Prepping Considerations 3

 A recent conversation with a reader of this blog gave rise to the need to update some information. Clearly, guns and shooting are a major source of enjoyment for me and have been for many years. Often, those who shoot find themselves in prepper communities, and I am no different. At this point, I have taken dozens of firearms classes, and taught over 100 live fire classes. So this week, posts will center around my suggestions for guns and equipment for SHTF. 

Day 3 - Rigs

My primary chest rig is a Helikon Tex Micro Rig. This rig holds 4 AR mags, and has 4 pouches for pistol mags and tools. It has a med pouch, as well as a main pouch. Very comparable to most micro rigs on the market. 

A secondary rig I own and train with is a Tasmanian Tiger MKII chest rig. It has 5 AR mag pouches. I have added to the MOLLE a pair of pistol mag pouches. It has two side pouches - one I use for medical, and the other for general tools. 

Another rig I own and train with is an Army FLC ("Fighting Load Carrier"). This one has 6 AR mag pouches and 6 Pistol mag / tool pouches. It also has a pouch that I have attached for medical. The advantage to this rig over the other two is that I can customize it. The disadvantage is that I can customize it. 

The micro rig and the Tasmanian Tiger are my favorites. At one point, I used a VooDoo Tactical chest rig. That rig was my favorite for a LONG time. It had a couple of drawbacks:

* pistol mag pouches poorly located, and couldn't take larger mags. 

* Small pouch in front for medical. 

* Waist buckle got in the way and clanked into my pistol. 

The Tasmanian does 90% of what the VooDoo did, without the drawbacks. 

Prepping Considerations 2

 A recent conversation with a reader of this blog gave rise to the need to update some information. Clearly, guns and shooting are a major source of enjoyment for me and have been for many years. Often, those who shoot find themselves in prepper communities, and I am no different. At this point, I have taken dozens of firearms classes, and taught over 100 live fire classes. So this week, posts will center around my suggestions for guns and equipment for SHTF. 

Day 2 - Pistols

"All guns should be GLOCKS. All GLOCKS should be 9mm. And all 9mm GLOCKs should be CLOCK 19's." 

- James Yeager. 

A number of quality gun manufacturers make "GLOCK 19" style guns. You would do well to own and carry any of the following "GLOCK 19 Style" pistols:

• S&W M&P 2.0C (This is what I carry)
• Sig P320
• Canik TP9SF
• GLOCK 19 or similar

My goal is a minimum of 6 mags because that gives me the requisite 5 mags for most training classes and one mag for my self defense ammo. 

Take a class with YOUR carry gun. 

Shoot a few boxes of YOUR self defense ammo through YOUR carry gun. 

Prepping Considerations 1

 A recent conversation with a reader of this blog gave rise to the need to update some information. Clearly, guns and shooting are a major source of enjoyment for me and have been for many years. Often, those who shoot find themselves in prepper communities, and I am no different. At this point, I have taken dozens of firearms classes, and taught over 100 live fire classes. So this week, posts will center around my suggestions for guns and equipment for SHTF. 

Day 1 - Rifles

My three primary use rifles are military clones. You do not need a military clone rifle to be effective. However, yours should share some of the same characteristics. My three main rifles are an MK12MOD0 clone, an M16A4 clone, and an M4 Block II SOPMOD clone. Each rifle has been customized a bit and is not 100% clone correct. 

The MK12MOD0 has a Trijicon Credo scope sitting on an American Defense mount. Definitely not clone correct, but a darn good optic, and a way better mounting solution. It has a Vickers Sling from Blue Force Gear.

The M16A4 has a BCM Grip, a free floating quad rail from Midwest Industries, and a match grade trigger. This has the effect of making the rifle nearly comparable to a Designated Marksman's gun. I have my ACOG on top of it, not the world's best optic - but tough as nails and does the job. This rifle also wears a Vickers Sling from Blue Force Gear.

The M4A1 Block II SOPMOD also has a Midwest Industries quad rail (price) and a match grade barrel that is not SOPMOD specification - it also has a midlength gas tube. The stock, though similar, is also not clone correct. This rifle wears an Aimpoint T2 micro dot. Tough as nails and fast as can be had. This rifle wears a Warrior Poet Sling. 

None of them are 100% clone correct, but they all have mods that have purpose. And that's the point of this post. What kind of rifle should you get and what features should it have?

My Suggestions

You should get an AR15 type rifle. 

It should have a 16-inch, 18-inch, or 20-inch barrel. 

It should be free floated, whether it is a match grade barrel or not. 

A mid length or rifle length gas tube is preferable. 

Make sure it has quality lower parts and a quality bolt. 

Get a quality optic and zero that optic to the ammo you will be stocking up on. 

If you use a red dot, have a magnifier to go with it. 

You need a quality sling, as well. 

If you do not select a red dot, go with a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO). 

If you do a trigger upgrade, get a good one like Geissele.

Buy good mags to go with it. PMAGs are the standard. 

Changing Churches

From a reader:

"You said you do not attend Global Vision anymore. What happened?"

It's really not as spicy as many would have hoped. In short, we felt led to attend elsewhere. But, if you search Greg Locke and want to find the "nitty gritty" on him, then I'm willing to dish it out. Bare, honest truth about some of the controversy about the man. In this article, I may refer to him as Greg, and that is because we are on a first name basis. 

1. The Truth about Greg Locke's height.

Most people who finally meet Greg Locke in person say "you look bigger on TV!" The honest truth is, Greg is not a towering person. He stands about 5'8" or so and weighs about 145 pounds. Many people bring him t-shirts in XL. The man wears a Medium in most brands. 

2. The Truth about Greg Locke's net worth.

Some Google sources say Greg is worth something like $129 Million. Other sources have it at $4 - $5 Million. Both are way off. The man drives a lifted 1992 pickup truck (the "Bubba Truck"). His wife and my friend, Tai, drives a newer vehicle, but it is modest - a Nissan. They live in a very average house. I've seen the Global Vision financials - and there is no way he has a net worth over $4 Million. He doesn't even make as much money as I make. The church gives most of the revenue away to others in need. 

3. The Truth about Greg Locke's ex-wife.

Some sources would have you believe that Greg "got tired" of Melissa and "sent her away." Truth is, she left the place and started behaving very oddly. She has since remarried (to another pastor, if memory serves), and has also divorced that man, as well. Since that time, I have completely lost touch with her. I wish her well. 

Here's to hoping you got all of the spicy details you wanted. I'm sure some will accuse me of "covering for Greg." No amount of explanation will set those folks straight. One thing is for certain, we did not leave Greg's church out of fear or anger. And as long as the Gospel of Christ is preached there, I wish them massive success. 

Part of the Job 5

From a reader:

"What is something that nobody outside your job would know is part of your job?"

This is such a good question, that it will have a 5-part answer - one for each day this week. 

Part 5 - From Car Rental. 

If you want to have a good laugh, or get the inside track about what it was like working at Enterprise, check out the Facebook Page, "Things I learned at Enterprise." They are spot-on. 

One of those things that a number of people learn in many different industries, is something I learned at Enterprise. At one location, a car came up on a report and the renter owed thousands of dollars. I checked it and double-checked it. Very little information in the system - except that the Area Manager had written that contract. 

Involving the Branch Manager was my next step. We worked on it together, and it took a while to devise a course of action. We had to confront that Area Manager. But if we did it directly, it would likely cost us our jobs. There was a reason he was hiding it. The name of the renter was female. Her age was fairly young - significantly younger than his wife of nearly 10 years at the time. And we saw her once a little while later, and learned she was a "dancer" at a local area strip club.

We decided to take the information to another Area Manager. He agreed to ask about it, and he did. The following day, our Area Manager handed my boss a bunch of cash, with instructions not to ask, just to deposit it. The young female's rental was extended another month or so. It as VERY clear what was happening. 

Four months later, for reasons not pertaining to this information, this Area Manager had a hand in my firing from the company. And yet, I have still kept this secret. 21 years I've kept it. 

Should I reveal?

Part of the Job 4

 From a reader:

"What is something that nobody outside your job would know is part of your job?"

This is such a good question, that it will have a 5-part answer - one for each day this week. 

Part 4 - From the Insurance Side

Been in insurance since 2006. Here are some myths you want to know:

* The color of your car does not affect the rate. 

* Your credit score matters. A lot. 

* A non-owners policy does not cover everything you drive. 

* Bare minimum is not full coverage.

* It's a shame the previous two need to be said. 

* Your homeowner's coverage will NOT cover anything if you shoot someone, even in self defense. 

  (maybe cleanup IF the shooting was in your home)

* Your insurance company is not out to cheat you on a claim - you were, however, probably trying to materially misrepresent your situation in favor of cheaper premiums. 

* Not nearly enough people have life insurance. 

* I've NEVER met anyone who, after a claim, said "dang, I had too much coverage!"

Part of the Job 3

 From a reader:

"What is something that nobody outside your job would know is part of your job?"

This is such a good question, that it will have a 5-part answer - one for each day this week. 

Third Part - Personal Security Detail

Working a Personal Security Detail for persons of note is an interesting thing to do. Here are a few thoughts about some persons of note this author has had responsibility for:

Danny Gokey

This American Idol contestant is possibly one of the best human beings I've met. Really chill guy. Excellent singer (duh!). Remembered me in public later, and my daughter. 

Roger Stone

More down to Earth than you would think. Ran a joke by my security team. We advised he scrap that one - and he did. He got a better laugh from telling the crowd that. 

Charlie Kirk

Tall guy. I really like what he does and how he presents himself on stage. Does not take himself too seriously. Was nervous about what he could and could not say in front of a church because he did not want the church to lose its 501c3 status. Very thoughtful and intelligent. 

Dr. Alan Keys

Exceptionally brilliant man. Very humble, as well. Extremely well spoken. He was the one I wanted to be on PSD for the most, and he did not disappoint. Drove himself to the event - in a very modest car. 

Artur Pawlowski

It would be hard to find a person more dedicated to God and freedom than Artur. Although he had grown up and lived in places where guns generally were not allowed, he made it a point to thank me and my team for having them and being willing to "live John 15:13." His son was a good guy to speak with, as well. So was his paid PSD guy. 

Greg Locke

Without a doubt, this is the person most people ask me about. Greg is a friend and we stay in contact even though I no longer attend his church. With Greg, WYSIWYG. He is much like what you see on video - 24/7. Hint - he is not as tall as you think. So many people bring him t-shirts in size XL, only to find that he is a Medium in most brands. The camera must add pounds. 

Part of the Job 2

 From a reader:

"What is something that nobody outside your job would know is part of your job?"

This is such a good question, that it will have a 5-part answer - one for each day this week. 

Part 2 - Behind the Scenes

Everyone thinks being a firearms instructor is somehow glamorous. As my former pastor says, "everyone wants the power, nobody wants the process."

The process looks like hard work. 

Cleaning up before and after class. 

Putting up target stands, targets, etc. 

Arriving the day before to work for hours to set up. 

Creating and maintaining a website, FB page, etc. 

Making sure assistants are paid, fed, etc. 

Selecting good assistants. 

Making sure the range gets appropriate funds. 

Making sure the range gets appropriate maintenance. 

Going out on a limb financially to purchase merchandise for sale. 

Dealing with "that guy" in class. 

Creating a powerpoint, outline, handout, etc. 

Constant re-evaluation of curriculum.

Certifications, insurance, etc. 

A weekend away from family. 

A lot of this might be mitigated to a certain extent if I owned a range. But a decent one is a half million or more. That would take a long time to pay off.