Personal Defense Network Forum » Tag: Training - Recent Topics

fkarlh on "Why Carry? Is your reason for carrying good enough?"

fkarlh — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:16:49 +0000

I recently listened to Rob's appearance on Armed American Radio. He and Mark discussed a recent article by Rob which unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to read. But the topic was interesting and I found Rob's take on it rather interesting as well. The disciussion was "Why do you carry" ... or more to the point ... what is a "valid" reason to carry. Rob went through several standard answers and described why they were not "good" reasons for carrying. My job requires it, I want to make a policital statement, it makes me feel safer, etc. And while I understand and agree with Rob's point that the only "true" reason to carry is to protect oneself or the innocents around you, I think the discussion overlooked an important point. And I think it's a point that is often overlooked in many related discussions. That is, Rob's point of view ... his understanding ... his final decision ... reflects years of training and education. But there are many gun owners that are just beginning that journey. Their reasons may not be as well thought out, not as matured, not as seasoned as someone who lives and breathes personal defense. So, while I agree 100% with Rob's ultimate resolution of the question, I wonder if some may be disuaded from starting their journey as a result of that philosophy. If they are told and believe that carrying a gun "because I need it for my job" is not a good enough reason ... well, would Masaad Ayoob be where he is today? He began carrying a gun because his family owned a jewelry store. His journey began because "he needed it for his job" ... What if he had been disuaded from starting that journey ... I guess my point is that everyone doesn't go directly from novice to expert instantaneously ... whether it be in training, in understanding, in philosophy. Those who have been on the journey for a long time sometimes lose sight of where they started. Everyone has to be allowed, indeed encouraged, to make the journey on their own. Everyone has to learn to "drive a car" (to use an analogy that Rob used on the show). They don't go from never having driven to driving in high-speed chases in a single day. If they are told that the only "true ... pure" reason to learn to drive is to win the Indy 500 ... then maybe they decide never to learn to drive. So ... why do you carry? What is a "valid" reason to carry? Personally, I don't believe anyone needs more than the second amendment. Making a statement that the second amendament is valid by carrying a gun is okay by me. I personally would encourage everyone to go much further down the road and to take the responsibility of firearm ownership seriously. I would encourage everyone to train and educate themselves. I believe that someone who does no more than strap a gun on their hip without training and education is a more dangerous gun owner ... but I still think simply demonstrating your belief in the second amendment is a valid reason for owning and carrying a gun. More to the point, I believe that the more law abiding citizens who become familiar with guns and comfortable with carrying them the better we will be as a society ... and the more Rob Pincus' and Masaad Ayoobs we will develop. I would encourage people to start their journey for whatever reason gets them on the road ... and then help them become the most educated and well-trained gun owners that they can be. So, is your reason for carrying "good enough"?

cshoff on "How many train for ambidexterity?"

cshoff — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:26:12 +0000

Something I have always tried to impress upon my students, as well as incorporate into my own training, is the skill of being able to use either hand to access, present, and fire the defensive handgun at a target. As one of my favorite writers likes to say, there is no guarantee that both hands will "be able to make the appointment" when the moment of truth arrives. With that said, it seems as though defensive carry rigs that make presentation with either hand very hard, or even impossible, are becoming more and more popular these days. A lot of folks are now opting for strong side pocket carry with compact to micro-sized guns as a matter of comfort and convenience, and there seems to also recently be a surge of interest in shoulder rigs for one reason or another. Certain types of belt carry, as well as thigh rigs, can make this a difficult task to perform as well. In my opinion, ambidextrous gun handling is a vital skill that we should all strive to be able to perform efficiently, regardless of our chosen carry method. We never know when or how we may be confronted by a threat, but we can usually count on it coming at the most inopportune moment. I thought it would make for an interesting discussion if we all talked a little about how we addressed this issue in our training. Is this part of your training regimen? Do you spend a lot of time on it? Do you spend little time on it? Let's hear about your method of carry and how you train for this tactical reality.

mslr on "Training"

mslr — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:40:22 +0000

Looking to improve your reaction times, tune up your fine motor skills? Along with the added benefit of cardio and a dose of good clean fun. Try Ping Pong. According to Dr. Wendy Suzuki, professor of neuroscience and psychology at New York University. “Table tennis works parts of the brain that are responsible for movement, fine motor skills and strategy. Table tennis is the number one brain sport” I’m certainly not suggesting you strap-on your favorite 1911 and head out to the local Ping Pong Tourney. Simply include three or more 30 minute sets of table tennis per week into your training regimen. While the physical movements used for table tennis do not mimic those used in the presentation of a hand gun from a holster, they will significantly increase your reaction skills. Ping pong tables are relatively inexpensive and can be set up in your home. All in all Ping Pong is a lot fun. (Unless of course your wife wins and then dances around the table gloating) Google; Ping Pong health benefits.

stevenm on "Hello to all from a new member"

stevenm — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:20:05 +0000

Hi all, I'm Steven and back in March, I received my CCW permit. Wanting to know all that I could regarding training and legal aspects of responsible self defense led me to Mr. Massad Ayoob and Mr. Rob Pincus among many other quality educators. After watching the videos here on PDN, I became very impressed with CFS. It really is the first training system I've come across that is completely designed with personal defense in mind (as opposed to target training and crossing over into personal defense). Mr. Pincus's methodologies are very intuitive and his teaching method was easily understandable. So, I ordered the set of 3 DVDs from the PDN store and tore into all of them, especially the CFS video. One of the many things I like about it is that CFS seems very adaptable to the use of a revolver (I carry a snub nose J-frame). Combat accuracy, balance of speed and precision, high compressed ready and presentation all seem to work well with my snubby. Some things like reloading need to be adapted obviously but the core of the CFS program doesn't appear to be dependant on having a semi-auto pistol. With that said, I don't believe I could take a CFS course with my revolver. With the fewer rounds available in the gun, I think I'd be slowing the class down too much and it wouldn't be fair to the students or the trainer but the DVD has enough clear instruction that I can take these principles to my range and practice. I can also practice many of these techniques dry at home (verified empty gun and safe practice area). This is also the first "gun" forum I've joined and chose to do so because it's no nonsense, respectful, self-defense oriented and has many respected trainers and experts. I have many questions and perceive that I would get very informative but respectful answers. One day, I hope I'll have the knowledge and experience to pass on to other new shooters. Many thanks to Mr. Pincus and all involved in the PDN. It's a fantastic resource!

LouisEngelbrecht on "hello to all, I am new"

LouisEngelbrecht — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:10:24 +0000

Hello, I am new but would like to say hello and make some new friends. I'm from South-Africa, a British Vet and now living in America Florida. I'm an executive personal protection officer also doing bodyguarding. I would like to be part of this group because we share so much intrest. I would gladly like to take part in courses to better my skills. Wish you all the best.

klopesw on "Books to read and to learn from"

klopesw — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:21:23 +0000

First, I want to thank and to congratulate the masterminds behind this Personal Defence Network. This is like a gold mine for people looking information to help them to survive and get better at defending themselves. And the thing that I love the most about it is that it doesn´t concentrate solely on the tools and techniques (which are of course also very important) but also on the Human Weapon System. Great job! Now to the actual point of this posting. I would like us together to create a source list of books that we think has some valuable information in them. The topics can be everything from unarmed personal defence to MIL/LEO tactics. My recommendations: Unarmed tactics for Law Enforcement/Security Personel: Loren W. Christensen: Defencive tactics - Very well done handbook for basic arrest & control techniques. Has a lot of good pictures in it and is very easy to read and to learn from. Military: Jon E. Lewis: The SAS Combat Handbook - Has a lot of infromation in it and works best as a source book. I realize that no average person needs all that information but there are some very usefull information in it. It´s better to know something that you don´t need than to need something that you don´t know. Armed personal defence: Rob Pincus: Combat Focus Shooting - I assume that you have all read this so I say no more. If you haven´t then it should be the number one on your to do-list because it holds in so much vital information that will change the way you train, fight and live. So I hope that as many as possible would add their list over here because at least I want to learn as much as possible about defending myself, my loved ones and my country. If someone has in mind some books about the psygolochy and human reaktions during a critical incident I would really like to hear about them. -HP

joemerchant24 on "Dry fire + laser = training scar?"

joemerchant24 — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:39:49 +0000

I am seriously looking at one of the LaserLyte training modules. I have two worries about it. 1) Will this create a training scar of coming up off the sights in order to see the 100m/s laser dot? I understand distance will dictate sights vs physiological aiming, but I worry this practice will hardwire me to look at the target immediately after every shot regardless of distance. 2) This is a dry fire concern in general. When I practice dry, what's the best way to handle a SA or striker fired semi-auto? Should I fire one, pause, cycle? Or shot one, cycle, shot two. I worry immediately cycling a semi will return at a bad time and I'll shoot, rack out a good round, shoot, rack out a good round. If I pause to break that cycle, I worry about ingraining one shot then evaluate. I know there's no perfect answer, but best practices would be appreciated