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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PHLster Flatpack Tourniquet Carrier: Design and Use
The original PHLster Flatpack design account covers its plainclothes origins, CAT and SOFTT-W compatibility, carry configurations, retention, exposure, and deployment.
Read articleP&S ModCast 109 — Jungle Operations
Military practitioners discuss jungle operations, including tropical environmental hazards, weapons and equipment, movement, navigation, sustainment, maintenance, and training.
Read articlePHLster TuckStrut Concealment Hardware: 2017 Design Notes
PHLster founder Jon Hauptman explains the original TuckStrut design, including grip rotation, ambidextrous mounting, ride-height adjustment, compatibility, and tradeoffs.
Read articleZeroing the M68 Close Combat Optic: Preparation and Grouping
Prepare and zero the M68 CCO by confirming the configuration, inspecting the mount, firing repeatable groups, applying documented adjustments, and confirming distance.
Read articleExternal Ballistics: Trajectory, Stability, and Wind
Understand how muzzle exit, drag, spin stability, trajectory, sight line, wind, and time of flight shape a projectile’s external flight.
Read articleUsing Excel PivotTables for Weapons-Training Data
Use Excel PivotTables to summarize weapons-training data by unit, date, course, or skill while preserving raw records, context, sample size, and valid comparisons.
Read articlePistol Draw and Presentation Fundamentals
A safe pistol draw builds a firing grip, clears retention and equipment, protects the support hand, preserves trigger discipline, and presents useful sights efficiently.
Read articleP&S ModCast 105 — Gun Nerds 7: Squad Support Weapons
A detailed discussion of squad support weapons, machine-gun theory, M240 and M249 employment, the M27 IAR, .338 systems, optics, ammunition, doctrine, leadership, and training.
Read articleWhy the Army ALT-C Qualification Was a Limited Substitute
The 25-meter ALT-C target could test foundational skills, but it could not reproduce wind, trajectory, target detection, or confidence developed at true distance.
Read articleM68 Close Combat Optic: Operation, Mounting, and Use
Understand the M68 Close Combat Optic’s operating principles, brightness, parallax, mounting, both-eyes-open use, mechanical offset, zero, and checks.
Read articleRifle Grouping as a Marksmanship Baseline
Consistent rifle groups establish a baseline for zeroing, shooter diagnosis, ammunition comparison, equipment testing, and future marksmanship improvement.
Read articleExternal Ballistics Terms and Definitions
A practical glossary of external-ballistics terms covering trajectory, velocity, drag, ballistic coefficient, wind, air density, yaw, zero, and corrections.
Read articleCapturing and Analyzing Company Weapons-Training Data
Build useful company weapons-training data by defining the decision, standardizing collection, preserving context, analyzing honestly, and reassessing after intervention.
Read articleP&S ModCast 103 — Gun Nerds 6: 5.56 vs. .308
A military small-arms panel examines 5.56 versus .308, intermediate calibers, combat loads, recoil, hit probability, logistics, doctrine, and training.
Read articleEating Our Own: Context Before Gun-Community Outrage
Before attacking an ally over a clipped statement, verify the original source, distinguish disagreement from betrayal, and respond with evidence and proportionality.
Read articleWhy Relevant Experience Matters in Firearms Work
A high-volume armorer explains how technical education, repeated observation, maintenance records, inspection, and collaboration turn exposure into useful experience.
Read articleWhy the Army Did Not Need an Interim Battle Rifle
A retrospective analysis of the Army’s 2017 interim 7.62 rifle proposal, weighing range and effect against recoil, ammunition, load, logistics, and squad employment.
Read articleRetrograde and Lateral Movement With a Weapon
Rearward and lateral movement should create an advantage while preserving balance, route awareness, muzzle control, communication, and acceptable accuracy.
Read articleP&S ModCast 102 — Pat McNamara, Gun Rights & the NFA
P&S ModCast 102 features Pat McNamara and a P&S panel discussing his Comedy Central appearance, gun rights, the NFA, and the importance of context in public policy conversations.
Read articleHow Firearms Instructors Should Deal With the Media
Practical media guidance for firearms instructors: vet the request, prepare concise points, protect sensitive information, document accurately, and correct errors.
Read articleMOA, Mils, and Angular Measurement for Rifle Optics
Understand minutes of angle and milliradians for group measurement, optic adjustments, reticle holds, and corrections at different distances.
Read articleSocial Media Gunfighters and the Cost of False Expertise
Confident firearms advice spreads easily online. Evaluate the evidence, context, incentives, limitations, and relevance before copying the source.
Read articleP&S ModCast 84 — Gun Nerds 1: History & Advancement in Firearms
The first Gun Nerds panel examines the history and advancement of firearms, weapon-system development and the context behind modern designs.
Read articleRifle Sighting Systems: Iron Sights, Optics, and Lasers
Compare rifle iron sights, red-dot sights, magnified optics, and laser aiming devices by capability, limitation, mounting, zero, and intended use.
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