Prepping priorities – Body Armor vs. Combatives Training w/video (Not kid safe)
Disclaimer: This posting details combatives which may not be suitable for children. Please monitor and preview material before allowing a child to read.
I have recently engaged in a healthy debate about the merits of body armor in your preps on www.ZombieHunters.org . The poster I am in opposition of does not have formal training and seems to believe that body armor should be placed before training (armed combatives and practical gunfighting) on a priorities table. I disagree. Here's why:
Creds - I am a former LEO and current supervisor and trainer of security professionals in Florida. Some courses of study I have training in or advise/train security for are close quarter combatives, situational awareness, and officer safety/officer survival. My opinions are based upon training and study in a professional environment.
I first have to say that the thread this debate started in was in specific address to armor for a zombie attack (not a joke, check it out) and has spun off into this "wild" tangent. I did not take much interest in weighing in on the topic until I read a statement that essentially said, "body armor can be used as mobile cover". This deserved a response.
Let me first start by saying bullet-proof vests (body armor) aren't exactly what the name would imply. There are multiple levels of resistant ability in vests and wearable armor but none are completely bullet-proof. Let me explain, the mechanic used by the vest is a tightly woven fabric which is layered multiple times to create a sort of lightweight, penetration resistant garment. Think of a linear path of travel with the vest in the way and a projectile is in motion. The projectile makes contact with the garment, its kinetic energy is moving forward, the vest absorbs some of this energy (theoretically enough to keep the projectile from penetrating) and the rest is dissipated over a larger area.
Sounds great, right? No holes in you! But not all is well. You see, the problem is the dissipation of the remaining kinetic energy. The more KE the projectile has the more surface area is needed for that KE to be absorbed, and as that energy is absorbed the projectile is still moving forward at a rapid pace and pushing the vest into contact with your body. At that point your body also becomes surface area in which to dissipate KE, which results in blunt force placed on the contacted areas.
That's right folks, a BPV (bullet-proof vest) does not make you superman and bullets do not deflect off of you, they are absorbed. This can lead to serious blunt force trauma, cardiac arrest, collapsed lungs, severe internal hemorrhaging, and cracked or fractured ribs. Some of these situations can be just as fatal as if the bullet hit soft flesh. Body armor is great and can save lives, I wear a level IIIA at work when needed and I am a very strong proponent of vest wear by all duty personnel, but wearable body armor is most certainly NOT mobile cover!
A good, fitted BPV can be purchased by civilians for around $500. Of course you can find some for less and quite a few for more, but I recommend as a minimum level IIIA and suggest you have a vest fitted to your body size/shape for comfort. That can cost a little extra but believe me, is worth it if armor is in your plans.
Now inversely, training - the first thing LEO's and security learn when in training to engage armed persons is to seek out and move to cover as quickly as possible. NOT to stand and engage because your armor should be enough. Why do we train this way? Because statistically speaking Officers who seek cover during an armed confrontation have a higher rate of survival than those who stand (and even engage) as static targets in open ground. We train to reduce ourselves as viable targets. If rounds moving downrange cannot make contact with us there is little need of armor. Please keep in mind the spirit of the debate here, not saying you shouldn't wear armor.
To demonstrate what I'm saying you can view many different in-dash cams of OIS on the internet. I am choosing not to embed or name these videos on my site for kid safe reasons but if you do watch them they should explain this fairly well.
Some of the commonalities in a lot these cases - Officers had low situational awareness, they became stunned from the adrenal dump or they stood static to engage as if shooting a paper target at the range, they did not use proper shooting fundamentals, and most importantly...they did not move and seek cover. It is considered taboo to say what I just said, to speak of the failures of the dead, but I believe as a trainer that it is important to find commonalities so we can address these issues in training. The most simplistic answer when asking why these failures occurred is lack of training.
You see, most LE and security agencies operate on ever-shrinking budgets and due to budget concerns are finding that training above qualification standards just doesn't fit in anymore. Its sad really, but due to this lack of training in-house more and more public safety professionals are turning to private training clinics which has opened up a wonderful new market to civilians that was once closed to the public or completely unaffordable. Now we have trainers within reasonable distances of anybody in CONUS with affordable clinics for all kinds of combatives. Most importantly they can train you to think under stress and instinctively seek out and move toward cover and when you advance a little, deliver fire while doing so.
Most of these clinics can be attended for around $400 for two very intense and educational days. Of course there are added expenses like ammo/gas/lodging if you choose, but it should be worth every penny. There are many different websites devoted to practical gunfighting but if you don't want to browse around with that serious of a crowd I recommend listening to this podcast - http://www.gunfightercast.com/wordpress/ . Tons of good info and part of Gun Rights Radio Network.
So what is the lesson here? Armor is not a substitute for proper tactical discipline and that both armor and training should be in somewhere in your preps. However, in my opinion, training comes first.
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Here's a video to show deformation due to KE transfer even though the bullet didn't penetrate. Imagine the clay is your chest. Scary.
Whats wrong with this picture?
This is a gun store in the Daytona area. Click on the picture to enlarge it. A sign on the front door indicates that the store does not allow concealed carry, yet this store facilitates CCW training and sells plenty of handguns. Somewhat of a disconnect, imo.
Now, in no way am I infringing upon one's right to govern his own property, but this seems counterproductive.
Picture now fixed
Licensing and Safety Course for hunting
Now, I got this all done back in March, so I'm a little hazy on the details. Each state will have it's own set of laws regarding education and licensing, I urge you to check out www.huntinfo.org/ for state-specific requirements.
Here in Florida, I was required to attend a hunters safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC for short. Their website referred me to register for either a two-day class or an online educational portion with exam, and then a short class and range qualification on one day. I chose the online option.
Note on costs: In Florida a lot of the training is done at hunt clubs, outdoors stores, and ranges that may require a usage fee. I think I paid $15, though the online exam was free. Licenses vary by length of term and if you want extra permits for specific management areas, tags for waterfowl/turkey, etc. Prices range from approx. $17/year for just hunting to $100 for a combined hunting/fishing license with all permits included. Florida also has a lifetime license program for around $1000.
The online portion was a breeze, taking about four hours total. I did it in 15-30 minute increments as I had time over a week or so. I printed the exam results (pass) and waited until my class/range time.
The class was decent with about 25 of us outside at Volusia Gun and Hunt Club (awesome new place) but a bit boring as it covered a lot of Florida law regarding legal methods of taking game and the archaic legalese it's all written in. Lucky for us this March day was kind of cool, no insane heat waves early this year. We listened to the lecturers and took a final test which was just plain common sense, then hit the range.
We had three stations to complete by showing we could safely operate different weapons types: A small bolt action .22lr rifle, a very light pull compound bow, and a 20 gauge shotgun. Everybody was respectful of first-timers and we gave them a good amount of time to get comfortable.
After it was all said and done we were told our Hunter Safety numbers would be sent out the following week. Well, I guess they were wrong about mine because it took nearly a month until I had it in my hands.
Easy enough. Now for the South Carolina non-residential I need to present my valid Florida hunting license and pay between $40 and $125 depending on if I want a 3 day, 10 day, or annual license. As I will probably be going up three or four weekends late this year I'm going to pick up an annual license in July. An additional State land permit is required to hunt WMA's, but we will be on a private lease, so it won't be necessary.
My first deer – a story in progress
I'm new to a lot of forms of hunting. If you can believe it, I've never hunted from a stand and up until this year, had not hunted legally (I recommend you get your safety course and licenses done now, during the off season). Sure I've been big into fishing, some basic trapping/snaring, and I'm a decent recreational shooter, but I've never gotten serious about harvesting meat until now.
My father and uncles have wanted me to come up to their lease in South Carolina for a while, where they tree stand hunt for whitetail. Well sure enough this year I am going to pull the trigger and get involved with "normal" hunting. Maybe even put some meat in the non-existent freezer, I suppose we'll have to do another write up when the time comes to buy one.
So saddle up because I'm going to detail step by step my process of getting started in tree stand hunting for whitetail from licensing process to gear selection to my first official deer. Please recognize that this article will be a work in progress until I come back with my first whitetail.
1. Safety Course and Licensing
2. Hunting Clothing - camo and such
3. A good rifle and Scope (Just bought a Savage 110 package - article coming soon)
4. Prep day - work weekend and scouting
5. The first hunt (later this fall)
6. My first deer (only God knows when)
Gear Review – Crossbreed Minituck Holster
Crossbreed Minituck in cowhide: $67.75 at Crossbreed Holsters
Crossbreed Minituck and Kahr PM9
The decision to purchase a crossbreed was a tough one. Not because I questioned the value of the product but because there are so many holster designers out there it's hard to narrow it down just by looking at some pictures. I searched for reviews on THR, youtube, etc., and in the end it was crossbreed vs comp-tac. I really liked that the comp-tac had interchangeable kydex bodies but realistically, I would just want a dedicated holster for each weapon and the minituck was really the size I wanted for my particular carry gun. So Crossbreed it was.
Now, I had already become very comfortable with my CCW/uniform Bug - the Kahr PM9 but I had thought IWB carry would be uncomfortable, so I had been using a desantis nemesis in the front right pocket. That holster was extremely comfortable but not exactly tactically advantageous as it can only be accessed by one hand and it left a large bulge in my dress pants and khakis (cargos were great and I still use it this way). While reading up on IWB carry through www.defensivecarry.com (where the owner of Crossbreed is an active member) I saw that most people seemed to think IWB was great - given you didn't carry an extremely heavy gun like the XDM in .40 and had a good belt (like the wilderness tactical products ring belt worn in the photos) . The owner of Crossbreed seemed to have a serious amount of customer loyalty and an awesome sense of customer service so I went ahead and pulled the trigger thinking I could address any issues on Defensive Carry if necessary.
Crossbreed Minituck with Desantis Nemesis for size comparison
Ordering: Simply put, there were no issues. The ordering process was smooth, the delivery was fast once the holster had been made (hand made to order), and the product was exactly what was advertised. Exemplary of American-owned small businesses.
Comfort: While I made my first foray into IWB I was a bit uncomfortable. Kind of like carrying concealed for the first time, I thought everybody could see this huge bulge on my strong side. They didn't, I was just being paranoid. Once I got over my paranoia I could feel just how comfortable this holster was, especially while carrying a small polymer framed single stack! In fact, the only way I do not like carrying this holster is on a hot Florida day where I sweat a lot and don't have an undershirt on. The cowhide backing kind of "sticks" and can rub your skin the wrong way. My next Crossbreed will be in horsehide, a $10 upgrade. With an undershirt and a good, stiff belt it is honestly not noticeable.
The minituck's cowhide backing - also showing the cutout for the mag release
Construction: The holster is sturdy and durable. More than capable of some bush time if you choose to carry it then. The rivets are strong and the quality of the leather is awesome. I did have to use a razor knife to cut out a little indention for the magazine release button which is a common procedure and not difficult at all.
Gun ride: The holster has adjustable retention but I didn't mess with it. The tension from my belt over the kydex body is plenty enough. The gun rides extremely well, it won't fall out even when jogging (yes, I jog with cargo shorts, so sue me) but can be drawn without a tug of war battle.
A patterned cover shirt makes it disappear
Concealability: With the Kahr PM9, which is a thin, single stack 9mm, I can use t-shirts and still have little outline and that's if you know what to look for. With patterned/checkered western shirts over jeans there is no way you can tell that anything is there. I will occasionally wear this set up with a tucked-in dress shirt. The minituck does have hooks that allow this option and it just disappears. Of course body type and size of the gun make a big difference here but your covering garment is really the kicker.
Under a T-shirt the minituck prints less than my cell phone (left side)
Summary: It's a great IWB option. Admittedly, the only other IWB holsters I have used were cheap Uncle Mike's and Galco set ups that are mass produced so when I get hold of quality hand made American goodness I will be a little bit biased. Crossbreed has done a phenomenal job at making a well crafted, comfortable, and affordable IWB holster with the minituck and I am sure it speaks for the rest of their product line.
Note - I tried to mess around with image placement. Let me know if it effects your viewing.
Check out my gangsta style - beginning of draw The contact point is good and solid leading to strong presentation
First Impressions – History Channel’s Top Shot
The History Channel's Top Shot
I've just finished watching the first episode of Top Shot from The History Channel and I have to say, I like it. For one, I like the idea of firearm competitions. Then when you add physical activity to that and it's just candy. The one thing I'm unsure of is The History Channel putting effort into "reality" based programming. Well, it is hosted by Colby Donaldson of Survivor fame (whom I like), but we'll just have to see how it pans out.
The format is a team-based competition with a split cast of 16 marksmen (and woman) of varying skill levels and weapon specialities. Everybody from Marine Scout/Snipers, IPSC/IDPA competitors, and even Archers are represented. The teams will compete against one another with the winning team being "Immune" and the losing team having to go to "Elimination". The losing team must vote two players to go to an Elimination Challenge where those players will compete in a head-to-head stage, the loser going home. This will continue until only one Marksman is left, to be named the Top Shot.
It appears that the teams will be given an amount of time to practice with the weapons to be used in the challenges away from the other team, with some coaching from professional instructors. Then a competition using those weapon types and possibly multiple stages will be underway. In this first episode the teams competed in a relay "race" of sorts with four stages using four different historical rifles: the Mosin-Nagant, SVT, 1903 Springfield, and the M14. The teams were broken into four shooting groups of two, with each person acting as a shooter and spotter for one stage. The shooting group had to maneuver an obstacle such as a low crawl under wire, a mud slough, rope hang, and a woodrod thicket before progressing to the shooting station. At the station the shooters were permitted to use the structure however they wanted so long as they were behind the station (most appeared to be sandbag posts with windows). Targets were placed at differing lengths. Once a shot was confirmed good by explosion of an incendiary target, the next shooter could take aim, and so on this went.
The first competition was won by the Blue Team. Which forced the Red Team to vote two members into an elimination match. Now here's a good part. The voting is not secret. In this first episode the members of the losing team were taken to the "Elimination Range" where each member had a target with their name on it. Each person must come up to the line and take a shot at whomever's target they wish to go to the elimination challenge, right in front of the team. The two with the most shots on target go to the challenge. This week was a head-to-head long range competition using what appeared to be scoped Remington 700's. Targets were placed at 200, 400, and 600 yards. First to knock out all three wins. Mike Seeklander, a US Air Marshal and FLETC instructor was sent home this week. Pity, because next week looks to be all pistol competitions with the Beretta 92f. We probably could have learned something from him.
That all being said, and it was quite a bit, Top Shot looks to be a good hour of TV with some educational value and good competition based entertainment. Don't let History Channel's deviation from the norm effect you too much. Hopefully Top Shot will not be to History Channel what The Colony was to The Discovery Channel.