Getting more out of Dry Practice (Glock Ed.)

           [Warning this is a partial rant]

I posted a video on Youtube awhile back showing a nifty little trick you can do to your Glock so you can get a consistent trigger pull without having to cycle the slide.  

            Now before you get too excited realize that you will not get that crisp break or positive reset, you will however get a consistent pull similar in weight to the actual pull weight of the trigger.  In the video I used a six inch zip tie, realize that you are not limited to this at all it is simply one of the easiest objects to put into the firearm and take out.  

            People have mentioned that you could just use paper, well let me tell you, it sucks to use paper.  You either have to find a proper weighted piece of paper, or you have to fold the piece of paper a number of times, and it will more than likely fall out of your firearm as you holster and reholster, it will also tear and leave crap in your chamber.  The zip tie will not come out but it will wear out over time.  You could also use a piece of paracord if you get overly paranoid about scratching your pretty barrel with the plastic zip tie (it won't happen but OK...).      

        Now the biggest issue with a portion of people is they continue to ask the following, "What's the point?"  The question itself really shows the ugly head of an archaic training mindset, that dry practice is really only for practicing trigger control.  In the words of Penn Jillette, "That's bullshit."  

           Dry practice is what you make of it.  It is not just trigger control, it is not just about finding the break, or the reset, or the correct follow through.  It is what you make of it.  If it was only about the trigger than no one would practice malfunction clearances, or reloading, or draw stroke, or after action drills, it would only be purely trigger work because that's "THE WHOLE POINT TO DRY PRACTICE".  Maybe to a myopic gun owner (notice I didn't say shooter) that spends more time slamming stuff they see on the internet instead of just shutting up and trying it (especially when it's free) or actually going out and putting another 10 hour training session to rest, leaving them with 600 5.56 casings, another 500 9mm, and another 800 22lr rounds in the hole and you want to talk to me about what the point is?  The point is we see the world differently, you look at the range as an amusement park, you look at dry practice as a way to show off your sweet magpul dvd skills on youtube, you look at multicam and ask can I get that on a hat?, you lambaste anything you've never heard of before or anything that doesn't gel with the latest trends even if the concept was developed and predates everything you know and has proven itself time and time again, but hey since it's new to you it must be BS right?

         The point of the video was to help those who find that dry practicing with a striker fire system can increase the potential of training scars due to the FACT that if you want to work the trigger that you have to cycle the slide with every pull of the trigger.  Maybe you don't dry practice or shoot enough to see the benefits of this.  When you dry practice as much as I do you begin to see the holes and flaws in your own training, practice, and in the knowledge you have received over the years.  You start to notice all the integral problems in the very nature of our training.  If you believe in the concept of muscle memory then you should look at a Glock and dry practice as complete enemies.  In real life if someone or something attacked me I would draw and shoot and shoot and shoot until it stopped trying to hurt me.  In dry practice you get to draw and press the trigger once, and that's that.  That's not realistic, it is not realistic to press the trigger once, trap your finger to the rear, cycle the action, and then slowly wait for the reset as you point in and press again.  If you are working on pure marksmanship in your dry practice that would be the way to go.  However if you are actually practicing and trying to keep up on all of your skill sets you are blind if you think dry practice is only or even primarily just for trigger control.  Whoever taught that to you should give you your money back.

New 101 Appendix Holster

    
                                                   

       101 Holsters has sent me a new and I say improved version of their 101 Appendix Holster to T&E.   I would like to share, discuss, and show the changes of the design.    

        In a nutshell the 101 Appendix has done what properly your wife wishes you would do, or what maybe you wish your significant other would do...diet.   Upon first reviewing the holsters I noticed various differences including in their overall size.  The newest design is slightly smaller in width, height.  The old thermo-plastic-bird lost a little bit of weight.  The holster now only has one rivet/tension screw.  While I have not had an issue with the parts 101 Holster utilizes I still stress to all users that have ANY products that feature parts that are to be placed into one another or screwed into one another USE BLUE LOCTITE!!!  I don't care where you get your stuff from or who makes it, throw some loctite on that bad boy and you just  bought yourself some awesomeness insurance for about four dollaz.

The picture on the left shows the original Appendix Holster which featured two rivets/tension screws.  The new iteration features one rivet/tension screw.  Time will tell if this change has affected the durability of this holster.

From what I can tell so far this change has not made any difference in the retention or in the durability of the holster, but as I said, we'll see.  

The evolved holster also features polymer loops for the snap loops, or "pull the dot loops" from holsterloops.com.

Old snap loops

 New snap loops

The polymer loops are durable and so far are better than the original loops.  I stretched them out onto a canvas and took a Kershaw to them and did a couple of slash cuts and it marred them but it did not chew completely through them or compromise their integrity enough to make me worried about still carrying the holster.  I still need to run them through some sort of abrasion test to properly test them against a sort of "accelerated use phase," meaning, I have to rub something like fine grade sand paper against them to simulate wearing a heavy duty nylon or leather belt rubbing against them constantly to really test the durability of the loops.  

          It is a little hard to see this new cut in the holster but from the above photo as compared to the photo to the right, but the newest holster has a more angular and aggressive upward cut, while the original feature a more outward rounded cut.  This new design means less material to rub against you and your clothing, less printing, and less weight (barely but I'll take it when I can get it).  

          As you can see here, the end of the holster is "open" which allows one to use the same holster for their sub compacts, to their full size pistols.  Yes you will have a portion of your muzzle sticking out from the end of the holster but at least it will be locked into place and the trigger guard will always have full coverage.  Usually when you try to put a full size gun in a compact size holster you will expose more of the trigger guard area then you should.  This leads to more chances of junk getting in the way of your trigger, and less retention.  Possibly even a negligent discharge (highly, highly unlikely, but the odds are increased).  

I blew this photo up so you can see that the Glock 17 fits, and that the trigger is not exposed, AND that the slide stop has been molded to fit those who like to use extended slide stops.  The magazine release area has also been smoothed out to prevent any accidental magazine release issues (Yes I have experienced this with Kydex holsters).  

Something has also changed about the molding process in the holster.  I have not had time to go into direct specifics about the changes but the manufacturer did mention that they had created a "jig" to fix the chamber area.  This lowers the probability of the holster from going out of battery if one was to press the firearm too fast or hard into the holster.  I also mention the molding process because the feel of the holster has changed.  The feel that I'm used to with the original version was more of the standard kydex slide and pop.  With the p90x version it just slides in like glass.  Really distinct feel, somewhat reminiscent of the G-Code XST Rti holster that I have.  

So the 101 Appendix is just like Subway Jared, same old Jared, just smaller, lighter, and arguably more functional.

I haven't found anything wrong with the holster, yet.  I'm a pretty nick-picky dude, especially when I'm trying to find fault but so far no foul.  Hopefully I'll find something minor and stupid so I don't sound like such an infomercial, but if I can't find it I can't find it.   I haven't been in for my annual optical exam though...so, who knows.    

Thanks again to 101 Holsters for letting me to a little test and evaluation on a new design.

Safariland 567 BL attachment system

Ordered the Safariland 567 BL (REVIEW)  It sucks moderately.

1.50-1.75"

          Simply put this attachment is made to replace the T-Adapter that comes stock with  Safariland holsters, which are meant for belts sized between 2 to 2.25 inches wide.  The BL (Belt loop -oooohhhhh FANCY) is sized to fit more normal sized belts, namely 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches.  This device is perfect if you do not want to go to the range wearing all your leather gear.
          Now you can wear your everyday belts but still build that muscle memory without hauling all that extra leather.  This device is handy for those looking for a solution to get some training in with their gear but without establishing to everyone and their mother that they are law enforcement.
           UPDATE*****

        I love the fact that Safariland has made attachment systems so you can utilize a multitude of gear that you already own from them in various ways.  I utilized this system to conceal carrier a Safiarland 6280 series holster (during winter, no way is that thing going to fit under a shirt), I also used it on more "normal" sized belts while at the range practicing.  To put it lightly it sucks (that's lightly right?).  It is once again very awesome that Safariland even made this in the first place (and still does...), but they're making it out of the wrong materials.  It is simply to flexible and pliable and the 6280 series grabs onto the gun just enough that it makes drawing very awkward.  Even with a study belt drawing from this attachment system is too sloppy for my liking.  Your gun should be still and almost locked into place on your hip, and it should be able to be obtained with a simple draw and release, NOT a snag, pull, twist and point...  The 6280 series holsters are simply to heavy duty for this attachment.  If you have a non-hooded holster or non-shrouded holster then this works slightly better.  The reason for this is because if you do have the ALS or SLS system when you push down on the release paddle and push forward (a la the SLS series holsters) when you push forward to obtain your grip and disengage the hood you end up pushing the whole holster forward which then completely ruins the draw because the holster and firearm are no longer pointing straight up and down.

So unless you absolutely need this (like I did), DO NOT BUY IT.     

Big Win for Illinois, big win for all of us.

Judge Richard Posner stated as the main voice for the court that, "The Supreme Court has decided that the amendment confers a right to bear arms for self-defense, which is as important outside the home as inside. The theoretical and empirical evidence (which overall is inconclusive) is consistent with concluding that a right to carry firearms in public may promote self-defense..."

Heck yeah! Couldn't agree with him more.
The SunTimes blog took a poll regarding the matter, inquiring as to whether or not Illinois should have CCWs, or if not.  It is a breath of fresh air to say the least when we see a court, federal or otherwise step up and actually say what the purpose of firearms are for responsible citizens, and to protect those rights wholeheartedly!  I know this is only a small step and I am sure Illinois will concoct some sort of nonsensical law yet again that makes obtaining a permit nigh impossible but the bullying of the state has definitely been noticed and pushed back for once.  If you live in Illinois please thank the judge and his party members for utilizing logic and going against the grain; especially as of late, between Costas and Whitlock, Oregon, etc this is not exactly the most popular decision, but the right decision seldom is.  

The results are fantastic, and it's only been about 24 hours since the article was originally posted.

Link to the original article by SunTimes

For Home Defense the Shotgun is the best!!!

Scroll down to the inserted page break to continue where you left off.

Hey folks, so let’s say you’re new to firearms and you walk into a firearm store to purchase a new weapon, or your first for home defense.

The clerk sitting behind the table of glass says,
“Hello sir/ma’am,how can I help you?”

You respond, “I need a gun for home defense.”

He/she then will more than likely say,
“Oh well I have here a remington 870...” or “I have a mossberg 500... the perfect choice for home defense!”

Let’s pump the brakes for a second.  Now you won’t be a sucker for buying this and you know it is not a bad choice because a gun is better than no gun, but based on my training and experience it certainly is not the best choice.

If you don’t own a gun, or if you do own firearms but think you’re set, maybe you should have a go at the following:

• Go get a broom, or long lead pipe, or even a plank of wood that is similar to the length of a rifle
• (Look for something about the length of 30”).  
• Now take your object of length (easier there tiger) and go to your son’s, daughter’s, guest’s rooms, and at least one bathroom and close all of their doors.  
• Go to your bedroom, close your bedroom door, set the object in the closet and close the door.  Go sit on your bed.  

• Get up, retrieve your object and hold it up like a rifle.  
• If you don’t have any training that’s fine just emulate for now.  
• Now leave your room and go back and open up every door to every room that you closed and walk into those rooms, and then leave the rooms (don’t forget the bathroom) and make your way back to your bedroom.  During all of this never let go of the object.

Now imagine that you had to carry your child while doing this, had a phone in the other hand, or had to drag an adult into another room..  Also imagine that the broom you were holding weighed 8-12lbs or 7-9lbs (doesn’t sound like much but when the weight is all on your hand and wrist and is not evenly distributed, time is against you).