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.
AR in the Car: A Common Preparedness Misconception
Vehicle-stored rifles and armor may have legitimate uses, but access is never guaranteed. Real preparedness begins with judgment, training, medical capability, lawful planning, and secure storage.
Read articleSergeant Mark Renninger
By: Bill Blowers Mark was running training one day. I think we were rotating through single room, decision making type hits. There was a newer dude on…
Read articleSo you want to be in Law Enforcement?
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 articleQuality Assurance in the Selection of Equipment & Information.
Quality Assurance in the Selection of Equipment & Information. By: Frank Woods (NYPD) What is “the best?” This isn’t so much a subjective matter, as it one of…
Read articleKnow your enemy – Law Enforcement Budget Pro-Tips
I am by no means an expert on police budgets. I have learned a thing or two that might be relevant to guys in my region only since…
Read articleSentinel Concepts Low Light Handgun and Carbine AAR
Sentinel Concepts Low Light Handgun and Carbine AAR Instructor: Steve Fisher By: Joshua Lepselter ***[Note: the attached pictures show the light setup on the rifle and the splashback…
Read article“That Guy”: Gearing Up
Know your goal. Know your role. Slow your roll. We live in a world of appearances. It’s unavoidable when most of the data we accumulate is visual. How…
Read articleWhy Do I OPFOR?
Arien Lee explains how skilled OPFOR role players improve force-on-force training through adaptive resistance, realistic feedback, equipment testing, physical pressure, and adversarial perspective.
Read articleBasic Wound Ballistic Terminal Performance Facts
By: Dr. Gary K. Roberts 8/23/11 Psychological and Physiological Incapacitation The last 30 years of modern wound ballistic research has demonstrated yet again what historical reports have always…
Read articleArmorer Liability: Minimizing Risk and Exposure
Chad Mercer explains how professional armorers reduce risk through authorized maintenance, documentation, custody records, manufacturer guidance, inspection, and clearly defined responsibility for duty weapons.
Read articleDARC Law Enforcement Counterterrorism Course AAR
Randy Hudspeth reviews a 2015 DARC Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism Course, including small-team response, task organization, mutual aid, limited visibility, force-on-force scenarios, casualty management, and element link-up.
Read articleHow I Was “That Guy” but Avoided Being *That Guy*
Jonathan Halek describes entering his first rifle class as the least-experienced student and succeeding through safety, humility, instruction, class etiquette, realistic pacing, and honest feedback.
Read articleSentinel Concepts Essential Carbine Employment AAR
Phil Axelrod reviews Steve Fisher’s 2015 Essential Carbine Employment course, including safety, rifle zero, ready positions, mechanical offset, equipment failures, movement, malfunctions, accountability, and instructional approach.
Read articleEgo, Disagreement, and Professional Firearms Training
Professional instructors can disagree without making the disagreement personal. Sound teaching explains context, objectives, evidence, safety concerns, and meaningful tradeoffs.
Read articleWhy I Have A Red Dot On My Pistol – Part 2
After receiving a lot of great feedback regarding my first offering, I decided to write a follow up article based on the questions I received. Again, I want…
Read articleWhy I Have A Red Dot On My Pistol – Part 1
Red Dot Sights (RDS) are possibly the single biggest innovation on the pistol platform in recent years. But just like any “new” thing, it has its evangelists and…
Read article“Just as Good”: Diagnosing an Unreliable AR-15
An unreliable AR-15 demonstrates how extractor tension, carrier velocity, buffer construction, component quality, and stacked deficiencies can produce repeated cycling failures.
Read articleBeing Prepared For All Seasons: Through Layer Selection
When dressing before I head out, I like to ask myself, “can I reasonably change a tire, dressed as I am, with the full range of weather and…
Read articleThe Fight Picks You
By: “Frank Woods”, NYPD I have something to say. I will try to keep this short and simple. If you are in Law Enforcement and thus have the authority/ability/permission…
Read articleDPMS Oracle 5.56 Rifle Autopsy: An Armorer’s Inspection
A detailed armorer inspection of one factory-new DPMS Oracle 5.56 rifle, covering receiver assembly, staking, fasteners, bolt-carrier components, gas-system choices, materials, dimensions, and torque observations.
Read articleAAR: DARC Tactical Urban Sustainment Course (TUSC)
Multiple vehicle drill, contact left and front vehicle is disabled. Moving to the shoot house. AAR: DARC Tactical Urban Sustainment Course (TUSC) 4-7, 20 SEP 2015 By: John D.…
Read articleWhy DIY AR-15 Gunsmithing Can Go Wrong
A failed barrel modification shows why AR-15 reliability depends on the complete operating system—and why diagnosis, proper tooling, inspection, and testing must precede irreversible work.
Read articleWhat is quality?
What is quality? According to the American Society of Quality, quality is – 1. the characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to…
Read articleCold-Weather Tactical Clothing: Layering for Wind, Rain, and Movement
A field-tested approach to cold-weather tactical clothing: manage moisture, begin movement slightly cold, reserve waterproof shells for wet conditions, and add loft insulation when activity stops.
Read article