The Zen of Shooting

We've all experienced it.  Your go to the range, you focus on your shooting and when you are done you have let go of the stresses of the day, any frustrations vanish, you are relaxed and refreshed.  That is the Zen of shooting.  It even beats Shopping (don't tell my husband!). 

Middle Aged Booth Babe-Working a Local Gun Show

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve been quiet for the past several days.  It has been crazy busy.  One of the things I got to do this past weekend was work a booth for Innovative Defensive Solutions, LLC at a local gun show.  It was an eye opening experience.  I’ve always wandered the aisles, but when you are behind the table you see things that you don’t notice when you are part of the crowd. 

There was the young man who had apparently just bought a new AR, walking through the crowd with it pointed up, finger spastically working the trigger.

There was the man who was idly twirling a pistol on his finger as he walked down the aisle.

Lots of people looking at pistols, picking them up, finger on the trigger, muzzling people.

Actually, even though I knew everything was zip tied, it made me a little uncomfortable to see the casual attitude and disregard for basic safety rules. 

I’m curious, does this behavior bother anyone else?

Safe Shooting!

Tough Week

As most of you know, I’m involved in a variety of things.  I have a day job with a long commute.  Adjunct instructor for Innovative Defensive Solutions, LLC, President of National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day, wife, Cat Mom to 2 gorgeous rescues who are now 6, which is a little like having two teenagers at home, and a few more things that I’m not quite ready to announce to the world.

So, what does that mean, and why am I writing about it?  I’m taking tomorrow afternoon off and Going to the Range!  You would think with instructing I would have more chances to shoot, not fewer.  But no, it doesn’t work that way.  I’m planning my trip.  If it is crowded, I know I will only have an hour and I need to make the best use of my time.  I plan to start with some warm ups, shooting moderately slow at 8 ft, working out to 35 ft and then back with my primary carry gun.  Those are the marksmanship drills.  Then, the fun starts, drawing from concealment, rapid fire, turning targets…I also plan to take my back up gun to run a couple magazines through, and my Ruger LCP.  I haven’t practiced with it in a while and while I almost never carry it, I still want to check proficiency.  I put new grips on my .38 revolver, so if I have time, I will shoot that, too.  All in all, I expect to come away as relaxed as if I had done a spa treatment (which is still tempting, but shooting is cheaper!).

If you are in Northern Virginia area there is a gun show this weekend at the Manassas Fair Ground.  IDS, LLC will have a table there, and be offering free lessons using a SIRT (laser) training gun.  I’ll be there Sunday from 9-1, but come by anytime and say hi to Evan and the guys. 

Safe Shooting!

My new Holster!

I got my new holster from Soteria leather.  I LOVE IT!  Cerrise is a true artist in leather!

Practicing for the Real World

Do you own a blue gun in the model of your carry gun?  If not, you might want to consider it.  I own 3, actually.  I have found them to be irreplaceable for training situations at home.  Dry Fire in a controlled environment is important, but there are things I want to practice where I don't want to be in my controlled environment, which is quite limited. 

I use my blue guns to try out holsters, to practice drawing.  I play a game with my husband where I will be wearing a blue gun just like I would my carry gun and he will call out "Threat" and we see how long it takes me to sweep and draw.  It is one thing to practice a fast draw when you tell yourself in your head "now", quite another when someone else calls it out, even when you are expecting it.  It has made a big improvement in my reaction time.

I can roll on the floor, I can beat on my heavy bag, "escape" from it and draw on the move.  All in complete safety.  I don't feel comfortable doing that with my real gun. 

Don't misunderstand, a blue gun is not a toy, it is a tool.   For me, it is a tool to inject a little reality into my practice and help me build skills I hope I never have to use.

Safe Shooting!

Humble Apologies

I miss writing for you, but I've been so swamped with National Take Your Daughter to the Range Day that I haven't been posting like I used to.  For those that are following the event, it is coming together nicely, and the credit goes to more people than I can list here but they are all working hard behind the scenes or sending in donations large and small, or emailing support or organizing their home ranges to host events.  I have to believe this is going to be an amazing event and that it will continue to grow through the coming years as more and more families realize that Shooting is a Great Activity for the whole family! 

Now, there is one thing I need help with.  We need to get the word out to the non-shooting community!  Most of the people involved already shoot!  How can you help?  Invite a friend to a local event!  Let them try it and see...this is fun! 

Now, for those who haven't been following this kind lady, check out A Girl and Her Gun and see her giveaway.  She is a generous spirit who believes strongly in helping others find the joy and empowerment that comes with learning to shoot.  You may be someone who can offer to support the give away, you may know someone who needs what is offered...Send her some encouragement and let her know you are reading.

Thanks to all.  Lot's more exciting news to come.

Remember, keep training and Practice as if your Life may Depend on it!

Safe Shooting!

If you could read anything...

If you could read anything, what would it be?  Specifically, if you could choose what to put into a book for new shooters, or even experienced shooters who needed a fresh perspective, what would you want? 

So many of the books I have found, with the notable exception of The Corner Cat, are a little dry, and heavy on fear.  They are full of stories of people in horrible situations.  Yes, it happens, and I am aware of that, but how does that help me to understand the fundamentals or master a skill or learn how to carry my gun so that if I find myself in one of those situations I can defend myself?

So, I'm asking you, my friendly readers...what do you want to read?

Thank you, and ...  Safe Shooting!

NTYDTTRD Update

It's official.  The founders will be hosting an event at the HQ NRA Range in Fairfax Virginia!  There have been lots of negotiations going on, and still some details to work out.  We won't have the range to ourselves, but we can have some dedicated lanes and may be able to open early just for us! 

Because Sat is a very busy day at that range, we will be asking people to register in advance so we can plan for the number we expect.

We are looking at different events during the shoot, including a possible demonstration of some trick shooting by co-founder Evan Carson. 

Stay tuned...more exciting news to come!!

chuckle for the day!

Story from a Kansas State Highway Patrol officer:

I made a traffic stop on an elderly lady the other day for speeding on U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile Marker 73 just East of Sedan, KS. I asked for her driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The lady took out the required information and handed it to me. In with the cards I was somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age) to see she had a conceal carry permit. I looked at her and ask if she had a weapon in her possession at this time.

She responded that she indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box. Something --- body language, or the way she said it --- made me want to ask if she had any other firearms.

She did admit to also having a 9mm Glock in her center console.

Now I had to ask one more time if that was all.

She responded once again that she did have just one more, a .38 special
in her purse.

I then asked her what was she so afraid of.

She looked me right in the eye and said, "Not a damn thing !"

GOD Bless this woman.

Carrying in the car?

If you are like me you spend a fair amount of time in your car, driving usually.  I carry strong side hip, and I’m right handed.  That means my gun and my seat belt intersect.  I’m not dumb, but it never even dawned on me, until I had a conversation with a friend, that I couldn’t get to my gun easily in an emergency.  Uh-oh…

The search was on.  I drive a mid size sedan (20 years ago they were called compacts, how times change).  I found a neat strap that wraps around the seat, and you clip on a holster so the gun sits between your knees.  Yea!  Well, that’s what I thought.  I had a lot of wires under my seat, electronic adjustments and for the seat warmers (hey, leather gets cold!).  So, I couldn’t tighten the strap all the way without pinching the wires, and I worried about the heating system.  That meant my Glock dragged the strap around and rested on the floor, banging against the back of my legs.  Not comfortable, nor easily accessible. 

Next…there is a strap the hooks on the steering column and holds a holster.  Yep, that might work…Unless your column is short, the gun isn’t and you are only 5’6” and end up banging the front of your knees on the gun.  BTW, the big round thing (steering wheel) blocked easy access.

Ok, 3^rd time’s the charm?  Put it is a picket holster / sleeve and put it in the pocket in the door.  Yes, until the car moved and the rattling started. 

Next?  I’m currently working with the pocket holster shoved between the seat and the center console.  I skipped the console completely figuring it would be faster to unbuckle the seat belt.

Not ideal, but it is working for now.  I’m considering carrying a back up cross draw or appendix to resolve the issue. 

Something to consider.  How do you carry your gun in the car?  Can you get to it in a hurry without contorting yourself like a Cirque de Soleil performer?

Safe Shooting