RECCE ROOM

Today is Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas. This week, in light of it being in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas, this blog will concentrate on the 12 gun myths of Christmas (or really, of all time). Today's topics: "Knockdown Power" "A .22 will bounce all around inside you" "You don't have to aim a shotgun" "The shockwave from a .50 BMG can kill you" (even if the bullet doesn't hit) "The AR15 was designed to wound, not kill" "Knockdown Power" Often used by "Boomers" who are debating online the efficacy of a .45 ACP vs. 9mm. Once in a Blue Moon, this person can actually shoot straight... usually not. And they have never actually seen a wound channel comparison up close. On the other side of this coin, a good friend is a Critical Care Paramedic for Nashville Fire Dept. - often crew on the busiest ambulance route in the entire nation. He tells me that unless the wound is from a .22, they cannot distin...

Today is Day 6 of the 12 Days of Christmas. This week, in light of it being in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas, this blog will concentrate on the 12 gun myths of Christmas (or really, of all time). Today's topics: "I know how to shoot!" "I've been shooting all my life!" "Husband / boyfriend = firearms instructor" "Military / Law Enforcement Background = Firearms Instructor" When I mention these myths in classes, I make sure to use my most redneck southern drawl. In a mocking way. Because that is indicative of my presumption of the myth-spreader's intelligence when they spew this. The one thing all of these myths have in common is that they are spoken by phony experts.  "I know how to shoot" Often said by someone who means well in reply to the fact that there are classes out there. This person mistakenly believes that knowing what the trigger does means they know how to shoot. I love getting these guys on the line. The...

Today is Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas. This week, in light of it being in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas, this blog will concentrate on the 12 gun myths of Christmas (or really, of all time).  Today's topic: "Resting your AR15 magazine on the ground will cause a malfunction." As we get going, let's look at this snippet from US Army TC 3-22.9: Came across this thread recently and it had me laughing. For real. A lot.  For the sake of clarity, "prone supported" is prone position where an object is used to support the rifle - sand bags, ruck sack, other equipment. "Prone unsupported" can include resting the rifle magazine on the ground.  For the record, the following major tactical schools / instructors teach prone unsupported with the magazine rested on the ground: Thunder Ranch Valor Ridge Tactical Response Front Sight CSAT Pat McNamara Tactical Rifleman Ronin Tactics Warrior Poet Sage Dynamics - Aaron Cowan Now, onto the thread, and so...

Today is Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas. This week, in light of it being in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas, this blog will concentrate on the 12 gun myths of Christmas (or really, of all time).  Today's topic: "A Pistol is just to fight your way back to the rifle that you shouldn't have put down." If you have a pistol, why not shoot the deadly threat with it?  How do you propose to "fight" with it until you get to your rifle?  How do you account for " 3 feet, 3 seconds, 3 shots ?"  Presuming you are not shooting the threat with your pistol, but "fighting," what are you going to do with your rifle when you get it (because shooting threats is clearly not your thing)?

Today is Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas. This week, in light of it being in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas, this blog will concentrate on the 12 gun myths of Christmas (or really, of all time).  Today's topic: M855 clones.  So many people are "in love" with M855 ammunition. Many will reach out to me and ask angrily why I do not allow M855 at my classes. The answer simply put, is that I use steel targets, and the M855 does one thing well - penetrate steel targets . Since, in this insane idea to turn a profit, I would prefer to be able to use my $200 apiece steel targets more than once, I forbid use of M855 on them. When I ask people why they prefer M855, they often respond with some variation of "it's better!" Better than what, you might ask? Better than other ammo choices is the insinuated answer. But is it? If so, how is it better?  To look at this objectively, let's look at three of the most common topics used to compare ammunition: accuracy...

 Absolutely hilarious - Glitter Bomb 4.0 - for those annoying porch pirates.  You'd think the police would want to stop these legitimate bad guys (the porch pirates). But, they must need to hit their quota. 

Tell me you've never been to a gun class without saying you've never been to a gun class. (or have very limited experience in them) The author collects these from people who make inane statements. The plan is to leave them on this blog from time to time, after a sufficient number have been accumulated. For those who don't know and would like to learn, I'll leave a brief commentary or explanation in italics under each one.  "I would like to take a rifle class. But not a pistol. I already know pistol and don't want to mess up what I know." True experts seek to add tools to the toolbox, never resting on their laurels. If you think (or say) you know something, then you don't. "What certifications do you get from these classes?" There are only a handful of widely recognized certifications one can get from a gun class: NRA, USCCA, POST. My classes, like many, have a certificate of completion.  "Why do you need to take a gun class, do you not ...

Why do people lie? Surely, there are a myriad of reasons. Sometimes people lie for perceived protection for themselves or others. Some habitually lie . Some are pushing an agenda. Some spread mistruths - sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly. Some people are really convinced they are telling the truth, when, in fact, they are not. Some people just wish to be contrary - and that is the point of this post.  As a young man, I remember watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie. Through the wonderment of the interwebz, I have since learned that the episode in question is named "In the Big Inning." This episode stood out to me first because it was about baseball, and I have always enjoyed watching and playing the game of baseball. The second part that stood out was a moment when the umpire advised the teams that 3 strikes is an out, 3 outs are an inning, and 6 innings is a game. One of the players protests and says "last year we got 4 outs!" Outside of a dro...

 Quite possibly, one of the most prevalent misconceptions about firearms is this thought: "The handgun carry permit class is a training class." As a handgun carry permit instructor, I wish I could put this one to bed, once and for all. Since that seems highly improbable, here is an important reminder.  The carry permit class is NOT a training class. Even the State of Tennessee recognizes this fact. At this link : "...you must attend a Tennessee handgun safety course ." (emphasis mine)

 From a reader: "How do you not let all the criticism get to you?" First, it is important to point out, for every critic, I have 10 people say they appreciate what I am doing. Furthermore, I get a LOT of repeat business. That speaks volumes.  Second, it is important to understand that they are only haters because they aren't doing as well and because they are jealous. Remember: haters are just confused followers.  Never once have I looked at a firearms school that was not doing as well as I am and thought and said: "YoU'rE dOiNg It WrOnG!!!" To be fair, I've not looked at firearms schools doing better than I am and thought the same, either.  On more than one occasion, I have thought "how can I adopt that and put it into my school?" And that's why I'm doing better than many, and offering a high quality product.  And that's why I am more content. 

By reader request, here is "tell me you've never been to a gun class, without saying 'I've never been to a gun class'."  My thoughts in italics below the interesting comment. "Half of the class will be FEDS." Haven't had one "FED" yet.  "Anyone charging to teach small unit tactics right now is suspicious." Anyone giving that information away for free is even more suspicious.  "No one in the  photo has a decent position, and 1 person in the kneeling photo might have bone support. this is somewhat surprising since the instructor lists Appleseed expert rifleman in his qualifications." - I've attended 4 Appleseeds - have seen kneeling demonstrated one time - never have we shot from it in the Appleseed class. So not only has this person never been to a class, but they have also never been to an Appleseed, yet rely on the reputation of Appleseed.  - I know of at least seven different kneeling positions - high kneel...