. and told him how much I appreciated the by comparison. However, such was not the However, since the last time I had tried ap- training tips he provides in some of the case—as we supporters well know. Law pendix carry I had been working out regu- books he’s written that I have and during enforcement agencies in the area indicated larly at the gym and lost a few inches from episodes of the Outdoor Channel’s The Best they responded to over 6,000 incidents dur- around my waist. Defense television show. At the Blackhawk ing the 3-days the NRA was in town, but booth I talked to Todd Jarrett and got some only one of those could be traced to any of good hints on how to approach shooting the NRA-related activities or attendees—a steel targets. I ran into Rob Pincus and had drunk anti-Trump liberal threw a cell phone a very brief conversation with him as he was at the President during the NRA Leadership getting ready to do an interview. I got to Forum and was arrested. Of course the spend some time talking with Gabby Fran- liberal media will conveniently ignore this co—a professional shooter that appeared as troubling fact. a contestant on the Top Shot television show a few years ago (and currently in re-runs)— I’m sure I’ll be attending future NRA Annu- When I got my slim Glock 48, I searched at a seminar she was conducting and even al Meetings when they are close enough to around for a holster for it. I got a good helped her during one of the demonstra- where I live to enable me to commute to Kydex strong-side belt holster made by 2nd tions she presented during the seminar. (I’ll them. (With tens of thousands of people Amendment Holsters/Defensive Training be writing a separate article on her seminar.) attending, hotel reservations must be made Solutions and it works great for OWB carry At the Comp-Tac booth, I got to talk to several months in advance and are quite but I didn’t like how it felt when I config- Randy Rogers (aka “Holy Terror” in SASS), costly if you want to stay in the city where ured it for IWB, and it was too wide to con- at the Second Amendment Foundation the event is being held, not to mention other sider for appendix carry. As a result, I asked booth I got to say “hello” to Alan Gottleib travel expenses.) In 2020, the NRA will a local gun shop what they recommended, and did the same to Gila Hayes at the hold its annual meeting in Nashville, Ten- and the salesman suggested I try On Your 6 Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network nessee, and people are already making their Design. booth. Others that I saw but was unable to reservations to attend. If you are not al- I was very pleased with my new speak to for various reasons included Rob ready a member, please join and support the Kydex IWB holster when it Leatham, Massad Ayoob, K.C. Eucebio, and NRA’s efforts to defend our Second arrived in the mail. In addition Eva Shockley. There were probably other Amendment rights! to the holster, the package con- celebrities in attendance that I either did not -- G.R. Evens tained several different size clips see or did not recognize. that are designed to work with There were numerous other booths and   belts of different widths. As I displays that I stopped and talked to repre- examined the holster, I found sentatives at, too many to even remember that it could be adjusted for a “butt for- them all. I had wanted to stop at the Ameri- ward” or a “butt rearward” cant—most glo, Buckeye Firearms Association, holsters can only be adjusted for either verti- CoolFire, Eley, and JP Enterprises booths, cal or “butt forward” (aka an FBI) cant. By however, by now it was after 5 PM and I adjusting it for the “butt rearward” cant I had been on my feet for most of the time was able to set the angle so the gun runs since I’d arrived in Indianapolis shortly after along the crease between my leg and my 10 AM. I decided that I had seen enough, lower torso. This is a much more comfort- and it was time to head for home, so I able place to carry a gun than I had previ- trudged back to where I had parked and ously found with appendix carry. began my two-hour return trip—and “yes”, I wore my G48 in this position during a 6+ the skies were blue, and it was sunny. hour long drive from southern Ohio to cen- It has been reported that over 81,000 people As I have indicated in previous articles that tral Michigan, and while it was tolerable, my attended the 3-day NRA Meeting and Ex- I’ve published in Random Shots, I have mixed gun’s barrel was digging into the lower part hibits and associated events (based on ad- feelings about appendix carry. My body of my torso by the time I arrived at my des- vanced and on-site registrations), not quite a type—I have a few extra inches around my tination. I had heard that some people were record, but among the most well-attended in waist—makes it uncomfortable as it presses able to improve their comfort by attaching a history. Most of those individuals were the barrel of my gun into me at an angle foam rubber “wedge” to the back of the armed since concealed carry was allowed where it is pointing directly at my femoral holster towards the bottom so that it pushed Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 13

Many of the advocates of appendix carry eral reference book. It claim its primary benefit is that it speeds up does not discuss strategy, your ability to draw your handgun from tactics, or techniques. concealment. I have not found that to be Instead, it explains basic the case, at least not yet. However, I do see firearms terminology and an advantage in being able to make a more provides an understand- covert draw since I don’t have to move my ing of how they work. It arms as dramatically as I do when I carry in contains sections on fire- a 3 o’clock or 4 o’clock position. Having arms history, safety, gun the muzzle end away from your body and said this, during a recent firearms class that I and ammunition compo- forced the grip tighter against your waist. was helping to teach I did perform a nents, etc. There is a good chapter explain- The “wedge” is attached to the holster with demonstration by drawing my G43 from my ing “ballistics”, i.e. how your bullet travels a piece of Velcro, so it can easily be re- appendix holster while wearing it concealed from the barrel to the target and what the moved if using the holster in a different under a closed-front garment and firing various factors are that influence its flight. configuration such as in an IWB 4 o’clock three shots at the target from three yards. If you are really into shooting, it is im- position. I ordered one on the Internet— The goal is to be able to do this in three portant to understand the things explained there are several suppliers, but I got mine seconds or less. I did it in 2.97 seconds, and in this book. While there are other volumes from V Development Group—and attached this was the first time I had ever drawn my that delve more deeply into each of the top- it to my On Your 6 holster. (Some folks G43 from my appendix holster and fired ics covered, this book is a good starting have even attached cut down gel foam sport live rounds—I had been practicing this dur- point to get a general understanding. With shoe inserts like those from Dr. Scholl, and ing dry fire, but that obviously did not in- the knowledge gained from it, you will be they seem to work quite well.) volve firing any rounds and I wasn’t trying able to put things regarding firearms into to do this as fast as I could. Two of my hits Since concealed carry was not a problem at context. were a little high and to the left of my in- the NRA Annual Meeting—except at some tended point of impact, but still inside the You can obtain this book directly from the special functions like the “Leadership Fo- silhouette of the target. I need to do some National Rifle Association, or from Ama- rum” since the President and Vice President more live-fire practice to refine my point of zon.com. were attending—I decided to see how my aim with this small gun. G48 in an appendix holster with the Reading List: “wedge” worked. I made it through an al- I doubt that I will use appendix carry as my most 12-hour day with little discomfort, primary method for concealed carry, but I 1. Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to including the 4 hours I spent driving to and am liking this G43 and appendix carry right Self Defense, by Massad Ayoob, ISBN- from Indianapolis. For most of my time at now. It does have its place such as those 13: 978-1-4402-4061-2, ©2014 the NRA meeting, I didn’t really feel like I occasions when you are seated for a long 2. The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable was wearing a gun as I walked around the time (i.e. driving or riding in a car, etc.), Guide for the Armed Citizen, 3rd Ed., by exhibit hall for several hours. where accessing your gun is easier if it is Andrew Branca, ISBN-13: 978- position near the front center of your body. That worked out so well, I decided to see 1943809141, ©2016 However, the G43 does have a very limited how appendix carry would work if I used a ammunition capacity, 6+1 rounds of 9mm 3. gunFIGHT!: An Integrated Approach to slightly shorter gun, a Glock 43. Once Luger, and I prefer having more rounds Shooting and Fighting in Close Quarters, by again, I turned to On Your 6 Design to supply than that available to me in my gun. Com- Richard Nance, ISBN-13: 978-1-6088- the holster. I found the shorter length of promises, compromises, compromises… 5140-9, ©2016 the gun and holster made it comfortable to wear and once I configured it with a -- G.R. Evens 4. On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learn- “wedge” it was even more comfortable. I ing to Kill in War and Society, by Lt Col also got an IWB magazine pouch from On   (Retired) Dave Grossman, ISBN 0-316- Your 6 Design so I can carry a spare G43 33000-0, ©1996 magazine. It also came with several differ- Random Shots ent clips for different belt widths. 5. On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Reading List Deadly Conflict in War and Peace, 3rd Edi- Not only does the “wedge” push the barrel tion, by Lt Col (Retired) Dave Gross- of your gun out, away from your body a “A mind needs a book like a sword needs a man with Loren Christensen, ISBN 978 little, pushing the grip area and butt of the whetstone.” — Tyrion Lannister, in George -0-9649205-4-5, ©2004, 2007, & 2008 gun into your waist more concealing it bet- R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. ter, it also places a soft piece of foam rubber 6. Left of Bang: How the Marine Corp’s Com- between you and the hard, bottom edge of The NRA Firearms Sourcebook: Your Ultimate bat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life, by your Kydex holster. Comfort is important Guide to Guns, Ballistics, and Shooting, by Mi- Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley, and if your gun and holster combination are chael E. Bussard and Stanton L. Wormley, ISBN 978-1-936891-30-6, ©2014 not comfortable—or at least tolerable—you Jr. is the next book on my recommended 7. Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unex- will not wear it. reading list. It is somewhat different than pected, by Rory Miller, ISBN 978-1- the other books on the list in that it is a gen- 59439-213-9, ©2011 Volume 9, Issue 4 Random Shots Pa ge 14

8. Counter Ambush: The Science of Training for DTS offers a full range of firearms and self- NOTE: DTS classes are taught at either DTS’s the Unexpected Defensive Shooting, by Rob defense instruction. Hojutsu classes are training facility in Troy or at Olde English Outfit- Pincus, ISBN 978-0-9791508-8-3, held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each ters in Tipp City. See the DTS website for details ©2012 month in the “dojo” (hand-to-hand skills) (i.e. times, location, costs, course requirements, etc.) and the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at the range and to sign-up. 9. Handgun Combatives, 2nd Ed., by Dave (shooting skills). No previous martial arts Spaulding, ISBN 978-1-60885-024-2, experience is required to participate in Ho- ©2011 jutsu classes. 10. The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Sig- DTS is offering weekly Skill Builder classes nals that Protect Us From Violence, by on Thursday evenings (5:30 to 8:00 PM) at Gavin de Becker, ISBN: 978-0-440- Olde English Outfitters through October. 50883-0, ©1997 This includes handgun, shotgun, and rifle skills, alternating as demand dictates. It is 11. The Tactical Shotgun: The Best Techniques an excellent opportunity for you to polish and Tactics for Employing the Shotgun in up on your shooting skills and perhaps learn Personal Combat, by Gabriel Suarez, some new ones. ISBN: 978-0-87364-898-1, ©1996 Other upcoming classes include: 12. Defensive Pistol Fundamentals, by Grant ⬧ Cunningham, ISBN-13: 978-1-4402- 15 Jun—Olde English Outfitters’ Ohio CCW 4280-9, © 2014 ⬧ 20 Jun—SAFTD Handgun Skill Build- Featured Course—Skill Builder 2, an 13. Warrior Mindset: Mental Toughness Skills er 1 for a Nation’s Peacekeepers, by Dr. Michael update ⬧ J. Asken, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman with 27 Jun—SAFTD Skill Builder 2 DTS has updated their SAFTD Skill Builder Loren W. Christensen, ISBN: 978-0- (OPOTA) 2 class to include two variations, one that is 9649205-5-2, © 2010 ⬧ 13 Jul—Olde English Outfitters’ Ohio focused on shooting the FBI handgun quali- fication course of fire and another that is 14. NRA Firearms Sourcebook: Your CCW (Ladies Only) focused on the Ohio Police Officers Train- Ultimate Guide to Guns, Ballistics, ⬧ 18 Jul—SAFTD Handgun Skill Builder ing Academy (OPOTA) handgun qualifica- and Shooting, by Michael E. 1 tion course. Of the two, the FBI qualifica- Bussard and Stanton L. Wormley, ⬧ 20 Jul—Olde English Outfitters’ Ohio tion course is the more difficult, but being Jr., ISBN: 0-935998-26-8, © 2006 CCW able to say that you have passed the same -- G.R. Evens qualification course that Ohio police officers ⬧ 27-28 Jul—Defensive Urban Rifle with have to pass could be something you could   John Farnam use to your advantage should you ever have ⬧ 1 Aug—SAFTD Handgun Skill Builder to go in front of a judge as a result of using Upcoming Classes 1 your firearm. The cost and time required to complete the Skill Builder 2 course is un- NOTE: I have joined the staff of Defen- ⬧ 8 Aug—SAFTD Skill Builder 2 (FBI changed. If interested, please check the sive Training Solutions as an Associate In- Qual) DTS website for dates and locations. structor. I will continue to support Dave Long as an assistant instructor when he ⬧ 10 Aug—Olde English Outfitters’ needs my help, but I will also now be sup- Ohio CCW (Ladies Only) LongMeadows porting Bill Martin and his staff at DTS. ⬧ 10-13 Aug—SAFTD Master Instructor For now, I will be offering my Advanced Development Conference Shooting School Concealed Carry classes as well as teaching NRA courses through DTS. See details on ⬧ 15 Aug—SAFTD Skill Builder 2 4910 State Route 201 their website as these classes are scheduled. (OPOTA) Tipp City, Ohio 45371 Let me know if there is a class you would ⬧ 17 Aug—Olde English Outfitters’ like me to offer. (937) 478-8201 Ohio CCW LongMeadows Shooting School ⬧ 22 Aug—SAFTD Handgun Skill Build- Dave is still teaching the Ohio Concealed er 1 2826 Stone Circle Drive Carry Course, but it is by appointment only. Troy, OH 45373 ⬧ 29 Aug—SAFTD Skill Builder 2 (FBI Contact LongMeadows Shooting School if Qual) (937) 335-2998 you want to schedule a time to attend. ⬧ 5 Sep—SAFTD Handgun Skill Builder Defensive Training Solutions 1 https://defensivetrainingsolutions.com