Busy Life

I apologize for not writing more, it has been that kind of year. 

Book 2, The Home Security Handbook, will be out in August and is up on Amazon for Pre-sale. 
Book 3, Female and Armed, Advanced Defensive Techniques, is in the works for next year.  We are having a photo shoot next weekend for the book, several great shooters coming in and we will have an amazing day (hoping it doesn't rain).
Shout out to my favorite editor, Kristin!!!! 

I did a taping for a local access program last night on career choices that focused on the teaching and writing, it was a lot of fun, I'm hoping to get a link I can post.  I was nervous but once I got going...well, let's just say it helps to be passionate about your topic. 

So many blog ideas, they will be written soon, I promise.

Several ranges are hosting Daughters on the Range this weekend.  I'm so excited for them and wish I could be being one, but maybe next year.  Remember, teaching your kids safety and take away the mystique is not only fun but makes them safer.

Just had an amazing opportunity to interview Julianna Crowder, founder of A Girl and a Gun Shooting League, for a Combat Handguns magazine article.  I have met Julianna but never sat and just talked to her for almost 2 hours!  She is a dynamo, a sweetheart, and a passionate advocate for women.  I liked her before, not I respect her, too.  She is doing what she is doing to promote the sport, empower women and provide a safe comfortable environment for them to learn.

I got several new belts from Looper (aka FLASHBANG), they are gorgeous!  Post with pictures coming soon.

Athena, over at www.GunGoddess.com has been super busy finding new and fun products!  I almost don't want to go to her site because there are too many awesome things!!  check it out, you are guaranteed to find something you will love.  She just sent me a personal alarm to try, post on that soon, too!

Be safe, be well...thank you for staying with me, I will be back to posting regularly very soon!!!

Safe Shooting!
Lynne

Impressions from Shot Show 2014

I had high hopes of doing more posts while I was there but my internet was less than dial up caliber, and I couldn’t stay on line long enough to do anything.

I was able to make it to Media Day at the range…WOW!  It was a little overwhelming but The Gun Diva herself, and the Gun Dudes,  helped me navigate.  I shot Clays for the first time.  Well, actually, I shot at the clays and watched them fall to the ground, fully intact.  ;-)  I got a lesson in knife throwing, actually got one to stick!!!  It is harder to do than it looks!

no clays were injured in the making of this photo

One stuck!

 



Gun Diva and me, might huntresses...Thank you Mule Deer Foundation for having this magnificent animal on display

 

I shot steel for the first time.  I’m hooked!  Several of the silhouettes have little doors in them that swing open and closed when you shoot them.  I ping-pinged the door open and closed and open and closed…Loved the instant feedback!  It rates pretty high on the “giggle factor”.  Then, the new Kriss Vector…wow.  Full Auto!  That grin took hours to go away!  

Kriss Vector

 

Lots of guns!  Lots of chances to shoot!  I fired the new Caracal 308 rifle, first time shooting at 100 yds, hit the target, both times!  YEA! 

Caracal 308

 

Shooting is fun, but when you add in the new models and the manufacturers provide the ammo!!

I got to spend lots of time with friends, old and new.  Gun Diva, she is like the younger sister I never had.  Becky Lou Lacock, my long distance BFF!  Kathy Jackson, easily one of the most awesome women I know. Met some of my favorite folks, one of whom was Julianna Crowder of A Girl and a Gun Shooting League.  I love her!  I hung out with the Flashbang crew, how they get any work done…they are all dynamic, smart, funny.  I adopted Trent as my little brother! 

Flashbang Trent!

 

I met so many people, all of who were wonderful.  I sran out of time long before I ran out of show!

I want to send a special Shout Out to Rumpfs and Anglers Book  sellers for letting me do book signings in their booths.  Skyhorse Publishing for letting me write my book, and the next two that are coming!  A Special Thank You to Brittney Starr for inviting me to the Womans Outdoor and Shooting Industry event.  It was formal, and she did an amazing job, we walked a red carpet, got photographed, felt like celebrities!  I met some incredible women that night.

With the one and only Ms. Kathy Jackson

 

Flashbang Julie and Lisa Looper

 

The lovely force of nature, Julianna Crowder

 

Then, as I was sitting on the plane to come home, the man next to me was coming from Shot Show, and we talked through the whole flight to LA (routed through LA back to DC).

It was pretty amazing. 

Safe Shooting!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squealing Like a Girl!

If you know me, you know I don’t get star struck.  I’m fairly normal around celebs…usually.

I just returned from the NSSF 2014 Shot Show.  I had two encounters where I gushed … a little.  I was walking past an autograph booth and saw Best Defense!  I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!  I have learned so much watching it.  I stopped and chatted with Mike Seeklander.    What a great guy!  Look up Best Defense on the Outdoor Channel.  The information can make the difference, it is presented in easy to understand scenarios depicting different outcomes based on your response. 

Encounter two…I was sitting in the Flashbang booth, by their gracious invite, and I looked up, did a double take on the name take and blurted out “Can I meet you?”.  Ok, doing the “L” on the forehead, and not for Lynne.  It was Vicki Farnam.  If you don’t know, she basically set the bar for women firearms instructors in this country teaching thousands of law enforcement officers.  Very gracious lady, and a legend!

Those were the only really stupid moments, but I met heros, legends, Olympians, champions and hundreds of men and women who make a difference every day just because they care, they teach, they support the 2^nd amendment…  I had the honor of doing two book signings, I talked to so many people, and they were all wonderful!  Shooters are some of the nicest folks in the world. 

It was fantastic.  I got to shoot, talk guns for 4 days, and meet some of my heros. 

 

Safe Shooting!!

 

Gun Belts

Yes, if you carry a holster at the waist, you want a gun belt.  The pretty little dress belts are not designed to hold your gun.  That doesn’t mean you must sacrifice fashion for function.  There are some very nice options available. 

Galco makes a contoured belt, it is curved slightly to fit better and closer to the body.  Looper Law Enforcement, home of the Flashbang, has some lovely belts to choose from.  My favorite is Miss Be Havin’, notice the pink backing?

These are just two of many sources.  The key is you need a substantial leather, or leather with kydex, belt.  They are an investment, but they are truly worth it!  If you are like me, you need different size belts depending on what you are wearing.  My low slung jeans are bigger than my at the waist 5.11 Tac pants.  I buy a belt that will fit the largest size I need, and then take it to a shoe repair shop and have a couple extra holes punched in it.  Remember the investment?  I can’t afford multiple belts, so I buy one that I can wear multiple ways. 

 The purpose of your holster is to keep your gun secure.  The purpose of your belt is to keep your holster secure.  It works as a system.  Carry safe and carry smart.

 

Safe Shooting!

Follow up on new Holster - The Ava

About 1 ½ weeks ago I wrote about my new holster from the Flashbang folks, the Ava.  I adjusted the clips so the holster rides a little lower and changed the cant slightly.  I do love adjustable.  End result, you can not see my Glock 19!  It is so comfortable and so easy to wear. 

We are all built differently so what works for me may not be what is best for you, but…I love this holster.  All my other IWBs are going into the holster bag for training classes because this is it!  This is “the one”.  And…it’s pretty! 

Enough rave review, let’s talk holsters for a few minutes.  What is the purpose of a holster?  Duh, you say, to hold your gun!  Well, yes, but to hold it securely and safely, in a consistent location, easy to get to if you needed it, …  Does your holster fit your gun?  Is it specific to your make and model?  Does it stay in place and not slide around?  Does it cover the trigger guard?  Can you draw from it without lots of gyrations?  Is it complex with lots of retention that you have to defeat?  Does it fit YOUR body?  Yes, your holster is there to hold your gun, but if it isn’t comfortable, if it doesn’t stay in place, will you use it or decide, “I’m not going to carry today, it is uncomfortable and I’m only getting groceries.”?  You don’t know when you will need your firearm so you want a consistent, safe and comfortable way to carry (assuming you are in a state where you can and have the appropriate permit…must be law-abiding first). 

Like so many things in this world, you may have to try quite a few before you find what is perfect.  Keep looking, I guarantee there is a good one out there just for you.

Guys, this may be marketed as a Ladies Holster, but I have spoken with a couple men who LOVE it.  Since it is cut lower, and has the soft suede backing, it is extremely comfortable, and it is adjustable.  So, if you can live with a deep purple backing (hey, it isn’t pink) this might be a good choice for you.

Safe Shooting!