My Blog

Time & Ammo are Priceless. But be ready.

05/18/2013 19:33:00

The TAG, LLC Progressive Pistolcraft course (or PRP) is June 3-5, near Houston, MO.

I know ammo is high, but so is the cost of being unprepared. So is the value of your life, and the lives of those who depend on you.

You have to strike steel to stone to get an edge. Every day you don't work on your skills they perish. Inch by inch, minute by minute.

Your CCW class was designed by the State's lawyers. The PRP course was designed by shooters specializing in personal protection.

You have to be ready in the worse moment of your life. You invest your valuable money and ammunition, and your invaluable time.

We promise not to waste it.

www.TAGTRAININGLLC.com

CCW Tips and Tactics, Part III

05/09/2013 10:31:00

Part III of III

State Gun Laws

State gun laws vary considerably. Some states have many more firearms restrictions than others. Some gun owners who visit other states will be granted reciprocity and recognition for any "right to carry" gun laws they had in their home state. Not all states grant such rights. "Right to carry" laws are federal and state constitution provisions that recognize a gun owner's right to use her or his gun for defensive purposes.

Some states give gun owners more rights than others. For example, twelve states currently prohibit employers from firing employees who leave guns locked in their personal vehicles on company property. That means 38 other states do allow companies to restrict employees from having weapons in their cars or trucks on company property.

States also have laws that either allow or prohibit you from openly carrying a gun in public. These are called "open carry" laws. Generally, states fall into one of four categories:

a) Permissive Open Carry States - Allow you to carry a gun without a permit or license.

b) Licensed Open Carry States - Allow gun owners to carry firearms openly only after they are issued a permit or license.

c) Anomalous Open Carry States - Carrying a gun openly may be generally lawful under state law, but local governments may pass their own gun laws that are more restrictive than the state's laws.

d) Non-Permissive Open Carry States - Carrying a gun openly is against state law, or is legal only in limited circumstances (e.g., while hunting) or when legally used for self-defense.

If you just moved to a state with an open carry law, there is often a waiting period before you can apply for an open carry permit. Open carry restrictions are often the subject of lawsuits filed by gun owners against states where they reside.

Go to Findlaw’s site (http://statelaws.findlaw.com/criminal-laws/gun-control/ ) for a directory of gun laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. If you have additional questions, be sure to contact a gun rights attorney near you.

Training

The key to successful carry and effective use of a firearm is training and of course, practice. Find a professional firearms instructor and check their references before investing in a training course. Reputable trainers should have a website or brochure that describes their training and background to teach. The NRA is a good place to start. Talk with your local law enforcement agencies. Many of the trainers who train them will train cleared civilians as well.

Look for trainers with a broad range of shooting/training experience. For instance a trainer who has just a police training background may not be as good a choice for civilians. A pure competition shooter may not give the best Use of Force legal advice. Military specialist may not be up on state laws.

Train to the threat you are likely to encounter. To give you an idea:

a. 55% of gunfights take place 0-5 feet.

b. 20% of gunfights take place in 5-10 feet.

c. 20% of gunfights take place in 10-21 feet.

d. 95% of gunfights take place in 0-21 feet. (Source- FBI)

Also:

a. The average man can cover 21 feet of ground in 1.5 seconds.

b. The average man cannot draw a gun from concealment in under 2 seconds.

c. The average gunfight is over in 3-5 seconds.

d. 3 to 4 shots are usually fired.

e. Most gunfights take place in low light conditions.

f. In most gunfights the aggressor does not stand still.

g. On average one shot in four actually strikes someone.

You need to know your abilities and benchmark yourself against known standards.

In conclusion, this path to carrying a CCW firearm for personal and family protection is an epiphany; that is, a permanent alteration of your life and your thinking and actions. From the day you obtain your permit and every day after that you are now different, and will be measured by the law differently.

It is an awesome responsibility to have; to know others close to you may now depend on you for their life. This heavy mantle is only mitigated by maturity, professional training, continued education, proper practice, and heavy doses of common sense.

God Speed and Good Shooting!

CCW Tips and Tactics, Part II

05/09/2013 10:26:00

Part II

Choosing a CCW Weapon

The choice of a good CCW firearm is ultimately a personal concern and based on your abilities. Some people prefer the simplicity of a good revolver, but the thickness of even a .38 caliber can make it harder to conceal. Semi-automatics are slimmer to a degree and often easier to hide on your body, but require a bit more training and familiarity depending on the exact make and model.

Most firearms that are easy to conceal will be smaller with shorter barrels and lighter weights. While easy to conceal they will not be as accurate, probably have very minimal sights, and if too light may be hard to control more than for the first shot. This can create a good deal of concern unless your target is very close or you train a great deal.

Firearms that are a bit larger with longer barrels will be more versatile, easier to shoot effectively, and more accurate. They will have better sights, generally better trigger pulls, and with the right gear still be concealable. Weight and size of the weapon become the factor here, so your decisions as to belt, holster, and concealing garments are more critical. The key factor to concealing a larger firearm is not barrel length, but the length and thickness of the grip or butt. Long, squared off firearm grips print easily when you are moving or bent over.

So, when considering a specific weapon, some things to consider:

a) Can you grip the weapon properly with one hand? Can you effectively grip the weapon as high as possible on its backstrap? The higher in your hand you can hold the weapon, the more efficient, the more controlled, and more accurate the firing sequence will be. Does the weapon feel too heavy or off balance? (if so- you may not carry it as often. Understand, however, the more heft to a well balanced weapon generally the less the perceived recoil.) A too light weapon may be hard to control and thus lose efficiency while firing. A too heavy or imbalanced weapon may be too hard to hold effectively on target.

b) Can you obtain a good purchase on the trigger with the first pad of your index finger and hold the weapon securely with one hand? Can you smoothly press the trigger fully through to its break efficiently and without jerking? A ‘good’ trigger is a bit hard to define and somewhat individual in nature. Also Single Action triggers (Colt 1911/ Browning P35), Striker Fired triggers (Glock, S&W M&P) and Double Action triggers (Beretta, Sig Sauer, most revolvers) all have very different mechanisms and the merits/faults of their respective triggers should be compared.) Generally though, a good trigger is first - no ‘longer’ than necessary, no more ‘heavy’ (hard to pull) than necessary, and have no more ‘over-travel’ (movement after the shot breaks) than necessary. Then, during follow through, have as short a ‘reset’ as possible.

c) Does the weapon have functional easy to see (for your eyes) sights? Just bright paint or colored sights do not equate with being easy to pick up under stress. Pay particular attention to the front sight. During a proper draw stroke and presentation, does the front sight stand out against various backgrounds? In all lighting conditions?

d) Are there readily available parts and accessories, particularly magazines and quality holsters? Buying the latest thing may mean no specific holster being offered for months.

e) With a proper two handed grip and good quality ammunition, is the weapon and caliber controllable during realistic firing conditions? There is a tradeoff between 'comfortable' and 'comforting', meaning it may be easy to fire but of an inferior caliber/bullet configuration that won’t adequately protect you. Go for the most powerful weapon you can fire accurately - and to a somewhat lesser degree, rapidly. (A person might fire one shot from a .44 magnum accurately enough, but their follow-up shots are very slow.)

f) Does the weapon have a reputation for reliability? Some guns seem to require constant attention from an armorer. Others have established records for firing hundreds or thousands of rounds without a hiccup. Do your research, and pay particular attention to tests with military style weapons and police contracted weapons.

g) Last but ABSOLUTELY NOT least- accuracy. If you cannot hit with it- get rid of it! Assuming you’ve had training and know the fundamentals of an accurate shot, and given you’ve tested a variety of ammo (and absent a hard dedication to master that one gun) you must understand that some weapon/ammo combos are just not for you.

I have had students who desperately wanted to be a 1911 45 ACP shooter but were never quite able to match the accuracy and speed they achieved readily with a Glock 9mm.

My advice, learn to love the gun you can reliably hit with. A well placed set of shots -on target and on time - beats poor and late performance, but with a cool gun, every time!

Concealed Weapon Carry Tips and Tactics (Part I)

05/06/2013 14:55:00

Carrying a concealed firearm for person defense is a serious decision requiring a good deal of confidence in your personal abilities. It is a responsibility not only under the law but to yourself and those you would protect. It can permanently change how you dress, how you interact with others, and the standards for your behavior and decision making.

Regardless of your personal reasons for deciding to carry a firearm you will want to trust that it is a reliable and accurate weapon, and that you know what your abilities are to safely and effectively defend yourself with it.

This document is not a substitute for professional training nor is it an attempt to meet state laws regarding CCW training. It is simply some tips gathered from our courses and several subject matter experts to assist in your continuing training and safety.

Concealment

The laws for Concealed Carry, often referred to as CCW, may differ from state to state but all agree on one critical matter. The firearm must be concealed. Generally the ability to adequately conceal a firearm is based on four factors: your body size/type, the size/type of the firearm, the type/construction of the holster, and the concealing garment(s).

a) Your body type and your size can dictate what you are able to conceal. A short-waisted and petit person would not likely properly hide a full sized 1911 handgun, whereas a long torso'ed or tall person may be able to pull it off. If you’re smaller, look for holsters and concealing garments that allow you to wear a handgun high and slightly behind your strong side hip –or inside the pants. (For instance larger framed or heavy persons may be able to wear a weapon at the hip level,but have a problem with inside the pants wear. Smaller framed people may not be able to carry a weapon inside the pants at all.) Try several different holsters and concealing garments. Remember, the goal of a firearms carried under your CCW permit is to be comforting, not necessarily comfortable. If too uncomfortable however, that firearm you need may be left at home or in the car.

b) The size and type of firearm go to your abilities to shoot accurately and just fast enough.You want a firearm that is accurate with enough power to do the job. Too powerful and it may be “too much gun” for effective defensive purposes. Larger weapons are the most challenging to conceal and require the greatest adaptation of your clothing, movement, and life style. Small, pocket-sized weapons may be easy to carry, but more difficult to draw and shoot accurately. 25 ACP and 32ACP weapons carry easily but are considered marginal for stopping an aggressor, while 9mm and 40 S&W fare much better in power but are larger and heavier. Choose first what you can shoot accurately, conceal effectively, and alters your lifestyle and movement the least. A complete alteration of how you dress,move, and act to suit a particular weapon requires a great deal of dedication and serious training. Whether that is worth the change is up to you.

c) Whichever size weapon you choose, you will need a holster. Holster type and construction is a Master’s degree discussion with strong opinions on many sides of the issue. Generally speaking, a strong side hip holster that holds the weapon securely and affords a proper grip while the gun is in the holster is preferred. It must be able to remain open while empty so that re-holstering can be accomplished with one hand. Holsters can be made of made of Nylon, Kydex (a hard plastic like material) and leather. Leather has a traditional look and feel, and is ideal for a belt holster. Kydex is popular for its rigidity, long life, and retention. Nylon offers the most flexibility, and is an ideal material for holsters that fit inside pockets. The key is security. A holster should hold a gun securely, but not so tightly that it can't be drawn quickly. The balance can be difficult to achieve, but your life may depend on it. The holster must also be designed for the specific weapon to be carried. Never trust a generic “one size fits all” holster. This means likely you will spend more on the quality needed – but why spend hundreds on a firearm then go cheap on the main method of security as well as proper carry and concealment?

d) Where as in colder climates or seasons jackets and coats offer easier concealment; summer months and higher temps challenge concealment tactics. Wear shirts designed to be untucked or pants a little large to allow an inside the waistband holster. If wearing a belt holster, ensure you have a high quality belt that is designed to carry the weight and balance of a holstered gun (See almost all major holster and leather manufacturers' brochures. They make belts as well.) Dress belts or regular clothing belts are insufficient and lead to a common CCW giveaway called ‘tugging’. This is where a person concealing a weapon often pulls up the pants or has to grip the holstered gun and shift their pants up under their shirt due to too weak/thin a belt or a too heavy weapon. Rule of thumb: if while moving, sitting, and walking normally the weapon/ holster combo shifts or hurts – something’s not right.

The main giveaway in concealing a weapon is behavior. Avoid touching or ‘checking’ your concealed weapon. Avoid holding one arm against the concealed weapon while the other moves naturally.

You can have a friend or family member look at you to determine if the weapon is visible through your concealing garment or if it presses against the clothing in such as a way as to reveal its outline (called ‘printing’).

Most CCW states have provisions against ‘Brandishing’ or similar language. Not properly concealing your weapon may lead to a suspension of your permit. Check your local state laws.

(Next in Part 2, Choosing a CCW Weapon)

Heckler & Koch Pistol Evals

03/13/2013 16:22:00

Testing Heckler and Koch's this week and some next week.

P30's, HK45, HK45C, P2000, and even a couple of USPs.

I have shot HK's for many years and always had a love/dislike/fascination/regret cycle of reactions to them. That said I absolutely love the MP5 and carried one for years as an SRT and PST HRP dude.

I’ve somehow almost always had at least one since the P7M8 was the exotic 'must have' gun. Come to think of it, the old Staple gun is still a cool piece.

The SOCOM USP 45 was reliable but not all that, in my opinion considering the price which was extreme even for an HK. Heck, I don’t know about extreme conditions but my M&P 45 would outshoot it I believe.

Thinking back, I owed one of the very few P9S samples I've ever seen in 45ACP that had more than one magazine that worked! Ultimately that ungainly thing was traded, but now I wish I had it in the back of the safe.

(I also wish I had my brand new Bren Ten Special Forces 10mm that actually had a working mag and a coupon for another! Ok- back to HK’s)

I like the current crop of HK45’s with the P30 style “Batman” grip and have the HK45C in my stable. I prefer the HK45C but like the grip of the USP 45 Compact. I’ve had both in the past and traded one for the other at times. I might again.

(You got a good clean USP 45 Compact? Wanna trade?)

So- we’ll see the details on how these current models shoot and handle.

Anyone have an HK opinion (objective and on topic please) or real life HK experiences you want to share?

P.S. It's pronounced "Coke" not "Cock" or "Cotch"

DC Reed, Director

10 Rounds is Safer than 11?

02/27/2013 12:28:00

TAG Blog 2-27-2013

10 is safer than 11

Logical persons know behavior cannot be legislated. We have laws against speeding, we all break them and sometimes these violations result in death. But, there has been no law requiring speed governors on automobiles. Still, some politicians think 10 bullets are safer than 11. or worse - that such asnine feel-good legislation will do anything to curb horrific violence. Of course you know, bad guys not guns are the problem.

You should also know that those who wish to limit your protections under the 2nd Amendment are doing so because they fear you. This is why blacks – slaves – were prohibited from owning weapons prior to 1866. Fear.

The Civil Rights Acts of 1866 changed the laws prohibiting former slaves from owning firearms. Two years later with the adoption of the 14th Amendment, many Southern States imposed high taxes or banned inexpensive guns in order to price destitute individuals – read former slaves – out of the gun market. The 2nd Amendment has been under attack ever since and is becoming more a privilege than a right every day. We have accepted new laws and said, “Well, it could have been worse.”

Those prohibited firearms by an individual or government are, in every sense of the word, enslaved to that individual or government.

What, at this point, does it matter?

01/28/2013 14:08:00

"What at this point does it matter?" 1-28-2013

Really, Madam Secretary, really?

I am reminded of the Lion King scene.
The Lion Prince having abandoned his role of responsibility says, "I don't worry about the past."
Then the wise Shaman monkey smacks the Lion Prince on the head with a stick.
When the Lion says, "Hey! Ow! That hurts!"
The Shaman monkey says, "Don't worry about it, it's in the past!"
The Lion says, "But it still hurts."
"Hmmmmm," says the wise Shaman monkey.

Write your post here.

The Bond Gun for Fifty years

11/21/2012 12:38:00

So, what to wear when taking my family to see Sky Fall? My 1970's era German Walther PPK/S of course!

This is my personal copy. I also have an Interarms stainless.

Now before anyone hollers, I have always carried concealed where legal, even movies, pre-Aurora. Certainly should some nut go off in a theater, as was recently stopped in Springfield, MO, I want to be ready to protect those I love.

But back to the Bond gun. Polizei Pistole Kriminal (PPK) was early considered a cops gun. By today’s standards its heavy for a 380, long heavy trigger pull, large and metal when compared to more recent (not more modern) polymer 380s. Also the caliber leaves a bit to be desired even with the best modern loads. But few other sidearms, save the 1911 and probably the Colt 1873 Peacemaker, are as instantly iconic.

Sexy, even.

Now, no Walther was actually made in Germany after WWII. They were all made in Manurhin, France. Just before the end of the war the Walther factory was bombed, so the Germans established a plant in occupied France. There a few guns were made until right at the end of the war when the French grabbed the tooling and began making guns for the Allied side.

Just after the war Germany was restricted from making weapons for a few years and the PPK was still made by the French. Later, this plant kept operating in Manurhin and the unassembled parts shipped a few kilometers across the border to Ulm, Germany for assembly, proofing, and of course- to be stamped “Made in Germany.”

In 1968 when the US Gun Control Act was in acted, Walthers were banned for import because of their 6 shot frame. So they mated a PPK slide to a PP frame to comply with the new law – and the PPK/S (Polizei Pistole Kriminal/States) was born. When Interarms bought Walther they also established the US plant in Gadsen, Alabama. Making the shorter PPK was now legal as it was US made.

So...All PPK's and PPK/S' since the war are either French or American made.

But when teaching Practical Pistolcraft or CCW very few shooters drool over drastic plastic. This "German" Walther always garners ambitious offers such as, "Um, would you take...?"

No.

Warning Shots

10/16/2012 14:05:00

Never, never, ever, fire a warning shot into the air.

If the situation demands lethal force then so be it, but if the terrible totality and absolute finality of employing deadly force against another human being isn't justified – then a warning shot sure as heck isn't. See Rule 3 and also Rule 4.

If you aren't sure what Rule 3 or 4 are – put away the gun and immediately contact us at TAG, LLC for further education and training!

In our distant past when the thinking was different, we learned that warning shots just don’t work. The morons don’t stop they just shift into ‘Turbo’ and run faster.

Then of course is the other ‘rule’ or law, actually. Gravity. What goes up must come down. In the case of a bullet fired in a warning shot, you must be prepared to answer legally, financially, and morally for that round you fired when it comes inevitably back to earth.

Our luck would of course mean, it would land on our own windshield…

- DC Reed, from Progressive Pistolcraft

PMO Training 24-28 Oct 2012

10/12/2012 15:45:00

There is still room in the Precision Marksman Observer Course 24-28 October 2012 near Houston, MO!

This is where you go when you're 'pretty good' to become VERY GOOD. Remember no matter how good a shooter you are, even Tiger Woods has a golf swing coach.

This is the class where you learn about every tick and notch on that scope you bought.

When you want to know, “How do I grow the confidence to shoot at any range?”

“How can I rapidly switch from 100 to 450 yards with my rifle?"

“What is the right stuff to buy without breaking my budget? Is quality always the most expensive?” (No!)

And this is the class where you don't stop smiling while ringing a gong with your rifle at 800 yards - when you didn't think you could!

Hey, we’ve done the analysis, you come pull the trigger.