A wise person (at that particular moment) said to me "This makes up for all those other Memorial Days." It was Memorial Day exactly seven years ago and I was holding my granddaughter Cadence D. Steeves aka Cadee who had been born that very Memorial Day morning delivered by her uncle Sean who would from that day forth never have to prove his courage to his father.
You thank us all the time now and that is a good thing as we all thank those who stand a post now watching over us. I think of a 20 yr. old kid from Lafayette Louisiana who couldn't wait to get home and marry his "Guhl" and drive his Roadrunner again but got zapped in an ambush in a place called "the Parrots Beak' up near the Laotian border for nothing in particular. Coon Ass Kuner just wanted to go home and play his Hank Williams records and drink some cold Pearl beer. For Miller, David L. Spec. 4 who never got off the Bien Hoa Base cause a sniper caught him on the way to chow. Man he couldn't wait to get after the sh*t and he never got to it. I wonder if that sniper was aimin at him or me. For Reese the mortarman, for Fitts the door gunner who said "the angels are gonna get you out" for a list I cry cause I can't remember anymore. We want to thank, I want to thank YOU my friends, our friends who stayed here and gave us some thing, some place in the world to come back to. For being the Good Old US of A that that "Freedom Bird" took us back to. We were just a bunch of scared kids who held on to each other and a place called "The World"... HOME
I THINK IT'S TIME WE THANK YOU FOR BEING... HOME
I THANK YOU FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE... HOME
FASTMAN 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
MEMORIAL DAY RANTS FROM THE OLD INSTRUCTOR
May 28, 2010
I usually have the “red ass” for a few days leading up to Memorial Day. Nothing new, just a by-product of the past.
I want to say God and Karma bless those young kids standing on ‘the line’ both now and then. They are never forgotten. Their time is never past, and usually their sacrifice goes unnoticed outside the perpetuation of a “holiday”. Not by me. Thank you all.
In combat there are no atheists or Memorial Days.
Every day in combat is... MEMORIAL DAY.
I usually have the “red ass” for a few days leading up to Memorial Day. Nothing new, just a by-product of the past.
I want to say God and Karma bless those young kids standing on ‘the line’ both now and then. They are never forgotten. Their time is never past, and usually their sacrifice goes unnoticed outside the perpetuation of a “holiday”. Not by me. Thank you all.
In combat there are no atheists or Memorial Days.
Every day in combat is... MEMORIAL DAY.
Awesome Questions from Good Friend, Claude
Great questions!
QUESTION 1. What should I concentrate on most if I have a man on the ground and I am holding him til the law gets there--and I'm not sure whether or not he may have a fellow heathen lurking in the shadows?
ANSWER 1. Maintain a safe distance first and foremost Claude, and make sure your family is safe and secure behind you at an even further distance. I would make Deanna or Little man hold the Cell phone while you contain and control the bad guy. Do not attempt to approach or put restraints on him/her, have Deanna or Little man give an accurate description of you your position and weapon, the position (prone arms straight out or seated facing away legs crossed, kneeling same thing hands behind head). Wolves travel in packs as I teach so as soon as you have done the original business (shooting and securing) you scan 180 slowly and have Deanna and Eli do so without leaving to look and endangering themselves hostage wise while 911 is called for Police and Medical. Seems like you've already considered a plan. Great!
QUESTION 2. When a person comes on your property during the day, do you still have the same rights (read: self defense options under P.C. ch9) as the "after dark" law (exceptions)?
ANSWER 2. No. (criminal mischief and arson, and burglary are in the night time legal exception.)
QUESTION 3. When a person bumps you from behind, should you get out of the car, or call the law first?
ANSWER 3. Law Enforcement first. Stay in the vehicle and describe to the operator the "bump" vehicle and plates and driver if you can. Request assistance and leave the line open. "Motorist needs assistance" calls may take a bit to get answered but they will come so stay put. Do not get out of the vehicle until the responding officer asks you too even if the other guy takes off. Look at your vehicle as a suit of armor and a 3000 lb. weapon if needed. Should the "bumper" get violently aggressive toward either you or the vehicle, having the line open will get "LE" to step up the response on the call. (Road rages are always taken seriously. Always)
QUESTION 1. What should I concentrate on most if I have a man on the ground and I am holding him til the law gets there--and I'm not sure whether or not he may have a fellow heathen lurking in the shadows?
ANSWER 1. Maintain a safe distance first and foremost Claude, and make sure your family is safe and secure behind you at an even further distance. I would make Deanna or Little man hold the Cell phone while you contain and control the bad guy. Do not attempt to approach or put restraints on him/her, have Deanna or Little man give an accurate description of you your position and weapon, the position (prone arms straight out or seated facing away legs crossed, kneeling same thing hands behind head). Wolves travel in packs as I teach so as soon as you have done the original business (shooting and securing) you scan 180 slowly and have Deanna and Eli do so without leaving to look and endangering themselves hostage wise while 911 is called for Police and Medical. Seems like you've already considered a plan. Great!
QUESTION 2. When a person comes on your property during the day, do you still have the same rights (read: self defense options under P.C. ch9) as the "after dark" law (exceptions)?
ANSWER 2. No. (criminal mischief and arson, and burglary are in the night time legal exception.)
QUESTION 3. When a person bumps you from behind, should you get out of the car, or call the law first?
ANSWER 3. Law Enforcement first. Stay in the vehicle and describe to the operator the "bump" vehicle and plates and driver if you can. Request assistance and leave the line open. "Motorist needs assistance" calls may take a bit to get answered but they will come so stay put. Do not get out of the vehicle until the responding officer asks you too even if the other guy takes off. Look at your vehicle as a suit of armor and a 3000 lb. weapon if needed. Should the "bumper" get violently aggressive toward either you or the vehicle, having the line open will get "LE" to step up the response on the call. (Road rages are always taken seriously. Always)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
“U.D.’S, A.D.’S, N.D.’S... NO B.S.
Hi Gang, got something interesting for you.
They used to be called “unintentional discharges (U.D.), accidental discharges (A.D.) {and now they are called what they truly are …..} NEGLIGENT DISCHARGES! (N.D.)” Why negligent? Because two deliberate actions took place. The finger was on the trigger, and the firearm was not on target or commanded to fire when fired. Negligence on the part of the shooter.
I was at my personal practice session last Thursday night at Marksman Indoor Range. I had finished up when I noticed an Instructor (I assumed he was) setting up a group of shooters for a CHL Proficiency Test. I always feel I can learn something from other Instructors, and since I was done and packed up, I decided to stand back on the line and observe the Instructor. Immediately noticeable was that the Instructor was nervous, and his trainees couldn’t hear his commands. He also could not observe all of his trainees at one time, and he was wearing shorts on the line ( good way to get hot brass burns or ricochet cuts.). On command to fire the second round of the one round portion at the three yard line a gentleman I was observing went to low ready and..BANG!!!.. He fired into the concrete and steel floor baffle at the 3yard line. It was obvious the instructor was shocked and I yelled “WOAH!! Negligent discharge” at the Instructor who asked me “What?” and I repeated “Negligent discharge.” Which he knew. He then proceeded to go over to the trainee and asked one of the dumbest questions I’ve ever heard any Instructor ask; “Did it (the gun)go off?”, and the trainee still had his finger on the trigger which prompted me to yell “FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER. HE’S GOT HIS FINGER ON THE TRIGGER STILL!”
What was even more astonishing was that this Instructor was letting the trainee continue to take his proficiency test even though SOP is to remove the shooter from the line (which I signaled the Instructor to do) and have them re-shoot the test. When I saw the Instructor was going to allow the test to continue, I hauled my butt off the line and got out in the lobby behind the glass to finish observing the test. I was not going to deliberately stand on an unsafe line with an unsafe shooter and unsafe and irresponsible Instructor who continued on knowing he had an unsafe shooter on the line endangering not only the other trainees he had testing but the customers at the range practicing….The shooter who had the “ND” also, had a few stoppages with his P series Ruger pistol all due to his grip and lack of training/familiarization with the weapon. And folks?.... The Ruger P series of firearms don’t just “go off” on their own.
I contacted the Instructor and DPS CHL unit to report the incident and out of courtesy to the Instructor, and out of duty to CHL in Austin. They have both contacted me. DPS has forwarded it to the appropriate section and the Instructor asked for my phone # (which I supplied) so he could talk to me about the incident and his “philosophy “ about negligent discharges and why he allowed the shooter to continue. I haven’t heard from the Instructor again although I expect I will after this is posted.
I hate to criticize others in the Instructor profession but if you have so many students on the line and in the waiting room that you can’t monitor either effectively you should reduce the size of your firing line so it can be safe. How can you claim to be “all about safety” when you allow an unsafe situation and an unsafe shooter to continue without remediation? Is it all about safety if the Instructor himself doesn’t enforce the basic safety rules without exceptions or is it about let me see…..10 students X ?$$ each = ???
SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS, SAFETY WITHOUT COMPROMISE.
Eddie … Taking Cover and Out for Now!
They used to be called “unintentional discharges (U.D.), accidental discharges (A.D.) {and now they are called what they truly are …..} NEGLIGENT DISCHARGES! (N.D.)” Why negligent? Because two deliberate actions took place. The finger was on the trigger, and the firearm was not on target or commanded to fire when fired. Negligence on the part of the shooter.
I was at my personal practice session last Thursday night at Marksman Indoor Range. I had finished up when I noticed an Instructor (I assumed he was) setting up a group of shooters for a CHL Proficiency Test. I always feel I can learn something from other Instructors, and since I was done and packed up, I decided to stand back on the line and observe the Instructor. Immediately noticeable was that the Instructor was nervous, and his trainees couldn’t hear his commands. He also could not observe all of his trainees at one time, and he was wearing shorts on the line ( good way to get hot brass burns or ricochet cuts.). On command to fire the second round of the one round portion at the three yard line a gentleman I was observing went to low ready and..BANG!!!.. He fired into the concrete and steel floor baffle at the 3yard line. It was obvious the instructor was shocked and I yelled “WOAH!! Negligent discharge” at the Instructor who asked me “What?” and I repeated “Negligent discharge.” Which he knew. He then proceeded to go over to the trainee and asked one of the dumbest questions I’ve ever heard any Instructor ask; “Did it (the gun)go off?”, and the trainee still had his finger on the trigger which prompted me to yell “FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER. HE’S GOT HIS FINGER ON THE TRIGGER STILL!”
What was even more astonishing was that this Instructor was letting the trainee continue to take his proficiency test even though SOP is to remove the shooter from the line (which I signaled the Instructor to do) and have them re-shoot the test. When I saw the Instructor was going to allow the test to continue, I hauled my butt off the line and got out in the lobby behind the glass to finish observing the test. I was not going to deliberately stand on an unsafe line with an unsafe shooter and unsafe and irresponsible Instructor who continued on knowing he had an unsafe shooter on the line endangering not only the other trainees he had testing but the customers at the range practicing….The shooter who had the “ND” also, had a few stoppages with his P series Ruger pistol all due to his grip and lack of training/familiarization with the weapon. And folks?.... The Ruger P series of firearms don’t just “go off” on their own.
I contacted the Instructor and DPS CHL unit to report the incident and out of courtesy to the Instructor, and out of duty to CHL in Austin. They have both contacted me. DPS has forwarded it to the appropriate section and the Instructor asked for my phone # (which I supplied) so he could talk to me about the incident and his “philosophy “ about negligent discharges and why he allowed the shooter to continue. I haven’t heard from the Instructor again although I expect I will after this is posted.
I hate to criticize others in the Instructor profession but if you have so many students on the line and in the waiting room that you can’t monitor either effectively you should reduce the size of your firing line so it can be safe. How can you claim to be “all about safety” when you allow an unsafe situation and an unsafe shooter to continue without remediation? Is it all about safety if the Instructor himself doesn’t enforce the basic safety rules without exceptions or is it about let me see…..10 students X ?$$ each = ???
SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY ALWAYS, SAFETY WITHOUT COMPROMISE.
Eddie … Taking Cover and Out for Now!
Healthy Shooting and Aging Bodies!
I thought we might get into a rant about inevitability. As we get older we get hurts where hurts wasn’t before and we know we got ‘em cause they don’t go away or only go away with pain relievers (OR Jack Daniels Old No.7). We have to squint more and it becomes habit, we get out of a chair more slowly and can’t hear everything as clearly as we think we do. That’s just aging, getting old, whatever it’s real and inevitable.
How does this relate to shooting you ask? First there is the continued exposure to airborne lead dust and gunpowder chemicals. After each exposure at a range session you should immediately upon returning home take a shower and flush out your nose and sinuses if possible. At the very least, wash your hands and face thoroughly and take a cotton swab and gently swab out your nose and ears.
I recommend and have started to realize that you and I should buy “green” ammo. Almost all calibers are available with ‘lead free frangible’ projectiles. I’ve started to accumulate Remington and Starfire and Win Clean (Winchester) rounds in all calibers a little at a time as they are more costly than cheap ball practice ammo but not quite as high priced as premium rounds and they come in 50 round boxes. I suggest you buy a box each time you buy practice rounds or go to the gun show, and start building up a reserve of it to use say every other practice session to cut down on your exposures. Now we really don’t shoot enough on our own to acquire hazardous levels of lead or sulfur or whatever but at any range especially indoors, there is a good deal of residual dust being stirred up by us and the other shooters at the range with us.
If you have minor arthritis or tendinitis a wrap around Velcro/elastic wrist and elbow support is a good thing to have in your range bag. They help strengthen your grip and support on the weapon and help absorb recoil in your joints somewhat. I use both on my strong side wrist and elbow and they really help if I’m shooting lots of rounds.
These things also help us with slide manipulation as we get older and a little weaker. Everyone I train should use the following 3 step method to chamber a round on any semi automatic handgun:
Set your safety or decock the weapon after you have loaded! Make this a routine, even if you are on the line at the range until you have done it enough to be smooth and its second nature! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
The old “slingshot method” of charging a semi auto handgun, where you grab the end of the slide with two fingers of the support (or strong) hand and try to pull the slide to the rear is out! It causes hesitation due to weakness and uncertainty and it also causes malfunctions from “limp wristing “the loading.
If you have had Laser eye surgery only on one eye, check which eye is dominant. DO NOT ASSUME THE MATTER OF DOMINANT EYE AFTER SURGERY. CHECK IT TWICE! BEFORE YOU SHOOT.
Understand that if you wear glasses for any reason, use them at the shooting range. If you wear eye protection over your glasses or contacts or corrected eye; make sure that the polycarbonate lenses aren’t so thick as to slightly distort your vision or depth perception.
My God! If you haven’t gotten a set of electronic ear muffs for hearing protection do so ASAP! They are great and I am soon going to upgrade to a set of low profile (sculpted) ones for rifle shooting comfort. They shut out the harmful db levels of the shots but allow normal conversation/commands to be heard clearly. Get a pair they are totally worth the price. As you get older if you don’t want electronic hearing protection, make sure you use ear plugs under your muffs. Put some antiseptic swabs or alcohol swabs in your range bag. I use alcohol to remove powder from my hands arms and face when I get home from the range before I shower off. Take your clothes off that you wore at the range and wash them at your earliest opportunity but above all take them off and don’t put them on again until they have been cleaned. You can’t always see powder residue but there is always powder residue.
My all time favorite powder/weapon cleaning solvent Hoppes #9 has been found to contain carcinogens. Yep for real. It’s only for occasional use now and only with rubber cleaning gloves not surgical types. Hoppes still has other bore cleaners with no health hazards in the cancer dept. and there are many other types just read the label. Throw away old patches. I’m terrible about re using patches to wipe stuff down with and that exposes me to hazards I’m changing my cleaning routines every time I do it as my shooting has increased.
When finished at the range make sure you wipe down your eye and hearing protection with the alcohol wipes on any pads that contact you and on the earpieces of the eye protection. If you use range supplied safety gear do it before and after shooting. You don’t know who last used that pair of muffs or their hygienic habits. Protect yourself.
I don’t think you need to wear surgical masks at the range but I see folks with them more frequently now. Your call.
Shooting a lot eventually takes a slight toll on your wrists and elbows first, and knees and back second.
If you have minor arthritis you will have pain if you shoot heavy loads in handguns and rifle alike. For normal range practice loads the equation is simple. The more shooting you do the more you’ll need the Tylenol or Motrin after you’re through with your shooting session.
I know lots of folks with shoulder surgery histories. They all are timid about shooting. I have found out that this is unnecessary worry. Shooting affects the shoulder joint very minimally at best. Hard shooting rifles and shotguns can and do bruise the muscle tissue surrounding the joint and do have some direct absorption of shock waves... Professional shotgun shooters use specially designed vests and jackets’ with built in recoil pads. Rifle shooters with heavy caliber rifle have all types of purpose built rifle rests to take all the recoil from your weapons instead of your shoulder taking it. So if you have had shoulder “rotator cuff” surgery don’t be afraid to shoot your handguns at all unless they are .44 Magnum full power loads and up. Your .40 S&W or .45 ACP don’t generate enough of a shock wave to get past your elbows most of the time. The .500 S&W or .460 RUGER or .454 Casull with full power loads? That’s a different ballgame. They are gonna hurt ya for sure. Lighten up, clean up, step up, have fun.
Eddie………..OUT
How does this relate to shooting you ask? First there is the continued exposure to airborne lead dust and gunpowder chemicals. After each exposure at a range session you should immediately upon returning home take a shower and flush out your nose and sinuses if possible. At the very least, wash your hands and face thoroughly and take a cotton swab and gently swab out your nose and ears.
I recommend and have started to realize that you and I should buy “green” ammo. Almost all calibers are available with ‘lead free frangible’ projectiles. I’ve started to accumulate Remington and Starfire and Win Clean (Winchester) rounds in all calibers a little at a time as they are more costly than cheap ball practice ammo but not quite as high priced as premium rounds and they come in 50 round boxes. I suggest you buy a box each time you buy practice rounds or go to the gun show, and start building up a reserve of it to use say every other practice session to cut down on your exposures. Now we really don’t shoot enough on our own to acquire hazardous levels of lead or sulfur or whatever but at any range especially indoors, there is a good deal of residual dust being stirred up by us and the other shooters at the range with us.
If you have minor arthritis or tendinitis a wrap around Velcro/elastic wrist and elbow support is a good thing to have in your range bag. They help strengthen your grip and support on the weapon and help absorb recoil in your joints somewhat. I use both on my strong side wrist and elbow and they really help if I’m shooting lots of rounds.
These things also help us with slide manipulation as we get older and a little weaker. Everyone I train should use the following 3 step method to chamber a round on any semi automatic handgun:
- With an unloaded weapon that has a hammer, cock the hammer back as you point the weapon down range and keep your finger outside the trigger guard and lay it along the side of the frame. FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!!! FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!! FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!! Turn the weapon on its side pointed downrange and insert the loaded magazine with the support hand!
- Wrap the support hand over the top of the slide at the rear of the weapon so that your little finger is at the edge of the ejection port support thumb pointed back at your stomach/waistline and grasp it firmly while grasping the frame and grip firmly trigger finger pointed in the opposite direction of the support hand thumb. (If the grasp is correct your thumb on your support hand is pointed at you and your trigger finger strong hand side is pointed downrange.)
- Grasping firmly and with one hard fast motion push the frame through to the front while simultaneously pushing the slide to the rear letting go as you feel your support hand hit against the frames resistance. (as the two pieces bang against each other)
Set your safety or decock the weapon after you have loaded! Make this a routine, even if you are on the line at the range until you have done it enough to be smooth and its second nature! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
The old “slingshot method” of charging a semi auto handgun, where you grab the end of the slide with two fingers of the support (or strong) hand and try to pull the slide to the rear is out! It causes hesitation due to weakness and uncertainty and it also causes malfunctions from “limp wristing “the loading.
If you have had Laser eye surgery only on one eye, check which eye is dominant. DO NOT ASSUME THE MATTER OF DOMINANT EYE AFTER SURGERY. CHECK IT TWICE! BEFORE YOU SHOOT.
Understand that if you wear glasses for any reason, use them at the shooting range. If you wear eye protection over your glasses or contacts or corrected eye; make sure that the polycarbonate lenses aren’t so thick as to slightly distort your vision or depth perception.
My God! If you haven’t gotten a set of electronic ear muffs for hearing protection do so ASAP! They are great and I am soon going to upgrade to a set of low profile (sculpted) ones for rifle shooting comfort. They shut out the harmful db levels of the shots but allow normal conversation/commands to be heard clearly. Get a pair they are totally worth the price. As you get older if you don’t want electronic hearing protection, make sure you use ear plugs under your muffs. Put some antiseptic swabs or alcohol swabs in your range bag. I use alcohol to remove powder from my hands arms and face when I get home from the range before I shower off. Take your clothes off that you wore at the range and wash them at your earliest opportunity but above all take them off and don’t put them on again until they have been cleaned. You can’t always see powder residue but there is always powder residue.
My all time favorite powder/weapon cleaning solvent Hoppes #9 has been found to contain carcinogens. Yep for real. It’s only for occasional use now and only with rubber cleaning gloves not surgical types. Hoppes still has other bore cleaners with no health hazards in the cancer dept. and there are many other types just read the label. Throw away old patches. I’m terrible about re using patches to wipe stuff down with and that exposes me to hazards I’m changing my cleaning routines every time I do it as my shooting has increased.
When finished at the range make sure you wipe down your eye and hearing protection with the alcohol wipes on any pads that contact you and on the earpieces of the eye protection. If you use range supplied safety gear do it before and after shooting. You don’t know who last used that pair of muffs or their hygienic habits. Protect yourself.
I don’t think you need to wear surgical masks at the range but I see folks with them more frequently now. Your call.
Shooting a lot eventually takes a slight toll on your wrists and elbows first, and knees and back second.
If you have minor arthritis you will have pain if you shoot heavy loads in handguns and rifle alike. For normal range practice loads the equation is simple. The more shooting you do the more you’ll need the Tylenol or Motrin after you’re through with your shooting session.
I know lots of folks with shoulder surgery histories. They all are timid about shooting. I have found out that this is unnecessary worry. Shooting affects the shoulder joint very minimally at best. Hard shooting rifles and shotguns can and do bruise the muscle tissue surrounding the joint and do have some direct absorption of shock waves... Professional shotgun shooters use specially designed vests and jackets’ with built in recoil pads. Rifle shooters with heavy caliber rifle have all types of purpose built rifle rests to take all the recoil from your weapons instead of your shoulder taking it. So if you have had shoulder “rotator cuff” surgery don’t be afraid to shoot your handguns at all unless they are .44 Magnum full power loads and up. Your .40 S&W or .45 ACP don’t generate enough of a shock wave to get past your elbows most of the time. The .500 S&W or .460 RUGER or .454 Casull with full power loads? That’s a different ballgame. They are gonna hurt ya for sure. Lighten up, clean up, step up, have fun.
Eddie………..OUT
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A little bit of talk about flashlights...
Cabela’s, Midway USA, L.A. Police Gear, Cop Quest, Pro Defense, Academy, Carter’s Country, and Wal-Mart.
These are places to get good flashlights of a “tactical or defense” type. Streamlight has both nylon flashlight (polymer) and metal in the $30.00-$60.00 range. They also have weapons mounted lights with &without laser from $79.00- $179.00. Academy sells Streamlight tactical lights at very reasonable prices and all of the places have them in stock. Sure Fire lights and Streamlight, and Maglite you can’t go wrong with. You’ll only spend the money once and you won’t regret it when you learn how to employ it at our upcoming low light shoot. Surefire G2 & G3 Nitrolon lights are a great choice, but you will need a light for the scenarios and as I always say” Flashlights and extra magazines, have em in depth, and if you buy CHEAP…..you’re gonna buy twice.” Cabela’s has lights from $39.00 of house brand that are made by one of the Major makers mentioned above. Check out their Shooting Catalog.
You don’t need Nite Sights for the scenario but you’ll love them when you get them and you should have them on your gun. I have them on every carry pistol except revolvers as they are older models that are hard to fit or custom job stuff. You can order them online but Pro Defense in Webster (call first) usually has them in stock and puts them on while you wait or shortly after you drop the weapon off. Novak’s will put theirs on your gun and overnight it back if you pay for it and their sights are outstanding (and OEM on Springfield, S&W and others.) I believe XS Sights has the same policy for their Big Dot Express sets of nite sites.
Do yourself a favor and don’t bring a plastic flashlight from Ace or Lowes or Wal Mart. Get a light that is gonna take hard use you’ll see why trust me and you’ll never go back to a light you have to shake or head whack to get it to work.
EDDIE… OUT
These are places to get good flashlights of a “tactical or defense” type. Streamlight has both nylon flashlight (polymer) and metal in the $30.00-$60.00 range. They also have weapons mounted lights with &without laser from $79.00- $179.00. Academy sells Streamlight tactical lights at very reasonable prices and all of the places have them in stock. Sure Fire lights and Streamlight, and Maglite you can’t go wrong with. You’ll only spend the money once and you won’t regret it when you learn how to employ it at our upcoming low light shoot. Surefire G2 & G3 Nitrolon lights are a great choice, but you will need a light for the scenarios and as I always say” Flashlights and extra magazines, have em in depth, and if you buy CHEAP…..you’re gonna buy twice.” Cabela’s has lights from $39.00 of house brand that are made by one of the Major makers mentioned above. Check out their Shooting Catalog.
You don’t need Nite Sights for the scenario but you’ll love them when you get them and you should have them on your gun. I have them on every carry pistol except revolvers as they are older models that are hard to fit or custom job stuff. You can order them online but Pro Defense in Webster (call first) usually has them in stock and puts them on while you wait or shortly after you drop the weapon off. Novak’s will put theirs on your gun and overnight it back if you pay for it and their sights are outstanding (and OEM on Springfield, S&W and others.) I believe XS Sights has the same policy for their Big Dot Express sets of nite sites.
Do yourself a favor and don’t bring a plastic flashlight from Ace or Lowes or Wal Mart. Get a light that is gonna take hard use you’ll see why trust me and you’ll never go back to a light you have to shake or head whack to get it to work.
EDDIE… OUT
Monday, May 3, 2010
LOW LIGHT SHOOTING IS A……GO!
Hey everybody.
I went to Rives’ (pronounced ‘reevis’) Rifle Range in Hardin, Tx. (about 5mi. out of Liberty). I had not been able to get out there until yesterday when Myself and T-Bone Davis went in the morning. I took my M-4 and my bolt action Remington 700 {223 Rem) to zero the scope I put on it and to check the optic I’d put on the M-4. T-Bone wanted to shoot his black powder guns, and I was fascinated with and by watching the whole process. I learned quite a bit for sure.
This is one of my favorite ranges to shoot at. It’s well groomed respectful range with a relaxed atmosphere. There are always folks on the range sitting behind the shooting stations in patio chairs just talkin and then getting back on line and firing a few rounds check the range provided scope then back to his chair and shoot the breeze. Like one of those old Farm Road Café’s where everyone knows everyone else and they all just congregate there for the latest town news and gossip... No time limit just if Mr. Rives isn’t there right then leave your money in the box and go shoot. He’s probably out on his four wheeler somewhere on the place. He’ll be there eventually. Follow the safety rules and be courteous to your neighbors. The way it should be. If you get a want to drive outside Houston in the country about forty five minutes Northeast of Houston or about 37 mi. North ob Baytown on 146. Basically you can shoot from sun up to sun down. I like it early or just before sundown to stay out of the heat, but yesterday the weather was perfect for outdoor shooting.
After getting the scope on zero for my “clearance sale budget sniper platform” and the optic on my M-4 on target making no allowance for optic to bore offset. [I do this because you have to be able to use the iron sights on your rifle NO EXCEPTIONS HERE. If you have an optical sight with batteries or fiber optic tubes you will have failures. Everything with batteries dies……unexpectedly, and fiber optic tubes are notorious for breaking and fragility. I also think that they put sights in the original design for a reason.] The Bolt Action.223 Remington 70 SPSR was superbly accurate. It liked one of the 6 types and makers cartridges until 3 rounds of PMC Bronze 55 gr. FMJ-BT {full metal jacket boat tail bullet} dropped into a 2 inch group with two bulls. I put 3 rounds of Remington PSP Power soft point, into one grid square on the target just outside the diamond in a perfectly triangular pyramid with about ¼” space between them. I think the rifle likes these rounds very much. So do I. . . The stock fits me. The rifle had zero noticeable recoil. It’s new so it was a little stiff as a new rifle should be. After six or seven 3 shot groups were fired the action didn’t get looser, it got smoother. The $39.00 Caldwell bi-pod for prone to 13” positions was great. I’ll get another in the next few days for the other rifle I’ve got cause it has the older version on it and I’ll use it in something else down the line. The 1x4 power Bushnell 30mm scope with illuminated dot reticle German style crosshairs, was crystal clear and rode in Millet rings. Didn’t need the red dot but could see it clearly in bright sunlight when set on the 3 highest bright settings. Best factory rifle trigger I’ve fired. No creep, not too light, and broke like a glass rod as they say. I love it. “Only accurate guns are interesting.” I did some 50 yd shooting with the M-4 and electric optic and I surprised myself holding at the top of the target grid center above the 2 diamond bull’s-eye, I put twenty rounds of mixed ball right at the top of the diamonds clustered into a five inch vertical path about two grid squares apart rapid fire. The t bar in the sight frames the target well and no problems seeing the daytime red or the green at higher settings (it’s for night). I did some fire while moving with the M-4 on the pistol range and 100% A zone hits were in view on the Shoot n See.
After a few hours, it was time to pack it in so I packed up and loaded my gear and went over to talk with Mr. Revis as always. I asked if I could bring some folks out for a low light and night shooting training session. I told him I’d provide targets and barricades etc. and clean up afterward and provide liability releases and that two Galveston SWAT team members would provide the course of fire and probably run it for me for small groups of trainees. I’m going to do it with 6 at one time. Handgun, handgun flashlight, shotgun, rifle, weapon light operation and drills. I will run it from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Since after listening, Mr. Rives says “you know you can shoot up till ten out here.” With a handshake and a “give me a call when you’re comin out.” Any time. So we are on. I’ll talk to Officer Maffei and get the course from him and invite his guys to come if they’d like. I will bring a wall mock up and other “STUFF” to demonstrate the effect of different ammo on walls in your home and other “STUFF” There will be a complete briefing on the course of fire and safety rules and run you one at a time though the course. I’ll give each trainee 20 minutes of shoot time (not strict). Then demonstrate material destruction and debrief and have fun.
Contact me if you want to be a part of this. I will do first come first served and whoever doesn’t make the first one is head of the line for #2. Everyone will go through it that signs up. Don’t pass this by. I’m not going to set a fee for this and you pay your own range fee (per gun). I will however request that you donate to the SWAT team guys if they help. Gas and food is appropriate but their team really needs the donations for training and equipment so please if you wanna donate to my Jack Daniels Relief Fund hey great but I’ll give my Instruction for free to you and you know that. Hey every little bit helps but I’m cool as long as the SWAT guys get taken care of.
Don’t miss out on this. Let me know ASAP.
Eddie……..OUT
Map to the range...
View Larger Map
I went to Rives’ (pronounced ‘reevis’) Rifle Range in Hardin, Tx. (about 5mi. out of Liberty). I had not been able to get out there until yesterday when Myself and T-Bone Davis went in the morning. I took my M-4 and my bolt action Remington 700 {223 Rem) to zero the scope I put on it and to check the optic I’d put on the M-4. T-Bone wanted to shoot his black powder guns, and I was fascinated with and by watching the whole process. I learned quite a bit for sure.
This is one of my favorite ranges to shoot at. It’s well groomed respectful range with a relaxed atmosphere. There are always folks on the range sitting behind the shooting stations in patio chairs just talkin and then getting back on line and firing a few rounds check the range provided scope then back to his chair and shoot the breeze. Like one of those old Farm Road Café’s where everyone knows everyone else and they all just congregate there for the latest town news and gossip... No time limit just if Mr. Rives isn’t there right then leave your money in the box and go shoot. He’s probably out on his four wheeler somewhere on the place. He’ll be there eventually. Follow the safety rules and be courteous to your neighbors. The way it should be. If you get a want to drive outside Houston in the country about forty five minutes Northeast of Houston or about 37 mi. North ob Baytown on 146. Basically you can shoot from sun up to sun down. I like it early or just before sundown to stay out of the heat, but yesterday the weather was perfect for outdoor shooting.
After getting the scope on zero for my “clearance sale budget sniper platform” and the optic on my M-4 on target making no allowance for optic to bore offset. [I do this because you have to be able to use the iron sights on your rifle NO EXCEPTIONS HERE. If you have an optical sight with batteries or fiber optic tubes you will have failures. Everything with batteries dies……unexpectedly, and fiber optic tubes are notorious for breaking and fragility. I also think that they put sights in the original design for a reason.] The Bolt Action.223 Remington 70 SPSR was superbly accurate. It liked one of the 6 types and makers cartridges until 3 rounds of PMC Bronze 55 gr. FMJ-BT {full metal jacket boat tail bullet} dropped into a 2 inch group with two bulls. I put 3 rounds of Remington PSP Power soft point, into one grid square on the target just outside the diamond in a perfectly triangular pyramid with about ¼” space between them. I think the rifle likes these rounds very much. So do I. . . The stock fits me. The rifle had zero noticeable recoil. It’s new so it was a little stiff as a new rifle should be. After six or seven 3 shot groups were fired the action didn’t get looser, it got smoother. The $39.00 Caldwell bi-pod for prone to 13” positions was great. I’ll get another in the next few days for the other rifle I’ve got cause it has the older version on it and I’ll use it in something else down the line. The 1x4 power Bushnell 30mm scope with illuminated dot reticle German style crosshairs, was crystal clear and rode in Millet rings. Didn’t need the red dot but could see it clearly in bright sunlight when set on the 3 highest bright settings. Best factory rifle trigger I’ve fired. No creep, not too light, and broke like a glass rod as they say. I love it. “Only accurate guns are interesting.” I did some 50 yd shooting with the M-4 and electric optic and I surprised myself holding at the top of the target grid center above the 2 diamond bull’s-eye, I put twenty rounds of mixed ball right at the top of the diamonds clustered into a five inch vertical path about two grid squares apart rapid fire. The t bar in the sight frames the target well and no problems seeing the daytime red or the green at higher settings (it’s for night). I did some fire while moving with the M-4 on the pistol range and 100% A zone hits were in view on the Shoot n See.
After a few hours, it was time to pack it in so I packed up and loaded my gear and went over to talk with Mr. Revis as always. I asked if I could bring some folks out for a low light and night shooting training session. I told him I’d provide targets and barricades etc. and clean up afterward and provide liability releases and that two Galveston SWAT team members would provide the course of fire and probably run it for me for small groups of trainees. I’m going to do it with 6 at one time. Handgun, handgun flashlight, shotgun, rifle, weapon light operation and drills. I will run it from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Since after listening, Mr. Rives says “you know you can shoot up till ten out here.” With a handshake and a “give me a call when you’re comin out.” Any time. So we are on. I’ll talk to Officer Maffei and get the course from him and invite his guys to come if they’d like. I will bring a wall mock up and other “STUFF” to demonstrate the effect of different ammo on walls in your home and other “STUFF” There will be a complete briefing on the course of fire and safety rules and run you one at a time though the course. I’ll give each trainee 20 minutes of shoot time (not strict). Then demonstrate material destruction and debrief and have fun.
Contact me if you want to be a part of this. I will do first come first served and whoever doesn’t make the first one is head of the line for #2. Everyone will go through it that signs up. Don’t pass this by. I’m not going to set a fee for this and you pay your own range fee (per gun). I will however request that you donate to the SWAT team guys if they help. Gas and food is appropriate but their team really needs the donations for training and equipment so please if you wanna donate to my Jack Daniels Relief Fund hey great but I’ll give my Instruction for free to you and you know that. Hey every little bit helps but I’m cool as long as the SWAT guys get taken care of.
Don’t miss out on this. Let me know ASAP.
Eddie……..OUT
Map to the range...
Rives Rifle Range
2817 FM 834 W • Liberty, TX 77575 • 936.334.4808
2817 FM 834 W • Liberty, TX 77575 • 936.334.4808
View Larger Map
Practice vs. Your Butt on the Witness Stand:
From The Old is New Again Instructor
Hey Y’all,
At my most recent training session, we were introduced to the deeper end of the legal pool. In a case known as Pow Pow vs. The City of Margate (USC 42; 1983) WHICH CHANGED THE WAY Police trained nationwide, we learned about “Failure to Train” lawsuits.
If you get involved in a deadly force encounter, and survive it and the follow on Post Traumatic Stress from the encounter you have to get yourself ready for PHASE 2.
PHASE 2:
Before we go on I will repeat myself. Should you wonder or doubt or question the why of carrying a concealed handgun and defending your life with it or any weapon for that matter; let’s get real and ask…….HOW?
You are on the witness stand or being deposed by the dirt bags family attorney. He has taken out a folder and opened it and starts telling you about your personal financial situation as it stands since he’s been retained by the Family of the Deceased. Your attorney is stalling on turning over records of that nature at the date of the incident but it’s a matter of time till the bottom feeder attorneys have to make all info available. Your homeowner’s insurance, life insurance, business insurance any insurance that has a liability clause or value clause that could be based on negligence or 3 degrees of tort will be brought up and attacked for settlement. You see they strictly want money and won’t want to fight in court, to the point that many of them settle their cases either right outside the courtroom on trial day H hour or by phone within days or hours of trial. ( After a thousand continuances)
So there you sit and the questions are asked (and noted by the court reporter/stenographer) about your Concealed Handgun License and your understanding of the Use of Force in Chapter 9 of the Penal Code. You are pretty clear on that but every detail of what you say is noted. Then the lawyer asks how often you practice or train or sought the same from your instructor or from other instructors. You cough, stutter, stumble, hesitate (all duly noted) and answer. What do you think your chances are of losing all your liability insurance money and subsequently any future coverage if your lawyer and insurance companies decide to settle out of court because you said you never sought further training or instructional updating after your initial licensing? Yeah the shooting was justifiable and you were no billed by the Grand Jury but that’s what your initial licensing covered for you. The civil lawsuit is totally a different matter and is a game of manipulation. Is it easier to defend yourself legally if you maintained a standard of proficiency? Absolutely! Would you be accused of being “bloodthirsty” for training on a regular basis? Probably, but if you maintain that your training was to maintain your proficiency it would be a non matter. Will you be subject to liability more directly if you maintain that you never practiced or sought further training or information to maintain your proficiency? Undoubtedly. “OK Mr. Steeves. You took your CHL course and passed the tests and then didn’t think you needed any more training or information for two to five years yet you took a weapon you admit you don’t maintain proficiency with and used it; knowing that you deliberately would not wait to use it. Yet Mr. Steeves you felt you were so expert from your minimal training as to no longer require maintenance of what even your Instructor and all Firearms Instructors and Gun Magazines tout and constantly remind the public of that firearms use is a “perishable skill” is that correct sir?
Then I’m called in to depose for both attorney. After giving all my information and qualifications as your Instructor, the questions start. I’m asked about your CHL Class and then I’m asked about you specifically.
“Did Mr. Steeves seek out more clarification of any points of law in regards to the use of deadly force as it relates to you having licensed them in Texas for concealed carry? “No sir but…” Did Mr. Steeves ask you to further train him regularly to maintain his proficiency…excuse me sir; before you answer I see you have a website as does Tx. DPS for concealed handgun license holder to gain access to is that correct? “Yes.” On your website sir, do you post times where you specifically note, suggest and invite your licensed students or any firearms user to join you or meet you for said firearms practicing? “Yes.” How many of your trainees show up regularly for those sessions. “Between 1 and 3 per session.” And you have trained how many sir since 1997? “ Several hundred.” Has Mr. Steeves ever attended your practice sessions?” No.”
Has he registered on your website any questions or requests? “None I’m aware of but..” just the question sir thank you. “None I’m aware of?” Is Mr. Steeves aware of the fact that firearms skills of usage are perishable? And do you make your student trainees aware of that fact both in your instruction and on your website sir? “Yes I do,”
Sooooooooo how do you think you’re going to look after all I am allowed to say is yes or no and I testify to the truth in the civil suit? Not too good huh?
In Pow Pow v Margate the police officer killed an innocent third (a husband and father) person while shooting at a fleeing kidnapper in low light. “There’s a lawyer attached to every bullet”. The police officer, his department, and City of Margate were all found liable in the death of the woman who filed the suit’s husband for failing to train the officer in low light shooting and she won millions and it changed the way we train police nationwide as well as it brought “Failure to Train” lawsuits to the whole spectrum of civil liability cases both law enforcement and civilian.
SOOOOOO… DON’T SHOW UP FOR THE FREE PRACTICE AND TRAINING SESSIONS I POST
AFTER ALL “WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH?”
A new calendar of training sessions that will cover this summer 2010 will be posted by next week I hope you take advantage of it. I’ll be there either way.
Your Instructor... Eddie
Hey Y’all,
At my most recent training session, we were introduced to the deeper end of the legal pool. In a case known as Pow Pow vs. The City of Margate (USC 42; 1983) WHICH CHANGED THE WAY Police trained nationwide, we learned about “Failure to Train” lawsuits.
If you get involved in a deadly force encounter, and survive it and the follow on Post Traumatic Stress from the encounter you have to get yourself ready for PHASE 2.
PHASE 2:
THE 3 L’S... LAWSUITS - LAWYERS - LIABILITY
Before we go on I will repeat myself. Should you wonder or doubt or question the why of carrying a concealed handgun and defending your life with it or any weapon for that matter; let’s get real and ask…….HOW?
- HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE WORTH?
- HOW MUCH ARE THE LIVES OF YOUR FAMILY AND LOVED ONES WORTH?
You are on the witness stand or being deposed by the dirt bags family attorney. He has taken out a folder and opened it and starts telling you about your personal financial situation as it stands since he’s been retained by the Family of the Deceased. Your attorney is stalling on turning over records of that nature at the date of the incident but it’s a matter of time till the bottom feeder attorneys have to make all info available. Your homeowner’s insurance, life insurance, business insurance any insurance that has a liability clause or value clause that could be based on negligence or 3 degrees of tort will be brought up and attacked for settlement. You see they strictly want money and won’t want to fight in court, to the point that many of them settle their cases either right outside the courtroom on trial day H hour or by phone within days or hours of trial. ( After a thousand continuances)
So there you sit and the questions are asked (and noted by the court reporter/stenographer) about your Concealed Handgun License and your understanding of the Use of Force in Chapter 9 of the Penal Code. You are pretty clear on that but every detail of what you say is noted. Then the lawyer asks how often you practice or train or sought the same from your instructor or from other instructors. You cough, stutter, stumble, hesitate (all duly noted) and answer. What do you think your chances are of losing all your liability insurance money and subsequently any future coverage if your lawyer and insurance companies decide to settle out of court because you said you never sought further training or instructional updating after your initial licensing? Yeah the shooting was justifiable and you were no billed by the Grand Jury but that’s what your initial licensing covered for you. The civil lawsuit is totally a different matter and is a game of manipulation. Is it easier to defend yourself legally if you maintained a standard of proficiency? Absolutely! Would you be accused of being “bloodthirsty” for training on a regular basis? Probably, but if you maintain that your training was to maintain your proficiency it would be a non matter. Will you be subject to liability more directly if you maintain that you never practiced or sought further training or information to maintain your proficiency? Undoubtedly. “OK Mr. Steeves. You took your CHL course and passed the tests and then didn’t think you needed any more training or information for two to five years yet you took a weapon you admit you don’t maintain proficiency with and used it; knowing that you deliberately would not wait to use it. Yet Mr. Steeves you felt you were so expert from your minimal training as to no longer require maintenance of what even your Instructor and all Firearms Instructors and Gun Magazines tout and constantly remind the public of that firearms use is a “perishable skill” is that correct sir?
Then I’m called in to depose for both attorney. After giving all my information and qualifications as your Instructor, the questions start. I’m asked about your CHL Class and then I’m asked about you specifically.
“Did Mr. Steeves seek out more clarification of any points of law in regards to the use of deadly force as it relates to you having licensed them in Texas for concealed carry? “No sir but…” Did Mr. Steeves ask you to further train him regularly to maintain his proficiency…excuse me sir; before you answer I see you have a website as does Tx. DPS for concealed handgun license holder to gain access to is that correct? “Yes.” On your website sir, do you post times where you specifically note, suggest and invite your licensed students or any firearms user to join you or meet you for said firearms practicing? “Yes.” How many of your trainees show up regularly for those sessions. “Between 1 and 3 per session.” And you have trained how many sir since 1997? “ Several hundred.” Has Mr. Steeves ever attended your practice sessions?” No.”
Has he registered on your website any questions or requests? “None I’m aware of but..” just the question sir thank you. “None I’m aware of?” Is Mr. Steeves aware of the fact that firearms skills of usage are perishable? And do you make your student trainees aware of that fact both in your instruction and on your website sir? “Yes I do,”
Sooooooooo how do you think you’re going to look after all I am allowed to say is yes or no and I testify to the truth in the civil suit? Not too good huh?
In Pow Pow v Margate the police officer killed an innocent third (a husband and father) person while shooting at a fleeing kidnapper in low light. “There’s a lawyer attached to every bullet”. The police officer, his department, and City of Margate were all found liable in the death of the woman who filed the suit’s husband for failing to train the officer in low light shooting and she won millions and it changed the way we train police nationwide as well as it brought “Failure to Train” lawsuits to the whole spectrum of civil liability cases both law enforcement and civilian.
SOOOOOO… DON’T SHOW UP FOR THE FREE PRACTICE AND TRAINING SESSIONS I POST
AFTER ALL “WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WORTH?”
A new calendar of training sessions that will cover this summer 2010 will be posted by next week I hope you take advantage of it. I’ll be there either way.
Your Instructor... Eddie
AND THEN…….. CONSUMER INFO
Before I forget……….
The points about Caliber I made in “What I taught and Learned” bring me to an important consumer tip...
The points about Caliber I made in “What I taught and Learned” bring me to an important consumer tip...
I’d be beating a dead horse if I went again into the ammo crunch right now and once again it’s getting bad. Don’t know why, but that said here’s some tips to save money and for general knowledge. Some things I do take for granted ,,,,,my bad. Here goes:
1. If you have a .357 Mag revolver you can safely fire .38 Special in it and carry it with .38 Spl. +P and +P+ rounds for defense. ( Although for many years the .357 Mag. 110gr. & 125gr. Jacketed hollow point (JHP) rounds have been the kings of the 1 shot stop in fights).
2. If you have a .44 Mag. Revolver you may safely carry .44 Specials in it as above.
3. If you have a Ruger revolver in .327 Federal Mag. You can load it with, .32, and .32 HR Mag. Ammo.
4. If you own a Glock pistol in .40 S&W, you can order a barrel (factory or aftermarket “drop in/conversion”) in .357 SIG and use the same magazines, no problem. Conversely if you own a Sig Sauer in .357 SIG (Tx. DPS issue caliber) you can order the drop in barrel in .40 S&W I believe XDs do likewise. This gives you a two caliber one gun and magazines option. I personally have it on my Sig P226 in .357SIG. AND WILL NEXT DO IT FOR MY Glock 22 [to .357 SIG]. This is a great conversion and helps to save money expended on ammo not to mention the versatility of the two caliber one gun option. Barrels run from $99.to $150. Depending on who makes it.
Don’t burn up your wallet or hurt your wrists and ears firing hot Magnum or auto pistol loads when you can practice more effectively with “Specials” in revolvers or TMJ rounds in Semi-autos. I like it when ya get 2 fer 1stuff.
In shotguns save the high power buck shot for the house to defend with and practice with bird shot.
See you at the range, Eddie... OUT
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