Primary & Secondary Article Library
Explore the Primary & Secondary Article Library: practical writing on firearms, defensive training, law enforcement, equipment, tactics, mindset, and the people who contribute to the professional training community. Articles are organized to help readers find durable information, professional perspectives, and useful resources by subject.
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Understanding Bird Shot Is Not For Defense
Comparing the FBI ballistic standards and the idea of birdshot being an effective defensive tool shows the profound ignorance of people pushing for the birdshot. The FBI standards…
Read articleOptimizing What is Available
A realistic approach to home-defense firearm choices: assess the guns someone already owns, their skills and constraints, then improve the most workable option instead of prescribing an ideal…
Read articleArming the Neighbors
This is kind of a thinking out loud post. The rifles featured in the picture above are what I could consider user friendly and would require less effort…
Read articleRecognizing Life’s Flowchart
A broader skill base creates more choices before and during critical moments. Learn, practice, and understand your available options so better decisions are possible under pressure.
Read articleApplication of the Firearms Rules
I don’t understand how the idea of the four firearms rules being universal for all environments and situations is so misunderstood. Those rules aren’t restricted to the sterile,…
Read articleMission Drives Whose Gear?
The concept that mission drives the selection of defensive firearms and gear has been beaten to death but for some reason there are aspects of it that are…
Read articleSwitching to Manual Focus
Many times, people mistake rational and reasoning for guidance. I sometimes may carry a 22LR revolver for defensive purposes. I do this because it fits the needs of…
Read articleLooking Beyond the Obvious Warnings
Threat awareness is more than spotting obvious danger. Everyday warning signs, context, and attention to detail can help prevent a confrontation before force ever becomes necessary.
Read articleMultiple Methods
Early on in my life with firearms and into my career, I didn’t realize the value of knowing multiple ways of doing things. There was one way and…
Read articleTime, Money, & Resources
In the news we hear about police actions that cause the public to lose faith in their officers. One such event is a bad shoot. Do we blame…
Read articleThe Exception Is Not the Rule
Exceptional performers and isolated examples can mislead when copied without context. Understand the purpose, requirements, and tradeoffs before adopting a technique or equipment choice.
Read articleP&S ModCast 392 — A Guide to Being Recorded
Doug Deaton and Matt Landfair discuss practical considerations for being recorded by third parties, including communication, professional demeanor, and sound decision-making.
Read articleDifferent Interpretations of Training
Most everyone has their own idea of what training is and what it entails. For some, finding a berm and shooting into is training. Others hit the weight…
Read articleP&S ModCast 371 — Integrating Visual Stimuli Into Training
P&S ModCast 371 explores integrating visual stimuli into firearms training with John Holschen, Dustin Salomon, and Matt Landfair.
Read articleP&S ModCast 364 — Snubby Lessons Part 2
ModCast 364 examines snubby-revolver stocks, ankle and pocket carry, ammunition, concealment, access, equipment compromises, and realistic training considerations.
Read articleP&S ModCast 340: Perception, Cognition, Decision Cycle
The panel discusses how people perceive information, process meaning, decide, and act to gain advantage during high-pressure encounters.
Read articlePurposefully Reducing Your EDC Footprint
How to reduce an everyday-carry footprint without abandoning reliability, concealment, training, or the mission-driven thinking needed for a smaller defensive firearm setup.
Read articleA Missing Terminal Ballistic Frame of Reference
There is an interesting pattern with people who are looking for the best possible defensive pistol ammo and yet are drawn to questionable unproven solutions that feature misleading…
Read articleMaintaining Consistent Shells in the Tube
Staggering rounds in a shotgun or having different types of shells loaded into the tube/magazine is not a good idea. For a defensive shotgun or any shotgun that…
Read articleThe Over Reliance on SMEs
I have a theory as to why it is difficult for some to grasp nuance with defensive concepts, especially in weapon, caliber, and gear choices. For many people…
Read articleOptimal Is Not Universal
To disregard options and recognize optimal isn’t universal is quite short sighted. Concealment capabilities have increased dramatically with products like the Phlster Enigma. Combine that with certain guns…
Read articleDoes Body Armor Fit Your Needs?
The following will upset some who have not thought things through. The goal is to be smart about buying stuff and integrate with your system and mindset. If…
Read articleJustification For Carrying A Firearm
What about humans has changed in the last one thousand years? Has there been a physiological change? Has our core behavior as a species changed? Have we established…
Read articleTraining Toward a More Complete Skillset
Training provides techniques and reference points, but a complete defensive skillset requires integration, context, judgment, varied experience, and continual development.
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