John Wall

I just got back from about 120 hours and 4000 rounds of training. A little over 3000 rounds were lead bullet reloads fired through a Glock 17 with a Storm Lake barrel. I spent a week at East Jefferson, Ohio at a Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor Class. We shot the AR-15, and our sidearm. Another week was spent at TNLETA (Tn Law Enforcement Training Academy) in a Law Enforcement Rangemaster refresher class. Another bushel basket of ammo was shot. Results were great! Same point of impact as the factory barrel, reliable functioning, and the barrel fit the firearm as though it were fitted to it. Function was identical to the factory barrel. At the end of each day we cleaned our firearms as directed. The bore had a little lead fouling, but accuracy and reliability was unaffected. All fouling was removed in short order, without a lot of scrubbing. The overall quality of the barrel, inside and out, is impeccable. The chamber and bore are mirror smooth, and the leade from chamber to rifling is long, and ideal for lead or jacketed bullets. Lead and jacketed 115, 125 and 147 gr bullets have been shot from this barrel with no issues. As a long time reloader, I save quite a bit of money shooting lead bullets. The barrel more than paid for itself during the classes. I recommend the Storm Lake barrel without reservation.

These devices are very useful for force-on-force training. Care must be taken with them. They will put an eye out. One should wear an approved mask, throat guard, long sleeve heavy shirt or sweater, gloves, groin protection for either sex, long pants, etc. They will put a welt on you through a shirt. Metro Police Training Academy uses them. I just spent a week there doing a refresher Rangemaster course. The Airsoft guns Metro uses cost about $125. NEVER play with them. They can easily cause a permanent injury. For FOF applications, they are MUCH cheaper than Simunitions.

There are good places to go for training in the Nashville area. I know the crew at Guns and Leather. They are good folks, have good prices and service. They are worth the drive, and have an indoor range that is state of the art. Gun City has been around forever, is very convenient, and is higher than other shops. They do have an indoor range. They have always been courteous to me. Rick Uselton has an indoor facility going up in Franklin. Although he appears to have upset many folks, he may have been bushwhacked by the MSM. Don't forget, the State gives a "recommended" course outline for the carry class. Changing it may hurt an Instructor's ability to defend an altered curriculum in Court. The class is VERY basic. My suggestion is to take the carry class at an indoor range. If you want advanced shoot and move training, this is pretty much going to be performed at an outdoor range. Intermediate classes which tune up gun handling skills can be done on an indoors range. I have not met the folks at On Target, and do not know their prices and such. They also have an indoor range.

According to a former Chief Instructor at Sig Arms Academy, the older German model is the best of all Sigs. When parts started being made by vendors, quality suffered. I once trained with an older P-226. When I watched a class of noobs running Glocks like seasoned shooters, I made the swap (back).

They both have their place. I give and take defensive training with a Glock. It is the premier defensive sidearm. When leisurely shooting, I prefer a revolver, actually one of two Smith M14-6 K-38's with the full lug barrel I am lucky to own. Superlative accuracy, cheap to reload, great crosstraining with the trigger, and I do not have to chase brass. The double action revolver IS the one requiring more range time and practice to master. It can NEVER run with a Glock in a defensive situation. It requires more coordination and hard drive to reload. You will have very little of either in a gunfight! For five or six shots, it will likely fire regardless of how poor your grip is. You can cause your auto pistol to malfunction by holding it in a poor grip. I carry an older 38 Spl Smith M640 in a belly band. I have a physique that allows me to carry this petite firearm in an undetectable method, and I use it. I am often asked why I do not carry. I consider that a compliment. As a trainer of Armed Professionals and Citizens, trust me. I carry.

I agree with the 1911. Get a full sized target model (Kimber comes to mind), and if you want to shoot it much, load for it. The 45 Auto is an easy to load, low pressure round. There is not a more pleasurable shooting sidearm than the 1911. Most of the reason I prefer revolvers for fun shooting is not having to chase and lose brass. Some training classes entail picking up literally thousands of rounds of brass. If we do the class at an academy, trainees get the job. On Police ranges, inmate trustees get the chores done.

The Silver Bear is steel cased, but the case is Zinc coated. These shells go through the AR like quicksilver. It seems Guns and Leather had some, but their inventory comes and goes quickly. They do a great job of keeping the shelves stocked. On a side note, the newer Brown Bear is polymer coated, and runs through the AR well as long as the firearm is kept reasonabley clean. BTW, the cops who were shooting Silver Bear ran low on ammo and I donated some domestic ammo to the cause. We had fired about 700 rounds during 3 14 hour days. I don't think any of us did more with our Patrol rifles than to oil the dirt on the bolt and carrier (seriously). Their gun transitioned from steel to brass cases without incident. Same point of impact, no excessive stoppages, etc. All of us were experiencing stoppages by the third day. Our Instructor, Bank Miller from Action Target/ITI Armor, wanted us to become unconciously competent with our firearms and at reducing stoppages under stress. Fortunately, the AR platform is EXTREMELY user friendly, other than being very loud. I had a new Fed American Eagle separate a case in my Colt's. Luckily, I ALWAYS carry a Broken Shell Extractor when shooting a self loading rifle. Yes, the headspace is well within limits. +.004" The Silver Bear used by several LEOS did not have this problem. It took the rifle out off the line. I transitioned to the handgun after 2 Tap-Rack-Ready attempts. In a gunfight, I would likely have DIED if I had tried to clear the rifle TWO times. If the long gun vapor locks, IMMEDIATELY transition to the sidearm while seeking cover. THEN, assess your situation and determine if you need to get the rifle back in the fight, or if you can end the fight with the sidearm. Most stoppage reduction drills for the AR are IDENTICAL to the ones for the 1911 pistol. Failure to fire reduction drill is Tap-Rack-Ready. Double feed stoppage reduction drill is Rip-Rack-Rack-Reload-Tap-Rack-Ready. I no longer train to Tap-Rack-Bang. The offender may give up, be wounded and down, or may have turned his back and ran while you are reducing the stoppage. Firing under these conditions may cost you everything in Criminal or Civil court.

I alway recommend shooting defensive firearms with both eyes open. When you are in a lethal confrontation, you are NOT going to have one eye closed! They will both be WIDE OPEN. Since I train Armed Professionals, support hand only shooting with short and long gun is mandatory. There are three ways to do it. PRACTICE< PRACTICE< PRACTICE!!!! There is about an 80% chance if you take a round in a gunfight, that you will lose the use of your primary gun hand. NOW DO YOU WANT TO PRACTICE SUPPORT HAND ONLY???

Striker fired sidearms DO have a monumental advantage in Extreme Close Quarter Combat (contact distance). The ability to keep the gun in battery while screwing it into the offender's belly button is a technique not often taught. The same trigger pull for every shot is an obvious advantage. Delayed trigger reset is also a feature that can be used on most any firearm. Being an old revolver shooter, I have always shot them double action. ALL superspeed shooting records are held with DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVERS. A long heavy trigger pull does not make it impossible to shoot accurately, but does require that more time and resources be tasked to training. This is not going to happen at many PD's. I can take a shooter with very limited training and have them at a level of competency to carry a Glock defensively with less time and resouces than most any other sidearm. This includes safely accessing and recovering to the holster, loading, unloading, stoppage reduction drills, and reloading the sidearm. Until the time I spent a week at a L. E. Reduced Light Shooting Techniques Instructor Class, I trained with a Sig P-226. After watching other L.E. Instructors perform with Glocks in stressful, pitch dark conditions, I went back to the Glock. The Glock is a premier defensive sidearm and the Gold Standard for Law Enforcement. It is not going anywhere. Reputable Instructors who keep their techniques current are going to train folks to MARCH ON. Trainers with outdated techniques will demonize the Glock and belittle those who choose them for defense and duty. The prerequisite for sucessfully carrying and using any self loading handgun is having the hand and arm strength to manipulate the slide and the ability to load, unload, and reduce stoppages. These drill must become unconscious actions. This will only happen with training and repetition. Often, if a person lacks the strength to operate a self loading pistol, they lack the strength to pull the 12-15 lb trigger on a double action revolver. In my travels taking L.E. Instructor classes, I have seen numerous oopsies with firearms of all kinds. I have seen experienced cops beat a magazine onto a gun BACKWARDS under stress. I have been next to Chief Instructors who recovered to the holster without decocking their Sig P-220. I have been swept with M-16's with the shooter's finger on the trigger and the safety off. I have looked down the muzzle of a Remmy 870P in the same condition. Bottom line? The Chief is ALWAYS chintzy with the training budget. A snazzy new uniform or special pursuit car often gets the nod over training for the troops. It was said before that if equipment is changed after an employee is hired, training was performed by a company rep to familiarsize the employee with the new gear. This does not happen at the PD when a new weapons platform is added. With Glock-specific training, proper service and good ammunition, it is as safe as any other sidearm. If the L.E. Instructor is handed a flyer with a training schedule for a new weapons platform, then everyone is at risk. The first advisory is to keep the finger off the trigger until the decision has been made to fire a shot(s).

The Administrator is dead on the money. Remember, bullet placement is more important than bullet wieght or size.

RBCD, IF it feeds though your gun, will likely shoot very low at short range. When it first came out, I had four calibers of it. 32 Auto, in a Beretta Tomcat. Consistent failures to feed. 45 Auto, shot in an IPSC Limited 1911, repeated failures to feed. 9X19, fired in Glock 17, repeated failures to feed. The Tomcat IS ammo sensitive, but the ultra reliable, hand tuned 1911 and the Glock are not. 38 Special, fired in S & W M-640. 18" low at 7 yards. Also, this ammo was judged unsatisfactory by Intl' Wound Ballistics Assoc. (IWBA). Use of ammo demonstrating insufficient penetration is the quickest way to lose in a gunfight. Bravo Sierra by the ammo maker and local distributor is typical. Use standard weight bullets in standard rounds made by reputable manufacturers. Bullet placement and sufficient penetration is more important than bullet caliber or velocity.

When I performed warranty repair and service for Smith & Wesson, I had documents stating ANY steel framed revolver made in 38 Special AFTER 1950 is suitable for +P ammo. The M-64 certainly falls under that category. +P+ is a different matter, and is typically warranteed by the ammo maker to be fired in guns chambered for 357 Mag. I have a transisitional M-640 stamped "Tested for +P+", but will not shoot such ammo. +P ammo, when made by a reputable maker, is sufficient for the purpose.

This issue was corrected YEARS ago. Today's 147 gr Golden Sabre, Ranger, and such will penetrate and perform with the best of them. Remember, when using a sidearm, penetration and bullet placement are the important things in a defensive situation involving lethal force.

FWIW, a spare extractor from DPMS is about $15. Considering the cost of commercial ammo vs the cost of Silver Bear, if an extractor was needed every 1000 rounds, the savings are still dramatic. The chances of you actually breaking an extractor are slim and none. The AR platform is VERY sturdy! It takes about 90 seconds to change out an extractor. If you do not feel comfortable about this, I will be glad to meet you at Eastside Gun shop, where the Rabbi dwells, and install your parts gratis. I have not asked Rabbi for permission to post this, but I do not think he will mind.

I just returned from a 3 day Patrol Rifle Instructor Course. During the course, 8 Law Enforcement Instructors, including myself, shot around 6,500 rounds of 5.56mm. We all learned a lot about availability and reliability of ammo in this caliber. The surprising part of this challenging course was the good performance of Silver Bear Ammo. Several LEO's shot this ammo, simply because they could not get anything else. I can now say with confidence, go ahead and buy a case or two of this ammo. The normal prerequisites apply. A CLEAN firearm, CLEAN chamber, and good magazines. J&G Sales, http://www.jgsales.com/ has Silver Bear ammo. I shot my reloads with 25 gr Accurate Arms 2015 and the Hornady 55 gr FMJBT bullet. The 2015 gave minimum muzzle flash during the Reduced Light part of our training. The Lee Factory Crimp die gave reliable feeding and sturdy ammo, which the AR-15 platform requires. All of us shot the AR Platform, from several makers. All performed well. As the Senior Student there (read oldest guy to take the course---EVER), let me say that the installed HiViz front sight allowed me to take the course with an iron-sighted firearm, and excell! Think real hard about the HiViz front sight, over any night sight.

1. Go back to Rabbi's post. 2. Memorize it. 3. buy one from him.

If i were going to walk that walk in Memphis, I would want my PATROL RIFLE!!! Take the HCP course, get extra training, keep it current and make up your own mind. I train Armed Professionals and Citizens for a livelihood, and I don't know a single LEO who carries openly off duty. More than an openly carried firearm, your non verbal cues, posturing and body language will tip off a street wise thug or gang banger on whether you are a "Hard Target". The professional looking fellow openly carrying had the look of a Hard Target. Many folks I see OC'ing do not have that look. This has NOTHING to do with carrying a firearm. There is an older gentleman working at Gun City who openly carries a 1911. EVERY PART OF HIS BEING, FROM NON VERBAL CUES, POSTURING, TO LASER EYES LETS THE WORLD KNOW HE IS A VERY HARD TARGET. It is worthwhile to meet Larry. A nicer fellow you will not meet. The firearm will NOT substitute for Situational Awareness. Trust me, you will NOT get the drop on him. He is one of few Armed Citizens who has "THE LOOK". When you go in the shop, you will not have to ask for him. If you are going to OC, get some style of quality retention holster and get retention training. It is NOT Kung Fu or Rocket Science. You have Fire Insurance, a spare tire and such and never expect to use it. The same rationale should apply to defending your life and the life of others.

One is most certainly to be lauded for PREVENTING a crime. However, once it is over, and the BG is running off with the purse, being a good witness is the prudent thing to do for a Citizen, armed or not. If I or another Trainer suggest otherwise, WE could get dragged into court to defend our training and everything we own. The legal term is Vicarious Liability. It means we may be held responsible for your doing something stupid if I did not give an advisory of the unwarranted action. Priority One. SELF (if you die trying to prevent harm to ONE person, how many others could be lost? Depending on your resolve, there are exceptions) Priority Two. OTHER OFFICERS OR CO WORKERS (you might need help protecting others) Priority Three. UNINVOLVED BYSTANDERS (these folks must be protected by your actions from Priority Four, but must NOT be harmed by your actions) Priority Four. INVOLVED PERSONS (low folks on the totem pole, but they should be kept from harm if possible) Priority Five. MATERIAL OBJECTS (if one through four can be fulfilled, THEN AND ONLY THEN worry about material objects) Nothing else can be successfully defended in court. Read Glockmeister's last post AGAIN. It is the Trainer's DUTY to train in compliance of criminal and civil law. Even a sworn LEO does not have a legal obligation to protect anyone, unless he is detailed for that specific purpose.

Glockmeister sees the reason I am against pursuit and apprehension by a private citizen. Part of the training I give is designed to help avoid losing your shirt in Civil Court to some scumbag you held for the cops. NOT losing your home, car, life savings, and ability to provide for yourself and your family is Priority One. Sad, but true.

I, for one think everyone getting a permit or Guard license should be required to take the appropriate class and qualify with the firearm of their choice, or the one they will carry as a Security Guard. Being a Law Enforcement Officer does not make one familiar with laws and regulations covering Citizens. An Armed Guard has the same powers or arrest as a private Citizen. An Armed Citizen should NEVER pursue and apprehend an offender. LEOS are trained to go after the bad guy, and this will carry over to the Citizen side, especially if they are not required to be at least briefed on laws concerning Citizens. I train LEOS professionally, and can tell you first hand their Dept's often does not have the budget to give them this training. Many PD's have little budget for ANY training, over what is required by Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) regulations. a Disturbing number of advanced and tactical classes I take and give have the Officers paying the tuition and such OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET!!!!

I talked to Jeff today and he seems to be in good spirits. Nothing is forever, I am finding out. He is doing what he loves, and is with a crew of good folks. That is what's important.

I just got back from Guns and Leather today. I cannot believe the services they have added lately! They have had a huge selection of firearms, ammo and accessories for the longest, and have been doing the Handgun Permit Class for a while, but NOW. They are a Cogent fingerprint station, which is needed for Carry Permits, Guard Licenses, and a handful of professional licenses. They are also performing Security Guard Classes. If this were not enough, Jeff Walle, one time monster on the IPSC circuit, and ELITE Gunsmith, is now at this shop. There is also a gentleman that will make leather goods of most any description. I called them about a Glock Goodie, and the owner beat the best price I could find on the Internet right off the bat! They also have LEO Glocks, and are a Glock distributor. In my never to be humble opinion, the Glock is the ultimate self loading sidearm for Armed Professionals and Citizens. Did I mention they have a PREMIER range, and are open seven days a week? I am not affiliated with this shop, and have my own training business. However, these folks have a fabulous shop and are a force to be reckoned with in the Middle Tenn. area.

It is my understanding that an unpaid parking ticket MAY be cause to deny your application for your Carry Permit. Why not call and get it taken care of?

The Intl' Wound Ballistic Assoc'. (IWBA) consistently ranks Remington standard Golden Sabre as the best performing ammo under most field conditions. The best performing of all submitted ammo is the 165 gr 40 cal Golden Sabre. It is the ONLY ammo given the "OPTIMUM" rating. Oddly enough, the 147 gr 9X19 GS performs about as well. The lighter 45 GS works well, and does not overpenetrate when fired in short barreled pistols against heavily dressed offenders. Heavier bullets are not the best performers in very short barreled guns. Typically, ammo that performs well on thinly clothed subjects will overpenetrate and not expand well when the offender is heavily dressed. Ammo that performs well on a heavily dressed subject often exhibits insufficient penetration on a thinly dressed offender. The Remington Golden Sabre generally is reliable in auto pistols. For the smaller calibers such as 380, and 32 Auto, hardball is recommended. These marginal calibers need penetration and reliability more than expansion, insufficient penetration and failures to feed. Perusing this site will give you many insights about what you need to put in your carry firearm. http://www.firearmstactical.com/wbr.htm

Once, when working behind a gun shop counter, I was asked how many felonies one had to have before he could not buy a gun. With a straight face, I said "One", and the dejected fellow hung his head and left the shop. He probably sent his girlfriend in later to do the deed.