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Personal Defense Network Forum » Forum: Tactics & Defensive Issues - Recent Topics http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/ en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:52:10 +0000 David S. on "Flashlight techniques" http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/topic/flashlight-techniques#post-180 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:12:58 +0000 David S. 180@http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/ Recently, I have been thinking about defensive flashlight techniques in relation to the skills learned at Combat Focus Shooting taught by Rob Pincus which I recently attended in January. After learning about working with what the body does naturally; I wanted to apply that concept to other defensive skills; in this case, flashlight techniques. I am neither a trainer nor a martial artist; I am simply someone who is interested in the topic and want to focus my practice time on the most efficient techniques. Consequently, I have looked at the flashlight techniques, (I am familiar with), to discover what might be best for me; given I want apply the CFS concepts of efficiency and consistency while working with what the body does naturally. Below are my initial thoughts on what will work best for me. The techniques below assume a standard tail cap modern flashlight operated in the “weak” hand. As well as, in normal use; the light is best utilized in a stabbing / ice pick style with the thumb activating the switch. Harries Positives – With a tail cap flashlight, the hand does not have to change grip to move from search mode to coordinated mode with a gun. When in search mode, (stab grip with thumb on tail cap switch); the hand is naturally high and flexible for searching with the light. In a startle response the hand is in a good position to protect the face naturally. Negatives - Weaver bladed stance that works well with the Harries is only natural in competition and target shooting. Weaver based foot position slows mobility laterally. In high compressed ready, the Harries feels unnatural and the light or gun tends to point off center when held in tight to the body. Transition from search mode to application of force, is less efficient as you need to cross arms to apply the technique rather than just quickly extend. When combining tactics with a gun Harries works best with extended ready which exposes to potential gun grab and fatigue. Conclusion – This was the technique that I practiced. Now after CFS I realize that my normal isosceles style stance was not consistent what I was doing with a flashlight. This technique does not fit my criteria. Surefire / Syringe Style Positives – Light and gun in consistent position for the high compressed ready and application of force with the firearm. The light and gun naturally extend to the target and will attain mechanical lock; cognitive action is not required to halt the aiming process. Negatives – Search mode (stab grip with thumb on switch) is inconsistent with application of the light with the gun. The technique requires the light to be turned in the hand. Getting the light in position is a fine motor skill and subject to fumble. Conclusion – For me this makes total sense on paper or when verbalized. However, when I apply it with other efficient techniques it seems to come up short. FBI – I must admit greater ignorance of this technique. The advantage I see with this is return fire at the direction of the light would be away from the centerline of the body. It seems to require more constant on mode with the light to be at its best. I need more education in this technique. Neck index Positives – The flashlight is in a good position to transfer from searching or the startle response to a neck or chin reference position. The flashlight hand is available and naturally positioned for fending of others. The flashlight use does not force a change in handgun deployment. The gun is drawn out of the holster to high compressed ready or extended to fire as appropriate. If a lanyard is used the flashlight hand is available and in position to perform reloads and malfunction clearing. Vision and light move together as the head moves. In extreme CQB situation where I may strike with the light or other physical technique the application of the handgun would be consistent with normal, greater than two arm length, tactics. The difference would be the extent of the extension of the handgun. CQB would use a gun hand thumb and mag well body index while shooting from retention and normal application would fully extend the firearm. Negative – Due to the height of the light, splash back from inappropriate illumination could hurt night vision. The handgun must be deployed with a single hand only. Conclusion – Based on this initial view the neck / chin index provides the consistency and efficiency, I am looking for. I will continue to refine my selection. Hopefully I have articulated these points so they made sense. I offer these thoughts to get the feedback of the forum and to invite discussion. Take Care David parabarbarian on "Shooting Bystanders" http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/topic/shooting-bystanders#post-866 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:06:05 +0000 parabarbarian 866@http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/ In a couple of recent shootings here in California innocent bystanders were shot. In one incident a San Francisco cop, shooting at a gun wielding thug, managed to hit two bystanders even as he missed his intended target. <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/09/san-francisco-police-back-officer-s-decision-latest-shooting" rel="nofollow">http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/09/san-francisco-police-back-officer-s-decision-latest-shooting</a> In another -- this one in Gardena -- a store owner shot and killed an armed robber but, in the course of the gun fight, shot a bystander in the torso. <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/gardena-store-owner-recognized-robber-from-earlier-heist.html" rel="nofollow">http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/gardena-store-owner-recognized-robber-from-earlier-heist.html</a> What I find disquieting about these shooting is the reaction from some gun owners. There is a minority (I hope they are a minority) that seem to think it is perfectly all right to "accidentally" shoot a bystander. Example threads from the Calguns board: San Francisco <a href="http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=479932" rel="nofollow">http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=479932</a> Gardena <a href="http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=481127" rel="nofollow">http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=481127</a> Maybe I'm just being too anal about the question of responsibility but it just seem wrong to justify injuring an innocent. I am reminded of a story Jim Cirillo told about one of his gunfights. When he confronted some robbers a group of hotel guests were directly behind the gunmen. He didn't shoot because there were innocents in the line of fire. I remember thinking to myself that, if I am ever in a similar situation, I will be able to act as honorably. OTOH, maybe I watched too many John Wayne movies growing up. OTGH, it still seems wrong. Almost as if those arguing it are seeking advance justification. ke4sky on "Active Shooter Incidents" http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/topic/active-shooter-incidents#post-431 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:31:25 +0000 ke4sky 431@http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/ The Fairfax County (VA) police department was one of multiple stakeholders working with DHS in the development of this booklet and has been conducting training for municipal employees based on lessons learned from active shooter incidents which have occurred in our jurisdiction. <a href="http://www.odmp.org/officer/18306-detective-vicky-anne-owen-armel">Det. Vicky Anne Owen Armel</a><a href="http://www.odmp.org/officer/18312-master-police-officer-michael-e.-garbarino">MPO Michael E. Garbarino</a> <a href="http://honoringvickyarmel.com/">Honoring Lt,. Vicky Armel</a> (Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security) Recent shooting incidents at various locations of the United States seem to indicate rising violence at work places, and even at hospitals that were once considered safe havens. However, the Emergency Management and Response--Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) has no credible evidence of a valid trend or pattern regarding active shooters. According to the Department of Homeland Security "Active Shooter" booklet (PDF, 984 KB), <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf">DHS Booklet - Active Shooter How to Respond </a> an active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. The booklet states: "In most cases, there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims." The booklet further explains that active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims. "Because active shooter incidents are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation." The EMR-ISAC verified that the booklet provides guidance to individuals, including responders, managers, and employees, who may be caught in an active shooter situation. It also discusses how to react when law enforcement arrives at the incident scene. Another useful source of information on this subject is the Mass Shooting/Active Shooter First Responder Awareness Card (PDF, 35 KB). <a href="http://www.wiiaai.org/pdfs/august-vernon/mass-shooting-response.pdf">Active Shooter First Responder Awareness Card</a> Taken from the EMR-ISAC CIP INFOGRAM. David S. on "Stoppage Assessment" http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/topic/stoppage-assessment#post-192 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:54:54 +0000 David S. 192@http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/forum/ Recently, I purchased some of Magpul Dynamics training video series. They are top notch! Travis Hailey and Chris Costa both recommend taking a split second to assess a malfunction type; then go directly to to appropriate clearing technique. For example, see you have a stove pipe, you sweep the case out and resume shooting. You do not waste time with a tap and rack. The thought is that the quick assessment and appropriate clearing technique is more efficient and gets you back in action quicker. The technique I use is go directly to a tap, rack, & assess without any effort to identify the cause of the malfunction. If that does not work go to unload reload technique. The reason I have used this is a belief it is most efficient. Also, I attempt to keep my eye on the threat and employ lateral movement. One problem I have with my current technique is I do not always know the malfunction I had to assess the likelihood of a malfunction. I would like to hear your experience and opinions on what you do and why. Take Care David