Friday, February 26, 2010

Range Etiquitte and more...

I have had a great couple weeks in our little community. I have enjoyed very much, getting to train with you and licensing you folks. I say again that my group of CHL trainees is one of the most intelligent and conscientious groups of shooting sports enthusiasts I’ve been privileged to know, serve and train.

I learn all the time by constantly noting your comments and my own personal after action reviews of myself. I will say here again please let me know what I could do better and what you would like to see me do or set up for your further training as your instructor. I really welcome the input.

I hope everyone goes to the website and signs up and shoots me questions and comments about your experiences as my trainees. I get a lot from plain email but I want y’all to communicate back and forth also, and I think Bill has set that up in the web site. As you all well know I am not the “computer guy” and I am at your mercy there.

I want to touch on a subject that as yet I’ve missed. Range “ETIQUETTE”, a place I see some mistakes being made that may lead to safety violations and dangerous possibly deadly consequences.
You as my trainees know that the majority of my range work is done at Marksman Indoor Range in South Houston and some at Champions in Humble and outdoor work at Reevis’ Range in Hardin.

I am going to get a membership at Bayou Rifle Range soon and start conducting all my training outdoors unless weather forces me indoors. I will have the calendar of my sessions up in the next month as my current duty and training schedule allows me time for this mystery box. If the planets align and the right opportunity comes up I may try to actually open a training facility with small outdoor range in the next year. I’ll keep ya posted.

Range “etiquette”. I have noticed that Marksman is getting so busy that they are floating their hours and opening earlier than posted and the lanes fill up immediately resulting in not only a LIST AND WAITING TIMES... BUT...  A HUGE SURGE IN UNSAFE FIREARMS HANDLING ON AND OFF THE FIRING LINE!!!!

I have filed complaints with the Department about Marksman before over safety violations and no supervision, and shrapnel hazards. (I got hit with some this past weekend).  I think I’m gonna request another safety visit since they are just making money which is why they’re in business but in the rush to get as many range fees as possible they are creating a few hazards.

My trainees and friends are victims of this behavior as well so it’s not a criticism when I point out what we are doing wrong in terms of range “etiquette.”




 When you enter a range and this includes them all you must NOT! enter with a loaded weapon, in a range bag. An unloaded chamber in a semi auto with a loaded magazine is a LOADED FIREARM! Paw Paw sent his side by side shotgun for son to shoot with 2 rounds up the spout, and his pump fully loaded. No good.

  1. Range etiquette: No loaded guns through the front door, or off the firing line.
  2. Range etiquette: All ranges have “range rules” posted. READ THEM upon entering.
  3. Range etiquette: On the firing line DO NOT hand firearms from one firing lane to another.
  4. Range etiquette: DO NOT fire as fast as you can. Indoors this creates shrapnel hazard to everybody including you.
  5. Range etiquette: don’t clean your firearms at a ranges lobby table
  6. Range etiquette: put your weapon away while you are on the firing line. Do not handle it in lobby areas or at tables. PUT IT AWAY AND LEAVE IT AWAY TILL YOU GET HOME.
  7. Range etiquette: If a child is observing on the firing line, always know where that child is in relation to your firing lane. If the child tries to observe you out of curiosity (and they will), make sure you show a little courtesy and don’t blast away with your high powered ammo nor 00 buck shot, take a time out and don’t scare folks.
  8. Watch other shooters and where their weapons muzzle is pointed. I see people doing “muzzle sweep” all the time. I’ve seen some of y’all do it too.  Look folks, if you point your weapon at the dividing walls on either side of your shooting lane to either clear a malfunction or to show your buddies something;…… you are sweeping your muzzle across the shooter in the next lane. Rule #3 always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Each side of your lane is NOT  that safe direction. Quit doing that. I see it a lot.
  9. Range etiquette: If you know the range you are going to; call ahead and ask what their rules are in regards to ammunition restrictions. Magnum ammo some steel bird shot, armor piercing , etc. ranges vary.
  10. Be safe always. From here on I will point out violations of etiquette on the spot to all trainees.

I can’t fault ranges for making money but they should at least attempt to make minimum safety adherence  a rule not a by product. Since that is not the case we are required to do it and it is ethical, so our little group will start considering “RANGE ETIQUETTE” as part of our safety protocol. 


These are so important to me I have put these ten rules on my web site for your to refer to at any time.

I want us all to have fun and be as safe As we can guarantee ourselves at the range.

Your Instructor………..EDDIE

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Primer on various types of handguns


Handgun Types often get confused and misinterpreted so here's a refresher...

SINGLE ACTION FIREARMS:
There are what are called “traditional” single action firearms. They are in two categories;
REVOLVERS & SEMI-AUTOMATICS (HANDGUNS)

SINGLE ACTION REVOLVERS: Typically, these are the “cowboy” guns we grew up with watching on T.V. westerns and in the Western movies of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and others.

The Colt Peacemaker (1873) is the accepted icon of those types and without doubt the most plentiful and popular. Replicas abound nowadays because of cowboy action shooting and the newer Western movies like Appaloosa, Unforgiven and Broken Trail. They are my personal “fun” guns. I love Westerns. They are also extremely effective defensive firearms. BIG BULLET! MOVIN SLOW! LEAVES A MARK!

Ruger and Freedom Arms have modern variants as do others with safety enhancements so that you can safely carry and leave them loaded with six rounds.

SINGLE ACTIONS = YOU HAVE TO COCK THE HAMMER EVERY TIME YOU WANT TO FIRE THE WEAPON!

SINGLE ACTION SEMI AUTOMATICS: Typically those are the 1911 and the Browning P-35.
 

1911s are made by many manufacturers. Kimber, Colt, Springfield Armoury, Para Ordnance, Taurus, Sig Sauer (Sig), Smith & Wesson (S&W) and on and on they’re all good, and yes I know about ALL the others.  Folks a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911.….. Get what makes you happy. It’s still a 1911 and it works only one way when it is a true 1911 of the original John Moses Browning pattern. You have to cock the hammer (or rack the slide to chamber a round) but one single action of the trigger, fires the weapon and the slide recocks the hammer NOT THE TRIGGER!

Browning Hi Power (P35) is the same way and yes the same guy invented both along with other innovative weapons for civilian and military worlds.

DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVERS: S&W, Taurus, Ruger, Rossi, Colt, etc. carry five to eight rounds of larger ammo and up to ten rounds of 22 caliber ammo. Once you load the cylinder they are the original “point & click” device. Pulling the trigger cycles the entire action and the good thing is if it doesn’t go BANG you just keep on pullin till it does. Easiest handgun to use and the best choice for beginner.

DOUBLE ACTION SEMI AUTOMATICS: S&W, Sig, Beretta, Taurus, Ruger etc. simply the trigger WILL both cock the hammer and fire the weapon (you still have to rack the slide to load them), hence “double action”.

THE STRIKER FIRED SYSTEM: Glock, Springfield XD, S&W MP, Taurus 24/7. Don’t have a hammer, and a short movement of the side or trigger sets the striker mechanism.

Your Instructor, Eddie

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Budget considerations when buying a gun.

O.K., it’s been a while since I touched on actual guns out there or the marketplace. Yes, I’ve answered specific firearm questions but let’s talk more detail.

Don’t overlook the lowest price firearms. Just because they don’t cost much doesn’t mean they are cheap and of poor quality,
Of great note are the Hi Point line of semi automatic pistols, the Rossi and Taurus revolvers, and some 1911 types that are under the grand mark. I have had 4 trainees come to class with Hi Point firearms. The retail price on these firearms runs from $119.00 to $259.00 in calibers from .380 to .40. These are outstanding buys and everyone I have seen and handled is reliable and  accurate.  They are a bulky handgun but who cares? They work. I recommend them if you have budget considerations. Holsters and spare mags are a search project but they are out there.

Lots of folks are starting to buy small revolvers. Rossi and Taurus both make them and have them from retail of $199.00 to $300.00. Academy has Rossi on now for $199.00 with a 3” barrel. I plan to purchase one as a pocket back-up for duty and for instructing use. 
Academy also (still), regularly puts the Taurus PT 101 Beretta pattern pistol on sale for $299.00. All Taurus firearms come with a lifetime guarantee, 2 mags., case and accessories. Their revolvers are of both 5 and 6 shot varieties and are also on Academy’s usual sale flyer list. You can go to a gun show and find the entire line of Taurus firearms semi autos and revolvers which is numerous (Academy only carries the most common sellers in the Taurus line), and the other Rossi revolvers at good prices. You have to practice with these guns. Don’t just stick them in your pocket and go about your business. At practice stick it in your pocket and try drawing and firing five rounds in ten seconds and at 3 to 7 yards. Scoring all A zone hits, it’s not so easy. These are great arms length defensive tools.

Don’t forget to look for the police trade ins at the gun shows, both in revolvers and semi autos. I saw some outstanding bargains at the last show from Smith & Wesson and others all under $400.00.

Now to the 1911 type pistols…. They are available from more manufacturers every year. S&W, Colt, Taurus, Springfield Armory, Detonics, Kimber, Para USA, Les Baer, Hi Point, Century, Dan Wesson,  etc etc. etc…… prices from $299.00 to $4000.00. 

Look folks, a 1911 is a 1911, is a 1911, is a 1911...please don’t try to tell me yours is different. They all have  the same laundry list of features accepted as standard, and they are all the same and overpriced. The only difference in the various versions are all cosmetic, or in name. I think a cool sounding name immediately ups the price by $500.00 and man if it says “tactical”  oh boy, look out.

Polymer pistols of the striker fired or hammer type are starting to flood the marketplace. They are also in various sizes and shapes but they are also pretty much the same. I have fired them in many variations and makes and notice that almost to a T the trigger pulls suck. The Sigma from S&W varies from pistol to pistol, the greatly overpriced (in my opinion) Kahr Arms has the worst trigger of any firearm I have ever handled, bar none, Glock triggers are mushy, as are Taurus and XD’s, again these are the polymer guns….can’t figure out why. They are also starting to rise in retail as their popularity rises, but can still be found at bargains if you pay attention and hunt for them.

Those are some suggestions if you are in the market for a budget priced, quality firearm. Check em out, and do yourself a favor, don’t buy from “gun auction” sights on line. They are hacked into all the time and they never let people know cause they don’t have to. Order from reputable dealers and don’t pay without a security guarantee or ask if you can use a gift card purchase option if they say no…..don’t buy.

My advice not an order...

Your Instructor,         EDDIE

Monday, February 22, 2010

Night fire and low light exercise scheduled soon!

I will be negotiating  with two firing ranges this Wednesday Feb. 24th 2010 for permission to use their facility for a low light and night fire exercise and simulation. Sportsman Range in Humble and Reevis' Range in Hardin (North of Dayton). I will try to make it at Reevis' as it is outdoors and would be more conducive to the drills I will plan.
  
I plan to hold the training exercise at night and in low light and complete dark conditions. I would like to invite all my trainees to participate, as this will be a lot of fun and very informative. To give you an idea of what would be in store here is just some of what I have in mind.

Trainees will:
  1. Bring their primary home defense weapons and CHL handguns. Limit: 1 handgun and 1 rifle or 1 shotgun (not both).
  2. Bring box (50 rds) ammo for handgun , and 20 rounds of either rifle or OO Buck shot.
  3. Bring flashlight hand held NOT weapon mounted. Lasers or Crimson Trace grips are approved.
  4. Bring your concealed carry holster, purse or fanny pack.

ABSOLUTELY NO TRACER AMMUNITION WILL BE ALLOWED OR TOLERATED !! AND NO NIGHT VISION DEVICES OF ANY KIND.
 
  • The instructor will provide targets and barricades and car/auto simulator for the instruction.
  • The exercise will include four scenario type simulations that will require use of lights, and stress reloading drills.
  • Scenarios include...
    • search
    • fire through auto window
    • barricade with hand gun and rifle/shotgun
    • barricade weak hand with flash light

I will need to know who will attend in advance and a deposit may be required for the Range. My fee for the instructional exercise will be $40.00 per person. I will plan on the exercise running from 2 to 3 hours so that all will be able to participate. I will probably have to limit the number of trainees for at least this first time, but if successful I will do one within another two weeks of the first, depending on the range availability.

You may use one or all of the above weapons you are not required to use all three types.
The charge for my instruction will defray the cost of materials and building time and targets and backlighting for scenarios, and acquisition of some auto salvage parts. I will give a demonstration of projectile penetration of different material (walls, sheetrock, brick etc.)

I will provide my personal weapons for usage (not my M-4) handgun/shotgun and a flashlight. (whoever uses them will need ammo and batteries.)

Folks this first time out I am going to stipulate that no one under 21 attend this training exercise. No children may observe or participate. 

Night firing is very dangerous and I will do it under strictly enforced guidelines and the safety rules will be adhered to without exception as some running, moving and shooting will be part of the exercises.

If this is something you might want to do let me know ASAP and I'll send details via the website. This will be some of the most fun you can have with clothes on. If you haven't night fired you'll have a blast.
 
Let me know everybody.
Your Instructor,   Eddie

Friday, February 19, 2010

Follow-Up Regarding "The Judge"

A follow-up message regarding my last post.

QUESTION:
Thanks for the reply Eddie... But I used the wrong abbreviation!! (P.D.)

Bottom line is, I'm wet baby new with all this, which is why I really am taking your wisdom of training to heart.

Anyway, I meant to convey "Personal Defense" with the Judge not Police Department.

RESPONSE:
I had Police Dept. on the brain after my latest training class for me. All Cops.

O.K. for personal defense......It makes great sense on several fronts and only has size as a very small detraction. It puts ten rounds of 000 Buck (if you use the sporting loads instead of the personal defense loads) in a "mutherin hole". It'll definitely leave a mark. I think too the option of every other chamber having a 250 grain solid cowboy .45 Colt (or hollow point from Cor Bon etc.) round is very cool.

Holster carry may be awkward especially when it gets warm out. I do not recommend ballistic nylon holsters for carry here where we live except for times like now where it's cold. But that won't last long and those holsters draw moisture and promote rusting even if the weapon is stainless steel. The Judge is definitely a viable Personal Defense weapon and makes good sense. It definitely is a weapon you wanna practice with and the birdshot loads are also good double duty rounds for both cheap practice and effective self defense without excessive recoil or over penetration. If it feels good in your hand and you like it's versatility, by all means get it and figure out what works carry wise. I'll be glad to help any way I can. Let me know.

Practice schedule has me at Marksman in S. Houston this Saturday (20th) at noon. C'mon out!  

Your Instructor, Eddie

Monday, February 8, 2010

Question: Taurus Judge Public Defender for P.D. Carry?

QUESTION: What about the Taurus Judge Public Defender paired with the new Winchester PDX1 410 rounds?

Is it a viable PD carry?


ANSWER:  I just love the questions you folks are sending and i hope the answers are as good as the questions are. I'm sure y'all know, I believe there is no such thing as a stupid question or a bad one when it comes to firearms safety and knowledge, so here goes.


  The Taurus Judge in all variation of the model have pulled a "Glock" on the firearms and self defense world. They have successfully carved out a single niche marketplace spot and frankly I don't think the other major manufacturers even though of it. Congrats to Taurus. They beat everybody to the punch, and what a punch it packs.

 I don't believe it is a good or (I'll go out on a limb here by saying) viable choice for Police Department carry. Certainly not as the primary issue weapon by a department. At times Police are hindered by the fact that it is only "socially acceptable" that they be armed with handguns, and you all know I feel you use a handgun to fight your way to a rifle. I've read all that BS about the perception of Police officers all decked out in high speed black with ASSAULT!!!!!! rifles....oh heavens no. It's just that.....BS. It comes from politicians and people who don't spend much quality time with cops. Y'all ought to try it. It's enlightening and guess what?>>>>>>they're people too, and dedicated ones at that.

Originally the Geneva Convention outlawed shotguns or "trench brooms"...et al for use in combat once again politicians decided not the kids in the trenches go figure. Public perception is fickle so I'm not sure about the "acceptable" factor in issuing a handheld shotgun which the Judge is NOT! Personally I think the officers have a right to carry the highest power firearm in the form of rifles (No not .50 Cal.'s) that would be standard combat/infantry defensive weapons. (most obviously AR 15 etc.). Their handguns should be "sidearm's" literally. My opinion. The situation is what it is and handguns are the norm for Police. They at times have to use them in a situation where precise marksmanship needs to be applied and the Judge with either buckshot or .45 Colt would be a distinct disadvantage compared to the Model of Glock pistol commonly seen. Secondly no duty gear is available for it. Thirdly it is a very large weapon in all forms and no speedloader is made for carrying extra rounds specifically of shotgun ammo (sks I know about).

Winchester and Federal market loads specifically aimed at the Judge market. I've seen em both. I have fired the regular .410 standard ooo buck loads in a Bond Arms derringer. It puts eight rounds on target for two trigger pulls and is plenty stout let me tell you. Five in the judge and well do the math. Point here is it's an arms length weapon where most deadly force situations arise from. If the turd is at fifteen to fifty feet with a "faughty" jam-o-matic and he's determined.....you gonna stand there and wait and then try a combat reload when he dodges most of the spread? Just something to think about.

I think the rounds in question are both superb and at the distance discussed the coroner would probably have to "strains da remains" for fingerprints.

If you really consider it for PD carry, run yourself through any basic police firearms drill with reloads (barricade 5rounds run to cover while reloading and 5 more all with A zone hits and no flyers) and you let me know. I can't imagine carrying one in an ankle rig, but there are other backup modes yet it is a very big weapon no matter how you look at it.

I read that a far Northeast municipality has approached Taurus about using them, I don't know where that will lead. Interesting though.

The Taurus Judge Public Defender is a fantastic close in personal defense weapon and the round specifically for it are excellent.
For primary duty on a PD NAH! Carry a 1911 (or a Glock,Sig, Beretta) Thanks so much oh BTW the Judge is outselling every firearm for home defense right now according to the Shot Show advertising and awards.   

Thanks again for a great question....let me hear your take......

Your Instructor,    Eddie