This was the final speech that legend Pat Rogers ever gave. It was at the Great American Outdoor Show in 2016.
This video was supplied by an MASF member, Andy Lander of GreenOps and his wish was to have it dispersed far and wide for all to see. Please watch, share it and help spread Pat’s legacy.
Also see -> Tribute to Pat Rogers, Brother, Mentor and Friend. Rest in peace.
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2016/10/17/pat-rogers-final-speech/
Welcome to the We Like Shooting show, Episode 238 – tonight we’ll talk about Guy in a Garage, Vortex Optics, Faxon Firearms, Second Call Defense and more!
Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 55, Where we answer your questions, talk about new tech in the gun world, and touch base on gun industry news.
By: Allen Sams, Owner Concrete FX – MASF Member
Originally Published in MASF Quarterly Online Magazine Fall 2015 issue
I share a similar firearms background with many people from a rural upbringing; I got my first BB gun when I was nine, shortly after that I went hunting with my dad and I was carrying my own gun before I got out of elementary school. Like many guys my age, and in my area, I grew up handling and shooting guns.
As soon as I turned 18 I convinced my father to purchase a pistol for me (though I paid for it, of course). It was a Ruger single six, but it was still a pistol. Several years later I got my first semi auto pistol and I was hooked.
Fast forward to getting my concealed carry permit, I took the then required course, bought a holster and I was ready to defend my family and myself if the need ever arose, or so I thought.
Another 12 or so years later a friend of mine stopped by my house on the way back from a pistol class with John Murphy of FPF. My friend started telling me about the class and how much he learned and how I should go to one. I couldn’t really understand what I could possibly learn about shooting that would warrant giving a stranger $450-$500 and burning up 1000 rounds of ammo. After all I shoot great and I’ve been shooting most of my life.
That friend was Baraka James, founder and owner of MASF, and he didn’t let up on the whole “we need to get you to a class” thing. Eventually F3 Tactical hosted a class put on by Magpul Dynamics, led by Steve Fisher, at Tango Down range in WVA. The range was 1.5 hours away but Baraka wore me down and I finally signed up.
I am not a person that gets intimidated or has a problem meeting new people, but it is a little unnerving showing up to your first class and taking the line for the first time with 18 other people. By the way, who the hell starts off a pistol class on the 25-yard line, oh yeah the Yeti does. Starting at the 25, and the reasoning behind it, was only one of 100 or more things I learned that day.
There was quite a mix of people there, some LEO some military, several people Beretta sent for R&D, and some of us civilians. Most of us probably thought we were competent shooters (and several I’m sure thought they were much better) but in short order it was proven to us that we all needed some serious work. The interesting thing is we all came along and by the end of the two-day class everyone had progressed well and had some mastery of all the skills taught.
I know trying to convince a gun guy that grew up shooting and hunting that they are probably not competent to carry their concealed weapon is not going to gain you any fans, but it is probably fact. I assured Baraka several times that in my years of shooting and handling firearms I was good to go. Fifteen minutes into that first class I actually had a weird epiphany. I knew that I never had any business carrying a concealed weapon falsely believing I was going to use it in defense of myself or others, without this kind of training.
The problem with telling your friends or other people that they need training is the first question you’re asked will be, “What do they teach you?”. The hard part of that question is you can’t tell someone until they themselves know the answer.
I don’t mean to sound like a fortune cookie, but it really is true. Until you start training with a good competent instructor you don’t know how important it is to learn the things you don’t know. Matter of fact, you most likely don’t even know how to practice.
I mentioned my epiphany earlier and I would like to elaborate on it. Until that first class I never thought about a malfunction drill, let alone practiced it. Most of the time I practiced I did not do it from concealment, which is the reason for the permit right? I never practiced speed reloads, worried about ammo management. When you’re in your back yard and you run dry you leisurely reload and continue shooting right? Just like in sports, you play like you practice, but if you ever need the skills we train to build, the stakes are much higher so our practice is that much more important.
One of the biggest eye openers was realizing that in defensive shooting marksmanship is about 10% of the equation. It’s the manipulations and compartmentalizing that I never thought about before. They make up the other 90%, and can be the hardest to master and make second nature. It is amazing what a drill incorporating speed reloads will do to your group size (it’s not good), learning to “shoot when you’re shooting and load when your loading” is a little harder than it sounds, at first. Learning malfunction drills is eye opening, running them until it is your first instinct to immediately clear your weapon, and not just stare blankly at it for a second or more, is the goal. Clearing concealment, draw stroke, presentation, all things that matter and all things you can’t get right until you are taught right.
My daughter is lucky that I had this epiphany when I did, becauseshe has benefited from learning every new weapons 
system from a great instructor. She has taken essential handgun, carbine, and shotgun from Steve Fisher at Sentinel Concepts. Not only is Steve an awesome instructor, but also that is where she learned her fundamentals on each weapons platform before she had a chance to acquire training scars. Before we would go to a class I would familiarize her with her firearm and go over safety and her weapons controls and leave the rest to Steve. As a result I now have an 18-year-old little girl, who looks like she is 12, that is a straight up badass in three weapons platforms. Watching a kid or new shooter learn from a pro and progress so much faster than experienced shooters with bad habits is truly awesome.
There are a few drawbacks to becoming addicted to training. Of course the monetary and time investment can put a strain on domestic tranquility, (it starts to piss your wife or husband off if they aren’t in on it) but there are other things. For instance, when you see someone open carrying in a Blackhawk Serpa holster it makes you cringe. When you here people say things like “All you need to do is point the shotgun at that part of the room and pull the trigger you can’t miss” or “I don’t carry a round in the chamber because it’s safer, I’ll just rack one when I pull it out”. There are about a thousand other things that will make you scream internally once the veil has been lifted and you go through the door of training enlightenment, and by the way, you can’t go back. Once you have learned these things, acquired these skills and learn how to hone them yourself with proper practice and drills, you can’t forget how naive you were before. It can be addictive and habit forming.
I know I haven’t educated anyone on what you learn in a class, and that is partially on purpose. It is also, like I said before, near impossible. Go out and find out for yourself. Find a class put on by a good instructor (MASF will help, that is what we are all about) and go do it. It may be a little intimidating at first but I promise you everyone will kind of suck on day 1. I have never been to a class yet where everyone was not helpful, accommodating, and friendly. There is always a few people that are new to shooting and everyone helps out, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The main things you need to bring are the required equipment, a good attitude, and above all know the firearms safety commandments and adhere to them no matter what.
I went from doubting that a class would be worthwhile, to wanting everyone I care about and love to take at least one, and it took about 15 minutes. I promise you will be enlightened, a little amazed at how unprepared you are, and then astonished at what you have learned and how good you have gotten by the end of class. I do need to clarify that I am not talking about a NRA safety class or concealed carry class here (they have their place) but I mean real defensive firearms training.
So, get hooked up with a good class and we’ll see you on the range. MASF can help you find a class, after all the motto goes: Gun ownership is YOUR RIGHT, Safety and Education are YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/02/01/training-find-out-what-you-dont-know/
When making a major purchase, a smart consumer will research options, read reviews, and compare products. A good student will do the same when seeking a firearms instructor and evaluating the quality of training offered. You are making an investment with your consumer dollars — and your life may someday depend on this training.
The first step is to learn where your instructor received training and make sure that you’re getting quality and correct information. Modern gunfighting skills have not changed too much in the past decades as far as standards of safe gun handling and points of marksmanship. There are leaders in the firearms industry who set the standards of exceptional training, such as Kathy Jackson pictured, above. Some people are fortunate to have trained with these individuals and share their knowledge throughout the country. Be wary of instructors that modify these techniques and believe that they are being innovative with their own style or interpretation. Avoid instructors who rely on YouTube for training.
As you learn from a new instructor, he or she must model safe gun handling at all times and the training facility must be safe. It is okay to ask questions about any skills or drills that you are told to do that may be unsafe. Learn *why* an instructor tells you to do maneuvers or movements, especially when it may slow your response or impede your accuracy. For example, if an instructor asks you to bring your gun to a low ready instead of a compressed ready when checking your six, would you know if that compromises your safety? It is your responsibility to know your instructor’s background and question techniques that may seem “outside the box” of industry standards.
Proceed cautiously if your instructor has these characteristics:
1. No diversity in training. Most good instructors have trained with a variety of mentors that discuss different styles and methodologies. For example, there are several approved grips and stances. Some instructors force students to adopt one methodology, but the best instructors will analyze what is best suited for the student’s body and performance.
2. Lacks professional credentials. Even if your husband has been shooting his entire life, he’s not automatically a firearms instructor. He may be able to give you some pointers, but your private lessons should be with someone who is a professional with countless hours behind the trigger. Keep in mind that military and law enforcement may have received exceptional firearms training, but that does not mean that he or she is a firearms instructor. Further, instructors that do not have experience teaching civilians may have mindset and tactics that are very different from the training you want.
3. New instructor. If he or she has only recently become an instructor, or maybe even a gun owner, he or she may not be a good resource. Look to the intensity and diversity of training before deciding to take a class or lesson.
4. Non-teaching certifications. A person may be certified to teach a License to Carry or CCW permit course, but he or she may not be a firearms instructor that can teach safe gun handling and points of marksmanship. One teaches you how to shoot; one teaches the law for a permit or license.
5. Sketchy marketing. Your instructor’s website or Facebook page should have a list of training credentials and online reviews. Having 100% of positive reviews should raise your eyebrows, since it is normal for some students to not connect with an instructor 100% of the time. Even the best instructors receive criticisms, so make sure you have exposure to those, too, so you can make your own decisions. Also keep your ego in check to recognize if an instructor is using you for marketing if you have a large social media following or community of potential new students.
6. Bashes other instructors. Instructors that do not encourage you to seek additional training either have large egos that are overconfident about their curriculum or worry that you will give your consumer dollars to someone else, which you have every right to do. Of course your instructor may dislike other instructors’ personalities or methods, but he or she should be able to point you to a list of colleagues or classes besides his or her own.
7. Does not take training classes. A reputable instructor is not always the teacher, but enjoys being a student. He or she will attend continuing education sessions and training to constantly advance and/or reinforce their skills.
8. Shows off. An instructor may demonstrate a drill for the class or student, but it is not a time to show off. If your instructor is being a “hot shot” or shoots more than you do, find a new instructor.
9. Not connected. The firearms industry is very competitive, but also very interconnected. Good instructors collaborate and participate in the greater firearms community. See if your instructor has ever taught at the A Girl & A Gun National Training Conference, the Polite Society Tactical Training Conference, or other reputable gatherings.
As you look at your instructor’s bio and resume, you want see these names: Kathy Jackson (Cornered Cat), Karl Rehn (KR Training), Massad Ayoob and Gail Pippen, Tom and Lynn Givens (Rangemaster), Marty and Gila Hayes, Robert Vogel, Ben Stoeger, Rob Leatham, Ken Hackathorn, Larry Vickers, Paul Howe, Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch), Jerry and Kay Miculek, John and Vicki Farnam, Jim Higginbotham, and those who have trained with them. There are many other incredible and reputable instructors as well. The point is: do your research.
It may take you some time to research who trained with whom, but it is important. Don’t be guilty of reading more reviews about a product on Amazon than about your firearms instructor and information that may potentially save your life. When in doubt, ask an organization that you trust for feedback and guidance.
SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/how-do-you-know-if-youre-getting-good-training/
Brian Jacobson takes us on a birdseye view of the 2018 Big 3 East Media Event Spring Finale!
From Team Hollis
A few weeks ago my husband and I attended a 3 gun competition at South Kent Sportsman’s Club. It was my first three gun match so instinctively I was a bundle of nerves, not knowing expectations and course rules. But after an hour or so of being there I decided that this was going to be a blast. The stages were set up as real world scenarios. Lots of hallways that required some turkey peeks and a few practical shotgun stages.
If you are in the region, South Kent Sportsman Club has great facilities including their main building with restrooms. Shooting lanes and bunkers are well built and allow for all different kinds of stage setups. I did not utilize the trap & skeet range or the 500 m range, so I cannot speak to those but overall lots of room to throw some led downrange.
Course registration fees are minimal and respectfully discounted with a military ID. Posted round counts are accurate if you are a “decent” shooter. Beginners may want to bring a bit more than posted! For this particular match counts were 150 5.56, 150 9mm, 50 birdshot and 10 slugs. I shot with plenty of room for accuracy improvement, and still had enough left over to re-shoot all five stages.
There were no stops for lunch so the day went along smoothly. I would advise you to bring something to snack on if you tend to get hangry. Also, bring plenty of water. Hydrate or die.
One thing that stood out the most to a new shooter, in a great way, was their concern for safety.
At the shooters brief prior to starting, a medic and med kit are highlighted to all participants and a plan for calling an ambulance (with routes taken for incoming units) is stated aloud putting everyone is on the same page in the event that something happens.
The participant rules are fairly standard. No flagging (muzzling another person), 180 degree breaks (muzzle never pointing toward the rear of the shooting stage where other participants are at), safe movements, and safe holstering.
With a 10 year history of managing life or death medical situations my eye for spotting sketchy scenarios is very attuned, needless to say. I was not concerned I was going to get shot by someone else with the procedures in place.
The judges who were paired with our squad were very informative and helpful. For a newer shooter like myself I walked away from those stages more educated and confident.
I finished second to last!
But I still learned a ton, picked up on different techniques, and made some friends along the way. They actually encouraged newer shooters to take your time, develop the technique first then shoot for time.
The last stage happened to by my favorite. There was a long, T shaped hallway. You had to turkey peek each window as you moved down the hallway. Cover and concealment was being graded as well as your sequence of elimination. Meaning you need to shoot your targets as they appear, giving you the best chance at staying concealed and behind cover. Because of prior training, all of my targets were double tapped while proceeding down the hall and peeking around my corners. Then it was time to transition to my sidearm. No hiccups there. Same technique applied. For me, this stage was the easiest. Similarity to the training I receive in the military when clearing rooms and close quarter combat drills probably helped. Throughout the entire day of competition and the various stages, I excelled at this last one and felt the most confident with the results. Repetitive training pays off!
If you’re looking for a fun, educational and safe place to shoot, I would highly recommend South Kent Sportsmans Club. To find match specific information, go to their facebook page (South Kent Sportsman’s Club 3-Gun). All future match dates are listed there, along with round counts, registration details, and match results.
Happy shooting!
——-
Candace / TeamHollis
By: Kyung James, Dedicated Wife & Full-Time Stay at Home Mother of 3– MASF Member
Let me introduce myself by painting you a visual. I am a 5’4” tall, 112 pound, small framed (or some would say petite) woman in her later thirties. On any given day I may have one or all three of my children, under the age of 10, with me. I drive a very common SUV and live in Northern VA. What you won’t see is I carry my Smith and Wesson M&P Shield with me every day.
Let’s rewind to 6 years ago when I was a new mom with 2 little children. My husband has always been “into guns” and he had wanted me to get more familiar with them and to eventually carry a gun daily as he did. Me, carry a gun? No way! I had heard all the horror stories about guns “going off” and all the dangers that come with guns. That all changed when I realized one day while holding one child’s hand and the other in a baby carrier that I was a sitting duck and a very easy target for any criminal wishing to do me or my children harm. That scared me to the point where I was afraid to run errands with my children. I waited until I could go with my husband or a friend, this made life very stressful as you can imagine.
I made the decision then that I would NOT be afraid anymore and that I would do something about it. I talked to my husband and we got a babysitter and went on a date night to the NRA range. To be honest, I was super nervous about shooting a handgun. More nervous that my husband would be with me the first time, I wanted to impress the love of my life! My anxiety got the best of me… My loving husband gave me the safety rules, had me pick up his Beretta .45 and shoot a single shot downrange. I did as he instructed and slowly returned the handgun to the table with tears down my face and my hands shaking. I was NOT prepared for the explosion that happened in my hands! Such force, such loud noise! I never wanted to shoot again. My husband tried to console me as I was crying, I was inconsolable. There happened to be a very nice female RSO walking by and she stopped to make sure I was OK. She explained what had happened and she kind of smiled and kind of laughed, she said it was common, that husbands teaching their wives ended with the wives crying a lot of the time. Not because the husband was mean or yelling, but because of the wife wanting to do well for her man (just like me) and the anxiety just being too much. She was so kind and she stepped in and helped me calm down and gave me a mini lesson right there. It was awesome! After she left our lane my husband and I had a great rest of the time we were there. When we went to leave we ran into the female RSO (range safety officer) again and she informed me of a “ladies night” at the NRA on Thursdays once a month. I took the information and was excited and nervous to check it out.
With my husband’s encouragement I went to my first “ladies night” at the range. It was a great experience. I was hooked. I went back and took the NRA’s Basic Pistol class and applied and obtained my VA Concealed Handgun Permit. I knew I could aim and shoot a gun but I still was not proficient nor was I completely confident. I kept going back to the “ladies night”. I gained confidence and was able to talk with other women and we all shared our stories of how we “got into guns”. Some grew up around guns; some were like me, total newbies. I went every month for 9 months until I became pregnant with our youngest. This led to a one and a half year hiatus from the range. I was still able to practice drawing and dry firing at home, but I missed the range.
During the pregnancy my family left the city and moved out to the country and we acquired land. We were able to shoot on our own land and I anxiously watched my husband as he set up our home range. I realized during my pregnancy and after the birth of our youngest that the “ladies night” was great but that I was ready for more, the next step in my education in firearms. Lucky for me my husband knows a few of the best firearms trainers in the United States.
My husband reached out to his friend John Murphy of FPF Training and got me into a class. It was part 1 of a 2 part class and I was super excited. As the day grew closer I became nervous. I had never been to a class where there would be people who took a lot more training them me. What if I was the worst and embarrassed myself? Did I need practice before going? What do I wear? After talking to my husband and John I decided to wear my normal clothing, jeans and a t-shirt and some TOMS. My husband bought me a Raven Holster and a double magazine holder for my super customized M&P Shield 9mm (thanks Doug, ATEi). I drove to my first all day on the range training class. I was all nerves the whole drive there. I got there and saw my worst fears had come true. All the other students had tactical pants. Lots and lots of magazines and crazy holsters. All these cool optics on their guns. Guns I had never even heard of. Name brand eyes and ears. I felt like I was an outsider. I felt like they all knew I was out of my league and that no one would want to pair up with me. Boy was I wrong.
The class started with everyone introducing themselves and telling what experience with handguns they had before arriving to class. I said I was a stay at home mom of three and that I went to ladies night at the NRA before coming there. No one laughed. In fact, they wanted to know more about ladies night! They had no idea there was such a thing and was impressed that I came out that day. John started the class in the classroom, getting our minds ready for the class. I had previously taken a mindset class of John’s and knew what to expect and was looking forward to it. Then we were off the range! I won’t go into a full blown AAR of the class, that is not the point of this article. I left class that day feeling confident and exploding with information. I wanted to go home and practice it all! I was addicted, I needed another class.
I’m not here to change anyone’s mind about carrying a firearm, that’s a very personal decision and it’s definitely not for everyone. But, for every woman that has ever thought about it or is interested in it, go ahead, take the plunge! Ask around, find a class. I promise you that you will not regret the decision to take your personal safety into your own hands. At the end of every class you will leave with the satisfaction that you have learned something new and that you have accomplished more than what most people can only think to do.Another friend, Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts, was having a class in nearby West Virginia. My husband got me into the class. I was nervous again. But this time, I was super excited as well. I went to the class; the reception of the students was very open and receptive. I learned so much and absorbed everything he taught that day. I also had a lot of fun and enjoyed the whole day and all the people thoroughly.
I’ve come to realize that with every class I become more confident in my abilities and more comfortable carrying my firearm daily. I feel confident that I can defend myself as well as my children while we are out as well as in my own home. I also realized that I love going to class and meeting new people, learning new techniques and practicing them when I get home. Carrying a gun is not a fad for me, it is my lifestyle now. I never thou
ght I would carry a gun daily and now I do. I look for clothes to help conceal my firearm and I’m OK with the fact that my fashion has changed since I made the decision to be responsible for my own safety. I will never change who I am and wear tactical pants nor will I ever be overconfident and be a know it all. Going to these classes has made me realize that I don’t have to alter my lifestyle or change my friends. When you have great instructors and awesome people around you to encourage you, you can add it to your daily life and really not change a thing. I enjoy talking to other women about my decision to carry and why, if they have the desire to learn, that they should!
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2018/01/01/i-was-scared-of-guns-until-i-became-a-mother-now-i-carry-one-daily/
I enjoy Steven Crowder’s ‘Change My Mind’ segments immensely. This one in particular is illustrative of a fact we in the 2A community must constantly be more aware of.
Ignorance is far more prevalent and shapes far more opinions than those who are informed on the topic yet still descent. When was the last time you encountered someone with rudimentary functional knowledge of firearms that was rapidly anti-gun?
Education informs opinions and we in the 2A community must spend many times the efforts we do on educating as we do on our grand stand style proselytizing.
As an instructor one of the most common things I hear from students or from inquiring minds is ‘I did not know that’. On rare occasion it’s a ‘Well I still think…’ or ‘Well I don’t agree…’ but it becomes very difficult to argue against logic and understanding. It is that understanding that is the key for communication. We can shout the knowledge we understand to the side that disagrees but there are no ears more deaf than the uninformed.
That’s why the one on one interaction is more important than the grand stand. The one on one promotes real understanding. The knowledge transfer of formal classrooms and subject matter experts working alongside the well informed enthusiasts to expose the uninformed to knowledge and understanding. Knowledge without understanding is of little value.
I can know there are 500,000 to 3,000,000 defensive firearms uses each year but it takes more than two numbers in someone’s head to add the context that those are mothers defending their children from an aggressor breaking down the front door. A brother and husband preventing himself from being carjacked and kidnapped. A young woman preventing a sexual assault. Each defensive use was a human being, terrified, protecting their most precious lives. The knowledge is the numbers. The understanding is putting faces on each one.
If someone with understanding can still honestly argue they do not support private firearms ownership, self defense, or the second amendment of the United States Constitution then I can respect it while disagreeing because it is, at the least, an informed opinion.
I cannot respect an uninformed opinion on firearms any more than any other topic. I can’t put any value in a person or group ignoramus on firearm law, policy, and technology just as I can’t place any value on the same person or group’s opinion on traffic and vehicle policy if they don’t know how to operate a vehicle or the laws that surround driving. I can only remain polite.
We have come to a place where we equate ‘respecting’ someone’s opinion as synonymous to agreeing with it. Respecting the person and respecting the opinion are not the same.
Help spread understanding. One person or group at a time.
By: Kerry “Pocket Doc” Davis, Owner Dark Angel Medical LLC., – MASF Member
Trauma happens at the speed of life, meaning that how quickly you react to that specific trauma can have a definite impact on the overall survivability of you or the person you’re rendering aid to. We have a simple question we ask students in all of our classes when we talk about controlling life-threatening hemorrhage; “How long do you have to stop the bleeding if you’re injured?” The answer, while it may seem like a simple one, really isn’t all that simple. The answer; “The rest of your life”.
In the pre-hospital emergency medical service world, we’ve had a term that we’ve used for a long time. We like to call it “The Golden Hour”. This oft-used term is related to the importance of getting a trauma victim to definitive, advanced care within 60 minutes of the injury with the timer starting at the moment of injury. There are many factors which will play a part in this; the road conditions, the flight conditions if aero-medical evacuation is needed, the capability of the crew, the distance to the facility and, most importantly, the injuries received. One of the most important aspects of this “Golden Hour” is the very beginning. It’s the first 10 minutes post-injury that may tell the tale. We like to call it “The Platinum 10”.
Why the first 10 minutes? Look around the nation and the average EMS response time is right at 10 minutes as well as that of law enforcement. So, if law enforcement and EMS isn’t there in that first 10 minutes post-injury, who is? Look in the mirror and point two thumbs at yourself. You, the bystander, are “It” until they, law enforcement or EMS, arrive. So, in that first 10 minutes after that devastating accident you witnessed, you will be the one applying the tourniquet, packing the hemostatic gauze, wrapping the pressure bandage, offering comfort and trying the best you can to keep them alive. That’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it? It’s no wonder why more people don’t take medical classes. Literally holding someone’s life in your hands is a huge responsibility.
Now break it down to the shooting range level. How far away from EMS or definitive care are many ranges? Does your range have a medical plan? Does your range have trauma kits (not band aids and expired antibiotic ointment)? Does your range have well-trained RSO’s who carry a blowout kit on their person? By well-trained, I mean more advanced medical training that basic first aid?
Take a look around the next time you’re at a range and see how many people, range personnel included, have some sort of blowout kit on them. It’s almost a certainty that there will be less of those on the line. Why don’t more people have them? Lack of prioritization? Lack of education on the importance of having one? Whatever the case may be, it’s got to change because we live in an inherently dangerous world and the time chooses us. When it does, we have to be ready from a training, equipment and mindset standpoint.
So, why is that first 10 minutes post-injury so important? Let’s take a look at it from a clinical perspective
and you’ll get a little bit of the “why” you not only need a med kit, but “why” you need the training on how to properly employ said kit. It goes a little something like this: You will circulate your entire volume of blood in around a minute and the average adult has around 5 liters of blood. If your femoral artery is dissected, you can lose over a liter of blood within the first minute. 1 minute.
60 seconds.
Let’s break that down. That’s 2 TV commercials.
Bleeding that much is enough to place you into Stage II Hemorrhagic Shock and that can drop your chances of survival down to around 14% (per studies conducted by the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research), so time is of the essence when it comes to hemorrhage control.
In addition to carrying oxygen and removing waste, our blood contains vital clotting factors which aid us in the event of an injury. However, if all of our clotting factors are on the deck, our body’s ability to clot is fragged.
The more blood you lose, the more your body has to compensate to make up for th
at loss of oxygen carrying and waste removal capability by increasing respirations and heart rate. Blood loss makes the body “shunt” blood to essential systems, that diversion of blood bypasses our “thermostat”, which makes the body colder, which decreases the blood’s clotting capability (which is already impaired due to losing clotting factors), which makes you bleed more, which decreases oxygen carrying capability, which increases waste buildup, which increases chances of death. It is a very vicious cycle and one that can be avoided by keeping the blood in the body where it belongs; in the body.
As we said, education (training), obtaining the proper equipment and having the right mindset are the components needed when you have to stop the bleeding quickly. There is no “one” right answer as a response to trauma is very situationally dependent. You may need direct pressure or you may need a tourniquet. There are also hemostatic agents and pressure bandages—The bleeding and situation may dictate what you utilize first. Our Direct Action Response Kit (D.A.R.K.) has the necessary components (pictured below). So, there’s the training and kit, provided by us, and the mindset, provided by you.
At the end of the day, we need to realize that no matter how much we know and how proficient we are, we won’t be able to save everyone. It doesn’t mean we won’t try like crazy and do everything in our power and with every tool at our disposal, but we need to be able to understand that concept or we will mire ourselves in an ever-deepening pool of second-guessing, guilt and self-loathing. All of that aside, remember, though, whether you do anything or not, all bleeding will eventually stop.
And that, my friends, is a fact!
-Kerry “Pocket Doc” Davis
Founder of Dark Angel Medical, LLC
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/02/24/the-platinum-10-the-first-10-minutes-post-injury-and-one-of-the-most-important-aspects-the-golden-hour/
Truck Gun
Every Day Carry Carbine
Personal Defense Weapon
There are several ways to title the theory but the principle itself is simple.
A rifle is a significantly better tool in a fight than a handgun, with rare circumstantial exception. Carrying a rifle discretely is also significantly more challenging than a discreet little Glock 43 or Sig P365.
Challenging… but not impossible.
TUFF Products and Sentinel Concepts developed the Revelation 2.0 to significantly advance the EDC Carbine concept by increasing it’s ease. The design incorporates aspects to better conceal the firearm, better carry the carbine and supporting equipment, and more easily deploy the firearm if necessary. Steve Fisher’s brainchild given form.
From the exterior the bag is much more akin to a hiking day pack than a MOLLE ensconced ‘Assault Pack’ or 3-Day Bag. This deliberate camouflage stops the user from screaming to the world ‘I might be carrying a gun!’ in the same manner a Cabela’s fishing vest telegraphs the same.
The shoulder straps are adjustable for ride height comfort and fit while being well padded. It wears very comfortably across the back and shoulders. A top carry handle is attached, well sewn, and easily supports the weight of the carried equipment. The soft rounded design carries even a fully loaded bag comfortably.
The water pockets on either side, exterior helmet bungee, and avoiding tactical stereotypical colors like flat dark earth, coyote, and olive drab green keep the backpack looking exactly like a backpack.
Convenient since the Revelation 2.0 is, by appearance and function, a backpack. It stores my laptop, power cords, and binders if needed with ease. Pockets for everything exist as you customize layering what you carry to fit what you need where you need it for when you need it.
Within the main pocket, the firearm side is designed to hold a variety of carbine style pistols and SBRs. Specifically spaced to fit a 10.5″ barreled AR with a law tactical folder for the buffer and stock/brace. Essentially a ‘MK18‘ clone with a folding stock. A 20 round, 30 round, or Magpul D-60 magazine will fit in the carbines while stored. Similar magazine sizes will store and the carbines can support small optics like RMR’s, ACOG’s, Aimpoint’s, and similar options.
The pocket opens with a pull handle allowing access to the carbine. The zippers on the outer pocket will unzip with pressure from your arm and it and the divider clear the path for a draw, when done deliberately.
The bottom of the Revelation 2.0 is rigid and reinforced to protect the firearm’s muzzle while the bag is being picked up and put down constantly. This protects from printing through the bottom of the bag and keeps the profile well squared up while protecting the carbine.
In the pocket on the front I keep a Blue Force Gear/Vicker’s UDC sling, compatible with both the Galil ACE I have in testing and my Zenith MP5. In the bottom of the main pocket two 40 round Magpul PMAGs sit horizontally perfectly for additional ammunition. This, along with a magazine in the carbine, gives the user between 100-140 rounds. With the MP5 two 30 round magazines in the same spot give the user an easy 90 rounds total, more or less at will and as desired.
Plenty of ammunition with 3 full magazines, balancing capacity with space and weight considerations
I’ve come to use a 3 magazine standard for these carry set ups. With an AR compatible option a D-60 allows that on board capacity to sit closer to or just above 4 standard mags. This isn’t an ‘outside the wire’ patrol set up so much as a get out of danger trump card.
The tactic set in motion is to pull and deploy the carbine to engage and eliminate or suppress the immediate threat and then pull the two spare magazines and place them in your pockets for reloads. If time and safety allow, you can pull and attach the sling before re-zipping the Revelation 2.0 to carry your remaining equipment. Then extract you and yours from the threatened or dangerous area.
Speaking of that equipment.
The large front pocket is lined with Velcro and can support any accessories that will attach. In this case a QD IFAK and SOF-T Wide tourniquet from AR500 Armor rounding out the two trauma kit set up Steve is fond of speaking about. “One for causing, one for treating.”
So that covers the kit in theory and the Revelation 2.0‘s place within the scope of that theory. The end user can pack a quickly accessible carbine, carry it as easily and conveniently as any backpack, and carry your every day items and other emergency equipment all in a nondescript manner.
Whether the Revelation 2.0 is riding shotgun (carbine) in the seat beside you, stored accessibly within arms reach, or on your back while wandering about your day it discreetly accompanies you with more gear than your belt and pockets can support.
To truly test the concept though it has to be used. It would not do to have all of the equipment to assist you theoretically and it in practicality be largely inaccessible.
Off to the range.
To gather data on the bag I set up a drill. One round on target from 25 yards, timed.
Starting from a neutral standing position, facing the target, and wearing the Revelation 2.0 on both shoulders. On the buzzer remove the bag from your shoulders, draw the carbine, ready the carbine, and fire a round into the target.
The carbine is carried Condition 3 (full magazine, empty chamber) and so the charging handle has to be cycled to ready the weapon.
Does this cost time?
Yes.
But the time savings is academic between a Condition 3 and Condition 1 weapon used in this method. This is not your carry sidearm, it is not your on demand weapon. The carbine is your overmatch weapon, your ‘up gun’. It can be readied quickly but if you need your gun immediately for a close direct threat with no time buffer your sidearm is your gun to grab. The carbine gets engaged when you have a time buffer, you don’t need long… but you do need time.
Illustratively, a 2.00 second draw from concealment is slow with one of my Sigs.
I’m not that fast and there are many who can push sub second draw times, especially from appendix carry.
Drawing the Galil ACE from the Revelation 2.0 has many more steps and my fastest time was 8.52 seconds. Slowest was 11.59 and we’ll use that to extrapolate that under duress with a performance decrease I will be 5-7 times slower getting the carbine than getting the pistol.
After repeated iterations I averaged a time of 9.51 seconds to target engagement. Not bad. Excellent actually and a significant improvement from the more traditional style assault pack I was using for my MP5. The Revelation 2.0, being purpose built for this application, executes it’s duties superbly.
Staging the pack is key as is knowing your body mechanics.
As a right handed shooter I set the Galil (and MP5) up with the folded pistol brace outward facing (away from your back while worn), pistol grip pointing to the left, muzzle down. This allows the bag to be slid off the shoulder and be grounded in a manner that places the pistol grip toward the user when the bag is opened.
The zippers for the main pocket get staged by the buckle on the upper right so that grabbing the top zipper and pulling toward you opens the compartment. Having the buckles closed on either side will not prevent drawing the gun (but may slow the process) and the buckle can be useful for keeping the zippers spaced. Another method would be to pick the ‘Primary’ zipper, the one you pull to get to the gun, and remove or shorten the cord on the other. Pick a method that operates smoothly for you.
After accessing the main compartment, pulling the handle on top of the divider reveals the carbine.
Pull the carbone
Work the charging handle
Flip the brace open
Brace. Safety Off. Engage Target.
All in an average of 9.51 seconds. The Galil ACE’s side charger and folder designs aided these actions. If necessary the ACE and Zenith MP5 can fire brace folded too, the safety on the Galil ACE is tougher to operate this way since it’ll rub on the folded brace.
As time and safety allow grab and pocket your spare magazines and then re-zip and shoulder the Revelation 2.0. Getting to the IFAK involves nearly the same set of motions.
Up gunning made simple. EDC Carbine in both theory and practice. That’s the beauty of the Revelation 2.0.
To grab a Sentinel Concepts Revelation 2.0 by TUFF Products click here (or an earlier link)
If you’re interested in a course with Sentinel Concepts, here. I would recommend them.
For a review on the Galil stay tuned.
When asked what A Girl & A Gun is and who can attend our events, our reply is “all are welcome.” We welcome all women to participate in our recurring events. We welcome junior shooters to attend with their mothers. We welcome the men in our lives to support and understand this female-bonding time we share, which usually translates into more family time together on the range. It’s a Win-Win for everyone!
We are not “man haters” or separatists trying to isolate ourselves in the shooting community. AG & AG events are safe places for women to ask questions without looking stupid in front of a male counterpart or feeling the pressure to not let down her husband or father if she makes mistakes while learning. We know and love many wonderful male instructors, but a lot of our newbies benefit from women mentoring other women. We bring the ladies in, raise them up, ignite their self-confidence, and then push them out of the nest to join our shooting community. We choose to do this in a “dude-free” environment. Just like men enjoy a poker night with the guys, this is no different than women going to bunko or book clubs.
I was inspired to write this blog in response to comments made on a Facebook post about purchasing a specific gun for my teenage son. Innocent comments made mostly in jest about choosing one gun over another struck a nerve with me because I could feel the undertones of people perpetrating what I call “Gun Shaming.” It is fine if you are a fan of a specific manufacturer, and have a gun that you are loyal to and would rather cut off your trigger finger than ever be forced to shoot a different gun, but that gun doesn’t work for everyone.
My son had been working with a specific gun for a few years, and he hit a road block in his training. We worked on the gun, we worked with him to the point of frustration, and his self-esteem was being adversely affected. One day I pulled a different gun out of “my box of training guns” and the improvement was drastic and immediate. The relief on his face was noticeable. This goes to show that we can love all kinds of guns, desire to be one with the gun, vow to be loyal… but sometimes the gun is going to choose you and not the other way around.
Gun shaming extends beyond brand loyalty as it has crossed over to colors of the gun and accessories. You are entitled to your opinion, but if it isn’t yours and you don’t have to shoot it, keep your gun-shaming comments to yourself.
Take a look around and you’ll see that people are shamed for EVERYTHING. When I see it happening in the firearms community, I am compelled to tell people that we need to be better than that. I’m not asking anyone to change their opinions or their loyalties because what you like is what you like. But don’t shame someone else for being different. The important thing is that they are safe. If someone is using a gun that is poor quality or unsafe, help them make better choices without shaming them. Being mean and condescending is not the way to share information and educate people.
So when AG & AG says all are welcome, we mean it: All women, all guns. It is great if we can help someone find a better solution for their needs by recommending our favorite brand or style, but we should never make someone feel bad because of what they like. A gun that they enjoy shooting is better than any gun that is ignored at home in the safe.
SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/gun-shaming-is-damaging-our-industry/
Pat Rogers, brother, mentor and friend to great many passed away on Wednesday May 4th 2016.
I was at work at my clients site in WV and a friend messaged me telling me that brother Pat Rogers had passed away. At first I was in disbelief and utter denial…. There had to have been a mistake, someone is spreading a bad rumor or read something wrong. A short while later I received definitive confirmation from one of my closest friends nicknamed “Starbuck”. There was no mistake, he indeed had passed away and it hit like a ton of bricks. I was disheveled and though I was physically at work my mind was elsewhere thinking of Pat’s wife and the friends I knew who were closest to him. If I was hit this hard, they must be floored and completely devastated….
I was extremely saddened and shocked by this news. I was registered to take a class with Pat this June 18th and June 19th at Echo Valley training center in Winchester Virginia.
Pat helped countless people and enriched our community. In Pat’s own words “we are greatly diminished”. May God rest your soul brother, thank you for everything.
Pat was the nucleus of the training community here in Northern Virginia and for many, across our great country. There are many great things that I could say about Pat Rogers but my friend Jimmy Smith/co-owner of F3 Tactical Inc. has already done a great job expressing what a great many of us think and feel.
“If you are scrolling through your news feeds today and seeing the plethora of pictures and memories that your friends have shared with Pat Rogers, then you are blessed. You are blessed because you are part of a warrior culture and community that only a man like Pat could inspire. Take a second to look at every one of those pictures, and read every shared memory because they are pieces of a legacy that one exceptional man has left behind for us in this life. They are snapshots of a very selfless gift that Pat gave to all he touched, the gift of the fighting spirit.
Pat, I know you are watching, I want you to know we love you. I want to share with everyone how happy you made us, how Chief’s eyes would light up every time you visited or called, she absolutely adored you brother. Also, how Bolt would literally be snoring when you walked in, and as soon as he heard your voice he would try to jump over the counter for hugs and kisses. My God, we are going to miss you.
At rest now Pat, you extraordinary Warrior. THANK YOU, for all that you have done for our country and our community. There will never be another like you, not even close.
Goodbye for now, my friend.” -Jimmy Smith/co-owner of F3 Tactical Inc.
Thank you Jimmy for helping so many people in our community get to know Pat through these events you and Chief hosted for us all at your store because without them many would have never had the pleasure of meeting him and getting to know him including my wife and I.
Below are two of F3 Tactical Inc’s photo albums (links in blue below) where a great many of us here at MASF and other members of our local community got to hang out with Pat and get to know him:
Customer and MASF Member Appreciation Day at F3 Tactical Inc.
Chappy Comes To Visit F3 Tactical Inc.
Pat Rogers BIO by Paul Buffoni of Bravo Company
“Pat was born in Brooklyn NY in 1946.
He has worked shining shoes; delivering newspapers; pumping gas; working on a ride in Coney Island; driving a taxi; a sport parachute instructor, a photographer, and for an airline company that serviced the Far East.
He served in the active and reserve components as a United States Marine starting in 1963.
He served in the former Republic of Vietnam with 3rd Marine Division.
He was an 1811 Tank Crewman; 0311 Rifleman; 0369 Infantry Unit Leader; 8531 Primary Marksmanship Instructor; 8662 Parachutist; 5702 NBC Specialist; 5702 NBC Officer.
He served for 5 years in the Foreign Material Acquisition Exploitation Unit, and finished as Chief Warrant Officer 2.
He was a NYC Correction Officer; a NYC Police Officer, serving in Patrol; Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit; Anti-Crime; investigator in Manhattan Robbery Squad, Central Robbery Division.
As a Sgt he served in Patrol; Anti-Crime; in the Chief of Detectives Office; as a supervisor in the Technical Assistance Response Unit, and as a Hostage Negotiator.
He was decorated 54 times, to include the Medal of Valor.
He worked as an IC with the Counter Terrorism Center of OGA.
He was an SME evaluating the DOS Anti-Terrorist Assistance Program.
He was a Rangemaster at Gunsite for 12 years.
He been the principal at EAG since 1989.
He was the 464th person in the US to accrue 1000 Free Fall Parachute Jumps (USPA Gold Wings #464), the 203rd to accrue over 2000 Free Fall Parachute Jumps (USPA Diamond Wings #203) and the 131st person in the US to accrue over 12 hours
in freefall (USPA Gold Free Fall Badge # 131)
He is an NRA High Master Rifle, and CMP Distinguished Rifleman.”
Read Paul’s entire tribute here -> http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=097f8e03b1a7790c20791c79d&id=0d39b19772&e=5a43ee0a75
In memory of our dear friend Pat Rogers by Panteao Productions:
Pat Rogers for the NRA – Panteao Commercial:
May 4th 2016 will forever be etched in my memory for the day that my friend, mentor, and brother warrior, CWO2 Pat Rogers, USMCR(Ret) passed away. My phone began ringing shortly after 0700 PST and continued for the entire day. When I wasn’t receiving calls, I was notifying mutual friends, lovingly known as “Friends of Pat.” Pat frequently claimed that he didn’t like people and preferred the company of animals, preferably dogs and in particular Rotties. However, within the firearms training community Pat had numerous friends – military, LE, and civilian alike. He was extremely beloved by all of those that trained with him, except maybe for those that made his “NFE” list. We appreciated the depth of knowledge that he taught on the subject of fighting with firearms, as well as on life. Pat was more than instructor, he was a teacher – nay – a Professor on those subjects. Jeff Cooper considered Pat one of the top five Masters at teaching others how to fight with firearms. Pat had the unique ability to critique a student’s failure in a way that was not only humorous to everyone in the class, but to the student as well, so that everyone learned. However, I must have been a bad student, because it took me six classes to finally earn the coveted “MooseCock” award.
I met Pat through Col Bob Young, USMC(Ret). Col Young was charged in 1988 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, then General Al Gray, USMC with converting the Marine Corps’ old Barracks and Sea Duty Battalions to the Marine Corps Security Forces, which meant that it wasn’t just a name change, but a change in training and mindset. Col Young and several other Marines attended numerous shooting schools around the country and found that the curriculum taught at Gunsite was the most relevant. Col Young became the VP for Operations at Gunsite and I met him when I attended a Gunsite 250C course taught by Jeff Cooper in July 2001. We became friends due to our being Marines, as well as having served in the Marine Corps Security Forces. After 9/11, I was the Operations Officer for a unit that was training up for what was to become Operation Iraqi Freedom. I called Col Young and told him we needed to get some Staff NCOs up to Gunsite for a “train the trainer” class on handgun, carbine, and shotgun. His response was, “No problem, I’ll get Pat Rogers to instruct them.” Pat did just that! After we returned from OIF I and started work up training for subsequent deployments, I knew that I needed to attend a Gunsite 223 Carbine class and the RangeMaster had to be Pat.
Having qualified Expert as a Marine with the M16A2 over 10 times, I thought I knew most everything there was about manipulating a carbine. Pat smacked me aside the head with a heavy dose of reality. He even pulled my head from my arse regarding combat optics on carbines, especially Aimpoint sights. Armed with the knowledge taught by Pat, we began implementing sweeping changes in how we trained to fight with carbines, as well as equip our Marines. I returned for a 556 Carbine Class at Gunsite the following year knowing that it would be Pat’s last class there. As with all things “Pat” – it proved to be epic!
Later as a Commanding Officer I brought Pat back several times to train my Marines prior to deployment. His influence was demonstrated one day when I overheard several NCOs discussing how they would solve a tactical problem. One them quickly asked, “What would Pat do?” I called Pat and told him. He was “tickled” as he liked to say, because he was helping Marines “Kill Bad Guys like Champions!”
Pat had a genius for helping connect individuals in the warfighting community with worthy industry professionals, new and experienced alike. There are too many companies to name that owe their success to Pat’s blessings. He had a knack for identifying great young warfighters, as well as sharp young companies/products, and helping them succeed. His After Action Reviews drew the ire of many companies that manufactured sub-par products, but he never compromised his ethics because of his love for the warfighters. If a product performed, he wrote about it, if it sucked he said so. In both cases, he backed it up with quantifiable information as to why. Something our industry needs to see more and we need only to look to what Pat did as our example.
Little did I know that the Gunsite 223 Carbine class that I took with Pat, in April 2004, would begin a 12 year friendship, mentorship, and brotherhood. Much of my success in the firearms industry, to include being a Gunsite Instructor, I owe to CWO2 Pat Rogers, USMC(Ret). This is not only true for me, but for so many others in the firearms industry. We are diminished as a nation, as warfighters, and as a firearms industry, especially the tactical side, by Pat’s passing. There are no words for me express my sorrow.
In closing, Pat lived and taught the Marine Corps’ mindset, “Do unto others before they do it to you.” Or as Pat said, “See the Mother F’r, shoot the Mother F’r. Quit thinking about it.” I am convinced that when he reported for duty to guard Heaven’s Streets, St Michael assigned him to training God’s Angels on how to fight. I am also certain that they have never heard such colorful language with such a think New York Irish accent, nor have they ever laughed so hard while being humiliated by a “warrior sized” Chief Warrant Officer of Marines.
Pat, my brother, Bravo Zulu. Until Valhalla!
Semper Fidelis,
Freddie Blish
LtCol USMC(Ret)
President
ROBAR Companies, Inc
Here are three must watch videos about Pat Rogers:
Pat Rogers Uptown Girl Video https://youtu.be/_J3TuZbVz34
Pat Rogers Pro-Tip: Load Procedures aka How to Earn a MooseCockhttps://youtu.be/lUHm34hksac
“My friend, my mentor. I miss you greatly” -Steve Fisher
“First time I met Pat at F3 w/Heidi we chatted a few minutes about guns, dogs and training. He was one of kind and will be missed by all that knew him and those who have heard of him.” – Joel Townsend
“Pat Rogers will always be remembered as a Marine’s Marine and someone that gave selflessly. The man pushed the Marine Corps as well as countless students into better training, and it’s beyond doubt that he helped many increase their combat survivability. My regret is not getting to spend more time with him, he gave so much to so many. You will be missed Sir. Semper Fidelis brother.” — Nathan Murr
“TD1 at my first EAG class, I was instructed to redo a drill in front of all to see. I was all set….then Pat said “Don’t fuck up!” I fucked up. And was quickly told to “Unfuck yourself!” -Patrick Tarrant
“I first met Pat Rogers at an EAG Basic Carbine Course back in early 2012. I had come back from a deployment in 2011, and had just moved to NOVA in the fall. I had been on Lightfighter for a while, and had wanted to learn more about shooting rifles than the very limited amount I learned in the military. Pat made it clear online that there was a wealth of lessons in the AAR’s, and he wasn’t kidding. I tried to do my homework as much as I could for that class….I was a Navy Reserve intel puke…that was bad enough, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be THAT GUY, too!
TD1 (Training Day 1) comes along, and I pulled up to the gate at the range along with several other students. Some had already known Pat and trained with him before. Then Pat pulled up in the Death Star. And he go out. And his fly was hanging wide open.
I was pretty damn sure it was a trap, and hell if I was going to charge head long into it. Neither did anyone else, and a little later, he was all zipped up, cussing, teaching, mentoring, yelling, sharing, cussing some more, bestowing several lifetimes worth of knowledge on those lucky enough to be there. Pat really did treat everyone like family, if you kept moving and learning. He knew my name when I ran into him once or twice after the class. He liked the pictures of my kids up on Facebook. I read on a post somewhere on the 4th that Pat wasn’t an instructor. He was a teacher of men. Uncensored, unfiltered, not giving a damn about those who didn’t care for him, but giving the world to those who did.
Yes, Pat.
Until we meet again, thanks.” -Patrick Tarrant
“TD1 at my first EAG class. A COC in Columbia, TN 2009.
I was on the first relay not even ten minutes onto the firing line portion. Made ready to shoot the first drill, when I pulled the trigger, I saw the mag fall to the deck.
I got the whole “I must be a bad instructor…..”
I told Pat that I knew “someone” was going to do it, so I thought I’d step up and take one for the team so that it would take the pressure off of everyone else.
I got a “WTF” look from him and he just started laughing his ass off.
I proudly accepted my M/C from him that afternoon.
He also never let me forget that.” -Harvey Scobie
I think that everything that could be said about this great man has by all of our community, his students, friends and loved ones. I want to leave off with something that Pat did that brought a laugh and great joy to us all. Please have a great day and remain vigilant. Godspeed -B
SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/05/03/pat-rogers-brother-mentor-and-friend-rest-in-peace/
There are many factors involved in shooting a shotgun accurately, but one of the most important and least understood is gun fit. Most manufacturers offer a standard stock dimension, something that fits the average shooter. Since shooters don’t have an opportunity to choose between different stock sizes and configurations, they just accept the gun as it was built and learn to shoot what they have.
In a perfect world that wouldn’t be the case – every hardcore target shooter would be able to walk into a gun store, just like walking into a shoe store, and pick a gun stock as perfect as the right pair of shoes. It may seem daunting, but getting the right fit isn’t nearly as complicated as we make it out to be. The measurements are easily understood and it would behoove every shotgun shooter to be on speaking terms with them. The most important thing to keep in mind is that almost all stock measurements start at the rib line and go down.
Here’s a run-down of some of the measurements in a rough order of importance.
One of the most important measurements in fitting a shotgun to a shooter is length of pull (LOP). Shown as measurement ‘A,’ it is measured from the center of the butt to the center of the trigger and is seen as a fairly direct measurement of the length of the butt stock of any firearm.
Too long a distance here will force the shooter away from the gun, moving his or her cheek back from the point of the comb where it belongs. The butt will also tend to catch in his or her clothes as the gun is quickly mounted.
Too short a distance is uncomfortable to get lined up, forcing the shooter to ease their face back, away from the breech, in order to line their eye up correctly. A too-short length of pull will also result in having the thumb smack the shooter in the nose or safety glasses under recoil.
Length of pull is dependent on many factors: length of arms, length of neck, shoulder width and stance. Similarly-sized people they can have completely different LOPs based on stance alone. A good middle ground is 14 ½” for field guns and 14 ¾” for target models. For shorter/smaller shooters we make a number of shotguns, including the 712 ALS, 720 ALS, Redhead Reduced Length and the new Lady Sterling.
To find drop at comb, a perpendicular line is drawn down from the rib line to the point of the comb and a measurement is taken (‘B’). This drop is one of the most critical of all the factors involving fit, allowing the cheek to rest at the right height, which in turn allows the eye to fall naturally in line with the rib. The proper drop allows the gun to be thrown up for a quick shot and not have to be adjusted before firing.
If the comb is too high, the eye is forced high and we will tend to shoot high. To counteract this, shooters mash their cheek too hard against the stock, trying to lower the eye. This isn’t a comfortable, natural way to aim and will lead to more felt recoil from the gun.
If the comb is too low, the eye will be too low and we will tend to shoot too low. To avoid this, shooters place their cheek too lightly on the comb or even raise off the stock a bit and neither is good for accuracy.
Drop a perpendicular line from the rib line to the heel, as at ‘C,’ and the measurement is called the ‘drop at heel.’ Whereas a small change in drop at comb can make a big difference, a fairly wide range of measurements of drop at heel can be comfortably accommodated by the average shooter. One thing that does change with this measurement is the amount of felt recoil.
A gun with a little drop at heel is said to have a straight stock. Since the force is directed straight back into the shoulder, there will be less perceived recoil. Stocks with large drop at heel can have a bit more felt recoil as the gun rotates up into the shooter’s cheek, but typically feel much more comfortable during the mount and swing.
This is the distance from the rib line down to the bottom tip of the butt, ‘D.’ This is the lowest portion of the butt stock and is also the lowest part that contacts the shoulder. Drop at toe is equally as important to felt recoil as drop at heel, but for a different reason.
Comparing the drops at heel and toe, the more the difference, the longer the butt pad is and in turn the larger the recoiling surface is. The larger the pad, the more distributed the recoil is on the shooter’s shoulder. A small pad, having little difference between drop at heel and drop at toe, will result in a gun that sends all its force through a smaller surface, resulting in more felt recoil. When shooters complain about a shotgun bruising their shoulder, many times it comes down to too little drop at toe or too little pitch.
This is the furthest comb measurement before the heel, ‘E.’ Not all guns have Monte Carlo style stocks, but those that do tend to fit the shooter much better than traditional style stocks. Common on target guns, it is important to realize that the Monte Carlo has a huge effect on the drop at the heel and the drop at the toe, resulting in a gun that is comfortable for high volume shooters as it allows for better fit and considerably less felt recoil. Field guns many times do not have Monte Carlos because of the increased dimensions translate into more weight.
The CZ Redhead Target and Sporter models all come standard with Monte Carlo style butt stocks.
Pitch is the angle of the butt pad’s back surface, measured off of a perpendicular line drawn down from the rib (‘F’).
Pitch is most important for people with large chests, usually women. For those shooters, a stock with too little pitch will distribute recoil with only the toe section of the butt, creating an uncomfortable experience and many times bruising their shoulder. By having more pitch, the stock will distribute recoil through the entirety of the butt pad, making the gun more comfortable to shoot.
It should be noted that there are several ways to measure pitch. Measuring the angle of the pad is one way, but another way commonly used in the US is to draw a line from the heel across the top of the breech and into the air above the front sight. The distance from the muzzle up to that line is measured in inches and is then referenced in relation to the amount of pitch in the gun. The problem with measuring pitch this way is that barrel length has to be taken into account, since an identically-stocked gun with longer barrels will have a different measurement for pitch.
CZ shotguns have approximately 8 degrees of pitch. To appeal to female shooters, the Lady Sterling has been introduced with unique stock dimensions and 12 degrees of pitch.
The terms ‘cast-off’ and ‘cast-on’ are used to describe stock configurations for either a right-handed or left-handed person. This measurement is shown in the diagram below and is designated ‘G’.
Simply put, cast refers to the deviation of the butt away from the center line of the gun. A shotgun with no cast is straight and a line down the rib will continue straight down the center of the butt stock, when viewed from above. When looking from the back of the gun, a cast-off stock will show the center of the butt slightly right of the center of the rib line. The opposite is true of a cast-on stock.
Cast allows a shooter to look straight down the rib, so a cast-off stock is meant for a right-handed person and a cast-on stock for a leftie. Mounting a cast-off stock left-handed results in the shooter looking down the right side of the rib, meaning their eye will not align naturally with the rib.
All wood-stocked shotguns that CZ-USA offers are cast-off for right-handed shooters. The 712 ALS, 720 ALS and 712 Utility have neutral cast for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
The right combination of these measurements will make a shotgun ‘feel right.’ When the proper fit is achieved, a shooter will be able to focus on the target, not the shotgun, giving them one less thing to worry about. To help shooters select the right shotgun, we’ve included these measurements for our lineup in a special specifications sheet at the back of the shotgun section.
By Dave Miller, Shotgun Product Manager and Pro-Shooter for CZ-USA. He has over 20 years of experience in the competitive shooting community and has lived to see the sport evolve into the world’s fastest growing shotgun sport. He is respected as one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the sporting clays community with a Master class title, and one of the best shooters in the United States. He is also the main star on the Outdoors TV show CZ-USA American Gun Dog TV. Dave recently accomplished setting a new Guinness World Record for the most sporting clays targets shot in 1 hour. This article was first published by the Missouri Conservation Federation.
SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/how-to-fit-your-shotgun/
