GST

12/21/2025

If you carry a pistol, should you carry a spare magazine?

Many people do and many don't. Think hard about why you might want to or not. One person told me "If I can't hit 'em in 10 [shots], I won't hit 'em in 20." So no reason to carry a spare. Ok. I see the logic in that.

Carrying a spare or two is inconvenient! They aren't as bulky as a firearm but it's one more thing to carry, conceal, and consider, whatever you're doing. Besides, there are numerous other things you could carry (or not) to be prepared (or not) for whatever life throws at you.

No one is walking around trying to be prepared for an epic movie-style gunfight. It's not going to be one person against a whole gang or criminal organization. A firefight is only going to last a few seconds anyway. So why carry at least one spare?

Remember that carrying AT ALL is to attempt to be prepared IF the one thing we hope NEVER happens, does. And IF it happens, having a firearm is no good unless you've trained. Training with your firearm needs to include "what if it malfunctions" actions. If it won't fire, are you going to throw it at the attacker? Wouldn't it be better if it worked?

If you have a malfunction involving your magazine, then what? If you run out of ammo, you're done, but what if you still have ammo and the magazine won't work right? You don't have time to troubleshoot. Swapping out the magazine may save you. MAYBE. Without a spare though, what kind of position does that put you in?

12/19/2025

Nice little video about carrying spare magazines. Thank you, Tactical Defense Institute.

I've seen the question posted in some groups and the best thing I can say is, try it for yourself. If you carry a spare magazine, figure out how to put it in the holster in such a way that you grab it and insert it into the pistol with the least amount of fumbling. Better yet, the least amount of thought.

Think about how your hand would naturally land on the magazine when you go to grab it, and what you would have to do to pull it out and reposition it to insert it into the pistol. Figure out what's the easiest, smoothest, and least mentally taxing. Then, do that! Practice it until it really feels effortless.

Now, if you carry a firearm, DO you also carry at least one spare magazine? Why or why not? I'll post separately about that topic.

11/28/2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/TxDkFnvvGkA?si=Xgw6Xq0inIphfevr

A 9mm round is cleared from a firearm and goes off after making contact with the ground. Scary situation and lucky that no one was injured!!

11/28/2025

Looks fun! I wouldn't want to get hit with it though.

In today’s video we try out the most powerful less lethal ever! I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!BLACK FRIDAY KB CLOTHING!!! - https://ken...

10/26/2025

Am I the only one?

10/20/2025

I'm not generally one who enjoys puzzles. However, I found this one at Bass Pro Shops this weekend. I think I would enjoy this one.

10/15/2025

This is interesting.

I'm off and looking for training tools that will help give my students a better experience. This is probably one of those things I would consider using but I'm not sure about using it for adult students.

What are your thoughts?

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AzDENZGhD/

09/22/2025

I learned something today! There are more rimfire cartridges than I knew!

Thank you, 22plinkster for sharing.

I've made a living having a passion for rimfire. Many gun enthusiasts shoot every caliber under the sun except for rimfire. Many find it boring, but I find it challenging and one of the purest form of shooting. If you're a rimfire rat like me, you may notice I left someone out of this picture. Who did I leave out? Hint: He wasn't used very long; his big brother stole the show.

09/11/2025

I may not need to say it, but I want it to be clear:

I do not wish for, nor do I celebrate, anyone's death. I wish for human suffering to cease, but I do not celebrate loss of life. I want you, your family, loved ones, and everyone, to be able to protect yourselves and each other. What would be even better is if there was no need for it.

Send a message to learn more

09/03/2025

Pistol-mounted lights, revisited.

I was studying some material from the USCCA (the United States Concealed Carry Association) to prepare for delivering the Firearm Basics lesson. However, it’s firearm basics with a substantial lean toward personal and home defense since it is part of the Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals course. Part of it made me stop and think about something I hadn’t thought of before.

The NRA and USCCA have some universal safety rules—3 and 4, respectively—and I’ve seen both sets, many times. This time, it struck me about how one applies to pistol-mounted lights. The rule that gave me pause:
NRA: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
USCCA: NEVER point your gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.

These are SAFETY rules. Moreover, they are UNIVERSAL safety rules. That means that these rules apply no matter the activity or situation, including defensive situations, or what the USCCA calls a “dynamic critical event.” Yes, safety still matters, even in a situation where someone may get seriously injured because you’re defending yourself from someone who is targeting YOU. But how do pistol-mounted lights come into the conversation?

Let’s be real though, we civilians are not military, paramilitary, or law enforcement. We are not seeking someone to harm. We are DEFENDING ourselves and our loved ones if we cannot avoid, diffuse, or escape the situation. With that in mind, in what situations would you need a flashlight? Low light, obviously, but where? Are you out and about at night? Are you at home, in the dark? Wherever you are, maybe you need to illuminate your target (and maybe blind them). Hmm. Ok. Light up your target and aim at it in one convenient package with a pistol-mounted flashlight.

But…

What are you doing? Where are you? Are you searching for your target because they’re searching for you or maybe they are looking for a loved one? You’re searching with your flashlight… On your pistol… pointing it at anything and everything you want to see better. Who else is there? Family? Pets? What are you potentially pointing your PISTOL at so you can see and clearly identify it???
NRA: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
USCCA: NEVER point your gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
And an additional rule that is not part of the big 3 or 4: Be sure of your target and what’s beyond. Are you pointing your gun at something before you can figure out if it is even a target?

Nope…for critical situations, pistol-mounted lights are not for me. I would use a separate flashlight. For having fun at a range or other recreational activity? Sure.

Picture from Wikipedia

08/23/2025

If you've been in class,you may remember that the gun needs to fit your hand!

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/they-need-to-fit

When it comes to your defensive handgun, it has to fit.

07/27/2025

My journey in concealed carry - Part 4 – carry position

It is truly an exercise in trial and error with holsters. To start with, where are you going to carry the firearm on your body, i.e., the carry position? I’ll focus on concealed carry because that’s the theme of this series, but the first step is to figure out where on your body (or not) to carry the firearm is the first step in picking out a holster. This wasn’t clear to me to begin with, so I didn’t put much thought into my carry position other than what feels most comfortable. I know better now.

Generally, carrying will NOT be comfortable unless it’s OWB or off-body, but I’ll get to that later. You need to just figure out what’s the most practical AND effective carry position, then experiment to find what’s the most comfortable way to carry. Yes, in that order.

The carry “position” depends—again—on YOU. Most carry in a holster attached to their belt. That means you’re going to need a belt that is up to the task. More on that in the “clothing” post near the end of this series. For those carrying a purse or bag, will you have the firearm inside that?

If you’ll have a holster attached to your belt, will your holster be inside the waistband or outside the waistband? IWB and OWB, respectively.

- - An IWB holster will have your holster between the waist of your pants/shorts and your body. The holster will be right up against you so think about what you may want touching your skin when you’re buying a holster. No matter what, IWB carry is NOT comfortable. It’s hard to get used to tit because it’s so unfamiliar and that discomfort makes it difficult to do carry consistently. You will need to get used to it until it’s just “normal” for you, and as comfortable as possible. Only YOU can determine what’s comfortable for you and what isn’t. I did NOT like IWB, and it still greatly depends on the combination of firearm, holster, and clothes I’m wearing.

- - OWB holsters are far more comfortable because they aren’t tucked inside your pants, BUT they will print more than an IWB holster. If your shirt drifts up, there’s also a greater possibility that your holster—or even firearm—will be plainly visible. You may also discover that it gets in the way more and you might hit it on things. You could easily put holes in the garment worn over the gun/holster from those accidental catches or scrapes. I really like OWB for the comfort factor, but I have certainly put holes in a few shirts. Shirts I really liked! Grrrrr.

- - Off-body means you’re carrying the firearm in something that is not attached to you, e.g., a bag, purse, or something you can carry with you but it isn’t under-or-in the clothes you’re wearing; something that is not securely attached to you. I can’t imagine for ME that off-body would be a good idea. There are “concealed carry purses” but… I don’t carry a purse, and I wouldn’t carry off-body anyway.

The following link has a really nice guide on concealed carry positions. https://concealedcarrysociety.com/concealed-carry-positions/

I narrowed down the options to the following list of popular/common IWB carry positions: small of the back (SOB), appendix, and hip (side):

- - Small of the back (SOB) carry – Behind you; usually at the base of your spine. You’ll have to reach back behind you to draw the firearm. But what if you’re sitting down, laying down, or back up against a wall? How feasible is this in terms of printing, comfort, or access to your firearm (whether it’s obstructed or due to your own flexibility)? This was my choice until I got more training and realized how impractical that can be.

- - Appendix – Basically, down the front of your pants. I definitely see how it’s a great way to carry… IF you don’t have a big ol’ gut, like me, OR if you ever plan to sit down. I know people do, even with a gut, but I just can’t even comprehend it. Lifting my gut out of the way to access the firearm or having it dig into me so hard if I’m sitting down? No thanks. NOT for me. If I could though, it seems the easiest way to lift up the shirt, access the firearm, and draw.

- - Hip/Side carry – Think cowboys drawing a pistol at their side. This is great for me, either IWB or OWB, but IWB tends to be the best combination of practicality, compatibility, comfort, and concealability. Either way, my biggest problem is pulling up my shirt. I have to pull it WAY high, or try to reach across my body to that side as far as I can, or both, to make sure my shirt clears the firearm so I can draw it.

Again, the selection is very personal and I started with SOB. After realizing how limiting and slow it is compared to side carry, I changed. But that also meant I needed to start my holster selection all over again. You may have to do the same thing because your first choice may not be what works best for you after you’ve had more experience.

Carrying a concealed weapon is a step in the right direction in making you and your family safer, but being able to actually draw it is even more important. For this reason, testing out the different concealed carry positions is extremely important.