Just a Girl and Her Decoy

By

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April 24, 2018

I know this isn’t the usual review article, but I figure if you can’t keep a sense of humor while you are deep in the learning curve of a new activity then why bother.

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a novice hunter, and hope to bag my first spring gobbler during the rapidly approaching local season.

As part of my initiation into the cult of this avian adversary, I attended my local National Wild Turkey Federation dinner about a month ago. During this initiation “ceremony”, I was parted with many of my dollars. These dollars were spent on various games of chance which taunted my greed with promises of new shotguns. There were new calls and additional chances to win handguns and gear with which to bag my own specimen of the revered quarry. All of this to benefit the habitat and preservation of Meleagris gallopavo. I placed bids on many items, and kept my fingers crossed. Annnnd what did I come home with?

A glorified rubber chicken.

I’m teasing of course. This was a top-of-the-line Avian X hen decoy and I was tickled to have ANY decoy to start out my turkey career. But I could not get over a neophyte’s sense of the absurd about the whole thing – especially when I read the directions for use.

I was first of all required to allow my hen decoy to “come to room temperature”. Well, I don’t really like to be messed with much when I’m cold either, so I suppose I could understand that. Then, I was instructed to locate the air valve on the bottom of the decoy, and pull out the valve stem. Wait, I thought this was a hen? She has a “stem”? And I’m supposed to put my mouth there and, and … inflate her? This was too much for my inner middle-schooler, who dissolved into a fit of the giggles. But wait- there’s more.

The next step instructed me to place my newly inflated hen IN A HOT SHOWER… FOR TEN MINUTES. Let me tell you, after inflating an expensive rubber chicken with my mouth, I kinda felt like I needed a shower too – either that or I needed a Groucho Marx mustache. But the post-shower results were JUST GORGEOUS!

She is so realistic that I decided to give my hen turkey a name. I’m calling her Henrietta. Original, I know. But now I’m going to feel like a bit of a pimp. I mean, I’m going to be out there showing her off to the tom turkeys. I want pretty little Henrietta to get them excited enough to throw caution to the wind and strut right into the path of my shotgun. I feel dirty already.

I suppose I could think of this in a more positive vein. Maybe I should think of Henrietta as an undercover cop on a prostitution sting. Her job is to look and act alluring and available, and my job is to bring the lecherous John – I mean Tom – to “justice”. In this case, “justice” being the death penalty by 12 gauge, with post-mortem incarceration in my freezer. Tasty justice.

To help with my feelings of guilt about pimping out my new friend and because I’ve got a gimpy post-op hand and thus am bored, I wanted to feature Henrietta in a few “get to know you” photo-ops while we both work on our pre-season training. If she’s going to be my wingman – I mean hen – then we need to train together.

Here’s Henrietta lounging on the couch after her shower.

This is us studying-up our NWTF magazine

This is Henrietta critiquing my calling – “No. No. No.” She says, “Your accent is all wrong. Repeat after me, The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain.”

Her look says it all – You CAN’T be serious.

Henrietta and I have done pretty much everything but the Chicken Dance to get ready for the season. Come to think of it, maybe I could talk her into practicing “My tailfeather shake brings all the Toms to the yard”.

I sure hope it will. Wish us luck.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SHOTGUN WITH SWAB-ITS

By

A Girl and a Gun

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April 24, 2018

When it comes to maintaining firearms, Swab-its’ Bore-tips offer improved barrel cleaning and lubrication while the Gun-tips line offers four distinct sizes and lengths of swabs to ensure cleaning and lubrication of the harder to reach areas that are often neglected. Reusable and easy to clean with soap and water or mineral spirits, Swab-its products are more thorough, quicker and easier to use than traditional methods of firearms cleaning and do not leave the residue or lint left behind by patches, mops and cotton swabs.

Before You Clean Your Shotgun

Visually and physically inspect to insure the firearm is unloaded. No ammunition should be present while cleaning. It is advisable to have your manufacturer’s owner’s manual handy for reference for proper disassembly and maintenance procedures. If you purchased your gun used, many manuals can be downloaded by accessing the manufacturer’s website.

What you need: shotgun rod, solvent, lubricant, Swab-its Bore-tips in correct gauge, Swab-its 9 piece Gun-tips, a rag or paper towels. In this article, we address cleaning the Over-Under Shotgun. To demonstrate, we will clean and lubricate a Beretta Silver Pigeon.

Disassemble the firearm according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Essentially, you should have three pieces: the receiver with the stock, the barrel and the forend. Select the appropriate gauge Bore-tip, they are available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410, and apply solvent/cleaner. Keep in mind that the Bore-tips are quite absorbent and require less fluid than you may normally use with a mop.

Working from the breech end, push the Bore-tip through the chamber, forcing cone and barrel. Wait for the solvent to soften the fouling. Most solvent manufacturers recommend 10-15 minutes.
Brush the barrel with the appropriately sized brush and then use the Bore-tip to reapply additional solvent. Repeat the process.

Using the same Bore-tip, mop out the fouling by running the swab through the barrel and blotting off on a paper towel or rag. Most of the fouling will have been removed. At this point, thread on a clean, dry Bore-tip and run it through to remove residual solvent and fouling. This will dry the barrel. Take the remaining Bore-tip and apply lubrication, if desired. Remember, this must be removed before the next time you fire your gun.

Bore-tips are washable and reusable. To save hassle, the lubricating swab can be placed in a zip lock and continued to be used for lubrication only in the future, as long as it is not contaminated by solvent. The swabs that were used for application of solvent and removal of fouling are easily cleaned by either dipping them in mineral spirits, blotting and allowing to evaporate dry, or, washing with a degreasing dish soap, such as Dawn. If using dish soap, allow sufficient time for complete drying before reusing. When using a bio-based product, cleaning with dish soap will work best.

The 5” large surface Gun-tip (olive green handle) can be used to clean under the ejector/extruder. Accessing the locking lugs and recesses is most easily achieved with the 3” precision tip Gun-tip (grey handle).

The same swabs are ideal for swabbing the frame and frame recesses. The 3” mini tip Gun-tip (brown handle) can also be used on the frame recesses.
Be sure to clean beneath the forearm bottom metal, using the 5” Gun-tip.

Remember: If you are storing your firearm and coat the barrel with light lubrication, this lubrication MUST be removed prior to shooting your gun.

By Michele Makucevich, Firearms Products Territory Manager of Swab-its. She oversees the Rhode Island CMP and is a long-time youth coach and competitive shooter.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/clean-shotgun-swab/

BREAKING: Possible Gunfight in the Region being searched for Reinking, UPDATE: Reinking in Custody

By

Keith Finch

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April 23, 2018

tdy_sun_wafflehouse_180422_1920x1080 — Image from today.com

From Blue Lives Matter. Noise of a possible gunfight, rapid gunfire, from the region of Tennessee where the ATF and local authorities are looking for the at large Reinking.

Officials have announced a press conference. More at the link.

https://www.themaven.net/bluelivesmatter/news/rapid-gunfire-heard-in-woods-where-atf-is-hunting-waffle-house-gunman-dDEaqt1rzE6X7OvvutaIrg/

UPDATE

BREAKING: Murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody. Arrested moments ago. – Metro Nashville PD

The Waffle House

By

Keith Finch

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April 23, 2018

On Sunday morning another mass shooting awoke the nation.

An Antioch Tennessee Waffle House was attacked at 3:23 am by Travis Reinking

Reinking, an Illinois resident, was carrying an AR-15 he had purportedly previously owned but was confiscated after he was arrested by the secret service in Washington D.C. for trespassing in restricted areas. The firearm was allegedly returned to him by his father after it was released to the father by local police some time after the D.C. arrest and later confiscation.

Reinking is a prohibited person. His FOID in Illinois was revoked.

To make the tragedy more bizarre Reinking was naked, except for a jacket, when he open fired killing two outside the restaurant and killing two inside before James Shaw Jr. (pictured), while wounded, yanked the rifle from Reinking and stopped the attack.

Reinking then fled naked on foot into the early morning, leaving his vehicle. He is still at large.

James Shaw Jr, the hero of Antioch, was a man who acted decisively saving his life and the lives of many in the restaurant and perhaps the wider area.

Emma Gonzales, a prominently featured survivor of Parkland, began accusing the NRA of schilling the incident to increase gun sales, alleging they were going to claim that the naked gunman had mental health issues.

Speculating the man who attacked a Waffle House at half past three in the morning while naked, with a previous arrest for trespassing in restricted areas of Washington D.C. allegedly trying to set up a meeting with the president because you do that by sneaking through the White House, might have mental health issues is apparently schilling and projectionist.

But it was absolutely because he was white and male.

She additionally claims that Mr. Shaw’s heroics prove nobody needs a gun to stop a mass shooter and that would hurt Smith & Wesson’s narrative.

I’d hazard that had Mr. Shaw been carrying an M&P Compact he might have been able to act more quickly and with greater equalizing force than waiting for Reinking to stop shooting and then riskily engaging hand to hand.

You do not need a gun to stop a mass shooter… It certainly helps though.

Emma’s assertion is that it is morally superior to attack a homicidally violent and well armed person from a position of extreme disadvantage because carrying or even owning your own weapon lawfully is apparently what caused the attack in the first place.

Her last claim was probably the most outrageous. That Mass Shootings only happen within the gun saturated streets of the United States.

The FBI defines a mass shooting as 4 people killed (not including the shooter). Mass shootings occur in churches, in schools, at concerts, in waffle houses – just about anywhere. Except in other countries. – Emma Gonzales

She must have missed these.

1. 2017 Egypt Mosque, 305 Dead <- ‘Church’ (Place of Worship) in another country.

2. 2014 Kenya University College, 148 Dead <- School in another country.

3. 2015 Pakistan School, 141 Dead <- Another school in yet another country.

4. 2015 Paris Attacks, 130 Dead <- Concert in another country.

5. 2011 Norway Attacks, 77 Dead <- Attack on a summer camp with a Mini-14 and Glock handgun after an earlier bombing.. oh and it’s in another country.

6. 2013 Kenya Shopping Mall, 67 Dead <- Four NRA Members attacked Westgate Ohio because they owned guns… no wait this was 4 Al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked a shopping mall in Westgate, Kenya. They were shot and killed after a 2 day battle with Kenyan armed forces and unconfirmed Israeli IDF support. Does this hurt Gonzales ‘you don’t need a gun’ narrative? They used a lot of guns.

Ryan Saavedra attempted to correct her assertion. The effectiveness of factual evidence to the gun control advocate is minimal however, we do appreciate the effort though.

We Like Shooting Double Tap 056 – A Savage Party

By

We Like Shooting

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April 23, 2018

Welcome to We Like Shooting’s Double Tap, Episode 56, Where we answer your questions, talk about new tech in the gun world, and touch base on gun industry news.

WLS Double Tap 056 – A Savage Party

Pat Rogers Final Speech

By

MASF

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April 22, 2018

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/

We Like Shooting 238 – Lawyers Guns and Money

By

We Like Shooting

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April 21, 2018

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!

WLS 238 – Lawyers Guns and Money

We Like Shooting Double Tap 055 – Krieger Clones

By

We Like Shooting

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April 20, 2018

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.

WLS Double Tap 055 – Krieger Clones

Training, find out what you don’t know

By

MASF

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April 19, 2018

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.

Allen resized magpul class

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.

Allen resized magpul class 2

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.

resized carbine class wv

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 Allen and his daughter resized 2 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.

Allen Sams, Owner Concrete FX – MASF Member

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/

Short Barrels and Terminal Ballistics

By

Keith Finch

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April 19, 2018

There is a lot of ‘information’ circling about the corners of industry about what short barrels do to a rifle’s effectiveness. I’ve heard a multitude of variations on the actual effects however the two overarching themes are

-They are less accurate

-They have less ‘stopping power’

Sage Dynamics does an excellent job in this video covering why those two myths are just that, myths.

Short barreled platforms in the form of pistols and short barreled rifles are incredibly popular right now. They look ‘Operator’ cool. They are lighter than their larger brethren. They are easier to use indoors and in confined spaces. They occupy a unique legal niche for civilians allowing greater latitude for self defense.

But as SD eloquently points out there are differences between the standard 16″ barreled rifles and their shorter counterparts especially when it centers around a round of ammunition originally designed for a 20″ barrel.

Differences, in this case, do not equate to less accuracy or ineffectiveness but knowing these performance differences will help the shooter better utilize the tool.

The greatest change between the longer and shorter guns is muzzle velocity. Shorter barrels have less space to build pressure before the bullet exits the barrel and this does influence effective range and terminal ballistics (loosely termed ‘stopping power’) however in the relevant 100m self defense sphere the effects desired are still present.

Additionally shooters have proven the shorter guns can still do their jobs at 300, 500, and even 800m after accounting for the change in bullet velocity. Knowing a weapon’s capabilities frames the window of its effectiveness, science in place of anecdotes.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE GETTING GOOD TRAINING?

By

A Girl and a Gun

-

April 19, 2018

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.

Red Flags

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.

Names to Look For

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/

2018 Big 3 East Media Event Finale!

By

Eric TGL

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April 18, 2018

Brian Jacobson takes us on a birdseye view of the 2018 Big 3 East Media Event Spring Finale!

3 Gun Fun!

By

Keith Finch

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April 18, 2018

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

I was scared of guns until I became a Mother, now I carry one daily

By

MASF

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April 18, 2018

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.

me and shotgun

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.

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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.

My Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm with slide serrations by ATEi

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 thought 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/

Our Mission Must Always Be To Educate.

By

Keith Finch

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April 17, 2018

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.