JDM175

For those that do EDC a fixed blade. Do you ever carry while wearing your Sunday best, i.e. button up shirt tucked in and possibly (gasp) a tie? If so how? Does anyone have a good setup for this type of dress?

I have one for my 1911 and if I have to tuck a shirt in (mainly Church) then I utilize my crossbreed. I hae had it a few years and do like it. Depending on weather and clothing selection my other carry holsters would be Milt Sparls VM2 or Desbiens AIWB. As far as crossbreed it has worked well for me and I like it.

Hero Gear 1911 in either a Milt Sparks VM2 or a Crossbreed. If I need the shirt tucked (church, etc.) then it is the Crossbreed. Untucked I go with the VM2 and in overalls I go with a SmartCarry. I tried using the VM2 with the kydex clips but didn't like it tucked. Everyone is going to have a different opinion but this is what is currently working for me but I am thinking about Desbiens for appendix carry.

Great hike. I did it back in October.

Excellent post on what is probably the most overlooked aspect of the drawstroke. I must admit that I was guilty (ignorant is probably a more adept description) of overlooking this critically aspect for many years. That is until I attended ECQC and had position 2 and its importance not only explained to me but demonstrated in a unique environment. Furthermore each student had the chance to practice this and numerous other techniques and the importance of a solid position 2 quickly became apparent. If you have never put much thought into it or even if you have we all could benefit from Paul’s post and a closer look at position 2. Paul, I for one am very glad you have joined here and are actively posting and look forward to your future contributions.

I have a Pony Pocketlite that I have always like although I don't take it out as much as I should I still enjoy it.

While you might not need them extra magazines = less time reloading = more time taking notes or asking the instructor questions. Do yourself a favor and if you do attend take the time to take copious notes as you will thank yourself later.

Let me echo the thoughts of others and say that this is indeed a great opportunity to train with a virtual encyclopedia of firearms knowledge. Ken is truly a legend in the firearms training arena and probably the most knowledgeable gun guy you will ever meet. What makes Ken so great as opposed to some trainers out there today is that is he an excellent teacher. I took this class last year and I can honestly say it was well worth the time and money. This is a chance to train with one of the preeminent firearms trainers and a great opportunity which hopefully some of you will take advantage of. For those who don’t know it Ken is getting a little older and stated that he isn’t traveling around as much as he used to. This coupled with the fact Ken is coming to the great state of Tennessee could well be one of the final opportunities some of you get to train with this man. Again great opportunity and hopefully some of you will take advantage of it.

Definitely concur with this statement. Training is well worth it, especially if you are a good student and take the time to take notes for later review. I take numerous notes during training courses as the information is sometimes somewhat akin to drinking from a firehose, but with notes I can go back and review what was taught at a later date and time. One very important thing to consider is this: "You don't rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training." (someone else's line) That brings us to the next point, who are you training with. It has already been said to vet the instructor and their training. There are numerous AARs floating around the web (some with great details concerning the actual training) and you can get a good feel for the instructor and training before going. Also if you can contact someone who has trained with your potential instructor then all the much better. With the plethora of instructors out there choosing the right one can be a daunting task at first, but that brings us to the next point. What are your training goals? To be a better IPSC/IDPA shooter, bulls-eye competitor, concealed carry holder, self defense, door-kicker, etc. What are you personally looking for. While I love me some AR action since leaving the military I have only taken pistol courses. I just don't walk around with an AR on a daily basis but tend to carry a pistol. I am not at all against training AR and it is a blast but I made a conscious effort to up my pistol abilities and to focus on what I felt were my weaknesses in the concealed carry arena but this is just me this may not be your goal or work for you. Finally like everyone else I am on a budget but try to squirrel away cash as I can in order to train. I specifically pick a course 6-9 months out in order to save. I try to keep the course within a few hours driving distance and live frugally while training (i am there to train not go out with the boys at night). I look at a weekend course as my own getaway that allows me to focus on only me and training and once I return back to my daily routine I find myself very refreshed, recharged and motivated. Training is definitely the way to go but make sure it is the right training for you. Save up and remember if you aren't enjoying the training then you probably aren't going to get much out of it in the long run. Good luck.

EXCELLENT post. For those unfamiliar ECQC and training such as thus do your self a favor and google you tube hits for it. If you are really serious about SD then an ECQC type course where you will be tested is a must as it will show you exactly what you "think you know" but more importantly it will give you an honest assessment of "what you don't know". Too often people say "I would just pull my G-Lock and handle it" when in fact as Luke here has shown us one tool in the tool box makes for only one option whereas the simple lesson Luke so graciously took time to type is pretty much the first part of ECQC and something that will probably be used far more often than drawing and engagement from concealment ever will. THANKS for the refresher Luke.

Here is a quick guide to accuracy that I picked up at a Vickers class last year (source is my personal notes taken during the course) : 3 yards and less all rounds should be the size of a Gatorade bottle top, ideally one jagged hole 5 yards you should be able to cover your group with a hammer fist Over 5 yards your group should be less than the span of your open hand Hope this helps.

If at all possible go down to Anniston and hand pick your own. I bought a service grade but a guy that went with us bought a field grade just as good but we did spend about 2 hours going through the racks and gauging out prospective rifles. Also after I gauged mine out I took it to the counter and had one of the old guys that works there strip it down and tell me what he thought. If at all possible go down there as it is well worth it and the people are more than willing to help. Being this close I would really go down there. For someone who absolutely can’t make it down there I would suggest paying the money for CMP to handpick one out if they still do that.

Living in TN is definitely the way to go. Traffic gong to the Arsenal can be time consuming unless you go in early. Problem with carrying is that you cannot carry on the arsenal so you might want an alternate plan. I would live in TN anyway just due to coast and definitely buy in TN it is well worth the drive. If you do decide to live in Bama a carry permit is very easy to get. It does depend county by county with the Sheriff as the issuing authority. In Limestone county it is an instant background ceck and if all is good they print out a piece of paper right there on the spot and you are good to go. Madison county takes a little longer but you get a plastic permit instead of paper but I don't remember if it has your picture on it or not. Still go with option 1 and stay in TN

For OWB range (and some IDPA) time I use kydex fom Welcome to Atomic Dog! For carry I use crossbreed supertuck while awaiting a Milt Sparks VM-2 (I finally got through to them a couple months ago and got an order placed).

SPOT ON!