Combat Handgunnery Review

Several years ago I purchased Combat Handugnnery by Chuck Taylor.  It covered the basics of choosing a handgun, shooting, defensive tactics, and how to properly choose a CCW system.  A new updated edition of the book, written by Massad Ayoob is now available from Krause Publications.  Ayoob is the founder of Lethal Force Institute, and is widely respected in the firearms industry as solid teacher and expert witness.

The updated version of the book is a great read, and can be found in most major bookstores.  If you are new to handguns or considering expanding your knowledge on their use you should check out the book.  Ayoob covers everything from the basics to CCW and Open Carry.  You will definitely enjoy the read and be better becuase of it.

 

Do You Need A Recoil Pad

I recently had a customer bring in a Remington Model 58 to get it cleaned in preparation for a pheasant hunt in South Dakota.  The gun was his father’s so it carrys some sentimental value, but one thing it needed was a recoil pad.

He needed a pad for several reasons; 1. the length of pull 2. the gun kicks like a mule.

Length of pull is something that does more than just make the gun comfortable, it allows the shotgunner to mount the gun quickly without adjustment.  When you raise the gun you shouldn’t have to adjust your sight line if your length of pull is correct.

Obviously it makes sense that you don’t want to get hammered every time you pull the trigger so the pad helps there as well.  You will be able to shoot more rounds without developing a flinch.  Most guns now come with a pad, but many of the older ones don’t have them.  This is an inexpensive fix for your old gun.  You should be able to get the pad and have it installed for less than $100 in most shops.  We did his for around $65.

 

Civic Duty

I have the opportunity to serve this week in the judicial system as a juror. It is a fascinating experience! I will be out of pocket for the rest of the week, but I will answer email as I have opportunity. Have a great week.

 

Practice Like You Plan to Play

If you carry a gun on a daily basis, outside of a uniformed position, I have a question for you:  Do you carry the gun you shoot the most?  Being a competitive shooter myself I find that I am often lacking in practice time for my real gun.

For many years I have shot a Glock 17 in IDPA.  This gun has had untold thousands of rounds put through it, but my S&W J-frame has not had even 1,000 rounds sent out of it.  Obviously this presents a problem with proficiency.  I am much better with the Glock 17 than any other gun that own, but I don’t want to carry a full size gun all the time.

This leads me to a thought that isn’t perfect, but it makes sense especially if you find yourself shooting one system a lot.  If you are a twice a year shooter, you can’t hit anything anyway (want to find out how good you are?  go to a local IDPA, IPSC, GSSF match.  very humbling for me).  I propose that you take a smaller gun in the same family.  If you like the 1911, try the officers model.  If you like the Glock 17 try the 26.

The reason that this could save your life is repittion.  You will default to habits from the range whenever you find yourself in a stresfful situation.  By having the a gun that has the same controls in a familiar place, you will give yourself a much greater chance of a successful outcome.  You will also be a better shot.

If you think about it, it would be like Kobe practicing with a Nerf ball all week and playing with a regulation ball on Sunday.  Doesn’t translate to success.  The Nerf ball might be more fun, more forgiving and generally easier to manipulate, but it won’t make you a better player.  Practice like you plan to play.