Defending and Protecting Yourself, Family and Property
The arguments over firing the shotgun by feel and handling versus aiming are many but the bottom line is this, both techniques should be used. A moving target demands fast action and swinging and firing by feel. A stationary target at longer range demands strict use of the sights.
Today, much of the market seems to revolve around tactical gear and personal defense. That is important, nothing is more vital than taking responsibility for our own safety. However, personal defense isn’t the only reason to own a powerful and accurate handgun such as the Ruger Blackhawk. This single-action revolver is also a fine target gun and a great game getter.
The double tap drill is considered by most to be two shots delivered to the target as quickly as possible—but are you doing it right? Practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. However, among the most misunderstood tactics in personal defense is the double tap. More than half of those practicing for defense shooting execute the double tap incorrectly. Worse yet, it is most often taught incorrectly.
With the great and growing abundance of concealed carry permits as Americans exercise their rights and commons sense, and a present political climate that nurtures such progress, armed citizens are flexing their political muscles and choosing to be responsible for their own safety. While the revolver is seen as old technology to some, there are few handguns as reliable and accurate as the short barrel .357 Magnum revolver.
The Army demanded that the Single Action Army take down an Indian war pony at 100 yards. Was this a reasonable expectation? The question is an interesting one, and perhaps since we do not have a need to shoot Indian war ponies these days, irrelevant. However, with our interests piqued, we simply had to have the answer, so Bob Campbell took on the challenge. Here are the results.
There have always been more cheap guns than good guns in my opinion, and the same is true today. Likewise, there have always been very few inexpensive but good guns. Sometimes when looking over the choices in handguns the heavy hitter may say, ‘What is your life worth?’ This is true enough, but many of us cannot afford an expensive firearm despite our best intentions. Read the full story for the pros and cons of picking your self-defense handgun.
The .38 Super is dimensionally identical to the .38 ACP of 1900. The .38 ACP fired a 130-grain bullet at 1,100 fps. The .38 Super was a sensation, noted for its high velocity of 1300 fps and nine fast shots. Colt upped the power of the cartridge but used the same length cartridge case and chambered the .38 Super in the 1911 when it dropped production of the .38 ACP pistols. At the time, you had to know not to fire a .38 Super in older Colt 1903 pistols.
I have experimented with slugs for over 30 years because I wanted to improve the performance of the police-style riot gun. These slugs are powerful, they pound the shoulder, and they get the job done. While Lightfield’s offering excel for defense, hunters are not forgotten with both light and heavy recoil loads for added knock-down power. If you are looking for maximum performance, check out Lightfield. They are sometimes overlooked but not because of accuracy and power. This specialty maker offers real performance at a fair price.
The military is making noises concerning a new sidearm. There is some controversy. Handguns, for whatever reason, seem to come with more emotional attachment and a sense of history than the rifle. I believe that as a close quarters combat pistol the Beretta 92 is lacking the most important attribute a sidearm should have and that is wound potential. In actuality, the Beretta A3 isn’t a new pistol but a modified Beretta M9/M92. Did it pass the author’s range test? Read the full details here.
The Thompson LaGarde test of handgun calibers has been brought into controversy by some, but it was the definitive word when conducted. Their biomechanical fidelity in the use of both cadavers and live animals must be respected. Others point to the success of the .45 ACP during WWII or the works of Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton to determine the best caliber to stop a threat. IN this feature article, Bob Campbell makes his case why he relies on big bores for defense.