I just put another pair of XS Big Dots on for a retired cop yesterday, and I am continually impressed with the response they generate. Lately it seems we have been doing a pile of revolver work, but the last three weeks have seen Big Dots going on Glocks like crazy. If you have been considering them, let me tell you why you might want to get them installed on your Glock.
The Big Dots are as fast as any sight that is out there. They make a great IDPA sight or carry gun sight because of how quickly they can be acquired. Put the dot where you want the impact to be.
The other group of people who love them are the guys who are wearing bifocals. As we all know, sights get harder to see when our vision up close gets blurry. Big Dots don’t rely on you to get the sights leveled across the top, and they don’t require you to get equal amounts of light on either side of the front sight. Dot the i and let it roll.
And believe me they are plenty accurate. Check out the following video for a little proof.
We have just added our Precision Rifle class to our Training Department. It is amazing how fast this segment of our business is taking off. The latest news is that our Precision Instructor has been selected for NRA Law Enforcement Sniper Instructor School. This is a great honor and we are extremely excited and proud of him.
If you are interested in maximizing the potential of your long range shooting abilities, our one day class is for you. We will teach you the fundamentals of precision shooting and help you grow as a shooter. You will come away with everything you need to begin your quest to hitting that elusive 1,000 yard target.
The class is a one day class at one of our private ranges. Class size is limited to 2 unless you schedule a special private class. You will get lots of hands on instruction by one of the best instructors around.
By the way, we just picked up our second Law Enforcement Agency who have chosen us to keep their guys up to date. If you want to schedule a class or have questions about the class email us.
You have probably heard me say that your Glock trigger will never feel like your 1911 trigger. The two systems are so radically different in form and function that it is impossible to replicate that wonderful 1911 feeling.
I recently had a customer come to me for help with the overtravel on his Glock. He is an avid 1911 shooter who didn’t know if he could make the transition to the Glock. He was interested in the Ghost Rocket Trigger because the overtravel can be adjusted.
As you can see from the above photo there is a tab that can be adjusted to precisely stop the overtravel that can hurt accuracy. The Rocket cuts the pull to a very smooth pull of #3.5. I actually think that the Rocket is probably the best connector that Ghost offers as far as the actual feel once it is installed. We generally don’t use it because of the extra cost to the customer ($75 for a trigger job with the Rocket installed), but it definitely makes a noticeable difference.
If you have a good 1911 setup but are a little frustrated with your Glock, give it a try. You might find that it really does make a big difference in how you think about your Glock.
We have scheduled the Advanced Pistol Class for September 18. This is a dynamic course that will move you beyond the basics of pistol shooting. We will be involved in a lot of dynamic shooting from different positions as well as working on the fundamentals of pistol carry.
One of the things I want to make clear to everyone is that this is not a class on tactics. While we will do some shooting from behind barricades, shooting from strong and weak hand, and shooting while moving, this class is geared to help you become proficient at drawing and firing your handgun.
If you have any questions about the class specifically, please feel free to email me.
It isn’t often that you run across a double feed malfunction when shooting your favorite pistol. When you do, they can be a bear to clear if you don’t follow some simple steps to get your gun up and running.
Description: A double feed is when you have one round in the chamber and another round is released from the magazine in order to feed. Now you have two rounds trying to get into one chamber.
How does it happen? You put one round in the chamber manually with the slide locked back, and then inserted the magazine and released the slide. Or, you had round not fully seat in the chamber and didn’t fully extract it with a power stroke of the slide. When you pulled back the slide, it didn’t get rid of the round and released another from the magazine to feed.
Get it cleared! Step one: Lock the slide to the rear. Step 2: Dump the magazine. Step3: Rack, Rack, Rack the slide. Step 4: Lock it to the rear and visually inspect the chamber to make sure there is not anything left. Step5: Insert new mag and release the slide.
There are several things to consider with this type of malfunction that might save your life if you are ever presented with this scenario in real life. First, carry a gun with a slide lock. This past weekend one of our students had a double feed with a Walther 380 that didn’t have a slide lock. He couldn’t get the malfunction cleared because he had to hold the slide back, release and strip the magazine all at the same time. I was able to clear it for him, but it was much more difficult.
Second, carry a spare mag if you run an semi-auto. Many of our police readers know that you get a little lazy off duty and just go with the mag in the gun. Life is much easier if you have a spare mag for this type of malfunction. In fact, life is just easier with a spare mag. It will fix most of your issues.
Finally, practice this malfunction with dummy rounds. Load a dummy round manually in the chamber while the slide is locked back and then insert your mag and release another dummy round. Practice clearing it with the above procedure. You will find that if it ever happens you will be better prepared.
Many of you, no doubt, are interested in protecting your family so you have made the decision to become proficient with your handgun. If you practice this lifestyle let me tell you what I think is the foundation of any system you employ while out on the street.
You might think it is a particular firearm. We assume you have chosen a quality firearm of your preference. If you like it, and it works for you then you already have that covered.
You might think of it as the holster you choose. Many of our readers ask what we like to use. The truth of it is, we use quality kydex and leather from a variety of makers whenever they suit our purposes.
The foundation of any carry system is your belt. It makes no difference if you have the fastest draw in Tombstone, and you firearm is the best. A belt holds it all together.
It’s often funny to me that we spend upwards of $500 on a firearm, but go to Walmart for our belts. If you are carrying off duty or as a citizen, a belt keeps the foundation stable. The last thing you want as an off duty cop is for the bad guys to see you printing through a jacket. A flimsy belt will not allow your holster to keep the firearm close to your body. Gun belts are sturdy and made specifically for the task.
Take some time to look over the following links of belt manufacturers. You will find many styles and price points. Even the cheapest gun belt is better than any belt you will get at the mall.
There are three different types of Misfires that can happen when you are training. Each one is a little different in your response. Be sure to understand them so that you can respond appropriately.
Misfire-This is a cartridge that doesn’t ignite when the primer is struck. If you think about it this way it might help: It misses the opportunity to fire. In all my years of shooting I have seen this one quite frequently it cheap rimfire ammo, but I personally have only experienced one rifle round that was a misfire. Oddly enough that happened this week while testing.
Hangfire-A hangfire is a delayed ignition of the propellant that causes the cartridge to fire after it should have gone off. The proper response for hangfires is to wait 30 seconds while the gun is pointed downrange and then remove the faulty cartridge. Think of it like this: It hangs around then decides to leave. While this does happen, I have never had hangfire.
Squib-A squib load goes off under less than normal pressure leaving the bullet lodged in the barrel. This one is potentially dangerous if you don’t remove the obstruction from the bore. If you chamber another round and shoot it could blow your barrel. You will generally know a squib load because they are softer sounding than all the other rounds you have been shooting. While a normal round may sound like a BANG, a squib will be a pop. Often the slide will not cycle and you will have the spent case still in the breach. Field strip your pistol and use a cleaning rod or a dowel rod to remove the bullet from breach to muzzle. I have never had a squib load, but one of shooting buddies had about 4 one day at the range. He had gotten a little hurried while reloading and didn’t add powder to several cartridges.
Knowing and understanding these misfires will help you clean up any ignition problems you run into at the range.
Many of you are familiar with IDPA, but for those of you who are not it is the International Defensive Pistol Association. Shooters must shoot basically factory guns that can only be modified lightly. Magazines are loaded to 10 rounds maximum and you shoot with a concealment garment. In short, it is about as fun as gets. Being in Nashville, we have the luxury of shooting IDPA almost every week at a different match. If you are looking for a Nashville match, check out the Music City Tactical Shooters. These are great guys who run solid matches.
One of the great questions that exists is whether or not IDPA is simply a game or whether is actually good for training. I think the answer is actually YES!
IDPA is a game. There are rules, points, and timers. You are shooting made up courses of fire that may or may not ever happen. You are competing against a clock and your fellow competitors. If you don’t think so go watch the bantering that takes place between friends at these matches.
No doubt some of the rules are argued about in the “tactical” community. A word about such community is in order. Just because you read it in an internet forum doesn’t make it true or tactical. There are plenty of places to get tactical advice, but keyboard commandos are not who you want to listen to. Get some training. But I digress.
The rules can be argued about, but they work for the game, while being generally sound practice for your private world. Remember that at the end of the day you are participating in a competition.
However, IDPA does give you some training. It teaches you to shoot faster and more accurately. You must remember stage protocol, reloading your firearm different ways, shooting from cover, and it gives you a little pressure. Nothing like having 40 of your new best friends watching you flub a stage.
I encourage all you to check out some form of competition in the next few months. You will discover quickly that it will be a wonderful learning experience. Check the rigs people are using. Check out their shooting styles and learn as much as possible. Above all, have a great time enjoying your sport while getting better.
There are many of you who like me, have gotten a little lazy in the past with how you carry your pistola. It is easy to just grab and go if you are only going to run into the store for a few minutes. So you stick the gun in the waistband and cover it with your t-shirt. Smart thinking? Perhaps not.
Recently a man in Seattle had the same idea. It didn’t work out for him to well. In fact, I would argue it was detrimental to his life. Read the full article below taken from the Seattle Times on May 30, 2010:
Man accidentally shoots himself in testicles
A man accidentally shot himself in the testicles at Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Lynnwood Sunday afternoon, police said.
The man’s handgun, which was in the waistband of his pants, went off at about 12:30 p.m. — an apparent “accidental discharge,” according to Shannon Sessions, a Lynnwood police spokeswoman.
“It made a loud noise and scared a lot of people in the store,” Sessions said. “I believe he shot himself in the testicles and he also had some injuries to his leg and foot. He was obviously in shock.”
Nobody else was hurt and no one appeared to be with the man, she said.
Police and fire responded, and the man was rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle before police had a chance to interview him extensively. Sessions had no further details about the man.
Lynnwood police are continuing to investigate but “at this point it does look like it’s accidental,” Sessions said. A manager at Lowe’s said store personnel are not commenting on the incident.
Registration is still open for the July 10 and 17 classes for the TN Handgun Permit Class. If you are interested contact us or sign up on the website. We are looking forward to jumping off with these classes. The July special is still available; bring 2 friends and you attend half price. Bring 4 friends and you attend free!
We are also beginning to get our fall schedule under way. We look forward to some of the neat stuff that will be happening on the range. The biggest is the Advanced Pistol Class. Registration is open to anyone who has been through the NRA Basic Pistol Course or has a valid TN Handgun Permit.
In the TN Handgun Permit Course you will be getting the very basics. When we go to the range, it is to make sure you are proficient with your firearm. When we get to the range in the Advanced Course you need to be ready to run that firearm.
This class will teach the fundamentals necessary to carry a weapon. We cover things like drawing from concealment. How to choose your gear. What aftermarket accessories are good for the firearms you are carrying, and what is magazine hype.
Then we go to the range and pound it out for most of the day. You will shoot about 200 round, but bring 300 just in case. You will shoot moving, from the different positions and from behind barricades. We will discuss cover and concealment.
If you are interested in learning more or you want to schedule a class, email us for more details.
p.s. We are training citizens to be good citizens. We are not trying to prepare the next Special Forces Operators. Hence, no one will be yelling at you, and no one will be beating you up. We are starting you down the road to handgun mastery. If you need smoke grenades and flashbangs, let me know. I have some good schools to recommend!
