Just 5 Drills

 

I've been asked how to train or how to develop a training program for yourself.  I always say first take a basic course.  Then use what you've learned in that course (safety, basics, skills) and come up with your own training.  Shooting drills is one of the best ways I know to keep sharp with specific skills.  Almost all my training workouts involve drills.  I like to test drills to see if I like them or feel they will give me training in the skills I’m working on.  Running a few of these drills will cover a variety of skills.  These are the 5 that I would recommend and have used in several of my classes.  Enjoy! 

The El Presidente

The El Presidente is a classic firearms training drill created by Jeff Cooper, one of my shooting heroes. (This was the first drill Jeff had us shoot when re-qualifying as a military small arms instructor) The exercise utilizes three targets, a handgun, a holster, a shot timer, and at least one extra magazine and pouch. The three targets should be man-shaped with the vital area clearly marked.

The targets should be placed one meter from each other. Load two magazines with six rounds each.

How to Shoot It

You start ten yards from the targets facing away from them. Your hands are held above your head as if you are surrendering. At the go buzzer you turn, draw from concealment and engage each target twice. After shooting six rounds, your gun should be dry. Reload, and engage each target with rounds again. A perfect score is 12 shots across 3 targets all in the vital region in ten seconds as a passing score.

What it Trains

The El Presidente drill trains a wide variety of different skills. It teaches essentially every fundamental handgun combat skill out there. It trains your ability to draw from concealment, to move and shoot, as well as proper shot placement, and reloading. The drill sounds easy, but it’s very easy to fly a shot out of the vital zone, and even harder to hit that ten second time. It’s the best kind of stress in my opinion.

The 1-5X Drill

The 1-5X drill was created by Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics and is designed around the tactical carbine. That being said the exercise can be done with a handgun. You’ll need a rifle, a single magazine loaded with 15 rounds, and 3 targets placed 1 meter apart.

How to Shoot It

Start five yards away from the three targets. The drill requires IPSC targets, but any man-sized target will work. You’ll want to aim for the vital zones of the target. You can work from left to right or right to left. If you do the drill more than once mix it up a bit. Starting on the first target, fire a single round, transition to target 2 and fire two rounds, transition to target 3 and fire three shots.

You aren’t done yet though. Keep the momentum going and transition back to target 2 and fire four rounds. And to finish the drill transition to target 1 and fire five shots. Try to complete this drill in less than five seconds.

What it Trains

It trains rapid transitions and for you to drive your gun from target to target. It also doesn’t allow you to fall into the trap on firing one or two rounds on target and ending the drill. You get your time down you need to learn a degree of rifle skills. This includes trigger control, body positioning, and recoil and muzzle control.

Port Reload – Shotgun

The Port Reload Drill is very simple, but a very important skill to master. A shotgun’s biggest weakness is its low capacity. It’s critical any shotgun operator learns how to reload their weapon effectively. The port reload drill trains shooters to quickly and effectively load an empty shotgun with just one more round. You’ll need a shotgun, a method to hold ammo (side saddle is best), two targets, and two shots per drill.

How to Shoot

Start at 10 yards with a round in the chamber, but an overall empty shotgun. The two targets should be one meter apart. Fire one the first target and keep the bolt to the rear. Keep your shotgun pointed down range and with your non-firing hand retrieve a round of ammunition. Load the round directly through the port and close the bolt. Engage the second target. The drill should be done in about 2 seconds total with a side saddle ammo carrier.

What it Trains

Your ability to quickly reload and re-engage a target is the primary purpose of this drill. It helps build reloading into a habit, and the faster you reload the shotgun, the deadlier you will be. You’ll gain a better understanding of the shotgun’s manual of arms, as well as what makes a shotgun tick.

Mozambique or Failure Drill

The Mozambique drill is a classic drill that Jeff Cooper advocated. Mike Rousseau essentially invented the drill in an actual firefight. The exercise is all about proper shot placement and covering your butt. It’s one of those drills that ensure you get the job done when the fight starts.

The Mozambique drill is perfect for beginners and experts to learn and exercise with. You need a handgun or rifle, three rounds, one magazine, and one target. If using a handgun you will need a holster. 

How To Shoot It

You can start at essentially at any range, although the drill is for close quarter’s use so let’s start it at 10 yards or less. The exercise begins with the gun holstered or at the low ready, loaded with at least 3 rounds. On the go signal, draw the gun and fire two rounds to the chest immediately transition and place one well-aimed shot to the head. Your goal should be to do this in under 2.5 seconds, and even under 2 seconds is possible.

What it Trains

Obviously, it’s going to train your ability to draw your firearm rapidly. On top of that, you’ll be learning about shot placement and forming an excellent set of skills for getting proper shot placement regardless of the situation. You’ll learn to transition from chest to head with confidence.

F.A.S.T. Drill

The F.A.S.T. drill which is short for Fundamentals, Accuracy, and Speed Test is one difficult drill to master, but when you do you’ll be a competent shooter. The Drill requires you to have one target, a 3×5 card, an 8-inch paper plate as well as a target backer.

You’ll need two magazines, one loaded with 2 rounds and one loaded with 4 rounds. You’ll also need a mag pouch, a holster, and a shot timer. If you are not using a retention holster, you must fire the drill from concealment.

How to Shoot It

The drill is done at seven yards with the handgun holstered and one in the chamber. The plate is set on the torso of the target, and the 3×5 card is placed on the head. At the start signal, you draw, and fire two rounds into the head of the target, then perform a slide lock reload with the spare magazine. Fire the 4 shots into the plate.

If you miss, you fail. Take your time with this drill and go for accuracy over speed. Speed comes with time. However, speed is how you judge your skill as a shooter. There are four rankings for this drill.

10+ seconds: Novice
less than 10 seconds: Intermediate
less than 7 seconds: Advanced
less than 5 seconds: Expert

It’s a tough drill but is a good way to learn and test skills.  

What it Trains

Speed and accuracy, the two most important skills a self-defense shooter can have. You’ll also develop the ability to draw and get onto a relatively small target quickly. There is also an established time and accuracy standard which gives you realistic goals to hit.

Drills are an excellent way to build your skills and test yourself. They shake up a normal range trip and can help you hone those skills to a sharp edge. Also, they happen to be challenging and a lot of fun, too. Put a few of these into your training rotation and you’ll see a difference in your training workout.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

 

Justifiable Violence: Use of Force

 

I suggest the 5 elements of justified use of force. They are:
Innocence. Who is the aggressor? Don’t be the aggressor but be ready.
Imminence. What signs are there that an attack will happen? Are they reasonable signs?
Reasonableness. Knowledge of the attacker. What you can ascertain about your attacker. The exception is where there is a disparity of force. Typical examples of disparity of force include a big guy attacking a smaller guy, a man attacking a woman, a healthy person attacking an infirm person, or a trained fighter attacking an untrained person.
Avoidance. Regardless of law (but you should know the law in your state) as a lethal weapon carrier, you should always avoid an altercation if you can. It’s also wise legally, to show that you went out of your way to avoid the situation.
Proportionality. Once the threat is stopped anything else is excess. If you hit your attacker and they go down and don’t move or you shoot them and they go down and don’t move, further injury or violence against them will be assault or possibly attempted murder. If the threat persists, you must stop the threat.
I have never had the misfortune to have to defend my actions of self-defense. The only incident I have had was clear to law enforcement, and nothing happened to me. But as concealed carriers we must be aware of the implications and responsibilities that accompany carrying a lethal weapon.
Having a little knowledge of these things is good, but consulting a lawyer is better. There are many pro 2nd amendment lawyers out there. There is also some legal defense insurance programs out there to protect yourself in the event of a defensive shooting. Here are three:
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, Inc. (ACLDN)
U.S. Law Shield
NRA’s Carry Guard
Being aware of the laws in your state and the states you visit is very important. You risk a lot not knowing them. There are also classes you can take for this but most states include their laws in their concealed carry classes for their license.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Reloading Ammo Safely: From "DIY Prepper"

 Is reloading ammunition safe?  I’ve had this question come up many times in this blog.  The answer is “Yes, if you’re not stupid.”  One of the things you learn real fast in military basic training is attention to detail.  Is it important to learn to fold your clothes to exact measurements?  No not really.  But if you can follow simple directions with exactness, then when it comes to life and death decisions that may require detail it will come easier.  That’s why it is taught.  Reloading is the same.  Like shooting, or using power tools, or driving a vehicle, reloading can be dangerous.  But if you learn the basics, pay attention to what you are doing, reloading can be a skill that will serve you for some time.  I find it relaxing.

Reloading ammo is dangerous under the following 3 circumstances:

1. The person reloading doesn’t know what they are doing. (Uneducated)

2. A stupid person is reloading. (Darwin-award recipient)

3. The reloader is careless. (Not paying attention)

Almost every dangerous situation that you could experience reloading ammunition can be traced directly back to those three things. If you are an intelligent human being who knows what they are doing and are paying attention, your chances of reloading safely are pretty good.

DIY Prepper has gone into detail concerning how to reload safely.  Here is his article.  

(By DIY Prepper August 30, 2019  diyprepper.com)      

“You Educate Yourself

Reloading ammunition is safe when you know what you are doing. Do some research and get help before you start. I learned the basics from a friend whom I met through work. You may be able to do the same, but if you can’t, you may be able to find an NRA Reloading Course near you.

Reloading manuals are excellent sources of information for a beginner or experienced reloader. In addition to loading data, many reloading manuals include safety tips and other helpful information. Youtube and forums are good sources of information as well, just don’t use them for load data.

You Pay Attention

Reloading ammo is safe when you pay attention to what you are doing. Avoiding distractions will reduce the chance of making a mistake. Watching TV and babysitting a screaming toddler are a couple of things that you shouldn’t do while reloading.

One of the most important things to pay attention to is the powder going into cases. First, you want to make sure you actually put powder into the case. This will prevent squibs, which are rounds that get lodged halfway down the barrel. When a squib round gets stuck in the barrel, the next round you fire will either bulge the barrel or make it blow up.

Also, make sure that you don’t put a double charge in the case. This will blow up a gun as well. (Amen brother!) This is more likely to occur with pistol calibers such as .38 Special but it can happen with others as well. In addition to paying attention, another good way to avoid double charges, or make them less likely, is to use a powder that fills up more of the case.

You Are Detail Oriented

Since reloading requires precision measurements, being detail-oriented is one of the best ways to make reloading safe. Before reloading, inspect your equipment to make sure it is calibrated properly. This is especially important in regard to your powder scale. 

As you are reloading, check measurements such as cartridge overall length. To do this, you will need to use a good set of calipers. This will help ensure that your reloaded rounds will chamber in a firearm properly and avoid pressure problems caused by improper bullet seating depth.

Another good thing to keep an eye on is primer seating depth. The flat surface of a primer should never be above the surface of the case head. Primers should be set firmly against the bottom of the primer pocket for them to work safely and reliably.

Another, often overlooked, aspect of being a detail-oriented reloader is attention to case preparation. This includes cleaning your cases, trimming them to the proper length, discarding damaged cases, and cleaning primer pockets. A little extra attention during the case prep stage can prevent problems later.

Store Your Components Properly

Reloading ammo is safe when you store your components properly. Extreme heat, cold, humidity, and other environmental factors can, over time, change how powders and primers will work.

Since my reloading setup is in my garage, I don’t store my powder and primers with the rest of my equipment. I store them in the house in ammo cans. This prevents them from being exposed to temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Also, never store powder or primers anywhere near an open flame or heat source. Doing so could cause a fire or explosion, which is obviously very bad.

Follow Instructions

Reloading ammo is safe when you follow instructions. This includes load data as well as setup instructions that came with your equipment. Since reloading is an activity that requires precision, you should follow instructions exactly.

Many people have had accidents due to a failure to follow instructions. One of the most common examples of this is trying to “hotrod” a load to get greater velocity. Don’t try to push a load because you think your gun can “handle it”. Many .40 caliber Glocks have experienced kabooms because of that type of thinking.

Also, follow load data for the specific bullet you are working with. The reason for this is that not all bullets of the same weight and caliber are the same. A solid copper bullet will have different dimensions than a lead bullet with a jacket, even though they may weigh the same thing. I like to have reloading manuals for each bullet manufacturer that I use.

Start Low and Work Your Way Up

Reloading ammo is safe when you start low and work your way up. Never start at your reloading manual’s maximum load. This can be dangerous, and many times isn’t necessary. The safest way to develop new loads is to start at the minimum load and work your way up.

To do this, load 3-5 cases with the minimum load, and then repeat the process with increasingly higher loads. However, do not go above the maximum load listed in your reloading manual. As you are testing the loads, watch out for pressure signs such as pierced primers and bent case rims.

Keep Records in your Manuals and on Boxes

Once you find a load that works safely in your gun and produces the accuracy you desire, you want to record it to make sure you don’t forget it. I always write my favorite loads in my reloading manuals next to the load data it came from.

I also record the recipe that I used on my ammunition boxes. Most plastic reloading boxes will include stickers that you can use for this purpose.

You Inspect Your Brass

Reloading ammo is safe when you keep an eye on your loads by inspecting your brass after you shoot. You should look for pressure signs and damaged brass. Given, finding your brass is easier with bolt guns and revolvers than it is with semi-automatic firearms. However, being able to inspect your brass will let you know if there are problems with your loads.

Inspect your brass after developing new loads and after shooting existing loads at different times of the year. Some loads that may be safe in the winter may exhibit warning signs when the temperature is hotter.

Wear Gloves

Another way to make reloading as safe as possible is to wear gloves. Ammunition contains all sorts of chemicals, some of which can be absorbed through your skin. Many of them are carcinogenic or cause other health problems.

To prevent health problems, I always wear Nitrile gloves while reloading or handling reloading equipment. Gloves such as these block harmful substances from coming into contact with my skin but don’t get in the way when I am trying to work.

Wear a Mask When Tumbling

One of the most potentially hazardous stages of the reloading process is tumbling cases. When a case is being cleaned in a tumbler, all of the residue from the outside of the case is being scrubbed off. When it leaves the case, its dust can become airborne when you are separating the cases from the tumbling media. One of the most dangerous components of this dust is lead.

Lead has been proven to cause numerous health problems. The big issue with lead is that its dust particulates are small enough to go through many masks, including N95’s. Because of this, it is a good idea to get a half-face respirator to wear whenever you are using your case tumbler or removing media. To block lead particulates, your mask’s filters should be rated at least N100.

Safely Reload by Understanding What Can Go Wrong

One of the best ways to ensure that you are reloading safely is to understand what not to do. If you are aware of what can hurt you, then just don’t do it. Here are some of the dangerous situations that may arise from improper reloading techniques and how to avoid them.

Primers are Explosive

Primers are probably the most dangerous reloading component that you will use. While powders are considered “propellants”, primers actually contain small amounts of explosives. Because of this, use caution when seating primers.

If a primer does not go into a case easily, stop to see what the problem is. If you try to force it into place, you may detonate the primer, along with all of the other primers that are around it. When using a hand primer, keep it away from and don’t point it near your face.

Improper Bullet Seating Depth Can Be Dangerous

When seating bullets, it is very important to stay within the specifications listed in your reloading manual. Not following those specifications will result in excessive pressure, which could damage the firearm and cause injury. These excessive pressures can result when the bullet is seated too far into the case as well as when it isn’t seated far enough.

Case head separation

Reusing brass cases too many times can cause problems. One of the worst of these is case head separation. When this happens, the case head separates from the rest of the case, allowing hot gases to escape into areas of the firearm not designed to contain them. This could result in damage to the firearm and serious injury to the user.

Don’t Use the Wrong Powder

sing the wrong powder while reloading is extremely dangerous. Different types of cartridges require different types of powder. For example, small pistol cartridges will use a faster burning powder, while large rifle cartridges will use a slower burning powder. If you fill a large rifle case with pistol powder, you will blow up the rifle. It will also very likely severely injure or kill you.

To make sure that I use the right powder, I never keep any powder on my reloading bench other than the one I am using. I also open my reloading manual to the page with the correct recipe and keep the powder’s canister on my bench. This prevents accidents and helps me know for certain that I am using the correct powder.

Don’t Mix Powders

While this issue isn’t as common as accidentally using the wrong powder, never mix powders. This usually happens when a reloader fails to remove all of the old powder from a powder hopper or trickler. Be sure that you remove all powder from such equipment before filling it with new powder.”

Thank you DIY Prepper for the informative article.  I’ve reloaded for years and have never had a problem.  I am very careful because I’ve heard the horror stories. 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Gun Registration? Almost Non-existent

I get this question from many different people.  Do I have to register my gun?

When you buy a gun at a store you will have to pass a background check and fill out a Form 4473.

A Firearms Transaction Record, or ATF Form 4473, is a seven-page form prescribed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) required in the U.S. to be completed when a person purchases a firearm from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder, such as a gun dealer.

Form 4473 contains the purchaser's name, address, date of birth, government-issued photo ID, National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check transaction number, and a short affidavit stating that the purchaser is eligible to purchase firearms under federal law. It also contains the make, model, or serial numbering the firearm. Lying on the form is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison in addition to fines, even if the transaction is denied by the NICS. Prosecutions are rare in the absence of a felony committed with the gun purchased.   

If a person purchases a firearm from a private individual who is not an FFL licensed dealer, the purchaser is not required in most states to complete a Form 4473. Some states (such as California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington) require individual sellers to sell through dealers.

These forms are given the same status as a tax return under the Privacy Act of 1974 and cannot be disclosed by the government to private parties or other government officials except in accordance with the Privacy Act. Individual dealers possessing a copy of the form are not subject to the Privacy Act's restrictions on disclosure. Formerly, dealers were required to maintain completed forms for 20 years in the case of completed sales, and for 5 years where the sale was disapproved as a result of the NICS check. Beginning in August 2022, dealers were required to keep completed forms indefinitely, with the option of sending forms over 20 years into the ATF.

In most states selling a firearm from one person to another requires no paperwork whatsoever.

But to protect myself, and the person I am buying from or selling to, I require a bill of sale.

The bill of sale I use has statements about neither buyer nor seller not being felons.  It has places for name, address, phone number, and driver's license number for identification. The date is important to me.  Because if the gun ends up being used in a crime after the date I sold it, I have proof that I was not the owner.  And vice versa. 

 Picture this, you are watching a great episode of "Law and Order," and they recover a firearm from a crime scene and type the serial number into a computer and up comes the name and the address of the person who is registered to that gun right? Wrong!

Generally speaking, for the majority of American gun owners there is no system, database, or registry that ties us to any of our firearms. Even the Brady Act that created the background check system requires that the records of each background check be destroyed within 24 hours.

The Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA) is a United States federal law that revised many provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968. As such, FOPA makes it illegal for the national government or any state in the country to keep any sort of database or registry that ties firearms directly to their owner. The exact wording of the provision is as follows:

No such rule or regulation prescribed [by the Attorney General] after the date of the enactment of the Firearms Owners Protection Act may require that records required to be maintained under this chapter or any portion of the contents of such records, be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the United States or any State or any political subdivision thereof, nor that any system of registration of firearms, firearms owners, or firearms transactions or disposition be established. Nothing in this section expands or restricts the Secretary's authority to inquire into the disposition of any firearm in the course of a criminal investigation.

A few things here are worth noting. First notice the use of the word “after” in the first sentence. Any law that existed prior to the passing of FOPA, that required guns to be registered, can still exist and be legally enforced.

Second, don't forget that just because the law says something is illegal doesn't mean it isn't being done or that there is any sort of a loophole. In New York City for example, the NYPD has a record of the manufacturer, model, serial number and caliber of every firearm (handgun and long arms too). You need to have a registration certificate on your person for every long arm in addition to needing a “Permit to Possess Rifles or Shotguns In New York City” (which are limited to 5 rounds among other restrictions).  Other municipalities also have a track record of ignoring the Federal Firearm Owner's Protection Act.

Local Jurisdictions that Register Guns:

States that Require Registration of All Firearms

District of Columbia and Hawaii

States that Require Registration of Handguns

New York

States that Require New Residents to Report Their Firearms

California and Maryland (handguns and “assault weapons”)

States that Require Registration of Pre-Ban “Assault Weapons” and/or 50 Caliber Rifles

California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, New York

Despite FOPA There Are Some Limited Government Gun Databases

In addition to the local authorities who may disregard the local law we also know that the ATF keeps at least 5 databases of specific firearms and their owners to include:

1.         Multiple Sale Reports. Over 460,000 (as of 2003) Multiple Sales reports (ATF F 3310.4 – a registration record with specific firearms and owner name and address – increasing by about 140,000 per year). Reported as 4.2 million records in 2010.

2.         Suspect Guns. All guns suspected of being used for criminal purposes but not recovered by law enforcement. This database includes (ATF's own examples), individuals purchasing large quantities of firearms, and dealers with improper record keeping. May include guns observed by law enforcement in an estate, or at a gun show, or elsewhere. Reported as 34,807 in 2010.

3.         Traced Guns. Over 4 million detail records from all traces since inception. This is a registration record which includes the personal information of the first retail purchaser, along with the identity of the selling dealer.

4.         Out of Business Records. Data is manually collected from paper Out-of-Business records (or input from computer records) and entered into the trace system by ATF. These are registration records which include name and address, make, model, serial and caliber of the firearm(s), as well as data from the 4473 form – in digital or image format. In March 2010, ATF reported receiving several hundred million records since 1968.

5.         Theft Guns. Firearms reported as stolen to ATF. It contained 330,000 records in 2010. Contains only thefts from licensed dealers and interstate carriers (optional). Does not have an interface to the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) theft database, where the majority of stolen, lost and missing firearms are reported.

It is also worth noting that notwithstanding FOPA, the National Firearms Act which was enacted in 1934 does require that certain types of firearms be registered. This includes firearms not commonly owned or acquired by average gun owners including fully automatic firearms and short barrel rifles and shotguns. Any firearm not specifically mentioned in Title II of the NFA however should not by Federal law be part of any registry tied to a gun owner.

Laws are being ignored and broken when it comes to this registry.  The struggle for freedom will continue.  Law enforcement tries to make their lives easier by having a registry to find guns used in crimes.  Politicians want to control guns or better yet, people.  Stay apprised of these changing laws to keep your privacy and to uphold the Constitution.  Write to your elected officials voicing your desires for this privacy.  Keep registries out of our country!

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

1000th Post

 Jan 27, 2014, 11 years ago, I started this website because I couldn’t find anything like it on the internet.   Maybe because it’s too much a niche.  Anyway, it’s been fun writing about things that make me smile.  I’ve been diagnosed with combat-related PTSD.  Related to that is a hyper vigilance that I try to keep under control.  Writing about this has helped me to cope and turned down the hyper vigilance.

This is my 1000^th post on this crazy place I call home.  I’d hoped this would become a place where those members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could come for their own brand of Gun talk.  Thank you for participating in reading and commenting on this blog.  It’s been sometimes hectic in producing content for this blog.  But the challenge of that has been able to get me thinking about the differences and the alike features of self-defense and caring for our families as LDS members and those not of our faith.  The differences are sometimes small and subtle, but with vigilance we can be successful.

If there is anything you feel needs to be covered or discussed here, please let me know. 

Here’s to another 1000 posts!  And thank you for your interest, comments, and concerns!

Semper Paratus  (I use this Latin phrase because I believe it to be my own motto.  I know this is the motto for the U.S. Coast Guard.  I didn't know that when I started to use it on this blog.  Now I want to honor the USCG by using their motto as part of mine!)

Check 6 (I use this because of my military connection.  It means look where you cannot see.  To not be surprised, to be prepared.) 

Burn (I've explained this before.  Burn is short for "Burning Bush" my call sign in the military.  My hair was flaming red and an afro when I was in High School.  As we were studying the Old Testament in LDS Seminary, we read about Moses being visited by the Lord in a burning bush.  They thought my hair looked like a burning bush!)