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Tribal Warfare

The Suited Shootist 2 Comments

*DISCLAIMER* This post is a little ranty. It’s not about gear, tactics, or training. 

So it’s a rapidly growing trope that you literally can’t say anything online these days without someone taking offense and/or arguing. Everyone is quick with whatever the epitaph du jour is: “triggered”, “snowflake”, “fudd”, “boomer”, “gamer”, “Timmy”, “pansy”, “coward”, etc. There is rampant tribalism online, both within the ecosystem of gun owners and on social media in general.

The common, almost comical examples these days are the “9 vs. 45”, “red dot vs. iron sights”, “AR vs. AK” camps, that almost immediately degrade into an almost Spy vs. Spy level of competition. When confronted with an opposing opinion, the offended party tends to resort to the same formulaic response:

  • Get louder
  • Resort to ad hominem attacks
  • Aggressively establish a superior posture
  • Entrench themselves in their position, digging in their heels
  • Ensures that everyone participating knows just how right they are
  • Has zero concern as to whether they’re advancing the conversation

The MO these days seems to be more focused on being right than actually influencing the opinions of others. And so many of the subject matter experts, and keepers of good information are either too busy or too exhausted to engage with every misinformed opinion on the Dunning Kruger curve. Matt Landfair had an approach that I like, about being good stewards of information. The idea being that:

  1. You’re absolutely not going to win over whomever you’re talking with by being belligerent and combative and
  2. If you’re being an asshole, any 3rd party observers that are not participating in the exchange are more likely to be alienated by that behavior, and more resistant to your point of view. 

It’s as if people’s sense of self is tied directly to them being right. As if them being misinformed would somehow cause their marriage to break up, their house to be foreclosed on, and their employer to go under all in the same day. 

I saw this firsthand the other day. A casual post about how concealment can be tricky, and there are people that pay attention to subtle tells and cues. If you’re interested, you can find the post here. The majority of responses were some flavor of “printing isn’t illegal” or “who cares, nobody ever pays attention anyways”. A few got a bit more antagonistic, demanding examples and proof that exposed firearms are problematic. The most common evidence cited was this article from Greg Ellifritz and these two videos from Varg Freeborn . They were rejected outright. 

Well the funny thing is, there’s a psychological effect called Motivated Reasoning where essentially, when confronted with evidence that challenges a thought process, it’s immediately dismissed as false to reduce the cognitive dissonance. And that’s exactly what I encountered. Despite being presented with that info, some insisted it didn’t matter. Others hurled accusations of shaming or fear mongering. Of the 600+ comments at the time of writing this, maybe 10 of them were constructive. Most of the counterpoints were dismissive. Nobody tried to build an actual case. 

I encountered this again a couple of days ago. In one of the groups I’m a part of, someone had posted an article, taking exception to the term “assault weapon” as a made up term. I’d suggested that, instead of getting hung up on pedantic nomenclature, it would be more productive to try and engage the opposition at the root of their argument, and attempt to shed light on our pro-gun perspectives. Again, this was immediately met with ad hominem attacks and resorting to a variation of the “shall not be infringed” talking point. I merely suggested that it’s more productive to pose a scenario of “Here’s something you may not have considered” instead of “Here’s a list of all the reasons why you’re wrong”. The other participants in the thread seemed far more concerned with building up their castle of being right. 

The Carry Trainer podcast that I mentioned last week addressed the necessity of both verbal agility and social fluency. Those two things seem to be severely lacking within the ranks of gun carriers. It’s astonishing how, within a community that espouses avoidance and de-escalation, people are so willing to immediately resort to the verbal equivalent of grenades.

Oddly enough this seems appropriate to follow last week’s post, because interpersonal communication seems to be the most woefully lacking “tool in the toolbox” of not just gun carriers, but the general public at large. I’m going to suggest a radical idea:

Lighten the fuck up, and don’t assume everyone’s wrong, stupid, or out to get you! Let’s take a breath, and assume that we all ultimately want the same thing: to improve the world at least a little bit. Just because someone’s opinion doesn’t immediately align with ours doesn’t mean they hate us. We may just not understand each other. And it’s unfair to expect someone else to see things from our perspective if they don’t have our context.

Don’t assume everyone else is an asshole. Hanlon’s Razor (with slight modification): Don’t attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by ignorance or misunderstanding.

TL:DR: 

A Not-So-Quiet Professional

The Suited Shootist 1 Comment

A couple weeks ago, Mickey Schuch of Carry Trainer interviewed Craig Douglas over the course of 3 hours touching on a variety of subjects. One topic was the desire of Craig and the Shivworks Collective to develop multidisciplinary students; people that are multi-faceted. Craig summarized their training goal as “developing someone with the pistol skills of a USPSA Grand Master, the combatives skills of an MMA champion, and the verbal agility of a standup comedian.

That last one confuses some folks…I mean why in the holy name of John Moses Browning would someone with ability to end another person feel it necessary to be good with the words and the putting together sentences making? Well here’s the dirty little secret that is so closely guarded by the cabal of self-defense instructors that my sharing it here may very well result in me getting “yeeted” or “clapped” by a squad of Kryptek-clad ninjas:

Being proficient with words can dramatically reduce your need to use the “hard skills” that we all love to practice so much. In fact, over the dozen years of my gun carrying life, I’ve managed to avoid more conflict verbally than I ever had with a firearm. 

Craig calls this Verbal Agility. Tanner Guzy calls it Social Fluency. Well what the hell is it? It’s the ability to navigate a situation in a way that’s pre-established for you, but not predictable by the other party. Additionally, it helps if your brain is able to process inbound information while the outbound info is being sent. This gets tricky because what you’re saying needs to be crafted in such a way as to not degrade or escalate the situation. This is important because the wrong words, or words used at the wrong time, can throw “gas on the fire” resulting in the very conflict you’re trying to avoid. So the ideal goal is being able to receive and process the inbound information, and have at least a rough framework of the response already pre-established, so that you’re not having to take up RAM figuring out how to respond in the moment.

Enter “The OODA Loop”: The famous, yet routinely misinterpreted decision cycle from Air Force Colonel John Boyd. The part that seems (at least based on my understanding of it) to be misunderstood is the “D”: Decide. Most folks look at the word, and interpret it as “analyze”, actively formulating the response during the process. The true definition of decide is “ to make a choice from a number of alternatives,” which means that the options between which you are deciding are already pre-formulated, and you’re just picking A, B, or C. You need enough social fluency to ensure that your options are suitably inoffensive, and at the same time not so passive as to embolden a would-be attacker. 

So what does all this have to do with the title of the article? Well, as luck would have it, it seems that my chosen profession of sales plays very strongly into this skillset. Over the years, I’ve developed the ability to listen to a client on the phone, engage with them, uncover their needs and build value in my product, while simultaneously building out other orders or performing some other unrelated task. This allows me to almost separate the physical and intellectual parts of my brain, to the point where they can operate independently without drawing bandwidth from the other. 

I realized the benefits of this ability last year, when I attended Cecil Burch’s 2 day combo class Immediate Action Jiu Jitsu/Immediate Action Pugilism. Like most of the Shivworks Collective, a block of instruction is dedicated to Managing Unknown Contacts (MUC). Without divulging too much of the exercise, there is a portion of the drill where you’re engaged verbally, then suddenly having to transition to “default cover” and contend with an assault. It was common to see people vapor-lock, and having to finish what they were saying before they responded. Other folks would transition, but you would watch the switch as their brain went from one task to the other. My experience was actually quite different. For me, I continued my verbal response even as I was physically reacting to the assault.

Working in sales has also made me more sensitive to people’s body language, intonation, and choice of words. Unlike other professionals, my choice of words and timing can have real and immediate impacts to my quality of life, so I’ve learned how to apply them in a manner that yields my desired result. And here’s the fun part: if you get good at this, you can get the other person to think that the desired outcome that you want is their idea! I’m sure that you can see how this translates to personal protection. The idea is best quantified in the book Verbal Judo by Dr. George Thompson; a book equally popular among defense practitioners and business professionals. I highly suggest picking up a copy. 

It’s difficult though, because it’s not an objective, measurable skill. You can’t check yourself against a shot timer or an accuracy standard. There’s not a shiny new piece of gear or crisp certificate that you can show off. The good news is that it’s free to practice, and you can do it literally anywhere. It’s even more fun to do with strangers, if you can pull it off without them getting wise to it. You’d be amazed what people are willing to do if you start off smiling, with a “Hey I’m sorry to bother you, but could you help me out real quick?”. As long as you’re not doing anything dishonest or immoral, I say try it out. 

Those for whom verbal agility and interpersonal skills aren’t part of their daily professional requirements, Toastmasters is still a great option to get more comfortable with speaking. The great thing is that, if properly applied on a broad enough scale, these abilities can have widespread benefits. Suddenly we’re all a bit more cordial to each other; less eager to take offense and, if offended, less likely to lash out with a response that irreparably devolves the situation.

Next time you’re out and about, give it a shot. Here’s something to consider. If you carry a firearm, every little altercation you get into is a potential gunfight…because you’re there and you have a gun. I literally ask myself in those situations where I feel socially wounded “is this worth getting into a gunfight over?”. It takes self control to keep that ego in check. Just remember that carrying a gun doesn’t make you an enforcer of the social contract. That asshole that cut you off in traffic, the selfish jerk that stole your parking spot, all of the inconsiderate people you feel compelled to correct because they’ve somehow wronged you…just let it slide. If someone ends up yelling at you for whatever reason, craft a response that takes the wind out of their sails. Let them be right so they don’t have to get hurt. Try it out. It’s fun.

Massad Ayoob Group MAG-40

The Suited Shootist Leave a comment

One of the things I’ve found glaringly absent in the conversations being had on social media is a working understanding of Deadly Force Law. So much of the gun counter mythology is still sadly alive and well. On top of that, you have the “Armed Citizen” blurbs from the NRA publications that also contribute to the confirmation bias, especially since there’s no mention of the legal fallout in those one-paragraph summaries.

I’m currently reading through Andrew Branca’s The Law of Self Defense, which I would strongly encourage everyone to pick up. It’s certainly a lot less expensive than shelling out for a 4 day class, although the class is absolutely worth it. I figured since it’s still topical, I’d share my experiences from The Massad Ayoob Group MAG-40. Here’s the AAR I wrote after I took his class back in 2016:

I wanted to write this while the memory of last week’s training is fresh in my mind. I’ll start off with some basic “dos and don’ts” to set the expectations of the course:

DO:

  • Treat this like a college/continuing education course, not like you’re regular weekend of burning through ammo
  • Bring a laptop. There’s so much material covered that I would have never been able to keep up with it trying to take notes by hand. Hell there were a few times where I got bogged down even whilst typing.
  • Have some prior training/experience. This is not an introductory course. This is not a course to teach you what gun to buy or what holster to carry.
  • Be proficient in basic gun handling/marksmanship.
  • Bring gear as close to your daily carry as possible. Not a requirement, just a good idea.

DON’T:

  • Be “that guy”. This is generally the first rule of any class. Don’t think you know everything, don’t be the one that says “but I do it this way”.
  • Get bogged down in gear selection. There was a bunch of time that got tied up (unnecessarily in my opinion) with “what pistol do you carry?”, “what holster do you use?” from novice attendees. Don’t think that gear is going to make you a better shooter.
  • Expect a shooting course. The ballistic portion of this class pretty much serves the same purpose as the shooting portion of your Concealed Carry qual: to show you’re responsible/effective/competent with a handgun. You’re not going to learn some new high-speed reloading technique, you’re not going to learn “transitional, dynamic multiple threat engagement” (That’s trademarked, by the way. You can’t just use that)
  • Make this your first shooting course. There is a lot of very intense material covered here, so generally it’s better if you’ve already got some time studying/thinking about mindset/negative outcomes/ etc.

OK, now to the review:

*DISCLAIMER*With my version of the course, the shooting portion was taught by a local instructor, certified by Mas, and then he taught the classroom portion. So, for me, the first 2 days were the range-portion, and days 3-4 were the classroom. When Mas teaches the whole thing, they tend to spread out the shooting and classroom both over all 4 days. You can tell which one you’re signing up for based on if your class specifies “MAG 40” vs. “MAG 20 Range” and MAG 20 Classroom”. Mas arrived around this time, and at that point the instructors shot the qualification to show us what it looked like, provide some context as to the time frame, etc. At that point, everyone shot the qualifier and was graded. If I remember, a passing score was 240 or better out of 300 (80%)

RANGE:

Day 1: Showed up to the range, signed your life away with the requisite paper work (waivers and the like), reviewed the basic firearm safety rules, and then we hit the firing line. They started with the basics first: grip, stance, trigger press, etc. Then they moved on to reloads. They didn’t really teach a specific technique, the understanding being that students already had basic gun handling down. From there they went into the different stances (Isosceles, Weaver, Chapman). You got some exposure to the different distances and times that you’d be shooting at.

Day 2: We continued over what was covered on Day 1. We then started working from the holster, and then went through the specific stages of the qualification, which entails:4 yards: 6 rounds off hand – reload – 6 rounds strong hand. 8 seconds. 7 yards: 6 rounds – reload – 6 rounds. Stance of your choice. 25 seconds. 10 yards: 6 rounds “Cover Crouch” – reload – 6 rounds High Kneeling – reload – 6 rounds Low Kneeling. 75 seconds. 15 yards: 6 rounds Weaver – reload – 6 rounds Chapman – reload – 6 rounds Isosceles. We shot each section 3 times. Once under no time constraint, once under the time limit for each stage, and once “as fast as you can” (while still keeping them in the A-zone).

CLASSROOM:

*Secondary Disclaimer* There’s a lot of proprietary information covered in this class that’s not to be shared with the general public. That’s why one of the requirements of attendance is either a criminal background check or current Carry License. Due to that, there may be some gaps or ambiguity in the overall review. Trust me when I say that the 2 days of classroom are reason enough to attend the course. The range portion is there so that, should he need to, Mas can testify to your proficiency with a firearm, not just that you had the academic knowledge about use of force.

Day 3: The introduction covered the information that would be discussed, how we should handle that information, and certain steps we should take to document our knowledge moving forward. We covered some of the basics, like what is entailed in Jury Selection, some basic legal concepts like what circumstances justify use of deadly force, different levels of homicide (murder, manslaughter, justifiable, etc), as well as a more in-depth look at Cooper’s color code. We also discussed different standards of proof, and the different legal applications of each. We went over the fact that a claim of self defense constituted an “affirmative defense”, and what that entails.

Day 4: The day did start out with some discussion on equipment. There are prudent things that a defensive gun carrier should consider before purchasing/augmenting their firearm. We reviewed things like trigger mods, safeties, etc. We also reviewed studies in human reaction time, including the Tueller drill. There was some review of common “Defensive Myths”. You know, the dumb shit you hear tossed around at gun stores, gun shows, and on different internet forums. Throughout the course, there were a lot of helpful tips on how to prep your life for certain events.

One of the biggest segments was focused in the different physical/emotional reactions after the shooting. We talked about the psychological and societal impacts. The idea behind this is to ensure the students are aware of what to expect. That way a) they are less scared by the unknown of what to expect and b) are able to critically think and develop their support plans ahead of time. There was some discussion of attorney selection, as well as the potential value of being a member to a program like US Law Shield/ Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network/ etc.

We also discussed the how and why of ammunition selection. Not so much from the ballistic performance, but also how it can potentially play into your defense. They eschewed the mixing of ammunition. The discussion segued into combative anatomy, and the 3 major target areas, and which is appropriate under what circumstances. There was also a discussion on rendering aide, and under what circumstances it would be (im)prudent. As previously mentioned, there was a lot of proprietary information, that was to be expressly contained within the scope of the class, and only shared with those directly vetted by the alumni. What I can comfortably say is that this section was built around how to avoid getting shot by other good guys, how to communicate with all parties involved, and how to keep from turning a righteous shooting into an inadvertent homicide charge. The irony is that the most valuable segment of the course is the one I have to write the least about. There were lots of legal cases provided throughout as case studies of the different principles covered.

Regardless of if you take Massad’s course or not, you really do owe it to yourself to get more info on this topic. Just because you know one guy that came out on top one time and didn’t go to jail because of his defensive gun use does not mean you’ll share his experience. Branca’s book is only 10 bucks for Kindle. There’s really no excuse not to at least have that as a resource.

The Most Dangerous One In The Room

The Suited Shootist Leave a comment

How many people within your social circle know you carry a gun? Is it a foreign concept to them, or are they “about that life”? Is this aspect of your lifestyle common knowledge? 

I find myself in a unique position that seems to be uncommon amongst some gun carriers: There are many instances where I’m the only one of the group that is equipped with the tools and training to address a violent encounter. It is for this reason that I take great care to control who knows that information and with whom they share it. Why? Well you’d be surprised how quickly other people are willing to volunteer you to be the cooler: To be the one that solves whatever problems might arise. 

So what we have is people who don’t understand the potential severity of the fallout, the physical, emotional, and legal implications, conscripting you to be their de facto bodyguard. Here’s an example: At my previous job, I had a coworker who routinely asked me to walk her to her car after dark: a seemingly benign request. I took this as a teachable moment, and asked her if she genuinely expected me to fight on her behalf, or if I was just functioning as a scarecrow. After a little conversation I directed her to some resources that would allow her to take control over her personal safety. Now, I could have just kept quiet, and played the scarecrow, especially since there was never any violent crime against a person during my whole time there (a few windows got busted out, and some petty property crime). Instead, I gave her some recommended reading, and suggested a flashlight and pepper spray, and she left the experience much more confident and well-equipped. 

I also make sure she understood exactly what she was signing me up for; the potential risk of serious bodily injury, the potential financial implications, and legal liability. The kicker: she didn’t even know I was a gun carrier, just that I had an interest in self defense and self protection. 

The ones that DO know about my lifestyle look to me to go play John McClane in the event of an active killer or other deadly force threat. To the point that, several months back when there was a shooting that made the news near my old office (all reports suggest it was targeted, interpersonal violence), a few coworkers made comments that they wished I’d been there, as if that would have made them safer. My response to that was “Nope!” I explained to them that my tools and equipment were there for me and my immediate family. If they could keep up, they could follow me out, but I wasn’t about to hunt down and engage the threat unless that threat was between me and the exit. I’d feel bad. I’d send flowers. But I’m not willing to risk my physical, financial, and psychological well-being for another adult that has the same opportunity to develop the abilities and skill-sets that I have. 

Now, that is certainly the most extreme example, but also the least likely. Consider this: If you’re out with friends or family and find yourself in something like a gas station hold up, do you think that person or people you’re with is/are emotionally prepared to deal with that, or are they going to freak out and yell something like “You’ve got a gun! Do something!!!”? In everything I’ve learned through my instruction and my research, the latter is far more likely.

Often when it comes to an armed lifestyle, we tend to think about risk management in terms of the tools we carry, or maybe (if we’re lucky) awareness and Managing Unknown Contacts. Rarely, if ever, do people consider that the people that aren’t threats could still be liabilities in those situations. 

Citizens Defense Research Technical Handgun: Tests and Standards AAR

The Suited Shootist 1 Comment

Back on July 14th, I was fortunate enough to attend Citizens Defense Research‘s Technical Handgun: Tests & Standards, taught by John Johnston. I first discovered John through his show Ballistic Radio, where he interviews national instructors, and other noteworthy personalities in the firearms and self-defense “ecosystem” (a term I first heard used this way by Mickey over at Carry Trainer that I liked, and therefor stole). The show is a great resource to help you discover new instructors you may be unfamiliar with, and help direct where you want to focus your training efforts. One thing I want to address up front is that I’m not going to go into the exact specifics as to the drills and tests that were used, for two reasons. Firstly, I can assume that John selected this series of drills in this order for a reason, and it’s part of what makes the class unique. Secondly, and more importantly in my mind, it gives people the opportunity to “train up” for the class, which I think does yourself a disservice. I’m personally of the opinion that a student will get the most out of this curriculum by taking it “cold”, to best assess their current abilities and skill set. But let’s get back to the class at hand.

First, I think it’s useful to address what the course is and isn’t. Honestly, I think they did a great job with the summary of the course on the website, but to summarize, here’s what you can expect:

What It Isn’t:

  • A beginner’s class. You need to have at least a modest level of technical ability with a handgun in order to take full advantage of this class. Safety is paramount, of course. You need to have a high level of familiarity with your handgun, carry gear, and range commands. It helps if you have shot enough to have failed certain standards before. Why? Because some people can have a tendency to become frustrated, and exasperated body language while holding a firearm can be potentially dangerous. Personally, I’d suggest you be familiar with common evaluations like the Bill Drill, FASTest, Casino Drill, etc. This class should not be your first exposure to shooting accurately under time.
  • A tactical class. Both in the literal definition, and in the marketing buzzword sense. There’s no shooting and moving. There’s no scenarios or decision making.
  • Designed to increase your maximum potential. John expressly said during the class that this was not the type of class to help you get to your sub-second draw.
  • A fundamentals class. The topics covered by this curriculum assume that you already have a capable grip, draw, and trigger control.

What It Is:

  • A deep dive in to the nuances and minutia of pistol shooting.
  • A mechanics class. John’s approach to managing the pistol focuses less on “tracking the sights” through the process of recoil, and more on consistency that allows the sights to return to the same spot after every shot.
  • Designed to raise your minimum threshold, and reduce the gap between your top level and bottom level performance. To paraphrase John “While I’m not as fast as I have been in the past, there’s not nearly as much of a difference between my fastest and my slower now”.

Until I find a better format, I will continue to shamelessly borrow the 3X3 AAR format from The Short Barreled Shepherd:

Top 3 Things Covered In The Class:

  1. Stance. Anyone that’s seen video of John shooting from his appearances on Lucky Gunner’s YouTube channel has seen his unique approach to body position and foot placement. It is important to note that he does not advocate utilizing this stance in a gunfight. The primary purpose of this methodology is that there’s enough built-in stability that it allows the shooter to actively focus on other, more important elements of the shooting posture. His approach, reasoning, and articulation does stem from his recent foray into yoga as well. I can tell you that activities that require a higher level of body awareness, and isolating individual limbs & joints can be highly beneficial so your understanding of this segment. Ballroom dancing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu really helped this material click for me. He pointed out how the “tactical turtle” forces you to engage the smaller muscle groups of the hands and arms, while a more relaxed upper body allows you to utilize the lats and triceps more efficiently.
  2. Sight Picture. The main focus (no pun intended) of the class was “seeing what you need to see”. Developing the understanding of what the sight picture needed to look like in order to achieve different results. Each exercise had both time and accuracy standards. I was the only iron-sighted shooter in the class, and everyone else was running a dot. It was interesting because I benefited greatly from a conversation that John had with another student. They were talking about point of aim, and how it need to be higher than the desired point of impact when shooting at 3 yards. This was the first time that I’d basically been “given permission” to adjust point of aim. Before that, I’d (wrongly) assumed that “Kentucky windage) was a lazy solution to bad mechanics. Yes it seems silly, and kind of like a no brainer, especially if you understand ballistic trajectories, but just hearing it spoke aloud really helped me, even though I wasn’t the subject of the conversation.
  3. Process Focus vs. Outcome Focus: John will be the first person to tell you he didn’t invent this idea, nor is this class the first time I’ve been exposed to it. That being said, it’s easy to get caught up in the outcome, since that’s what everyone fixates on, and is the part we want to show off on The ‘Gram. The reality is that the results are merely a symptom of correctly executed process. There were multiple exercises during the course of the day that highlighted the fact that the brain and the eyes know what right looks like, and if you just let the program run and allow things to happen instead of trying to force the hits, it tends to yield a more consistently successful outcome.

Top 3 Things I Learned:

  1. There is such a thing as gripping the gun too hard. Relaxed muscles move faster, so finding the right balance to achieve maximum recoil control and speed is critical. A solid foundation allows you to be less concerned with keeping the muzzle down, because it’ll end up back where it started.
  2. There comes a point where your body knows what to do, and your brain just interferes. It helps to divorce yourself from the shooting process, and just let it happen vs. making it happen. The results will allow you to more accurately diagnose the actual shortcomings you still have.
  3. Target focused shooting is a thing, and it’s very useful. I’d heard the concept discussed before, but never really played around with it until this class. There were moments during the strings of shooting where I didn’t actively register that I was looking at the target vs. the front sight, but when I replayed the image in my head I was able to recall the sights being fuzzy but still in proper alignment. I’ve been a front-sight focused shooter for the last decade, so it took conscious thought to maintain the target focus at times. I also finally understood what those “pre-game rituals” are for, when people draw out and aim in at each target. It wasn’t until this class that I realized the purpose of that exercise is not the sight alignment, but the snapshot of what proper sight alignment looks like over-top of the target. That way your brain already knows what to look for. While this might be a “no duh” statement for some, I’ve never seen it quantified in that fashion before, and was a moment of clarity for me.
  4. Bonus Lesson: Emergency reloads during The Super Test are inadvisable. I tried to game it, and download my mags to 10. I miscounted. Ergo I ended up hitting slide lock on the 9th round and having to reload within the time hack. Kind of a goat screw. Moral of the story: don’t game it, just shoot the damn drill.

Top 3 Things I’ll Do Differently:

  1. I’ll absolutely be incorporating this stance into my future shooting. It frees up “RAM” to focus on other aspects of the shooting process. It’s also just flat out easier and less fatiguing. After 2 days with Spencer Keepers, I was sore. After 4 hours with Paul Sharp, I was sore. Now those other classes were still immensely useful in their own rights, and I’m glad I took them. This information wouldn’t have resonated nearly as much without that previous perspective, but I definitely think this approach works better for me personally. After this class (10 hours) I barely felt anything. So it requires less active thought, less active effort, and lets me shoot as if not more effectively.
  2. Continuing the practice of “seeing what you need to see in order to make the hits, and shoot as fast as you can see it. Whatever happens happens”
  3. Be Decisive. This was the feedback that I got from John at the end of the day. We went around and he gave us each something to work on. He correctly identified me as an analytic, advised that my desire to explore all angles can negatively impact my progress, and suggested I’d be best served by simply sticking to a chosen course of action. Specifically, my focus is going to be continuing to work on target focus shooting.

Overall this class is well worth your time. It really feels like it’s a 2 day class compressed into 10 hours in terms of the volume of information and progress that’s made. It’s small, so you’re getting a TON of individualized attention. Whether your main goal is defensive or sport, if you shoot a handgun you’ll walk away with something from this class.

The last thing that I’ll say is that, with all the courses I’ve taken, there have only been a select few where the instructor has a palpable emotional investment in the performance of their students not just as validation of the coursework, but stemming from a place of compassion. John is absolutely one of these instructors. He’s able to show you soul-crushing, demoralizing failure, and yet leave at the end of the day all warm and fuzzy, wanting to do better and knowing that you’re capable of it. Take this class. Get better.

Dressed to Kill: Sartorial Guidance for the Well Armed Man Part XI

The Suited Shootist 5 Comments

Have you ever fought someone while wearing a suit jacket? I have…Kind of. When I took ECQC back in 2017, I actually wore a suit jacket through the evolutions. Why? Well “train how you fight” does have some merit when correctly applied. I live and work in an environment where a jacket of some kind is either necessary or encouraged, and I had absolutely 0 idea how it would impact my ability to fight. We’ve all seen the movies where 2 dudes are mixed up in a fight, one will jerk the lapels of his opponents jacket down to his elbows, binding the arms. (I’ll see if I can find the scene from the Untouchables where Connery pulls this move). When the weekend had wrapped up, nobody had tried to use the jacket against me. The only time it got in the way at all was when I was tied up with my opponent, and I ended up “shooting through” the front left chest panel because it was hanging down between my pistol and my attacker.  

Fast forward a couple years, and I actually get suited up to go out to the range and run some drills. Mind you this is your typical “square range”. The only pressure is the shot timer. Well wouldn’t you know it, that’s when things start to get interesting!

During one course of fire, where I’m testing the draw from my preferred tuckable holster setup (KSG Armory Sidekick) the timer beeps, I draw, and as the pistol comes up to my eye-line I realize that my support hand has grabbed a big ol’ fistful of necktie! I didn’t get a good enough look at it to see if it would bind up the slide, I just remember thinking “whelp, let’s see what happens!” fully expecting one shot then a failure to eject.

In this particular instance it thankfully didn’t interfere with the slide and I was able to continue the string of fire, but only because I happened to get lucky. My brain wasn’t prepared for that scenario, and didn’t know how to respond!!! And that was in the most controlled setting possible. So please realize that anyone that starts a sentence with “I’ll just…” followed by some creative problem solving in the midst of a fight is probably lying to themselves. 

There’s no good way for me to consistently replicate that problem (other than just putting myself in the situation enough for it to happen organically) so this is where visualization comes into play. As I replay the event over in my head, the best solution I’ve come up with is simply to release my support grip and engage one-handed. Even if I can’t duplicate the error, I can practice the response. This is a great example of what William Aprill refers to as “parking spaces”; the concept that the brain has a much harder time processing information it’s never encountered before. 

In another iteration of the drills my vest was serving as the cover garment. The advantage to this is, traditionally when a vest is worn it is appropriate to keep the jacket unbuttoned. That’s great right, because it’s easier to get to everything? Well…sorta. See what I failed to realize is that the jacket body still hangs down in front of the gun, even when carrying appendix. That means that if you don’t sweep the jacket out of the way in the same fashion as if you were carrying on the hip, you end up with this:

So I’ve started incorporating the “IDPA Flick” into my drawstroke whenever I’m wearing a jacket. While it may not be 100% necessary, it does help ensure I don’t end up with a handful of coat when I’m expecting pistol.

Thus concludes my “Dressed to Kill” series. I tried to save the best for last. I’m working on some other topics and articles, and I’m always interested in what questions other people have, especially in this particular arena. What do you want to see?

Next week, I’ll be posting my AAR from the Citizen’s Defense Research Technical Handgun: Tests & Standards that I was fortunate enough to attend last week.

*DISCLAIMER* This is not one of the suits I regularly wear. This is just a cheap, off-the-rack, polyester suit from an outlet mall that I keep exclusively for practice & training. I’m not willing to risk a Brooks Brothers or Suit Supply suit in the name of science, at least not yet.

Dressed to Kill: Sartorial Guidance for the Well Armed Man Part X

The Suited Shootist 17 Comments

So for the last few weeks I’ve been talking about what doesn’t work. Most of that has been from personal experience (with the exception of the shoulder holster). The good news is that, through all of that trial and error, I have found a few options that have yielded more success. Please note, everyone’s experience and context are different. These are not guaranteed to solve all your problems. This is just what has worked for me personally. My intention is not to convert you to my way of thinking, but merely to document my experiences, so you can draw the most educated conclusion possible.

With that said, the carry methods that I’ve found most successful are:

Appendix Inside the Waistband:

This is by far my preferred method of carry. I’ve been carrying appendix since 2012, with all manner of holsters and across a 70 lbs weight-span. I’m not going to get too in depth as to the benefits and considerations, there’s plenty of info out there from a whole host of sources. Now if you google appendix holsters, or really most IWB holsters for that matter, everything from the belt-attachment point up is exposed. Well that poses some challenges. My appendix carry is typically one of two configurations:

  • 1) A Keeper’s Concealment Keeper, with a vest as my cover garment. I actually picked up this little trick from Spencer directly when I took his AIBW Skillsets class back in 2017. (grab a broom, I’ll be dropping a few names in this one). As soon as he suggested the vest, I literally face-palmed and couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before! Here’s the overview of [A]IWB carry w/ a vest:
    1. It’s definitely the most consistent. The gun is in the same place as when I’m in more casual clothes, and even in the same holster. Not much changes
    2. The In-Fight Weapon Access (IFWA) is about as good as it can get. You really need to take ECQC or a similar force on force class to really appreciate this. 
    3. You’re at a pretty low risk of accidental exposure (as long as you’re aware of the hemline of your vest in relation to the beltline of your trousers)
    4. Your risk of printing is low to moderate. This will depend on your build, the type of holster and gun, and a bunch of other things. With the right combo, you can get everything to all but disappear. 
    5. You need to be attentive to the draw, since vests fit relatively close to the body and don’t stretch like shirt material, so you can get bound up if you try and pull out vs. up.

For some of you, vests just aren’t an option. They’re either just not you, or for some reason it’s not viable. For those times I still stick with AIWB, but I opt for a tuckable holster instead. Now I can already hear the critics “but you said that tuck struts/loops were too obvious!” Why yes, yes I did. That’s because most of the tuckable attachment points aren’t sufficiently discreet…Most, but not all. Enter the Discreet Carry Concepts clips, specifically their MOD5.1 Behind the Belt variant (link). These allow you to take your favorite holster, and make it all but disappear under a tucked in shirt. So let’s explore:

  • 2. Tuckable AIWB Carry. My preferred/current is a KSG Armory Sidekick with the aforementioned DCC Clips. I’ve also modded mine with the Dark Star Gear Darkwing and Muzzle Pad. There are other wedges/claws out there, but those are some of the most effective ones I’ve found, and I’ve tried most of ‘em. The considerations for this are:
    1. All of the same benefits of the AIWB w/ vest mentioned above
    2. Drawstroke can actually be a touch easier, since there’s less tension on the fabric of your shirt (more room) than there generally is with a vest. 
    3. The risk of accidental exposure is virtually nonexistent
    4. Low to moderate risk of printing, although more so than with the vest, since the fabric of the shirt is much thinner.
    5. Can be a bit more challenging to draw one-handed, so this requires separate, dedicated practice if you generally carry w/ an untucked shirt.

Now, there are instances where these methods are still not sufficiently discreet for whatever the circumstances are. This is where we start to get into the area of deep concealment. I categorize deep concealment. For me, Deep Concealment is anything where the grip isn’t exposed (once whatever cover garments have been cleared. There’s all manner of options. Here are the ones I’ve played with thus far:

SmartCarry/Thunderwear/Runcibleworks:

Basically, all of these work the same way. The carry system has its own belt that you put around your hips, and then simply put your pants on overtop. I personally don’t have any experience with the Runcibleworks YP, but Greg Ellifrtiz saw one come through his class and liked it, so I strongly suggest you check it out. The articulated design, and hard-shell holster definitely makes it more appealing than the setups I’m currently running, which is the DTOM Possum Pouch:

  1. The position and accessing the firearm are very similar to belt carry, so the consistency is a huge advantage.
  2. The risk of accidental exposure is virtually 0. Most if not all of the gun is riding below the beltline (generally)
  3. With most of the guns suited to this method (j-frames, Glock 43, Shield, etc) the risk of printing is also very low, unless you’re wearing extremely fitted pants
  4. IFWA is a pretty serious challenge. Both hands will likely be required. This is not something you’ll be able to get at in the midst of a grapple, so your overall situational awareness will need to be higher. To steal a quote from Chuck Pressberg (who I’m fairly certain reappropriated it from someone else that I just can’t recall right now) “there are guns for getting into trouble, and guns for getting out of trouble”. Guns carried like this are definitely the “getting out of trouble” category. Think “Escape & Evasion” not “Direct Action”.
  5. Retention can be an issue with the fabric pouches. I have heard of people screwing hard-bodied holsters into the pouch, which isn’t a bad idea, although it adds to the bulk.

Pocket Carry:

The last option is pocket carry. Now I’ve been critical of this method as well, mostly because a lot of the guns that are marketed as “pocket guns” kinda aren’t unless you’re in baggy jeans, 5.11 pants, or work wear. None of those are particularly flattering or stylish. If they are how you generally dress, other more favorable methods of carry are likely possible (IWB). 

I will say that, in order for pocket carry to work, it really needs to be an LCP-sized pistol. At least for me. From the P&S Podcast on Mouse Guns (where they refer to pocket guns as “a loud knife”), and a subsequent conversation with The Tactical Professor himself (Claude Werner) over lunch at Tac Con 2019, I finally found the most workable pocket gun solution for me: The Kel-Tec P32. *immediately loses ⅓ of followers*

The reasoning is pretty simple: The ballistics of sub-9mm calibers is all less than ideal, and the recoil of the 32 is friendlier than 380 in the light package. Since shot placement is key, shooting the ability to shoot more effectively trumps bullet size. And since it’s less popular, it doesn’t sell out the way 380 does. When it comes to the thinner fabrics of dress slacks & suit pants, the bulk and volume of a j-frame or single stack 9 just isn’t viable. This is a niche gun, in instances where your threat level is exceptionally low, but you don’t’ want to go unarmed. A “Rule 1” gun, to borrow a term from Caleb Giddings (Rule 1 of a Gunfight: Have a gun). 

There are certainly a couple of drawbacks to pocket carry, and I’m not going to recommend it for the new shooter. But it does offer some distinct benefits that I think are worth considering:

  • Arguably faster access, since there’s no cover garment to defeat. Now, you’re not going to have a “full firing grip” on the gun necessarily, because it can be difficult to withdraw a closed fist from your pocket. I’ll be testing this on the timer to see if I’m right.
  • Only works with very small guns. I’ve only ever been able to get it to work with sub 9mm autos (380, 32, 25, 22)
  • Like with the Possum Pouch, your basically not getting this out in the midst of the scuffle. The advantage here is that, unlike with most other methods, you’re able to casually and discreetly already have the gun in hand, shortcutting the draw.
  • Low risk of accidental exposure, as long as your pockets aren’t too shallow. With j-frames, I’ve had the grip peek out of the pocket, even with small boot-grips. 
  • Moderate risk of printing, depending on the cut of pants & type of holster used. This is where the MDTS Pocket Shield really shines. Yes, you’ll still see that there’s something in that pocket, but it will in no way look like a gun. 

I’m going to do an individual write-up on the pocket/mouse gun because I think it’s a grossly misunderstood concept. Again, this is a very narrow niche solution, and not recommended for the novice, regular carry, or responding to violence. 

Above all else, these are purely my findings. I can in no way guarantee they’ll work for you. I just figured that it was worth sharing my findings after years of trial and error.

My intention is to show you that it is in fact possible to carry an “acceptable” firearm under most circumstances. In the situations where you can’t, or would benefit from something more discreet, a lot of the suggestions that are made are coming from people that have only a peripheral understanding of our “operational environment” (tactical buzzwords!)

In the next article in the series, I’ll be touching on some special considerations that you may not be aware of if you haven’t ever actually shot/fought in a suit before.

If you’re not already following Greg Ellifritz over at Active Response Training, you really should be. His “Free Books” series and Weekly Knowledge Dumps alone are worth it. Plus he’s an all around good dude.

Same goes for The Tactical Professor Claude Werner. He challenges a lot of the common thinking within the shooting ecosystem (a term I just picked up from Mickey over at Carry Trainer), and also has a great compilation of data.

Even if you’re not sold on the whole appendix carry thing, I do strongly suggest that you seek out Spencer Keepers. His 1-day Handgun Essentials class is quite the eye opener. His AIWB skillsets class  is quite enlightening as well, and will really equip you to make the best decisions on your carry gear. 

Dressed to Kill: Sartorial Guidance for the Well Armed Man Part IX

The Suited Shootist 13 Comments

Over the last few weeks, I’ve touched on some of the challenges that can present themselves when balancing your loadout with your wardrobe. I’ve also alluded to the fact that I’d be sharing my own personal trial and error with what has worked for me personally.  Well buckle up kids, because today’s the day! For reference, all of the gear and clothing that will be shown in these photos is my own personal stuff (with one limited exception that I’ll mention). I’ve spent a good amount of time and money working this stuff out, and hopefully these experiences can help shortcut that process for someone else out there.

With that being said, this is merely a guideline; what has worked for me personally. I’m not about to tell you how to carry any more than I can tell you what underwear to buy or what beer to drink. Taste, perceived comfort, physique, and most importantly context will vary from person to person. So you’re still going to have to spend your own money and experiment, just hopefully less so that I have. So let’s jump into this”

Most of the folks reading this have at least some semblance of an idea of how to carry a firearm, even if they don’t do it themselves yet. We’ve all seen something on TV or a movie where the character on screen is packing a heater. But rarely does that ever become a focal plot point. Rarely does it ever become problematic for the carrier. Things go smoothly, because that’s what the script says needs to happen. The issue? Those aren’t real fights.  So let’s look at some of the most common/popular methods of carry as they pertain to the real world (at least my real world) and pick them apart a little bit. 

To establish a baseline, here’s what this particular suit looks like as is, with no gun underneath it:

Carry Method #1: Outside the Waistband (OWB)/Hip/3 O’clock Carry

This is the one we’re most used to seeing, typically from some flavor of law enforcement (both uniformed and plain clothed). It’s certainly the most convenient and accessible. However those folks are expected to carry firearms, and so it’s generally a non-issue if that fact is discovered. Let’s break down the challenges presented:

  1. An OWB holster above all else requires a cover garment. 98 degrees with a 105 heat index? Too bad. You get to keep that jacket on buddy! Personally I don’t see a huge point in carrying a pistol to defend my life if the method with which I’m carrying that pistol has me praying for death. 
  2. Because the holster is the outermost layer, it will print and bulge under a well tailored jacket. The way the jacket fits the torso, any asymmetry will be even more noticeable. 
  3. Aside from printing, there’s a very high risk of accidental exposure, and not just how you might think. Sure the jacket can blow open putting the gun on display, but that’s generally addressed by putting some sort of weight in the strong side coat pocket (although that again can negatively impact the lines of your very very very nice suit). The vents on the jacket also pose a risk. If it’s buttoned (as it should be whenever you’re not seated), the vents can pull open, exposing the holster and/or firearm. Sure you could have the vents sewn shut, which will give you a very sleek, European silhouette, but a ventless jacket that’s improperly tailored looks VERY out of place. 

Carry Method #2: Ankle Carry

We see this a lot from Hollywood as well, generally in the role of a backup gun.  It can have its merits, however there are some elements that make it a less than optimal choice.

  1. Properly tailored trousers that flatter the body don’t really have a lot of extra room. Excess fabric is visually cumbersome, and makes the wearer look bulkier than they actually are. The pants generally have:
    1. Tapered leg
    2. Shorter hem (little to no break)
    3. No cuff
    4. As mentioned, it’s not ideal for in-fight weapons access (IFWA). It generally requires both hands to clear the pant leg and defeat the retention on the holster. If you look at the examples here from Active Self Protection, and here at the evolutions from Craig Douglas’ ECQC, you can see how accessing that firearm when you need it could be harder than you think.
    5. The risk of exposure is less than with OWB carry, but it’s not minimal. Properly hemmed trousers, even with a full break, expose a good amount of sock/ankle when the wearer is seated. 
    6. From listening to interviews with some long-time coppers, ankle guns can pose a pretty serious health risk as well. Chuck Haggard has said on numerous occasions that if you are going to wear an ankle gun, it needs to be under a pound. “I’m pretty sure carrying a 26 on my ankle is the reason I don’t have any cartilage in my left knee”
These are not “skinny jean” cut trousers, they’re a pretty standard tailored fit. You can see how far up the leg I had to run the gun to avoid it peeking out the bottom

Carry Method 3: The Shoulder Holster

Whether you’re a fan of Miami Vice, James Bond, Die Hard, Bullitt, Boardwalk Empire, Last Man Standing, The Untouchables…well you get the point. Hollywood loves the shoulder rig. And they look pretty badass, as long as the outcome of your fight is already predetermined by the screenwriters and you can take it off between cuts. See where I’m going? This is the one holster I actually had to borrow from a friend, since I’ve never owned one personally. I’ve learned all the problems with shoulder rigs from people that did try using them regularly. Here’s what they ran into:

  1. Just like with OWB carry, the jacket is required.
  2. Just like with OWB, a properly tailored jacket will make any irregularities underneath much more obvious. I have suits where I can’t even put my flask or phone in the inside pocket without it being obvious. I could barely even button my jacket in these photos
  3. In order for it to be properly secured, the tie downs must be used to keep the gun from banging around and making noise. 
  4. Everyone I’ve ever talked to that has tried to wear one for more than a few hours has reported that they’re grossly uncomfortable, and result in a lot of back and shoulder pain.
  5. Just like the ankle gun, they’re not well suited to in-fight weapon access because:
    • Cross draw is easy to stuff/foul
    • Easy to lose control over in a grapple, since the grip is facing your opponent.
  6. As with OWB, the risk of exposure is high, even more so because the gun is further away from the belt-line where it’s socially unacceptable to spend too long looking. 

This specific topic could probably be a research paper unto itself, but I try and keep these postings relatively short & digestible. I’m going to continue this next week, where I’ll show you what I’ve actually found to work pretty effectively. Stay tuned!

If you want to learn more about what violent assaults look like and how those situations unfold, you really need to be watching Active Self Protection’s YouTube channel. 

If you want to experience what the chaos of a violent assault feels like in a consequence free environment, you should take Extreme Close Quarters Concepts from Craig Douglas over at Shivworks. 

If you want to hear a salty veteran cop share his insights on what does and doesn’t work in reality, you can find Chuck Haggard both on his website and as a regular guest on the Primary & Secondary podcasts. 

Dressed to Kill: Sartorial Guidance for the Well Armed Man Part VIII

The Suited Shootist Leave a comment

“Tactical” is a popular (and very marketable) term that most would agree gets overused when it comes to all things defense oriented. There are however instances where it applies: “tactical” just means “pertaining to tactics” which is defined as “the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end”. The end we hope to accomplish is influencing the opinions of others in a favorable way. It’s true of a first date, it’s true for a job interview, basically any social interaction in which we find ourselves. And, like it or not, your defensive encounter is likely going to start off as a at least the pretense of a social engagement (barring a home-invasion type scenario).

In previous articles, I’ve shamelessly stolen Tanner Guzzy’s differentiation between dressing up and dressing well. If you are well dressed, regardless of what you’re wearing, it puts off an air of confidence and authority. It communicates that you are in control. These cues will influence the perception of people around you, sometimes to your benefit. It may get you a nicer table at the restaurant, better/faster service at the bar, an upgraded seat on the plane, etc. Provided that you’re not a dickhead. Bear in mind that all of this can be erased if you don’t also conduct yourself appropriately. An asshole in a $5,000 suit is still an asshole. But if you present yourself as someone who should be taken seriously, people will typically respond.

So how does this play into your defensive strategy? Well, Paul Sharp talks in one of his videos that “a good predator picks prey based on what they can get away with. The reason that I’m a lion and my offspring keep carrying on my genes is because we’ve successfully always picked the sick, and the infirmed, and the crippled water buffalo, not the ones that are walking around all swole and shit”. So when you bark “back the fuck up!” at someone (at the appropriate stage of MUC), the message you project is so universally and cohesively authoritative that you get left alone. The unspoken communication is “if you press this further you’re not going to like what happens”. 

Another benefit of how you’re dressed can come during the 911 call after a defensive use of force. One of the elements that Massad Ayoob talks about in his MAG-40 course (which I cannot recommend enough) is communicating the appearance of the victim (you) to dispatchers. Why? Because if you don’t and officers roll up without any context Mas likes to say “the bad guy bleeding on the ground is doing a pretty convincing impression of the victim” Being able to clearly separate yourself from the crowd is important for rapid identification. 

I know this from personal experience. Not in a defensive scenario, but trying to coordinate a meet-up with a friend on the streets of Manhattan. I’d just gotten off the train, and I’m on the phone with her. I relay my location at the corner of X & Y, and tell her to look for “a guy wearing…*looks down at myself*…SHIT!!!!!” I was in blue jeans and a black leather jacket. The uniform of the New Yorker. So being able to give a worthwhile description of yourself can help the process go more smoothly. 

One thing Mas does mention is make sure that what you’re describing is something you’re actually wearing, not something you “always wear” but could have gotten knocked off during the fight like glasses or a hat. Using my avatar photo as an example, the description would be “white male, 6 foot, 200 lbs, blue suit, red tie, white shirt.”. NOTE: That is not the entirety of the 911 call as taught in the course. Take the class. It’s well worth it. 

The last element is one that is purely theoretical, but I feel bears mentioning. Since perception is reality, and many defensive encounters occur in proximity to others, Since we live in a society where using force is generally frowned upon and viewed as something that “good people” don’t do, I would think it behooves us to look like the goodest guy possible. Again, this is completely unsubstantiated, but I figured it bore at least mentioning so that people have it on their radar. Perception is reality, as much as people don’t want to acknowledge it sometimes. 

You really should look into taking MAG-40 as soon as possible. Personally I feel it is one of the trifecta of classes that every gun carrier should take. So many people focus on all the things that can go right in their defensive gun use (DGU), and they have no concept of all the things that can go wrong. The Training Trifecta based on my experience and opinion is:

  • The Massad Ayoob Group MAG-40. This covers all the legal considerations that the civilian gun carrier can encounter. This 40 hour course includes both classroom and shooting so that, in the event of a DGU, there is discoverable evidence that allows Massad & his team to serve as a witness on your behalf.
  • Shivworks Extreme Close Quarters Concepts: This gives you high level exposure of the physical realities of a violent confrontation. Craig calls it “entangled gunfighting” even though the gun is secondary to the physical and verbal skills that he teaches. It’s a good way to test your abilities and effectiveness regarding the fight from 0-5 feet. Paul Sharp is part of the Shivworks Collective, so I also strongly encourage training with him as well. The nice thing is that the group is spread across the country, so one of the members is likely accessible to you.
  • Aprill Risk Consulting Unthinkable: I touched on this in a previous article. It’s the psychological profile of the Violent Criminal Actor, and basically teaches you how they think, what motivates them, and shines a light in some very dark places.

You really do owe it to yourself to get this kind of breadth of exposure. If not these exact classes, at least one from each category.