Things have been a little crazy lately.  I’ve been out of commission for a little while with some sickness, and then I had a birthday sneak up on me!  I don’t normally buy a lot of stuff for myself related to guns except at Christmas and when my birthday rolls around. This year I spent sometime thinking about it and decided to get the Minotaur MTAC holster.

One of our instructors got this holster a couple of years ago, and then another one of our guys bought one for a Glock.  After trying theirs on, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I had one of my own.

My favorite way to carry is normally a J-Frame in pocket carry with a homemade leather holster.  It is simple, effective and I can forget about.  Having done this for too many years to count, it feels natural to me.  My favorite way to carry a semiauto is to carry Inside the Waist Band (IWB).  IWB is the most concealable method for CCW carry.

For years I have carried a 1911 this way, but couldn’t find a way to make it work with my Glocks.  The one issue that most people deal with carrying IWB is that the butt of the gun tends to want to fall towards the ground.  I constantly feel like I am pushing the butt of the gun up.

Enter the Minotaur MTAC.  It is made with a leather backing for comfort against bone and skin, but it has a kydex holster that locks the gun in place well and allows one handed reholstering.  It also has adjustable belt clips that allow the holster to lock into place and eliminate the gun butt drop problem described above.  It does a great job of holding the gun secure, and it sucks the butt of the gun high against your body.

With a vest or outer garment this holster is rock solid.  But the best news is that with a polo type shirt it is totally viable.  I now have a go to holster for my Glocks, even my 17 which I never thought would make a great carry gun. As a final note, you can change Kydex bodies to allow you to carry all your favorite guns.

If you haven’t looked at the Ruger LCP for CCW, you are missing a great pistol.  Our retail arm, Mossy Creek Arms,  has been selling the LCP’s as fast as we can get them in.  In fact, I met a customer at the shop this weekend to complete the sale of a used Glock 19.  But when he saw the LCP he quickly changed his mind.

The LCP has several upsides.  First, it is in .380 caliber and not .32.  That small change makes it better for CCW.  Second, the LCP is so light that you will easily be able to carry it all day without radically changing your lifestyle.  It does you no good to have a CCW permit and gun that you don’t carry.  This gun will easily slip into a front pocket with the DeSantis Super Fly holster pictured below.

The only drawbacks to the LCP are the sights and number of magazines included.  The sights are super small.  This isn’t necessarily a hindrance in the CCW world, but if you are looking for a range gun, this isn’t it. Its small size will make it a little uncomfortable.  Also, the gun is only supplied with one magazine.  This is a departure from most semi-automatics that generally come with two.

You probably won’t enjoy a day at the range with this one for all day plinking, but if you need a discreet CCW you should definitely check it out.  Contact Mossy Creek Arms for pricing.

I recently returned from a trip to Ukraine that has become an annual event.  Each year that I have been, Woolrich has sent me a piece of gear to take on the trip for review.  This year, they sent their Elite Series Fleece Jacket.

I need to start by saying that this  is my favorite piece of Woolrich gear that I own.  I have been privileged to own many pieces of their gear in years past, and for the last 2 years I have reviewed their products.  Many of you are already familiar with Woolrich’s quality and their functionality.  This jacket extends both of those characteristics.

I wore the jacket as a stand alone piece and as a layering piece under the Water Proof Parka.  This combination served me very well in the cold and damp that comes with the Ukrainian winter.

This fleece is heavier than many of my Columbia fleeces.  The material is 8.25oz in weight, and will not pill even after washing and drying many times.  I have worn in it in conditions that were dry, wet, and drizzly without any problems to report.

The fleece has two pockets that contain elastic loops for gear.  Generally I have carried a 1911 mag and flashlight on the left side, while the right side was used for my blackberry and keys.

I honestly have no complaints about this fleece, but there was one feature that took some adjusting.  The vest has large zippers running up the sides for ventilation.  This was very helpful hiking so I could regulate temperature.  However, in short sleeves they bothered me in the beginning.  In long sleeves they are no problem, and after a few wears, they feel normal.

As I said in the beginning, this is the best piece of Woolrich gear in my closet.  MSRP is $99, but a check of the internet this morning showed a street price of about $75.  A great value that doesn’t scream, “I wish I was in Special Forces!”

p.s. check out the vest version below.  Same concept, for warmer weather.

One of the things that I get asked every week is how to choose the right handgun for someone.  If that person is simply going to keep the gun at home for personal defense the answer is easier to discover.  However, if they plan on carrying the gun for CCW or off duty  work the answer isn’t as simple.  It’s kind of like asking what clothes you need to buy this year.

Obviously for off duty carry the main goal is to have a firearm available if you need one.  This has led many to buy very clever little guns.  These do fulfill this first rule by always allowing you to have a firearm available no matter the weather or dress code.  To me this is the last option gun.  Great in a pinch, but you wouldn’t want to stake your life to it.

I can already hear the chorus of boos from the last paragraph, but let me explain.  If you took that gun to one of our advanced classes you would quickly find that it is not sufficient to complete all the tasks well.  The diminutive size, lack of sights and quality controls make it hard to run well.  I am sure there is an exception to the rule, but not many of you would choose that when you have the opportunity to carry something larger.

When the weather and dress code allow a larger gun I will always opt for one of my 1911′s.  I conceal this gun well IWB with my body type.  Some of you won’t be able to do that with your body type.  You must find a way that works for you.

When the weather gets cooler, and I don’t have to take off my coat as much, a full size or compact Glock is my choice.  Again, my body type makes this gun uncomfortable for IWB carry, so I need a longer coat and the right situation.

The point is that you must experiment.  My first choice would always be my Glock because I have shot it so much in competition and carried as an LEO, but it isn’t always practical for me to use it.  You will probably have to start with one firearm, but be ready to add one or two more to make the best of all situations.

I just got an email from a friend who is new to shooting handguns.  He had asked my advice for his first purchase, and I of course told him to get a Glock.  Only problem is I forgot he is left-handed.  He looked it over at the store, but ultimately decided on the Smith and Wesson M&P because of the ambidextrous controls.

He has been very satisfied with the pistol so far because it fits him which brings us to a great point.  Don’t conform yourself to any particular gun.  The gun needs fit you.  If you are buying from Smith, Glock or Springfield, you have nothing to worry about.  The quality is great, and the guns will simply run.  Don’t get caught up in the brand name.  We all have reasons why we like a particular gun, and at the end of the day that gives us confidence in our system.  Be confident in yours.

By the way, he is doing this right.  He has taken a CCW course and is getting some training.  I recommended that he shoot IDPA once in a while to gain the skills necessary to carry CCW.  Don’t just buy a gun and think you’ve got it all figured out.  Become proficient with it.

This week a friend of mine returned to his home after running errands at about 10:40 A.M. to find three burglars still looting his home.  When he entered the home he noticed things weren’t right, and announced for them to leave while the still had a chance.  He called police and went outside the home when he was advised by dispatch that the car in his driveway was carjacked at gunpoint the day before.

While outside he notice two men walking down the street away from his home.  A third man confronted him in his yard asking what the problem was.  These were not men that fit the neighborhood, and so he knew they were the thieves.  The third man had returned for the vehicle.  After a brief conversation the man jumped in the vehicle and side swiped my friend’s car leaving the premises.  He picked up the other two thieves, who evidently had gone back into the house while my friend was distracted by the third thief and picked up some of their loot.

Now that things have settled down I want to reflect on this situation becuase you could learn a lot from this.

1. First, God blessed my friend because this is the type of scenario where people are hurt, and he was not injured.
2. My friend got it right.  He didn’t confront anyone, and he left the home following the dispatcher’s instructions.  If you ever find a door or window open, do not enter.  This especially needs to be communicated to wives and children.  Go to a neighbor’s house and call the police.
3. Before you say he should have gone on into the home to confront, recognize that they were in a back room with his guns and ammo.  Where do you keep yours?  Is it where you could not reach it upon returning home?  If you have a CCW permit  you would still have one in your car.  Again, this does not mean you clear the house, but remember the thief returned in broad daylight to confront my friend and get their vehicle.  With a CCW  you would at least have the option to defend yourself in a weird scenario like this.
4. If you had a CCW , could you have engaged the gentleman that returned?  A gray area, but when I asked a supervisor about this in the police department I was told that in TN the castle doctrine does not carry over outside.  You would have to be able to articulate that he had the ability and intention of causing you major bodily harm.
5. Always, always remember it is just stuff.  This is why you pay insurance.  Nothing is worth that.
6. Good reminder for all of our gun owners to get a safe and join the NRA.  The NRA will provide you with up to $10,000 in coverage for your firearms.  His insurance covers $2,500 which thankfully will cover what was stolen.

Again, with the odd nature of this incident, my friend is blessed, but he was smart.  He got it right, and was able to identify one of thieves that was picked up later that night.  It looks like most of his stuff will be recovered.  When you are confronted with a tough situation, keep your head and survive.

Lately in Nashville, Metro Police seem to be working hard to keep our neighborhoods safe by running speed checkpoints. I have recently seen several cars pulled over for speeding through residential areas. It brings to mind that if you have a CCW you might be interested in the following tips that will keep you safe and let the officer that pulled you over know you have his safety in mind.

1. When you are pulled over it is a great courtesy to the officer if you make no attempt to get in your console or glove box until he arrives and asks to see your license and registration. It would be even better if you simply sat with your hands raised or on the steering wheel. This simple act of courtesy lets him know that you have his safety in mind.

2. Whether your state requires it or not, it is a good idea to disclose that you have a handgun in the car when he approaches. Once again you are building good faith with the officer.

3. Present your CCW with your license.

4. If it is night, make sure you do all of these things with the dome light on.

When you do these things you are building a relationship with the officer. Remember that they rarely see anything good during the day, so they are often guarded. When you do this, it may just work in your favor.

Oh by the way; remember to never ask for a break. If you were speeding try a different approach and own up to it and apologize. In my limited time in the L/E community our officers had a standing rule. If you ask for a break, you just received a ticket. Drive careful and be safe.