Thanks for tuning in to March’s PDN LIVE with Rob Pincus where he answered your questions about developing defensive shooting skills along with Robert Leatham, professional shooter and 24-time USPSA National champion. In case you missed it, you can watch the full video here. Make sure to tune in next month for another PDN LIVE. See you then!
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How do I join in on the live chat on March 22 and time it’s going on thank you
Hello there, the link is below to watch the live chat that will be air on March 22nd. You can submit in your question under the discussion. http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/article/live-march-22/
http://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/wp/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-form
I’m having trouble finding a weapon that is small enough to carry discretely in the summer but that still has a decent size magazine…
I have a glock 23 gen 4 (mid size of the glock family) it has a 13+1 copacity and use a crossbreed iwb holster, in shorts and a thin t shirt you can’t tell I’m Carrying
That’s the paradox, isn’t it. Bigger means “more printable.” I like my M&P Shield (though CCW not allowed her in Kalifornia)
Well, Leatham and I both carry XD-S Pistols… small, slim. “decent sized” is where you get into an area of subjectivity. Some people would say that 7+1 isn’t enough ammo for a personal defense gun. I generally disagree.
Wish I could have one! I love my 4″ XD9…unfortunately due to our laws, nothing past the XD is allowed in Kalifornia. Due to DOJ approved handguns list, mag disconnect, loaded chamber indicator and MANDATORY MICROSTAMPING (WT…heck?), our buying decisions are made by our legislators!
The problem is you have to balance size against shoot ability. For me it is large enough to shoot well but still concealable versus easy to carry but hard to shoot. I kinda care less about the mag capacity thing and go for thin and flat. Light however is always nice…
Thanks for Streamimg this
not sure i can stay away…….too much b & c……and a tough Pincus day
Hello from a member!
Which would better prepare someone for defensive training, IDPA matches or USPSA matches?
Answered in the Video!
I have trouble racking a slide. Is a revolver the only option for me?
Consult a gunsmith as to whether a lighter recoil spring MIGHT be appropriate. DO NOT make this change without skilled guidance by qualified gunsmith. Safety & warranty issues may apply.
99% of the time I am told that, it is a technique issue, not really a physical limitation. Get to a class with one of our affiliated instructors!
Agree with Pincus. Have not found anyone who is strong enough to control the gun that couldn’t operate the slide. If you struggle to load an auto you most likely will really struggle to pull the long/heavy double action trigger of a compact revolver. That are easy to load, but harder to shoot. adequately…
Cool…been listening to Rob Leatham, Pts 1 & 2 (kinda incessantly) from Mike Seeklanders’ American Warrior Society Podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-american-warrior-show/id969281516?mt=2 ) as I get ready to shoot my FIRST USPSA, IDPA or possibly Steel National match. Nice to be part of a live event! Thanks, Robs!
Continuing training opportunity. Thanks.
Obviously the plan for shooting a stage in a practical shooting competitoon is rehearsed many minutes. A sudden real life situation is an most likely ambush or similar. What in the competition training is still of real life value?
Competition training is the same as any other training.mIt is building the skills to perform under pressure. Operating under stress with concern for the outcome is the applicable part. A stage in a match is not a definitive representation of how you will perform in a fight. It is a indicator of how you may perform in that environment however. The stage or “test” itself is and cannot be a real world test.
Do you know of small groups that train for hand to hand combat in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
What do you see as the most important skill to develop to shoot fast, and accurately in a defensive shooting scenario
Answered in Video.
What would you recommend for those of us who arent newbies but want to challenge ourselves and increase skill?
Since you are here at PDN, I assume you mean defensive skill… so, I would suggest a course with one of our affiliated instructors.
In your opinion, which is the better defensive weapon, revolver or semi-automatic? Thank you for the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered live!
Semi for 98% of the population of Earth.
Just listening – thank you
hi and thanke you
Hello from dangerous ChiRaq!!!
With terror attacks and life threatening incidents happening what seems like every week, it’s paramount that we prepare ourselves to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families everyday. What are the essential items that we should EDC on our bodies ANY time we’re out and about with exception to our firearm to adequately defend ourselves, our loved ones against any kind of attack – both fatal and non-fatal?
Cell Phone, Emergency Medical Equipment, Flashlight… there are a lot of other things, but these are at the top of the list for me.
how do you address going from one state to another that does not recognize your permit?
Follow the Laws.
Thank you for this training!
Can’t wait!!!
Great job guys (and gals)
Am I doomed to only a revolver because of arthritis in my hands that is making it really difficult to rack slides?
answered above also… most of the time, racking issues are about technique, not physical issues.
My mother operates a semi auto XD pistol fine. She is 85 and has arthritis and is also not particularly strong. Find a local instructor worth 2 cents and more often than not this becomes a non issue..
Do you train to shoot with both eyes open?
At the most fundamental level, I teach people to shoot unsighted with both eyes open and to close an eye when they need sight alignment and sight picture for higher levels of precision. You can look for information from me on “intuitive sighted fire” for WHY.
Awoke to a loud noise in the middle of the night and didn’t have my glasses. Grabbed my gun, but couldn’t see very well. How important is learning to point shoot for home defense? Everything turned out to be okay. Thanks Glenn T.
Look up “kinesthetic alignment”… you should be able to hit a human chest at most inside the house distances without reference to your sights.
What are your thoughts on laser training, such as with a SIRT pistol?
As discussed in the video, there are some great things to do with the SIRT.
Thank you for covering this! Loved the info!
I enjoy seeing both of you on your appearances on the gun shows. I would like to see more training for IDPA & USPSA type matches. We’re looking forward to attending the class in the fall with my wife regarding team defense that George signed us up for.
Excellent! Obviously, we don’t really give specific advice for competition prep here at PDN, but our guest tonight, Rob Leatham, offers that training… as does our PDN Contributor Mike Seeklander.
Kinda like the glut of “Mike’s” over at Best Defense.
Yeah… that was an issue when I left and yet another Mike was added! 🙂
There’s always room for one more Rob…
best skills to practice with a SIRT or in standard dry fire training
Presentation from the Holster in various positions.
i carry about 4:30 witch is the best holster right or left i am right handed
very personal choice…. way too many options to give you a real answer. You can take a look at a lot of the holster videos we have here at PDN to get you started in the right direction though!
I carry a Ruger LC9 in a Desantis holster in my front pocket. Nobody notices.
Janet, try holding the slide and pushing the backstrap.
I live here in poor beleaguered La Jolla, Kalifornia…tough place to be a shooter. Not allowed to carry (sheriff doesn’t issue CCW), but I do train in that. AM allowed (some) to compete…gearing up for that. Either of the Robs have any SoCal events planned in the near future?
I am setting a date for Burro Canyon, in the mountains just outside of Burbank, for the latter part of the year!
What is the best way to train when I ware my bifocals?
No difference between wearing glasses and not wearing glasses in terms of the training model… you may need to adjust your head position when shooting with sights.
Depends on what you are planning to shoot. If it’s your carry setup for defensive use you have to figure out how to shoot we’ll enough with the vision you will have. There are things that are so much more important than seeing the sights clearly…
Thanks!!
Thanks for all your efforts to educate us.
Some people prefer shooting at a target straight in front of them, while others prefer a “real life course” with obstacles and multiple targets. Which do you feel is more effective in training?
Answered in Video
My competition guns are almost all stock. G17, G21SF, G23, G34, XD40SC, LC9, GP100. The only changes I’ve made are putting a Ghost 4.5 connector and Tru Glo sights on the G17, G21& G23.
Most defensive guns should have the factory sights replaced… not really a fan of messing with the triggers though…. and I’ve seen some serious failures with the Ghost in particular in classes.
I’m a trigger fanatic in regards to triggers, but only in my competition guns. The only item more important to me is reliability. The needs are completely different for my carry guns however. My XDs .45 has a stock, heavy trigger. Just as I want it for carry. My competition 1911’s and Xdm’s have very light trigger pulls. One is to allow fastest possible speed, other is to require a deliberate movement. I have no trouble switching between.
There is a complete difference between Flag football and full contact football. The hands on falling to the floor is when you feel the physical difference in the chase and the fight for the score of staying on your feet. Take the flag I don’t care attitude versus getting slammed to the ground. Just an analogy 🙂 It’s the need for defense in reality that gets distorted in competition.
Of course. The competition shooter cares only about score. His “surviving” is laying down a score that will keep him in the hunt. The point is not to view competition as realistic. I think it cannot be. Some may be more realistic than others, but the real gain for any shooter in competition is to test with out putting yourself in a dangerous situation, your skill and discipline.
Not to be a noodge, but he’s pronounced it for you…it’s LAY-THUMB, not LEE-THUMB…I’m just sayin’
How do the Robs feel about the addition of mini red dot sights on a personal defense pistol
I don’t think the advantages come anywhere close to outweighing the cost/effort/potential failures. Had a student today who couldn’t make out his target when the sun was going down because of glare. Happens a lot in low light and in dusty/rainy conditions as well. The red dot can make you faster at distances beyond plausible defensive situations and a better “shooter” in may cases (ie- competition), but I don’t think they offer significant advantages in defensive context.
Ver specialized piece of equipment . Not a cure all for marksmanship or vision problems. Shooting them regularly now that USPSA has a division called “Carry Optics”. Have found interesting things. For precision it is an aid for some vision problems. It has not in anyway enhanced my speed. Has many downsides. It does allow those who cannot see the sights due to being far-sighted, to aim precisely. Now the discussion of how important that is will be based on the need…
My normal carry was a 38 special S&W Bodyguard. Unfortunately, it is still too big for concealment to carry in a holster with a tucked in shirt and slacks in Phoenix. When I do carry my 38 Bodyguard, I carry it in one of my front pant pockets but it then becomes impossible to draw while sitting. Therefore, I can only carry my 38 Bodyguard 5% of the time.
Recently however, I started to carry a 22 WMR folding derringer that easily deployed while sitting in a chair or car and looks like a clip-on folding knife. This firearm is with me over 95% of the time. Do you guys have ant techniques and/or drills to become more proficient with this style of firearm?
No. Sorry…. it is a very limited use pistol. I know plenty of people in warm climates who carry much more suitable defensive guns without issue.
With Pincus on this one. Would prefer other weapon that is likely to affect the outcome of an event immediately.. Any tool is a force multiplier. The mini-revolvers I have found so hard to operate and use as to not multiply enough..
Rob P. Comment on dry fire practicing from various and unusual possitions.
Presentation in those positions? Absolutely!
“Shooting” from those positions? get to a range and make bang-bang sounds.
The figure 8 drill is the most humbling drill around
Great discussion—thanks!
What gun did you say you carry?
Springfield Armory XDs 3.3 9mm and .45
Thank you all for your time!!!
Weren’t the Robs going to “hang out” after to answer questions? Where?
Hello Edward, you may still email us your question regarding the PDN Live Chat to us at pdnsubscription@program-director.net. Thanks
first time visitor
Do they make Viridian Green Laser Grips for the S&W Model 686+
I don’t believe they have grips for that revolver but I would suggest contacting Viridian direct at Info@ViridianGreenLaser.com. It’s possible they have something in the works.