Today David James Shows You How To Handle An Attack From The Side

 And, as always, ...."PAY ATTENTION!!"

 

 

Wheelgun Wednesday -- Today Chris Baker Reviews The New S&W "Ultimate Snub Nose" line Custom Made from Lipseys

I'm pretty sure I put up a few articles from the RevolverGuy Blog about these little wheelguns  not too long ago.  But I'm in a bit of a hurry today, and already running late with getting this Blog Post up, so you can check for yourselves.

These custom S&W Snubs seem to have a lot going for them. And, although they are customized by Lipseys, the over pricepoint is not terrible. Available in  either .38 Spl or .32 Magnum (and accepting both .32 long and .32 short for practice purposes), to be honest, I like them .

But then again, I'm an older guy, and I like old style tools. Your Mileage My Vary!

 

 

Paul Harrell Returns With Advice On How To Put Together An Emergency Pack

 It's been quite a while since I did any Prepper material, and I figured that using these two videos from Paul Harrell would be a good way get back to something besides self defense/personal protection. 

Now there are two versions of this video. A Short version, and a Long version. I could have just put up the Long Version, but I figured some people reading the Blog have short attention spans (you know who you are.... ) , and others might be short on time due to busy schedules.

So, pick your format whichever it may be, maybe even both, and enjoy.

 

 

 

It's Memorial Day

 

Sunday With Blackthorn -- Although Today We Will Be Sunday With Carl

 Seeing as how it's Sunday, I thought a little "Catholic Self Defense" advice from Carl would be in order.

 

 “Catholic Self Defense”
By Carl Cestari

Catholic, by definition, means universal or "broad minded".

I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films, and related research material that cover an ENTIRE range of unarmed combat.

Some methods advocate wrestling as their base, others use boxing or savate. Some jujutsu and judo while others call their systems "rough and tumble" or "all in", and there is even a system based on American SPORTS. I have an old manual on YOGA for self defense. The material ranges from current to OLD, some very old.

These varied systems have everything! Striking and kicking methods drawn from EVERY method and "nationality". GRAPPLING methods from Lutte to Judo, from Sambo to All-In Wrestling. They range from standing to the ground; all aspects, all methods.

The guys in our crew have trained in an impressive array of systems and methods. They have a fantastic "pool" of knowledge, SKILL, and TRAINING to draw from.

OKAY, so WHAT?

See if this makes sense

Ralph, Clint, and I worked out a comprehensive syllabus of instruction. It is based on a catholic approach to combatives. We drew these methods from a number of varied sources and training. The problem as we saw it was in the PROGRESSION of instruction. Here's how we attempted to solve this fundamental problem:

Very few individuals will start so-called "martial arts" instruction or training and stay with it for any real length of time. Many combative skills are JUST that, SKILLS! They require dedicated time and training to inculcate to the extent that they will be "useful" in a REAL fight or even in a controlled "free sparring" environment.

Japanese Judoka have a saying - "One year for Newaza, TEN years for Tachiwaza". In other words, proficiency in groundwork can be gained in a year, standing techniques require ten. So, here we see an acknowledgment that "different" SKILLS require varied
amounts of TIME, TRAINING, and DEDICATION.

So that was our problem. MOST people will simply NOT invest the time and effort to "master" MANY of the skills involved. MOST people will "train" for a limited amount of time and then move on to the next "thing" that catches their interest.

What then is OUR responsibility as "instructors"? What we did is set a curriculum that takes this into account. The syllabus, for the first three to six months, includes NOTHING but the most BASIC, easily UNDERSTOOD, SIMPLEST METHODS of EFFECTIVE PERSONAL PROTECTION. Someone can train for a limited time AND still get something USEFUL in terms of "SKILL".

What was our basis on selection of "method”?

"Hence the reason for a simple type of instruction with a great deal of emphasis on the FEW elementary methods which can be easily and instinctively used in combat after practice basis of selection was the theory of what the smallest man can do to the largest."

I'm quoting Applegate from the 1943 edition of Kill Or Get Killed (This DOES NOT, I hope, portray me as a zealot).

Continued training and "dedication" will result in learning more and more "complex" skills. However, if an individual ceases practice after a "limited" amount of time, we feel that we have at LEAST given something of VALUE in terms of personal survival.

Clint is a walking encyclopedia of "waza";

Ralph is amazing in his knowledge of close combat and weapons.

Each of these men could teach to a high level of SKILL and COMPLEXITY with NO PROBLEM. However, they fully understand that you must "walk before you run". So, they are strong advocates of BASICS. First!

Judokas (like any other combative athletes) have a term called "Tokuiwaza" or "favored" technique. It is that one method that it is worked on incessantly, continually for YEARS in search of "perfection". Whether it be "Judo" Kimura, Gerry Cooney, "Strangler" Lewis, or Georges Carpentier, this approach holds true. So, realistically, does this apply to MOST PEOPLE? NO. That's why "champions" are revered. They are the EXCEPTIONS.

Why would anyone "teach" a middle aged businessman or a small petite housewife a technique or method that requires complex skills developed over YEARS and that requires a "set" of physical adjuncts in order to be even somewhat effective?

Well, you wouldn't, at least NOT initially. Like building a house, you start with a SOLID foundation, and then BUILD from there.

So the simplest approach in regards to personal protection is to start with techniques based on what the "smallest can do to the largest". Is that a guarantee of SUCCESS? NO, that's not how life works. Is it a LOGICAL place to "start"? I believe so.

Clint or I could teach DOZENS of different chokeholds and strangleholds. Ralph could teach DOZENS of highly complex drills and methods of stick and knife work. DOZENS!

So what!

Without the time, training and dedication to master these techniques they are WORSE than useless. The same goes for any "class" of techniques. Training and the DEVELOPMENT of skill is what makes ANYTHING "WORK".

So ALL we advocate is that simple common sense basic approach.

Start with the SIMPLEST methods and build from there.

It has NOTHING to do with "blind" allegiance to any one method or man.
It has NOTHING to do with being a "zealot".
It has NOTHING to do with following any "gospel" in ignorance.

It has EVERYTHING to do with a sincere dedication to seeking the best, most rational and logical "solutions" to the multitude of complex problems inherent in real world survival.

This is why on going, dedicated research is SO CRUCIAL. Some question that "validity" of certain methods. DO NOT assume that these "questions" have NOT been asked and answered by others. Only a fool would blindly follow any "doctrine" without
questioning and validating the information presented.

Can a skilled Grappler apply his craft? Of course. Could a skilled Boxer or Muay Thai fighter ply his trade with success? Of course. That's NOT the question. 

The question is "what can YOU do?"

What one can do at twenty is different than what one can do at fifty. What one can do after several years of training is different than what one can do after several months of training. What one can do against an opponent of equal strength and weight is different than what one can do against a much larger, stronger adversary, or for that matter, a much smaller, lighter one.
 

So what's the point to all of this? Simple. Know who you are. What YOU are capable of. What YOUR abilities are. YOUR strengths, YOUR weaknesses, YOUR goals. Take a hard long realistic appraisal and find the answer to that question.

And then work from there.

"DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC!"

 The 'Chi', the 'Energy Ball',

 the "SECRET SCROLLS!!" LOLS!!!!

David James covers them all, just watch and 

PAY ATTENTION!!

 

Wheelgun Wednesday - Today, Chris Baker Of Lucky Gunner Ammo Asks the Musical Question; "Can You Outshoot An FBI Agent?"

 This is actually Part 1 of a 3Part series. Chris Baker is showing the evolution of FBI Handgun Training methods over the decades. This part covers the 1940's era training of the Agency. For those in the know, this obviously means the Jelly Bryce style of Point Shooting. I don't know if the next 2 Parts will be Revolver or not. My guess would be that the third part at least would cover the transition from revolvers to to semi automatics.

In any event, enjoy this blast from the past.

 

Down Old Mexico Way - It's Hard To Run For Political Office Without The Nod From The Cartels

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-elections-next-door-mexico-s-cartels-pick-candidates-kill-rivals/ar-BB1mcOrd

Sunday With Blackthorn - Today We Discuss The Return Of The Fanny Pack"?

 Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately. The Fanny Pack is back. Why, I have no idea myself but I'm old enough to realize that no matter how good, bad or indifferent certain items are, if you live long enough some, if not most, of the stuff that was considered cool for a minute or two at some earlier point in your life will come back whether you like it or not.

Having gotten that out of the way, let's move on to the two parts of this Blog post. The first is a video from David James. Now since he is based here in NYC (Brooklyn to be specific)  most of his material is based around current criminal threats here in the Rotten Apple. Essentially, according to him, the bad guys are carrying their handguns concealed in Fanny Packs that are worn cross body style. ie: over one shoulder and under the opposite arm, with the pack itself worn at the front of the chest near the aforementioned opposite arm. it's not about a quick draw, but rather just for concealment. 

Are the NYPD aware of this ?  I don't know, but if they aren't I doubt it 'll be long before they pick up on it. 

The point of the video is how to protect against  finding yourself facing the wrong end of the gun. I won't fault Mr. James's, as usual, direct and well thought out method of handling the situation. You'll see that for yourself.

I'd like to point out at this time that if you scroll down to the comments, you'll see that I point out that Mr. James's method can, conversely, work for bad guys if a regular citizen carrying their handgun in the manner shown in the video, can themselves be prevented from accessing their firearm to protect themselves.

The second part of this Blog post is an article by Jeff Gonzalez (Former Navy SEAL) talking about "The Return Of The Fanny Pack."

 

Running with a Fanny Pack

by Jeff Gonzales Copyright@Shooting Illustrated Magazine

I’ve carried concealed long enough to remember when fanny packs were cool. Like many things in life, there is a cyclical nature that brings things back in style. The thing to consider is why a fanny pack may be important or even worth discussing for concealed carry. The answer is simple: It lowers a barrier to entry for many who are still not comfortable carrying on body, and it can provide a method suitable for certain activities where belt or pocket carry are less optimal. There are a lot of reasons why this barrier exists; it could be that one’s current wardrobe doesn’t accommodate an armed lifestyle, it could be your body type is not ideal for on-body carry. The biggest reason seems to be
adopting an armed lifestyle that accommodates someone’s current lifestyle.

So, what is so appealing about a fanny pack and why should you consider them? The fanny pack provides a convenient all- in-one system, alternate load-bearing method and modern, stylish appeal.

I’ve been a big believer in living my life and being armed in the process. This allows me to enjoy all that life has to offer without limiting my activities because of fear. Going armed is not without its challenges, but being more open to alternate- carry methods and firearms has been a huge part of my success. At some point, the need to adapt to the situation and the environment becomes necessary. Instead of saying I can’t carry, ask “how would I carry?” In the performance of my duties overseas I had to carry in some tough locations. I didn’t get to pick the wardrobe all the time. This planted the seed early on for me to be more flexible and creative in my problem-solving for how I would carry. I
was open to options even if they were not so popular amongst my peers.

When fanny packs first became popular as a carry option back in the 1980s and ’90s, there were not a lot of choices, and I struggled to find one to fit my needs. I not only wanted the firearm to be secure, but also protected from negligent discharges. When exploring off-body-carry options, the two most important considerations are security and protection. The firearm must be secured and stationary through a wide range of body movements. It must not shift or move around while in the fanny pack. Instead, it must stay in the exact same position for the same reason we want our on-body holster in the exact same position: to facilitate a smoother and faster draw. The trigger must be protected not only from the trigger finger, but other foreign objects and debris. Throwing the firearm into the fanny pack or any other off-body-type bag without protecting the
trigger is a recipe for disaster. Some fanny packs are large enough to allow other items, such as spare magazines, in the main compartment. If the trigger is protected, that’s one thing. If not protected, do not risk a negligent discharge.


The first time I really used a fanny pack was overseas in a combat theater. While secure in our compound, it was uncommon to carry a rifle. But I hated being unarmed, so I would constantly carry my pistol in a fanny pack. If I went to the gym, ate in the chow hall or even when I took a shower, I was armed. I would literally clip it to the shower curtain rod while rinsing off from the day’s activities (obviously this would not be a good idea stateside). I wasn’t too impressed at first, but as time went on it grew on me both overseas and at home. I sourced a similar fanny pack to the one I was issued overseas for my daily needs. While I was much more likely to carry concealed on-body domestically, there were still plenty of times a fanny pack was a good idea.

One of the homes we lived in was a two-story with the kids’ bedrooms located on the second floor. Not every noise is cause for alarm or fully jocking up (naval term for
gearing up) with full kit. Sometimes it was to console one of the kiddos after a bad dream
or from not feeling well through the night. What I didn’t like was not having access to a firearm once upstairs. In a sense, I was trapped except for the emergency escape ladder we had in case of fires. It was nice to have a fanny pack secured in a lock box upstairs. Another instance where I came to appreciate them was traveling as a young family. There were many times the family would tag along on training trips so we could travel and see the world together. It was great, but there was always something unnerving about leaving a firearm on the nightstand with the kids sleeping in the same room. I would leave the firearm secured in the fanny pack to keep their curiosity at bay. If I really wanted to deny unauthorized access, I would secure the zippers with a small travel lock and hang the fanny pack in the closet. So, you could say I have a lot of affection for what the fanny pack brought to me and my family over the years.

A major advantage to a fanny pack is the “all-in-one” carry system. You can load up the pack with just the essentials; i.e. a pistol. Or, you can have all sorts of supporting
equipment to aid in dealing with the unknown. Some examples aside from the pistol would be a spare magazine, flashlight, tourniquet, OC spray and folding knife, to name a few. I also added the aforementioned travel lock, spare batteries for the flashlight and a set of earplugs. Should the need arise, I can grab the pack and clip it
on—or throw it over my shoulder—and I have a self-contained travel load out. Of course, a lot will depend on the size of the fanny pack and the size of the pistol. While there are some fanny packs large enough to fit a full-size pistol, it does tend to stand out in public. Finding a fanny pack of modest size that could accommodate a compact pistol is nice, but a subcompact pistol will fit even better. Smaller pistols are more comfortable for extended wear and put less stress on the pack.

A lot of your choices will have to do with how well the fanny pack carries the pistol and the ease of access. Most will feature a rip-cord-style deployment sequence, meaning there is a cord or toggle accessible from the outside that when pulled firmly will apply pressure to the zippers, thereby providing access to the pistol. It is important to obtain a firing grip on the pistol while secure in the fanny pack. There may be a retention strap or thumb break that needs to be defeated to draw the pistol. Safe, dry-fire practice is strongly recommended before taking this setup into the wild. Further, an alternative method of carrying the fanny pack is shouldered, meaning the pack is worn across the shoulder region, underneath one of the arm pits. No matter the method, invest in lots of safe practice.

There are those days when I might be going to the gym, or some sort of athletic activity such as jogging or riding a bike, even walking the dog, where it is nice to have an alternate load-bearing system to my standard on-body method. Sure, I could adjust my wardrobe or activity to accommodate being armed, but I much prefer the “live your life” mindset. So, I’m quite fond of grabbing the fanny pack and running out the door. As mentioned earlier, it is nice to have an all-in-one system that is truly grab and go. Should the need arise to investigate a bump in the night, strapping on the fanny pack and deploying the accompanying pistol will not only provide supporting equipment, but also a means to secure the pistol in case of any hands-on activity.

Since fashion is cyclical, we are seeing the fanny pack making a comeback, albeit mostly for fashion and not form related. This doesn’t mean we are not afforded the same fashion sense the rest of the world is coming to adopt. With more and more fanny packs making their way into the fashion scene, it means they are becoming more and more commonplace. This strongly favors blending in with the public at large. When it comes to
selecting a fanny pack, ensure it has the lowest profile or furthest styling from a tactical
bag. Sporty colors and a benign external appearance are advantageous. Keep in mind how many are carrying the fanny pack. Most are carried facing the rear, hence “fanny,” or, as is becoming more popular these days, as a shouldered bag. No matter how you wear it, you must check to make sure you are prepared to rapidly deploy the firearm from these positions. Practice lots with the preferred carry method before committing to it.

Generally, the old becomes new again. In this case, the fanny pack has made a strong
re-emergence. We can take advantage of this trend and have an alternate-carry method. It offers a great grab-and-go format. It has the capacity to carry the firearm and supporting gear. It is an alternate load- bearing system for those times an on-body method might not be the best choice. It provides an easy and decent loadout. With it becoming more popular in a variety of circles, it is more widely acceptable in public. Strapping a fanny pack over the shoulder will attract far less scrutiny these days, affording a lower-profile appearance. Those who wish to carry off-body have sound options and tactics to support an armed lifestyle with a fanny pack. They have been an option in my carry methods for a long time.

Thursday Humor At The Blog

 

Wheelgun Wednesday -- From The Gatdaily Website - The S&W Model 13 The FBI's Last Revolver

  https://gatdaily.com/

 https://gatdaily.com/articles/the-sw-model-13-the-fbis-last-revolver/

Sunday With Blackthorn - "The Best , Worst Option"

 The Best, Worst Option
By John Johnston

Every person is a problem solver, and each individual has a framework of how they approach this problem solving. While it’s true that not everyone is aware of their framework, everyone does generally have one. Where this creates issues inside of the world of personal protection is when the framework isn’t built acknowledging the reality that we can make mistakes and things can go very wrong.

Perhaps even worse than ignoring that reality, that negative outcomes are possible, is
when people confuse a negative outcome for a positive one. Here’s the bad news: there’s an elephant in the room that more people should be talking about.

Defending yourself with a gun isn’t a good outcome. In fact, defending yourself with a
gun is a very negative outcome. To be clear, people should defend themselves when
forced to. But what we need to fully comprehend is using a gun to protect ourselves is
only a good outcome compared to the worse option of being killed or seriously injured
during a violent encounter.

OUTCOMES
Every single action we take will result in an outcome. While it’s true that we live in a world with a lot of shades of gray, for our purposes it’s useful to think of potential outcomes as either positive or negative. Some outcomes are easily identifiable as negative. For instance, there wouldn’t be much disagreement if you were to ask people whether being killed or injured was a negative outcome. Likewise, if you ask someone to identify whether it’s a positive or negative outcome to be sentenced to 30 years in prison following a shooting, I’d have serious questions for anyone who said that was anything other than negative.

Where things become interesting is when you start to factor in the potential outcomes.
After all, there are rarely any certainties in life. We often make decisions uncertain of
what the outcome will be. By their very nature, self-defense incidents are chaotic and
uncertain events. The potential for negative outcomes inside of these situations is high,
and being killed or injured isn’t the only way that they can go wrong for the self-defender.

CALLING CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
Yes, saying “using a gun is only a good thing when compared to the worse option of being killed or seriously injured,” may seem like a completely obvious and pointless
observation to make. But when we begin to think in terms of potential outcomes, we see
that no matter how justified you may be in the moment, there are a lot of seriously bad
things that can only happen after a gun is introduced into a situation. Whether those
seriously bad things are better than the alternatives of being killed or injured is a question
you need to ask yourself. Some outcomes may, in fact, be just as bad as death or grievous injury. The other thing to keep in mind is that we’re currently speaking in certainties,
and real life rarely works that way.

Self-defense situations and their aftermath are very often full of ambiguity. You might be killed or injured if you don’t act. You might run afoul of an overzealous prosecutor looking to catapult themselves into the national spotlight. You might be the only one capable of saving your own life in the moment. You might be just fine. There’s no way of knowing ahead of time. These are all risks inherent in any encounter, and it’s also
important to acknowledge that we can never make an encounter entirely risk-free.

RISK
Everyone conducts, at least on the subconscious level, personal risk assessments.
The decision to own or carry a firearm for personal protection is rooted in acknowledging that there is at least some level of risk that you might be targeted for criminal violence. You’re worried about being targeted for criminal violence, that sounds like a decidedly unpleasant scenario, so you decide to mitigate the risk of being targeted for criminal violence by having a firearm.

There’s an issue with this framework though: a firearm doesn’t mitigate the risk of being targeted for criminal violence. A firearm, plus the skill and will to use it, simply lowers the chances that you’ll be seriously injured or killed after you’ve been targeted for criminal violence.

A SPECIFIC, NICHE TOOL
Defensively, firearms are an incredibly specific and niche tool. Think of them as
the parachute of self-defense items. If you find yourself falling out of a plane, nothing
other than a parachute will do, and if you ever need a gun, chances are high that you’ll
really need it. The flip side of that is that if you don’t need a gun but use one anyway,
you’ve significantly increased your likelihood to be able to cross “sentenced to prison” off your bucket list. So, if guns are the defensive equivalent to a one-trick pony, why does
the community spend so much time focusing on them?

The aftermath of even the most clear-cut self-defense shootings are stressful, costly events. And what happens if it’s not a clear-cut shooting? If there’s any level of ambiguity inside of a shooting, the possibility exists to have the entire nation armchair quarter-backing every decision you made during the worst moment of your life.

With these thoughts in mind, it becomes clear that due to the potential for negative
outcome that exists inside of every encounter, most of our efforts at personal
protection should be dedicated to avoiding trouble. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, trouble finds us. This is what your CCW is for.

I’D RATHER NOT
When you build your self-defense problem-solving framework around the foundation that using the gun is just the better of two very bad options, while also acknowledging that there’s the potential for Very Bad to happen in any violent encounter, it becomes amazingly simple to focus on ways to avoid situations that have even a remote chance of going sideways. Just play the tape forward and examine the potential outcomes.

We’ve all found ourselves in moments where the potential for things to go wrong were present. Revisit some of these and reexamine your priorities. Brushing off the rude stranger or ignoring the amazingly bad motorist becomes child’s play when you consider that given the right set of circumstances either of those events might spiral out of control.

You need to ask yourself “Do I really want to willingly put myself in a situation where if
things get out of hand, I might be forced to use my firearm?”

 I can’t answer for you, but I’d rather not.

When Confronted, Go Low First!

 Don't let your ego get in the way when a situation develops. Take David James Advice and GO LOW!

 

Today We Have Another Message From David James About Being Prepared And Alert

When Is It Not Wheelgun Wednesday? -- When It's Lever Gun Instead Day!!

 

 I'm a Lever Gun guy from way back. And since finding a decent Wheelgun article or video that's worth putting up is not that easy, I think a Lever Gun Article or video makes a more than suitable replacement.  So sit back, get an adult beverage or a cup of your favorite coffee, and settle in for a brief but informative read on how to 'Run a A Lever Action The Right Way' for all you guys who've never had the pleasure of shooting an iconic American rifle that has withstood the test of time. Over 150 years to be just about right.

 

 https://www.fieldandstream.com/guns/how-to-run-lever-gun/

Sunday With Blackthorn - Pat MacNamara On Situational Awareness

Pat MacNamara with another Podcast. This time on Situational Awareness for regular people, not the kind of "Tacticool" material you read about in the Gun Rags.

David James On Unarmed Knife Defense Bullshit

 I've seen and practiced a lot of "Unarmed Knife Defense" techniques over the course of my MA/SD practice. And I am going to say it straight out, I have never seen one that I considered what so many people these days refer too as "A High Percentage" technique. Some were simply better or worse than others.

 But not a single one impressed me as something to stake your life on.

 Having said that,  let David James give you a little insight into some issues with the current state of finding yourself unarmed against an assailant.