So, I have another opinion. Bare in mind, it’s just based on my experiences, but this one kind of gnaws at me. I like to think when I leave a class, that I’ve improved myself as a shooter, but also increased my abilities to be a safe and responsible CCW holder. I think a little quality time and instruction spent with our gear helps anyone achieve a better understanding of their abilities and limitations, and that wisdom will lead us to make the best decisions we can if we ever have to defend ourselves. However, there is this one trend I keep seeing, and I kind of don’t understand it…
I did the Massad Ayoob class last year and the entire class was shooting midsized or full-sized handguns. Strong side belt carry was the standard, and the holsters were a wide range of leathers and plastics. There was one gentleman who utilized a tactical vest with a chest holster, but more about that later. Anyway, sometime during the two day shooting class, Massad asked the class who actually carried a snub nose revolver or micro .380 in a pocket for their standard mode of carry. Well, I’d say about 80% of the class raised their hands, and the memory has really stuck with me. You see, on some level, gun classes are a little competitive. Targets and timers by their nature lend themselves to being ranked. This competitive element was one of my first lessons in firearms training, because at my very first gun class with Tommy Judy, I wanted to run a 9mm Glock on my belt, but, in “real life” I carried a revolver in my front pocket, and I just felt like I would be missing out on something by getting instruction on a totally different platform. Sure, I would draw faster and have higher capacity with the Glock, ultimately being more competitive…but that isn’t why I was there. I was there to increase my capabilities with my defensive tools. So revolver in hand, I went to gun school. On draw and fire drills, I was massacred. Most of the drills I performed required more reloads than the other students. In short, looking at the clock, I was one of the worst shooters in class. However, there were other aspects that I dominated in. Malfunctions? What’s that? While other shooters grappled with tap/rack/bang clearance drills, I simply had to pull the trigger again. In terms of accuracy, my 2nd hand snubbie kept up with the Glocks, 1911’s, and other assorted handguns present. The point being, is that I really got my hands dirty with my carry gun that day, and I learned more about it’s strengths and weakness in a few hours than I had in 6 months of owning it. Sure, I knew revolvers load slower, but until you really experience something hands on, can you actually understand it? So, to my point, why do people show up to gun class with a Glock 17 in a Blade-Tech holster when in reality, they walk the streets with a Ruger LCP in their back pocket? Sure, that Glock is an easy running gun, and a general-purpose holster sure makes weapon manipulation substantially less daunting, but there seems to be a massive disconnect. Please understand, this isn’t a question of quality necessarily. I often see people wearing solid guns and gear from reputable manufacturers at gun classes. While there are issues of sub par equipment that plague some classes, this isn’t one of them. This is an issue of using a steak knife to butter your bread or bringing a moped to a motorcycle class. Remember the guy with the tactical vest I mentioned earlier? Well, he kept that vest by his bed, with gun, ammo, flashlight, and other goodies loaded up. His logic is, if he hears a bump in the night, then he throws on the vest and has everything at the ready. While I originally rolled my eyes when I saw his gear, I quickly came to the realization that he was one of the few people at that class who was actually training with his defensive gear. The 20 hours he spent on the range with that set up might have taught him something that could save his life one day. I don’t want to drone on about self-defense or tactical decisions endlessly. There is always an element of shooting that is just good old fashioned fun, and I’ve gone to a few classes with out my carry rig, simply because I wanted to play with a pet pistol more than I wanted to hone some tactical edge. I think my only concern is if folks don’t take a moment and decide what they want out of a class, they are doing themselves a disservice. I think if you are going to a defensive class, then you should carry your defensive gear. If you are going to a class to tune up your fundamentals, than make yourself comfortable. A few moths ago I used a full sized HK USP holstered in a mediocre synthetic Uncle Mikes in a gun class. Is that my carry system? No. However, the class was more about a fun day for me than a defensive tactics class, so I just wanted to work on some fundamentals with a gun I’m fond of, in a holster that made drawing and re-holstering easy. At the end of the day, I do believe there is no good reason to not get training. You’ll always walk away improved, but how much is ultimately up to you. If you are serious about the responsibility of carrying concealed in public, then train with your carry gear. I often think about Tim Elmer, one of the instructors at Shootlogic. Sure, he has an assortment of guns, but he has been using the HK P30 pistol for almost every class he has participated in for the last two years (as a student and teacher). He also shoots IDPA with it. Not surprisingly, he carries it concealed as well. One gun, two holsters (depending on application) and thousands of rounds later, who can doubt the comfort he must have with his rig? Most of us are not as serious a shooter as Tim, but I think we can all see the virtue in his strategy. All I can suggest is that you take a serious moment and think about what you want out of a class. It deserves a little introspection, and you will be the one who gets the most out of it. My family really didn’t understand my interest in guns, so it was up to me to figure it out. Being as I was only 11 when all of this started, the only resource I had were the plethora of firearms publications available. So, in-between my DC comics and school reading assignments, I would soak up every scrap of information I could from Chuck Taylor, Masaad Ayoob, and all the masters of that age. I studied the makes, models, capacities, and finishes of every gun that was reviewed, and as I became a young man, I essentially knew everything. Condition One, Fitz Specials, the Harris light technique, and the virtues of 10mm were a second language to me. As I became an adult, I raced out with my high interest credit cards and filled out my collection with Sig-Sauers, 3rd gen Smith’s and a nickel plated Detective special that made me feel like a gritty P.I. in a well worn trench coat. I had studied, I was ready, and it was time to carry a gun.
As the years rolled on, YouTube and DVD’s started to augment my already vast intellectual mastery of my chosen discipline. I was a dead shot at the range, and I’d often wonder how police could expend so many rounds in a gunfight and hit nothing…I guess they just didn’t know what I knew. Well, one day I was offered a trip to a one day class at a new shooting school. It was owned by a Sherrif’s deputy who was his departments training officer and it seemed like a fun way to pass the time (even though I probably didn’t need it). That day is when I learned what all the magazines, books, videos had really taught me…absolutely nothing. None of it was real. Sure, I understood what defines a double action semi-auto, but I had no idea how long it truly takes to draw my j-frame from a pocket holster. Somehow my self-appointed expert marksman status disintegrated when I paired off with a partner on a dueling tree. To say the least, it was a humbling experience, and not entirely an easy one. I knew it all, didn’t I? I studied and I practiced (sort of) at the range. The truth is, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Until I saw my skills liquefy under a little pressure; I never realized how much of a beginner I was. That’s a tough lesson 15 years into your area of “expertise”. There was a whole different aspect to shooting that I never realized. I look back at the flimsy cloth inside waistband holsters; barely hooked to my yuppie department store belts, and I am grateful that I never had to use them. The sad truth is; I wasn’t just ill equipped and unprepared, I was dangerous. I was a child with a gun on my hip and a few quotes from Jeff Cooper. I confused raw data with wisdom, and I covered it up with a heaping side of luck and a dash of arrogance. In the last few years, as I have attended about half a dozen shooting classes, I see the world through slightly wiser eyes (just slightly though, I’m not quite as smart as I think). While bordering on the verge of sounding anti-gun, my time on the range has brought me to a new way of thinking. If you have not gotten practical and ethical training for your CC then you are a hazard to yourself and others. I hate the idea of infringing on anyone’s rights, but I grapple with the idea that there are people who have never practiced drawing and re-holstering a pistol under pressure walking around with a deadly weapon. In all of those years of “study”, did I ever once decide what to say if I had to draw? Did I ever seriously practice malfunction clearing? Was I ever 100% positive that my gun was glued to the same spot where it started that morning? Did I know the best way to interact with the police after an encounter? The answer to these very important (and very elementary) questions is no. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I tricked myself into thinking I did. What I find so terrifying is that defensive shooting is a realm of life and death; freedom or incarceration; and there will always be elements of guilt and misery if you have to pull that trigger. Is that a world to be entered into lightly? I did. I thought I was ready. In 8 hours, I learned I was not. I have never heard of a famous boxer or dancer or scientist that learned from YouTube videos, and shooting is no different. I now have a coach (hell, I have several really). I found a school that can teach me what works, help me forget what doesn’t, and correct me when I make a mistake. By the way, it’s ridiculously fun. I have made good friends with other students and trainers. I giggle like a school girl in-between drills and crack jokes at every opportunity. There are many ways to express our love of shooting. Some hunt, some compete, some target shoot on the weekends, but I like to train. I still like the magazines, blogs, and videos out there, and I would never dissuade someone from enjoying them too, but just realize it is not an education. So, if you want to educate yourself and ratchet up your skill set, close your browser, and find a school. You will never regret having your eyes opened. I’ve had a hypothetical scenario in my head for a few years, and I’d like to share it with anyone interested. Ok, it’s the middle of the night, and the “self-defense fairy” has popped into my bedroom and gently woken me up. She tells me that there is a maniac heading my way and I have a few seconds to make some pretty big decisions. However, because I donate to the 2nd Amendment groups, she is going to get me some help. I can choose one of the following people. Choice #1 is a nice guy named Pat. Pat comes equipped with a Daniel Defense AR-15 with a suppressor, high-powered light, and top-notch red dot sighting system with excellent flip up iron sights co-witnessed. Pat is a normal guy who isn’t afraid to buy the best gear when his life might be on the line. Choice #2 is Danny. Danny is accessorized with an old Smith and Wesson Model 10. That’s it. No drop leg holster, no integral laser, and it only has a 6 round capacity. Also, Danny was a Recon Marine who has seen real action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Libya. Choose now. I may be wrong, but I think we all would want Danny. We know he has training, and we know he can stand and fight when needed. Pat, while geared like a pro, is just a guy who works in his office, and pops a few rounds at the range when the weather is nice. He could be an asset, but I think Danny is the clear winner. My point in this nonsensical scenario is that we must trust the person, not the tools. More directly, we must trust ourselves, and not OUR tools. Look, I’m not opposed to cool gear and utilizing the latest technology. I like red dots and flashlights as much as the next guy. However, I think there is a trend out there that you can somehow spend enough money on the right brand name, and that will keep you prepared for whatever trouble is coming your way. I just don’t think that much trouble is actually out there, and frankly, if you don’t believe that you could defend yourself with a Ruger 10/22, you might need to rethink your stance on a few things. Yes. I said a 10/22, the 10 shot, .22 caliber rifle. Is that what I have by the bed? No, I have better options, but the truth is, I believe I could if I had to. If trouble ever came knocking, I know that I’m the one in the fight. It’s my reaction time, my plan, and my willingness to make a stand. “Mr. Daniel” from Daniel Defense will not be there. Neither will Gaston Glock, nor Heinrich Heckler and Fräulein Koch come to my aide. I cannot hide behind the fact that the Military uses the Aimpoint I use, and I’m pretty sure that Surefire’s customer Service Department will not be of any use. Ultimately, the crisis will be mine to resolve. I think good tools can help, but my abilities (or lack thereof) will be the deciding factor. To that end, I just got into an argument over the internet (shocking) about modifying triggers on carry guns. I think a stock trigger is a good idea, but I was in the minority. It seems that many shooters buy a gun and IMMEDIATLEY install aftermarket spring kits on their defensive firearms. The M&P series is far and away the biggest target, but most common guns seem to have “upgrade” kits available. Now, I like tinkering with guns, just ask Dale Hanna, who also blogs here. However, those guns basically become range toys or fodder for zombie apocalypse fantasy. Basically, I think most production guns have good triggers, and when the collective shout of “I need a new trigger to shoot well” crashed on me this morning, I could only stare at my screen in disbelief. Personally, if you have to modify a gun the second you purchase it, then maybe you just didn’t buy the right gun. Regardless, I was pummeled as a Massad Ayoob devotee, and my opinion was quickly discounted. I suppose what this boils down to, is that I think something is lacking out in the shooting world. There is this overwhelming need to customize and enhance any gun out there, and I just see it as a mistake. The way I see it, you could spend $100 on some trigger or gizmo that makes one gun a little easier to shoot, or get 2 hours of personal coaching and training, and be a better shot with every gun you will ever touch. Frankly, I think investing in yourself is the better value. |
Mike HoganMike Hogan is a forever student of shooting and is an avid shooter and collector. A self avowed mall-ninja...he does that to hide the fact that he can write. Archives
June 2017
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