Helping Someone Choose A Gun

 This is an updated repost from May 1, 2015

I was at the range the other day (when am I NOT at the range?) when I heard a comment from the guy a few bays over. I’d heard it before… “You’re shooting that!?” I had just cranked off a magazine full so his perception was uncanny. Sorry for being sarcastic but I thought it was obvious what I was shooting. I won’t go into what gun it was. Suffice it to say it was a low end Smith and Wesson. Come to your own conclusions. Anyway, I’ve shot this gun for a good many years. It is very reliable. I know this because I’ve shot several thousand rounds through it and have had no problems at all. So, when someone rags on this weapon I just smile. I actually own three of the same guns. They are flawless. So, when this guy was incredulous of my weapon choice, I just let it happen. I’ve long since stopped trying to explain my choice and my experience with my guns. There are many who have asked for my advice on what weapon to buy. I have a shpeal all worked out to tell them. Because of the latest riots I’ve had a few people ask for my recommendation of a weapon. Sometimes this causes a problem for me. My weapons systems and gear have been acquired after years of experience and testing and training. They are right for me. They may not be right for you. So how do those experienced in weapons and self-defense offer intelligent advice to someone without unconsciously but inappropriately projecting our situation onto theirs?

Be Realistic
I would love to see every person who comes to me for advice about owning a gun be willing to put in as much time and effort into understanding the question of self-defense and firearms ownership as I have. I know that few, if any, ever will. I generally have some level of knowledge about the person asking the question and I can use a few simple exercises to figure out where they are in terms of commitment to help guide the answers that I give them. It's critical to be realistic about what you believe this person is willing and able to do if you want to be helpful. Don't project what you hope is true about them...assess what's really true about them and work from there.

Be Reasonable
While you want to give useful guidance, it's impossible to do that if you aren't willing to engage within at least some of the limits the person is dealing with. Just as an example, I personally don't care for the .380 ACP as a primary carry cartridge...but I recognize that there are people who have physical limitations that make shooting a weapon with better terminal ballistics painful or outright impossible. If I'm dealing with such a person I am not going to tell them that if they aren't packing a high-cap 9mm loaded with at least 16 hollow-points and a reload that they might as well give up. You're not shooting for ideal here, you're shooting for likely good enough. It's true that in many circumstances "good enough" is an excuse for low standards, but in many others good enough really is good enough...as in the best you can do under the constraints you are working with. A person who has no gun right now but who acquires and regularly carries a Beretta 21 next week has improved their situation considerably. No, it isn't ideal. It's better though, and that opens the door to further improvements down the road. Being dogmatic in the early stages, even if you believe you are doing the Lord's work at the time, often shuts the process down completely and alienates the person to boot.

Present options, not necessarily opinions
One of my favorite approaches to these sorts of questions is to bring the person asking to a gun store or the range and present them a number of different firearms that they can interact with. I like to present the firearm in a pretty agnostic way allowing them to lead the discussion with questions while I respond as factually as possible. At a recent range outing with a young couple looking for their first gun I pulled out several different handguns and let them experience all of them after a safety brief on each. As they were looking at a Glock 34 and the S&W M&P the male half asked "So from your description, these two seem very similar...what's the difference between them?" That's the kind of interaction I'm looking for. When I demonstrated take-down of both weapons mentioning that the Glock requires a trigger pull to disassemble, the male half asked "Wait, couldn't that be a problem?" Yes. It could be. That's exactly the sort of critical thinking I'm hoping for. When they understand that every weapon has its good points and bad points, and that their task is to choose the set of compromises that best suits their particular situation, they will achieve a happy result for themselves. That won't happen if I spend the whole time lecturing on why I’m anti-Glock (which I’m not). I may guide the conversation here or there and I will certainly clear up any outright factual errors encountered along the way, but I want their brain to be engaged. They, after all, have to live with their decision. What I like may not be what they need, and I have to be intelligent enough to get out of the way and let their needs drive the process.

Keep it fun
The subject matter is very serious, but that doesn't mean we have to wear sack cloth and ashes the whole time. You can have fun with guns, too. It's possible to make the process fun and interesting without compromising on the important parts like safe handling habits, proper marksmanship fundamentals, etc. Citing the young couple again, after familiarizing them with a number of different pistols I set up a little competition between them where they could use whatever pistols we had worked with up to that point to go against the other. This, from their perspective, was fun. It was also an introduction to using a gun under some level of stress with something on the line to lose. They enjoyed the experience AND learned a little bit about using a pistol under some level of stress at the same time. Win/win.

If I had my way I’d tell everyone to do what I do, buy what I buy, shoot like I shoot, but then they are not me. The best thing you can do if you want to teach independence is to present options and go over the pros and cons. Choice and personal taste is what makes the world go around. Long ago we fought for our own agency and won. Now we can choose. But to make a good choice we must have information. The best thing you can do is provide good, factual information. Not really opinion.

Thanks to Gun Nuts Media (gunnuts.net) for the points for this article. I’d never really thought about putting it down this way.

There may be more that you would add to this list. But the gist of it is, when helping others with weapons or gear choices, give them some information to make their own decision. One of my sons owns a Bushmaster AR. Another son owns a Colt AR. Both choices were made with money influences. If money is no object all of us may make different choices. Sometimes we may buy a more expensive gun because we know how it performs. I love Rugers. I don’t think I’ve ever shot a Ruger I didn’t like. Because of this, my oldest son loves Rugers too. He had many years and many Rugers to shoot to come to that conclusion. Then he bought a Ruger LC9. He finally sold it because he had such a difficulty with the size. I don’t think it being a Ruger made a bit of difference; he just couldn’t handle the size with his big hands. In this case my influence over the years and his positive experience with a Ruger moved him to buy a sub-compact Ruger. He didn’t realize how shooting a sub-compact would be. Any sub-compact. So be careful what kind of advice you give.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

An Appeal to Bishops and Stake Presidents on Security

Security in an American LDS Church building is less than stellar. 

I am concerned about an incident that happened while I was out of town (thankfully).

A Sister’s ex-husband showed up on Sunday during Primary time.  He was searching for his children that he had a weekend visit with that weekend.  Apparently, the kids did not want to be with their dad that weekend and their mother did not want to force them.  The EX wanted his kids and went into their Primary class to get them.  Their teacher did not want him to take them.  There are lots of details I do not have, but in the process of trying to forcibly remove the kids the EX pushed either his ex-wife or his child’s primary teacher (a sister) down.  He did assault both in some way because that is what they charged him with.  The police showed up and took the EX into custody.  No one was seriously hurt but there was enough contact to warrant assault charges.  I’m not sure of all the implications but I know the children have not been with their father since.  I was in the Bishopric, so I was aware that this incident was reported to Salt Lake and the legal and security departments gave directions.  A restraining order was filed against the EX, and he never came back.  I knew Church Security was aware of this incident because of my friend who was working Church Security at the time. He had talked to our Bishop.  I have known the EX since the beginning of his relationship with his ex-wife (who has since remarried).  He is a snake.  I believe he had drugs planted on his ex-wife’s car so that they were caught at a Border Patrol checkpoint.  Her husband took the rap and did his sentence which I believe was parole.  I do not trust the EX. I have had run-ins with him myself.  He is scared of me and with good reason.  I have told him I am on to him and that I know who he really is and that he can try to fool others.  My wife and I drive by the home of his ex-wife which is off of a hi-way, on our way to our house.  One day we went by their home and noticed a car at their gate.  Their gate is only closed and locked when they are away from home.  I turned around and caught the EX climbing the gate.  I told him he should not trespass and that he should leave.  He gave me a little attitude and so I stepped out of my car, my wife was driving.  He scurried to his car and rolled up the window.  We had some words, and I probably insulted his height.  Anyway, the Sheriff showed up there after he was called by the EX’s ex-wife who had some phone calls from the EX and was on her way home.  I told the officer I had stopped the EX from trespassing and that I was leaving.  This is previous to the above incident at church.  The EX had a jerk personality.  I would not be surprised if I ended up in jail one day over this weasel.  But rest assured, if I am in jail, he is in the hospital drinking through a straw.

My concern is this.  We get so comfortable at Church that we have no type of guard up when something like this happens.  Here in the U.S. we live in relative safety and security.  But because of that, we are not very concerned about security.  If there are any Church leadership who read this, I beg you, please implement some security features.  Lock all the doors but one.

Have a priesthood holder cruise the hallways.  If you are so inclined put together security teams with some training and organization.  Don’t depend on “Run, Hide, Fight” to save your members in the case of a mass shooter incident.  At the very least, have your members who are law enforcement, if you have several, be in contact with each other to coordinate in some way.  Don’t leave the security of your wives and children to chance.  Prepare!

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn      

Canning Jalapenos from FLAG

I found this article in a group from my wife.  It's not evident but this article was about 2 years ago.  It's never been posted so I thought I'd do it now.

Burn

     We got lots of Jalapenos through last winter.  In March we had an unexpected late freeze and it caused damage to the plant.  We were so blessed this year in our garden.  We only planted one jalapeno bush because that one bush is enough to meet our needs.  But this plant grew 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide.  In all my years of growing jalapeno plants, they have never grown that big.  So, we were blessed with many of them and shared them with friends and family. 

     Because the last harvest was so big, I decided to can them to use during the winter months.  My family loves a bean soup that calls for jalapenos.  This is the first time I have attempted to can them.  I have frozen them and dehydrated them for future use, but I am working on not storing much in my freezer because you never know the power situation.  If power was out for a period of time due to natural disasters, I don’t want to worry about food spoilage in my freezer or having to worry about canning the food in a stressful situation.

     I decided to can them in half pint jars since that is the amount for my soup.  The recipe calls for water bathing them for 10 minutes.  I invested in a steamer years ago and decided to go on that route. I always put the seals in a pot of water and get them heated up.  I do the same with my jars.  I get a big pan of water and put the jars in them and heat them on the stove.  I don’t have a dish washer to heat them and keep them hot for canning. 

     Once the jar water is hot, I take the pan off the stove.  I have on the burner the steamer with the amount of water needed for the canning process.  Then there is a pan on the stove with the solution that will go in the jar with the with jalapenos.  I get all these things going at the same time so that when I start putting the jalapenos in the jar, it is a fast easy process, and everything is hot when going into the steamer.

     Make sure to wash and clean your jalapenos before using.  I cut them in 1/4 to ½ inches in size.  Do all the cutting of the jalapenos first.  When cutting the jalapenos I usually use gloves, so the juice does not get on my hands.  It is so hard to get off and if you touch your nose or eyes, boy, does it burn.  So once all the jalapenos are cut, set them aside.

     Next get the solution made that will be poured into the jars.  Here is the mixture:

 

     1 C white vinegar

     1/4 C olive oil

     1 Tbsp pickling spice (tie in a material bag)

      1/4 C water

      1 tsp salt

       Bay leaf

     Depending on how many jalapenos are being canned, you will decide on how much mixture you will need to make.  I did 12 half pints and did the recipe times 6.  Get this mixture on the stove and heat it to boiling.  Turn heat down and start canning. 

     Put the bay leaf in the bottom of jar and put in jalapenos.  Pack loose.  Pour in solution.  Wipe off the jar. Put on seal and twist on ring.  Place it in hot water bath or steamer.  Continue this process until all jalapenos are in their jars and ready to be processed.  Once the water bath is boiling or steamer is to right steam.  Start timing for 10 minutes.  When the process is complete, place hot canned jars on a towel and cover up to keep from draft and let cool. 

     Once they are cooled.  Wipe and clean jars if needed.  Take rings off jars.  They can be used for future canning.  Date the jars and place on shelf.  That's all there is to it!

Stay spicy friends!

Until next time, FLAG signing off!

So Smooth They'll Call You Slick: Starting To Carry

 

Making concealed carry a smooth operation

When I was in the military we would have a checklist for everything. We would do things over and over the same exact way, in detail, so that we could carry out a specific mission almost from memory. Almost second nature. And if you were not sure, you had a checklist to refer to.

Your concealed carry “operation” should be a flawless mission. You should be able to carry in all kinds of situations, weather, and with different weapons like it is second nature. The reason I say this is, at the time of actual need, a self-defense situation, everything you do should be smooth and almost automatic.

Here are some tips to help your operation and system run smooth.

These are some things I wish I’d have known when I started down the concealed carry path.

Don’t act like you’re carrying.

In Star Wars there is a great quote from Han Solo.
“Keep your distance, Chewie. But don’t look like you’re keeping your distance, I don’t know, fly casual!” I’ve spotted some new carriers because they don’t “carry casual.” They are a little too nervous. There is actually too much situational awareness! Relax. You are legal and not being stalked by a tiger or a ninja…

Quit checking your weapon!

Have you ever seen someone rearranging their coat, shirt, or in the case of a woman, her bra strap? I see it all the time. Some carriers obsess about their gun. They are certain everyone knows and everyone can see that you carry a gun. No one knows. Most sheeple out there are more concerned about themselves than you. But if you sit there and fiddle with your shirt all the time they may wonder why. This goes along with the first tip.

Try that new gear at home.

If this is your first time carrying or you’ve done it for years try out that new holster at home. I work in my holster and do all kinds of things that I probably will never do in public. If it works at home doing all that I do there, it will work anywhere. Remember to sit, bend, even use the restroom. You must know that the weapon is retained and that the system is comfortable.

Practice with your gear.

Take all your carry gear with you to the range. Practice dressed the way you dress in public or at work. Use the system and gear you would use in your everyday carry. Get as much experience with using your system because it is the system that may save your life one day.


Dry fire safely

Dry firing is a great activity to build muscle memory and practice the basics of shooting. If you dry fire with you actual weapon, make sure you are doing this against a “cover” type backstop. If for some reason your “unloaded” gun becomes mysteriously loaded, your errant round will be contained. I use about 10 paperback books taped tightly together. It takes about 7 inches of paper to stop a 9mm bullet. The average paperback is about 1 ½ to 2 inches thick. My 10 is about 18 inches thick.
Make sure when you dry fire there is no ammo in the room.
When you are done with the dry fire exercise take a 10 minute break or so before you reload the gun. There needs to be a separation between your dry fire and real world. Otherwise, you could load the gun and actually shoot it like your dry fire exercise. Even though you know you just loaded the gun with live rounds. Muscle memory is pretty strong. There has to be a separation between practice and real world.


These tips will help you to be a smooth operator carrier.


Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Interesting Facts About LDS Gunsite

 Interesting facts about LDS Gunsite

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As of today 10 July 2025 total views are over 412,500

These numbers don’t mean much to you and really to us. We’re just amazed by the number of views from countries that do not speak the language or have much gun ownership!

We appreciate all who have an interest in our little website. We try to write interesting content. Content that may not be addressed on other sites. We hope that we can serve and bring to light information that will help our readers.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Shooting With A Barricade

 I was at the range yesterday.  It was raining, my favorite time to train.  It brings in an extra element of challenge.  My wife just shakes her head.  I sent her a video of the rain.  First, we live in the southwest U.S.  A desert that gets little rain.  We’re experiencing drought, so this rain is very welcome.  Anyway, as I was leaving, I saw a guy who pulled in earlier yet didn’t get out of his truck.  As he was leaving, he pulled up next to me and said, “Do you always shoot in the rain?”  I said, “I don’t know, it doesn’t rain that often!”  I think this friendly guy, and my wife, think I’m a little daffy to shoot in the rain.  I’ll tell you why I do.

I practice and train hard for several reasons.  One of those reasons is I love it!  I like shooting on any level.  The guy that was teasing me shoots for recreation.  Most people that like basketball would never play outside in the rain.  If you see someone playing in the rain you may be watching the next Larry Bird.  I also think that if I am ever called upon to use my weapon it will probably not be a wonderful, perfect-conditions kind of day.  Shooting in the rain has a few extra challenges you must overcome.  I want at least the experience before I may be called upon to perform perfect shooting under other-than-favorable conditions.

I like to practice shooting in odd positions.  I’m equally convinced that if I am ever in a firefight I will have to shoot from cover.  Cover is a little sparce out there.  There’s plenty of concealment, but actual cover, something that will stop a bullet, is not always easy to find. House walls, vehicle doors, large appliances, these are all not cover.  Even solid exterior doors may not stop a bullet.  So if you are fortunate enough to find some cover, it may come in a strange form.  I want experience with these bad conditions ahead of time.  I honestly do not feel I will ever get into a firefight with anyone.  But I have been in a firefight and I never want to be caught unprepared.

The 9 hole tactical barricade is an excellent way to practice this type of shooting.

Homemade barricades can be built without spending a lot of money and pretty easily.  Here are several ideas of plans from some sites that were good enough to share. These barricades can give you the experience in shooting from odd places and cover.

Here are some of them:

https:www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/08/03/training-aids-barricades/

https://safe.menlosecurity.com/doc/docview/viewer/docNDF0B017ED0FE1b3848a7e75d4ad77472836fa5e2213bda09efe46c573b6ba3fa34fc9389d728

https://gunsamerica.com/digest/building-barricades/

Thanks to The Firearm Blog, Menlo Security, and GunsAmerica for sharing plans and ideas.

I would recommend building one of these.  I think they are a great asset and training aid.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn