ThunderStick Summit’s Q&A Session
The last weekend of September saw the fourth ThunderStick Summit out at the Staccato Vegas facility in Pahrump, NV. Thunderstick is a yearly three-day event focusing on the defensive use of shotguns. Four years ago, several instructors who teach the shotgun began a conversation about hosting an event focused on defensive and duty use of shotguns. The first Summit was held at the Dallas Pistol Club in the fall of 2022. Attendees in a [...]
THE COVERED LOW READY
After several decades of managing thousands of people in front of a firearm in high-stress situations, I am a big fan of a hard Low Ready position. Using that traditional Low Ready, no part of the muzzle covers anyone. The position also allows for the operational application of Rule 2 [...]
LOW LIGHT CONCERNS | Part 1 – Lighting Conditions
Low light concerns get an awful lot of attention. A fair amount of that could be because of us fearing the unknown. And the dark is definitely an unknown. Also, let's face it, some flashlights are cool. Low light isn't just a time of day (or night). It is the [...]
CONCEALMENT GUT-CHECK
Carrying a gun off duty is a prudent practice, now more than ever. Cops should carry guns everywhere they are legally permitted to do so. Some thought, however, needs to go into executing the concept. Recently, I have witnessed several officers in my area carrying large handguns with weapon mounted [...]
COOL ON THE RANGE DEAD ON THE STREET | A Hard Look at Shooting Techniques
This first technique is one that seems to have, just in the last year or so, become very popular amongst; shall I say; “tactical youtubers”. (Those who make “how to” tactical shooting videos). Just in the last year I have noticed more and more in tactical shooting videos that [...]
INTEGRATED COMBATIVES | Why You Should Always Bring a Knife to a Gunfight
Although the primary reason law enforcement officers (and most people) carry knives is for their everyday utility applications, they have an important role to play in the defensive weapon toolbox, as well. We have all heard it said “never bring a knife to a gunfight.” While there’s certainly truth [...]
BOOTLEG TURNS | Escaping The Kill Zone
It’s not common for us to think of a vehicle as a defensive tool; at least it is far removed from mainstream thinking. We view our vehicles in many different ways, some utilitarian and others more lovingly. However, to my philosophical approach, when you are behind the wheel of [...]
TRAINING WITH A FLASHBANG | Getting The Most Bang For Your NFDD Training Buck
The noise flash diversionary device (NFDD), also commonly referred to as a flash sound diversionary device (FSDD), diversionary device, flash grenade or flashbang, is an essential tool of the trade for tactical teams. NFDDs are designed to produce dramatic pyrotechnics that are intended to provide a brief distraction without [...]
CIVIL UNREST AND RIOTS
When people think of prisons, one of the images that often first comes to mind is a riot. To be honest, this is not an unrealistic line of thinking because unrest does tend to occur quite a little bit in our correctional facilities on a regular basis. A literal [...]
ADRENALINE DUMP | Flight Or Fight
Those who work in law enforcement and emergency services deal with the almost mystical substance that is known as adrenaline. A lot. Of course, all humans have some experience with this bodily-produced drug, some more than others. Let’s take a look at the effects that it can have on our [...]
Chair Qual: Barricade Skills With A Simple Folding Chair
In many carbine classes shooters are shown several ways to adapt their long gun to cover to make a mid-range hit. This is often exposure to a technique, but without a great way to measure or track performance and subsequently carbineros do not sustain those capabilities to a high degree.