Smith And Wesson Moves into The Lever Action Buisness

 And it's not a Frankenlever!!

 

 

Anybody Been To The Dry Cleaners Lately?

 

Sunday With Blackthorn - Today We Have 3 Videos From Paul Harrell

 As you guys my remember from a previous Blog Post, Paul was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer a few months back. Well the first Video of the three below has Paul introducing his brother Roy. The purpose being to let us know that Roy will be taking over the Youtube channel when Paul is no longer physically able to handle it, as Paul's condition has worsened.

The next two videos are Paul's take on two old standby drills for shooters.  The El Presidente, and The Mozambique. While both have fallen out of favor with modern combat shooters, he still believes they have value when looked at objectively.

Anyway, in the last video, at the end Paul talks about how it may be the last video he will ever be seen in. I personally will miss his dry wit, cynical sense of humor, and practical real world expertise.

 

Wheelgun Wednesday - Pocket Holsters & Pocket Carry

 From the RevolverGuy Blog, everything you ever wanted to know about Pocket Pistol Carry!

 

https://revolverguy.com/pocket-holsters-pocket-carry/

Monday Humor With Blackthorn

 The married guys will appreciate this one the most.

 

Sunday With Blackthorn - Today We Have A Carl Cestari Classic

Regular or De-escalated
By Carl Cestari

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There always exists stepping
stones or a progression of events that lead up to a "situation". Whether YOU are
AWARE of them or not is not the issue(it should be, but as they say "shit
happens").

Regardless whether you saw it "coming" or BAM it just kicks you in the ass there
were any number of factors that occurred PRIOR to the "trouble" you are now
facing. Some of those "factors" were quite literally YEARS in the making.

The idea of developing "de-escalation" skills is generally understood as a way to
defuse or lower the level of aggressive intent and minimize the possibility of serious
hands on physical violence. This is done thru verbal and physical actions that are
designed to calm the stormy seas.

Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't. I for one would RARELY place a
bet on the general altruistic, logical, compassionate and thoughtful "nature" of
humankind. So I would ALWAYS opt for the "mindset" that NO MATTER what I
do, it most probably WON'T WORK. Somebody is GOING to get a severe
asskicking or worse NO MATTER what is done to quell the "potential" violence. So
it ONLY makes sense to hedge EVERY bet and do your UTMOST to insure YOU
are the asskicker and NOT the asskickee.

Consider YOURSELF very fortunate that you even have the OPPORTUNITY to
attempt a run at "de-escalation". That MEANS that you haven't just been KILLED
or rendered hors d'combat OUTRIGHT. SO USE THIS "GIFT" TO YOUR FULL
ADVANTAGE!

DE-ESCALTION, both verbal and physical should be a TACTICAL tool that at it's
ESSENCE has NOTHING to do with your "perceived" intent BUT EVERYTHING
to do with SETTING UP YOUR MOST ADVANTAGEOUS STRATEGY FOR
ATTACK OR SURVIVAL!

I don't BELIEVE for a SECOND that Joey Dirtbag is GOING TO BUY INTO the
idea of any "peaceable negotiation" ANYMORE THAN I WOULD! A grift is a grift
and a "front" is a "front". I KNOW the GAME and so does HE! AT BEST we're
"dancing the dance".

MY JOB is be MORE believable and SMARTER than the other guy. 'Cause we
are BOTH RUNNING THE GAME. The best I can hope for is that my opposition
wonders if I really am THAT STUPID to believe that my attempts at "backing it
down" will really sway his intent to DO what he SET OUT TO DO!

So while I'm acting like my whole demeanor is screaming "HEY, BROTHER
DEAREST, CAN'T WE ALL JUST GETTING ALONG". What I'm really doing is
setting HIM UP for the inevitable crash landing.

He's thinking LOOK at THIS sappy, pussy-assed schmuck. I'M gonna PLAY him right into the boneyard. I'M using ARTIFICE and guile to maneuver HIM for MY BENEFIT.

Dance the dance of the biggest galactic wussy appeaser that was ever BORN. And
while YOUR doing that bit of street level "pys-ops" maneuver him into YOUR
TRAP.

Curbs, poles, fire-hydrants, sharp edges and corners, brick facades, plate glass
windows, on rushing traffic, whatever

Get his back to the nastiest most damaging shit in your environment. Place
YOURSELF in the BEST attack line which is HIS worst DEFENSE line. Maneuver
yourself to the BEST position to ATTACK while SETTING UP YOUR BEST
AVENUE OF ESCAPE.

THAT is what the DANCE of "de-escalation" SHOULD BE PRIMARILY ABOUT!

AND if by some chance the gods of fortune smile upon you AND the misdirection or your "de-escalation" PLOY actually WORKS GREAT!

BUT ALWAYS,  ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST!

DE-ESCALATION is the ARTIFICE that SETS UP THE VEHEMENCE.

Besides I don't believe ANYTHING is ever going to work as "advertised".

Don't be a sucker.



 

Criminals Will Always Find A Way

 This article from the UK definitely proves that.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67895627 

Sunday With Blackthorn - James Reeves of TFB TV Reviews The Beretta 1301 Gen. 2 Shotgun

James Reeves previously reviewed the Beretta 1301 around a year or so ago. Since then, Beretta has made some upgrades. To a lot of people they may not seem major, but everybody has a different take on what they expect from a firearm. So give the video a look!

 

And some Humor for a Sunday Afternoon 

Some Common Sense Personal Protection Tips

 The problem these days is that Common Sense isn't all that common anymore. Tacticool bullshit seems to rule the roost, especially on the internet. I'll apologize in advance for the long winded commercial ads you have deal with that Youtube is sticking in everywhere they possibly can these days. Seems to be unavoidable I'm afraid.

 

 

Texas vs California

 This bit of Humor comes courtesy of my brother.

'The Coyote'

Helpful Life Hints From Blackthorn

Sunday With Blackthorn - James Reeves Of TFB TV Puts The Kel-Tec KSG Bullpup To the 500 Round Burndown Test

 And unfortunately, does not make it to the end. Once again proving that while the Engineers at Kel-Tec come up with very innovative ideas, the final execution in the manufacturing process just never quite comes out right.

 

 

The Simpler The Better!

 Once again we have another article from our occasional contributor, Steve Forester. This article is a bit longer than some of his previous ones, but is well worth every minute you put into reading it.  Too many times are people looking for "more advanced" ways of defending themselves. All the while allowing themselves to get further away from the basics of self defense. They become "Tool Collectors" looking for another, more complicated method to put in the 'Tool Box". The problem is that most real world self defense situations are over in seconds, which means that  a lot of the time you'll only have a fraction of a second to decide on the best way (or Tool to use) to protect yourself.

And by the time you've decided on the best method (or tool) to use, it's too late to use it.  

 Steve's article will put things in perspective, and make it clear that Self Defense is NOT Rocket Science, and that when it comes to Personal Protection........

 

 The Simpler The Better 

by Steve Forester

A lot you readers here at the Blog are already familiar with the concepts belo, but just throwing out a few things I've recently "discovered" that are mandatory for self defense, IMO.

I currently operate under 2 Basic Principles:

1). The more simple you make it, the better the product.

2). The simplest things are the hardest to understand.


Like all of you, I have been training in martial arts related activities most of my life. As a result, we can have an ingrained concept - that we might not even realize - that "complicated is better". Not so much here, but most guys outside our circle are looking for that secret sauce system that will allow them to overcome an attacker twice their size without ever being hit. We know that is pure fiction, but look at people you know and think about it. Everyone is looking for that edge over the other guy. The "Magic Finger" John Benner used to call it. It seems the more complicated you make it, the better people like it,

However, in a real self-defense situation what are we really going to be able to do? How many techniques can we make reflexive? How many techniques are necessary in a 3-5 second conflict to "break contact and escape"? More about technique in a moment.

And, #2, The Simplest Things Are The Hardest To Understand". I started thinking about Mr. Blackthorn’s  post from the other day with the video from David James of Vee Arnis Jitsu, and sort of had an epiphany. I started thinking about just using hammer fists - just those alone - how simple they are and how much damage they can do with the right body mechanics. More about that later also.  Now, add in elbows. Just these two techniques alone can comprise an entire fighting system. I like the EOH and CJ also, but I discovered these work better for me and my personal situation. Again, refer to Techniques below for more.

Now, I believe "self-defense" consists of three critical components: Mindset, Physical Conditioning, and Technique. Yeah, I know. Not exactly earth shattering news, but hear me out.

#1 is Mindset. Many elements that people lump into the Combat Mindset, but lets just take Mental Toughness. I have been working with Mike Gillette's, "Strength Psychology" and like how he articulates things that we maybe feel and have experienced, but not translated into words. I suppose anyone who has been in the military can readily relate, but anyone can absorb with a little effort.

One thing I like was when Mike stated: "Mental Toughness can make up for lack of natural ability". Wow! I could really relate to that. When I played football, I was one of the smaller players, but started every game. I learned that with some mental toughness, good body mechanics, and my inherent good reflexes, I could prevail over much larger individuals who had more athletic ability. The learning point is learn your natural abilities and extenuate those and negate any weaknesses.

Now, I know you might be thinking: "Here comes the sales pitch", but I am not going to do that. Instead I'm going to give you something FREE! . Go to the link below and scroll down to "5 Ways to Become Tough as Nails", and can download the PDF and the video for FREE!  BTW, you can also access more free stuff there.

https://www.criticalbench.com/free-stuff/

Tough As Nails explains the basics, but you'll get an opportunity to buy his "Strength Psychology" book and video.  Up to you, but I did and I think worth it. Goes into more depth on the concepts in the free report. If been in the military, this will be familiar, but also helps explain the military's logic of basic training which I didn't understand at the time.

#2. is Physical Conditioning. #4 of Mike's "5 Ways To Become Tough As Nails", is Physical Toughness. As Mike says, mental toughness and physical toughness work together and can't have one without the other. The Yin and the Yang. Physical conditioning develops mental toughness, and mental toughness increases the ability to train harder. They both feed off each other.


#3 is Technique. I think a solid unarmed self defense method is the foundation of self defense and as much a component of our "Triad" as physical and mental toughness. It all works together. Hard to be mentally tough and have no idea of how to physically defend ourselves. All three work synergistically to produce a whole that is greater than the sum of it's parts.

I believe there is no "one size fits all" method. A lot depends on one's personal attributes: size, strength, athletic ability, etc. I am rather "short and (somewhat) stout", so what feels more natural to me is to cover, drop body weight, keep all strikes within my power zone (or frame as Jim West calls it). I don't like to reach out and get extended and off balance. I use footwork to maneuver in this "in-fighting range" where I have the advantage. Or, to use footwork to draw them in which was the point of much of the 2003 Keane Seminar.


As far as strikes, Joe's post inspired me to set up a system of just hammer fists. Horizontal and vertical hammer fists like David James was showing. I worked this out on BOB after viewing the video and liked. Hmmm! Then, I added close range elbow strikes. Elbows and hammer fists go together like peanut butter and jelly. These are my main stays. I also included some "specialty strikes" for use as the opportunity presents itself: Knees, uppercut punch to the groin, and head butt.

Targets? Lower: groin, solar plexus, liver shots. Maybe side of neck and collar bone. If the assailant is 6'5", that is what I can best reach while staying within my power zone.

Now, we got a pretty good unarmed combat system. Simple, but, again, how much are we realistically going to be able to execute under stress?

Now, we add weapons. Here is my current thinking on self-defense weapons: practice and train on what we will actually carry. Are we really going to carry a K-Bar knife, or a 36" stick around? Probably not. Here is a rule I came up with: The more something is a weapon, the more effective it will be, but the least likely to carry.

So, I first put a "paper weight" in my lead hand, and a "weighted book mark", in the rear. Now I repeated my hammer fist/elbow system. Wow! Especially when using good body mechanics, these add a wallop to the impact while using the same mechanical motions. Then, I tried experimenting with things I might actually carry such as a tactical flashlight, tactical pen, and even using the can of pepper spray as an impact weapon, and these worked well also. And, these are things one might actually legally carry from day to day.

Just as with our unarmed combat system, one's EDC weapons will depend on themselves and their lifestyle. I try to not have too many weapons to avoid confusion. Maybe 2-3 at most.

But then need to train those. When I train I don't change into "gym clothes and sneakers". I train in the same street clothes and shoes (boots) I normally wear. And I train fully kitted up except I substitute training weapons for the real ones. I carry the same things, the same way, every time I leave the house, so there are is no confusion in a real attack.

I see guys who, especially with firearms, carry first this and that handgun, in this or that location. Sometimes carry and sometimes not. Just fooling themselves, I think. In the shock and information overload of a real attack will likely never even remember they have a weapon.

These are very simple concepts, but effective and will not fail under stress. I have confidence in the methods and can use under stress.


The same way with firearms. I see guys going to class and paying a great deal of money to learn firearms when it is actually dirt simple. The Fairbairn method of handgun and carbine takes perhaps a few hours, easily taught in one day, or less. And you remember it months later instead of forgetting in 3 weeks that you learned in class. Yes, it is for close range but at what range are civilians attacked? No one yells "stick 'em up" for 15 yards away. And, as FFT says, why are you shooting at targets from than 5 yards away? Can you justify that as self-defense?

Going back to the two principles, I look at a lot of self defense methods out there and most offer a great deal of material which violates Principle #1 . Various packages that consists of multiple DVD's. I think to myself: "How could anyone make all that stuff reflexive"? Instinctive?  We know in the stress of the moment, unless trained into the sub-conscious, it will never even be remembered, much less utilized.

That leads me to principle #2: appreciating simplicity. It is not that it is hard to understand, but hard to believe. Hard to accept that "simple is better". Everyone wants complicated, flashy, sexy. They see something that is gold and they dismiss. Too simple, they say. They want that Magic Finger.

This is not a complete self defense plan. Need Avoidance, and Deterrence strategies as primary. And an Evade & Escape strategy. Escape is always the goal.

This stuff is a last resort when all that has failed. I like how Kelly McCann put it: "If we could have walked away (or run away), we already would have". Just by the fact that we are using means all those options have been exhausted.

And, although a good unarmed foundation is necessary, and should be learned first;  it is the last option. We always use self-defense weapons first if possible.

This are simple, common-sense concepts, but the hardest to understand. Carl Cestari said all this 20+ years ago, but it has taken me all that time to really understand on a deep and personal level.  

When our lives depend on what we do in the next 3-5 seconds, this is what it will come down to, I think.

It's Wheelgun Wed At The Blog - Let's Take A Look At The Iconic Colt Snubnose

 https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/handguns/revolvers/colt-snubbies/

And who better to impart the information on this subject  but the  one and only Clint Smith Himself. Read on gentlemen!

 

 

Thought For The New Year