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.
Search and browse the complete Primary & Secondary article archive. Filters update automatically as new material is published.
P&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.
Read articleInternal Ballistics: What Happens Before the Bullet Exits
Internal ballistics explains ignition, chamber pressure, projectile acceleration, rifling, barrel vibration, gas-system timing, and muzzle exit.
Read articleUsing Performance Data to Improve Unit Marksmanship
Use range-performance data to locate recurring problems, confirm their causes, design focused training, and measure whether the intervention worked.
Read articleForward Movement as Part of the Shot Process
Forward movement should support a tactical purpose while preserving muzzle control, awareness, balance, and an accuracy standard appropriate to the task.
Read articleSemper Paratus Arms AR-15 Armorer Course AAR (2017)
A firsthand review of William Larson’s 2017 two-day AR-15 armorer course, including inspection, assembly, troubleshooting, gauges, and preventive maintenance.
Read articleThe Training Value of Shooting Competition
Shooting competition provides pressure, measurement, accountability, and unfamiliar problems, but it should complement—not replace—tactical training.
Read articleBallistics Terminology: Key Concepts Explained
A practical glossary of internal, external, and terminal ballistics terms, including trajectory, velocity, zero, energy, momentum, and penetration.
Read articleWhy We Train Toward Weapons Mastery
Weapons mastery combines reliable mechanics, system knowledge, diagnosis, judgment, and adaptable performance beyond minimum qualification.
Read articleMovement in the Rifle Shot Process: Principles and Categories
Movement affects stability, aim, control, awareness, and communication. Train it progressively and use it only when it creates a meaningful advantage.
Read articleDeveloping Wide-Band Situational Awareness
Situational awareness means noticing changes, interpreting patterns, and taking proportionate action without fixation, stereotyping, or constant hypervigilance.
Read articleBuilding a Standardized Range Safety Brief
A useful range safety brief covers orientation, commands, emergency response, equipment, hazards, responsibilities, and active enforcement.
Read articleWhy We Fight
“ War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is controlled violence, for a purpose.” -Robert Heinlein, Starship Troopers We are continuing our discussion on why we…
Read articleIntroduction to Ballistics
‘There were over thirty of them in continuous action, and all I could do was touch the Germans off just as fast as I could. I was sharpshooting.…
Read articleTransitioning From a Primary to a Secondary Weapon
A weapon transition is a context-dependent decision shaped by urgency, distance, cover, weapon condition, equipment, and mission—not an automatic response.
Read articleLaw Enforcement Emotional Survival
Every LEO, whether a rookie or a 30-year veteran, needs to learn emotional survival and how to prioritize their life. I wasn’t exposed to the concept until 14…
Read articleUsing the Engagement Skills Trainer Effectively
Use the Engagement Skills Trainer as a diagnostic and rehearsal tool with clear objectives, deliberate coaching, and transfer to dry and live-fire training.
Read articleImplementation of Dry-fire into the Training Calendar
“As there is no ammunition, every day when they come here for training, the shooters just aims the gun, pull the trigger to hear the ‘tick’ sound, and…
Read articleTraining Emphasis on Weapons Mastery
For TrainingTuesday, we are starting a new discussion on how to train our Paratroopers more efficiently. Specifically, we will be addressing how to train more efficiently. The reference…
Read articleMalfunction with a Primary Weapon Part 3
For Manual Monday, we are continuing our discussion on Control. Specifically, we will continue our discussion on malfunctions as we address when in the cycle of function immediate…
Read articleLegal Aspects of Warrant Service with NVG
Editor’s note: This article reflects information available when it was originally published. Laws, policies, products, personnel, technical standards, and recommended practices may have changed. Verify time-sensitive details through…
Read articleSkill Drills vs. Scenario Training
Skill drills isolate component skills; scenario training tests perception, judgment, integration, and adaptability. Both are necessary when used for the right purpose.
Read articleIntegrated Weapons Training Strategy Doctrine
For Walkthrough Wednesday, we are continuing the discussion on the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy and the changes that are going to be taking place in doctrine. Master Jhoon…
Read articleFackler Discusses Shots To The Pelvic Area
“I welcome the chance to refute the belief that the pelvic area is a reasonable target during a gunfight. I can find no evidence or valid rationale for…
Read article