It's Time To Revisit This Subject ...

     It has been awhile since I have entered into the conversation on the Second Amendment, or as those who wish to distract from our Constitutional rights like to call to call it… gun control.  No matter what you hear from the talking heads, the American public is not ready to relinquish their rights or privilege to defend themselves with firearms.
     In fact The Daily Beast posted an article citing a New York Times/CBS poll in which it was found that the number of Americans supporting stricter gun control in general has slipped 7 points in just two months.  It doesn’t take a genius to figure that the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino have people scared.  They clearly see that those who wish to kill us are armed and trained to take as many innocent lives as possible.
     Waiting helplessly and defenseless for first responders to show up leads to certain loss of life.  The question becomes, What are your odds? Will you be one of the lucky ones who survives?  There is no way to answer that, because without the means to defend yourself, your chances are going to be random.  The only way to raise those odds is to be as prepared and trained as the enemy.  And it is becoming clearer to more Americans that limiting firearms from potential victims will not save more lives.

     But what you may not know, is that the number of women who identify as “first time gun owners” has steadily risen over the last few years.  I was one, myself, just a few short years ago, and my personal experience is that many of my female friends (and friends of friends) are overcoming their reticence and yes … fear of firearms … to take responsibility for their own protection and that of their families.
     Once they are introduced to professional training, they realize that we are not all “gun nuts”; that we take our training seriously, and our goal is to be both proficient and safe with a firearm; and it is for one primary reason – to defend ourselves when we fear for our lives.  They are often surprised to hear us say that we hope we never have to use our firearm.  But if we feel that our life is in danger, we want to be able to stop the threat before it is carried out.
     And they are equally surprised to find out that we spend as much time training how to be safe with our firearm as we do being accurate with it.  Training in both these areas keeps unnecessary injuries and deaths at a minimum.  In other words, responsible gun owners are not a threat to the general populace; do not present an increased danger to society; and just might be able to prevent the tragic loss of lives we have recently witnessed.  If just one person at the office Christmas party had been carrying for self-defense, and been adequately trained for an active shooter scenario, the terrorists might have been stopped from killing 14 people.  If just one of those lives had been saved, wouldn’t it have been worth it?
     And I’m sure you have noticed my repetitive use of the word “trained” in this post.  I, personally, would like to see legislation requiring mandatory training before the issuance of Concealed Carry permits.  In my mind, that would not only influence the attitude of those who are skittish about the general population carrying firearms, but would go a long way towards forming the proper mindset of a responsible gun-owner.
     The bottom line for me is this… it is apparent that the terrorist threat to this nation, and the world, is only going to increase.  As trite as it sounds … the Bible tells me so.  And that’s good enough for me.  God wants me to trust in Him, and I do for my salvation and my eternal life.  But I know there is a god of this world who is intent on killing and destroying as much of mankind as he can; and especially Christians.  So I will use the brain He gave me, and the rights upon which this country was founded, to defend myself and do it as an informed, trained, and reliable firearms owner.  I will take my stand against Evil because I know that self-preservation and the need to persevere are both a gift, and a duty, from my God.  None of us can deny that evil exists; and while God wishes us to love our fellow man and hold fast to that which is good, He has also made us responsible for those in our care.  That means husbands and fathers are to protect their wives and families; mothers, their children; and all of us, the innocent and defenseless.
     Unfortunately, the ungodly and the wicked are running rampant under the influence of the enemy of God.  While I pray for protection, I also know that I must be prepared to defend myself.  Sadly, that’s just the reality of the world in which we live.

Psalm 94:16     "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?"

To My Second Amendment Sisters

     I would love to see the Christmas 2013 statistics that connect women and firearms sales.  I would be willing to bet that a fair number of ladies received presents that pertained in some fashion or another to self-defense.  In fact, in just my small sphere of the population, I personally know that self-defense handguns, battle belts, holsters, tactical gear, self-defense classes and clothing in various shades of olive drab green and coyote brown were wrapped and placed under a good number of trees.
     In the last year, I have had more conversations on the merits of self-defense training, and seen more women than ever before become interested (for the first time in their lives) in learning how to safely and successfully defend themselves.  And that is exciting!

     This new evolution of gun-owners covers all age brackets and crosses economic and social lines.  Young, stay-at-home mothers see the benefit of being able to protect themselves and their children, and working women are aware that they are vulnerable going to, at, and on their way home from their jobs. Even senior women want to feel confident venturing outside their homes, and all women are beginning to realize that while we are exposed to ever-increasing levels of danger, we are responsible for our own safety, and quite capable of accomplishing that task.  Just scour the headlines --- there was an impressive number of bad guys who were no match for a woman who knew how to use a handgun.
     When I first started taking self-defense training classes three years ago, the number of women who signed up was admittedly remarkable; today it is nearly explosive.  It has been interesting to note as I advanced through different levels, that while the ratio of men to women in the classes is still higher, we women are becoming equal in skills and commitment.  We are becoming competent partners in protecting our homes and our families, and that's not only a good thing, but as it should be.
     After all, throughout our nation's history, women were adept with shotguns and rifles at protecting their home and hearth.  They had to be.  As the frontier was settled, their husbands and sons were often gone for long stretches of time; either hunting for food, or fighting off threats from Indians or foreign armies.  As the country became more settled, farmhouses and cabins were still often remote and vulnerable to all kinds of danger; from both animal and man, and women were still called upon to defend their own when necessary.  Although we became more urbanized, those threats never really went away.  American women became more domesticated, eventually entering the workforce and abdicating their defense to either the men in their families or appointed officers of the law.

     Now we are coming back to the reality that we need to be able to defend ourselves.  The reasons are varied, but I would say we are finally putting a premium on our personal safety and that of our families.  We are well aware that there is an economic downturn, and violent crimes are a reality.  We also take note that prisoners are being furloughed and police officers are being laid off.   And we all know that, despite their good intentions, police can’t always be there when we need them.
     And here's the cold, hard truth:  no matter how physically fit and hardened you are; or how many "5 Second Survival" sales pitches you hear, women are no match for a man when it comes to one-on-one. However, a firearm in the hands of a well-trained woman levels that playing field.  We can defend ourselves against any man!
     That's why I'm proud to say that according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, gun-store owners have reported a 73% increase in female customers in recent years, and the number of women buying guns specifically for personal defense has climbed by more than 83%.  Way to go, Ladies!
     I am seeing a new wave of women who have never considered gun ownership before, but are now ready to step up and take charge of their own safety; and they want to do it safely and correctly.  It is not enough to have a Concealed Carry Permit. Unless you know how to correctly operate your defense weapon, it will likely do you more harm than good.  So it fills me with great pride to see more women joining the ranks of gun owners and enjoying the discipline and rewards of shooting.  It's no longer just a man's world!
 
Romans 15:5     "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus..." 

Building Thinkers Before Shooters

     Several months ago, I wrote a post about my experiences in taking a Travis Haley gun class.  It was here that I was first introduced to the science behind shooting.  That's right.  Travis Haley isn't satisfied with teaching his students the fundamentals of shooting.  He's on a mission to discover the Why's of shooting excellence; the interaction between thoughts and performance.  Because once you figure that out and truly understand it, you've got the edge.  And Travis is all about gaining the edge.
     So, when I signed up for his D5 Reactive Shooting Science class, I was curious as to how he would advance us beyond the incredible improvements I saw in my shooting from the previous class.  So along with PLW (my husband's full name actually means "Peace-Loving Warrior, for those new to my blog) and 24 of my new best friends, we set out on our next journey with the Master... learning the principles behind Biomechanical shooting and then putting them into practice.

     I could write volumes on the information we gained ... Controlling motion, force, momentum, levers and balance; Isometric tension; the Tachypsychia Effect; Target accommodation;  the 90/10 theory of trigger control; the front and back end problems that interfere with our accuracy, including the pre-ignition push, snatching, improper reset, lack of follow through, and double pump, just to name a few .... and all designed to make us better shooters.
     But when you take a class with Travis, you're signing up for so much more than a training class.  I knew what I expected out of the class, but I had no idea how life-changing three days with this man could be.  I believe that life is a series of pivot points, where our decisions lead us to specific events that move us forward on our path through life.  This class was such a pivot point for me, and I think all my classmates would agree.
     First of all, this class is formatted differently than any class I've ever experienced to date.  It is a big picture, big idea thinkers class.  How many other training classes have you taken that discuss the Law of Overcoming Failure, the Law of Just a Little, or the Law of Everything? -- or as he calls them, "Travis's Cheesy Laws".  Or what other firearms trainers recommend books like The Power of Habit or extol the Kolbe A™ Index/Instinct Test, which measures what you WILL or WON'T do?  You see, for Travis, it is about the deliberate practice of analyzing processes to achieve your goal.
     Personally, he was able to isolate and see the imbalance in my trigger pull by observing the tension in the muscles of my hand.  He talked me through the pull and helped me to visualize what I was doing, and then suggested, "Feel that?  Remember how that feels in your mind every time you pull the trigger."  It is that kind of attention to detail, along with the quest for solutions to problems that will lead to success.   And that pertains to not only your gun handling, but your life.
     This class has been built on one man's quest to try and obtain a personal level of perfection, based on a one-word question ... WHY?  It is Travis's unique ability to press for the "why" behind every aspect of his life that has been the impetus for propelling him to the top of whatever he chooses to accomplish.
     Having served as a Force Recon Marine, Travis was a member of a select group of warriors who possessed the highest of standards and a broad skill set.  This has, no doubt, been the foundation of Travis's training and what attracts shooters who want to train with him.  His military experience and knowledge is a huge asset.
     You might think that his obviously effective military skills could provide us all the answers to our performance issues.  But by asking "why" our bodies react the way they do, Travis has looked to a cadre of other disciplines for the solutions to our problems; and that includes yoga, biomechanics , the nature of horses, and the lifespan and characteristics of a dragonfly.  The "artist's curse" of never achieving the perfect painting, along with brain mapping, psychology and many other fields of study all come together to create a better shooter and a better person.
     I realized that all the previous training I have received was based on specific systems of shooting (or as Travis refers to them, "recipes").  The specificity of those systems is inherently limiting, and by accepting these fixed and absolute systems, I am accepting their limitations and I stop growing as a shooter.  Systems, by their very nature, put you in a box--- and we all know that you can't grow inside of a box.

     The bottom line is this:  Travis Haley is changing lives, creating thinkers, and smashing boxes.  In fact, I see the future of training heading in Travis's direction, and perceive the slow death of other "system"-based gun classes (some of which I have personally trained under).  They haven't had a format change in 10 years!  And if they do make a change, it's just a superficial change to the system, like changing the color of the inside of the box to red.  With Travis, I've backed the truck over the box.
     He has shown me how to problem-solve on my own, and I now understand the "why" of fundamentals.  I can use my brain (first) in a dynamic situation, and then use the gun, if I have to, as an effective tool.  It is apparent to me that Travis Haley is playing 50 moves ahead of these system-based trainers.  Their inability to change will be the death of their programs.  Eventually, the shooters who are in search for perfection, rather than a system of shooting, and are willing to learn outside the box, will find his doorway.  And when they do, they will know they're home.
     As with any Travis Haley class, you will not only become a better shooter, the class makes you a better mom, a better CEO, a better spouse, a better thinker, a better YOU.  Alongside Travis, you can step into shooting and thinking, and improve other aspects of your life, as well.  PLW is incorporating aspects of Travis's training into his painting, and the class will undoubtedly have an impact on my writing.
     In the final analysis, Travis Haley's military life and career has let him see behind the curtain.  He is trying to prepare his class members for a tough and trying world; one that is descending upon us rapidly. He has seen the beast that we all know we will have to face.  Our world is changing and Travis is trying to teach us how to survive in that world, by first using the organic computer God has given all of us.  If you simply want to be a good shooter, then by all means, settle for a system of shooting that will meet those needs.  But if you want to be schooled in how to deliberately analyze the processes of your shooting in a never-ending pursuit of perfection, and encounter your own pivot point while experiencing a life-changing adventure, then hitch your wagon to Travis's star.  He'll take you places you've never been.

Ecclesiastes 7:25    "I applied my heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness."
    

Sisters In Arms!

     A couple of days ago, PLW and I entertained three women from a major metropolitan city in our great state of Texas.  We had invited them to come spend a day with us and learn how to properly defend themselves with a handgun.  I think it is safe to say they were all skeptical; albeit perhaps on different levels; but each of them had concerns about at least one of the following:  1) handguns appear to be dangerous  2)  I can't see myself ever employing one to defend myself, and 3)  I'm not real sure what I could possibly learn here today that will be of benefit to me.
     I know what they were thinking, because I have been in their shoes.  But I have come a long way in opening my mind and in pursuing my training.  I am now so passionate about empowering women to take responsibility for their own safety; and together, PLW and I want to share the information and experience that we've gained.

     So, let's just say that these three beautiful, intelligent women arrived with trepidation, and left emancipated from their fears, and eager to claim their Second Amendment rights.  We couldn't have asked for a better outcome!  So what were the factors and circumstances that changed their minds?
     First of all, I have to say that PLW approaches the training of women with respect.  He knows that this is a foreign experience for them, and he admires that they are stepping outside their comfort zone.  But he also wants them to know that firearms are nothing to be afraid of, and are a tool they can use to keep themselves and their families safe.  In fact, the first thing he accomplishes is assuring them that their pistols can be safely handled without harming themselves or anyone else on the range.  Once these women realized that they were in charge of their weapon (instead of the other way around), they knew that they were in control of the safety issue.  You could see them begin to relax and the fear disappear.
     So while PLW stressed the mechanics of operating their firearm (proper grip, finger off the trigger until they were ready to aim and fire, how to safely load and unload the pistol, to be aware of muzzling yourself or others, etc), I began to talk to them about real-life scenarios; the ways, "whys", and importance of women being able to defend themselves with a handgun.
     I wanted them to relate this training to their real worlds.  The news coverage of mall shootings, carjackings, and home invasions seems to increase by the day.  How would they be able to defend themselves, or their small children, if accosted in a parking lot?  What if a gunman or a suspicious looking character confronts them in the mall?  How are you going to keep yourself or your children safe?  What if someone notices your nice car, your expensive jewelry, or your fancy purse at the local Starbucks and decides to follow you home?  Could you defend yourself?  What if you and your husband are watching TV late one night and someone is cruising your upscale neighborhood and decides to break down your front door?  Do you have a plan for defending your family?
     I think the fact of realizing that a handgun gives them a form of personal self-defense, combined with their ability to effectively and safely handle the firearm turned a switch on.  They suddenly saw the value in owning their own firearm.  Once they realized that they and their children were vulnerable in today's society, and that neither their husbands nor police would likely be available to save them from every dangerous situation, they were able to take ownership of their own safety and permit themselves to see the benefits, the confidence they gained, and yes, the fun of training.
     By the end of our session, they were safely conducting drills that simulated multiple attackers, hostage situations, and how to move about your home while safely handling your firearm.  In a matter of hours, these women were successfully managing their pistols, getting their hits, and asking knowledgable questions about gun safety in particular situations.  They were getting it!  We all have a fundamental right to protect ourselves, and a firearm is just one of the tools in our belt.  These women now know that they can effectively, safely, and confidently employ a pistol in self-defense.  (Of course,  they realize that further training -- and consistent training -- is necessary, but they have come to realize the importance of owning a firearm for self-defense).
     Needless to say, I am not only very proud of them, but completely thrilled to see women realize that they can overcome their biases and fears, and take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and their children.  And perhaps one of the most satisfying by-products of the day?  They can now go home and educate the husbands who lack the proper training that they now possess.  Take it from me ... the couple that trains together is a couple who has gone a long way towards being able to defend themselves and their family from the darkness that is coming upon the earth.

Psalm 144:1    "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;" 

Success Based On Failure: What I Learned From Travis Haley & Ron Avery

     As I settled into my spot under the tent on that first morning of Adaptive Handgun One, I looked around at who my fellow classmates would be.  We ranged from active-duty military and law enforcement, to college students, businessmen, two artists and a princess (you know who you are and you know I love you!) and a handful of women students.  Our age range began in the early twenties, and I'm proud to say ended with me, at nearly 60.  But age, rank and position in the business world didn't matter here.  We were all there to become our personal best.  Then the men we had come to learn from arrived, and we began a three-day journey that would expand our minds and our skills.

Travis (left) and Ron

     But first, just in case you aren't aware of who our instructors were, let's get that out of the way by listing their official creds.
     Travis Haley is a veteran Force Reconnaissance Marine with 15 years of dedicated real world experience including: combat tours in the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. He also served as a special operations and security contractor before partnering with Magpul as founder and CEO of their training division, Magpul Dynamics; and as CEO of the parent company, Magpul Industries.  Travis then left the company and developed his own enterprise, Haley Strategic Partners.
     Ron Avery has consistently ranked among the best shooters in the world, winning events in national, international, and world championship competitions; he is currently USPSA Grand Master in Open and Limited divisions.  But he is so much more; he is a veteran deputy sheriff, police officer and  valedictorian of two police academies, along with having spent 30 years as a professional trainer and consultant to all branches of the military, select government agencies, hundreds of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies and countless clients in the private sector.

My husband with Travis

     So to say that our instructors are the best in their field, is quite an understatement.  If you have ever taken a gun training class from Travis Haley, then you know it's more than just learning how to point and shoot correctly.  You will not only learn more than you thought you ever could about how to handle your gun, but also how to handle your life.  So as I recount the high points of my three-day voyage towards becoming a more accurate shooter, think about how these exercises can apply to your total life experience.  And I say "high points", because this post would be endless if I discussed everything I absorbed.

     To begin with, you will notice that our class was titled "Adaptive Handgun".  Travis was able to combine his three fundamental principles of handgun shooting (Feel, Eyes, and Finger) with Ron's scientific principles of biomechanics to give us a whole new perspective on how to properly shoot a pistol.  I have taken several pistol training classes over the last few years, but for the first time ever, I was introduced to the concept that shooting my pistol is a process of reactive responses to the shooting cycle.  Everyone in the class knew the basic principles of shooting:  Get your grip; see your target; get sight alignment and sight picture; when you're ready to take your shot, squeeze the trigger consistently; let the gun go off.  But the genius of this class was the breakdown of those processes into specific steps, and then assessing and adapting our failure points in order to get the success we want.  Doesn't that work in life, too?  No matter what your path is in life, doesn't success come from adapting our procedures/methods/systems, as we prioritize our risks?

      If I try to describe to you the steps we took to break down the shooting cycle, it will sound far too simplistic.  But that was the beauty of this class... we were taught how to break down the cycle, discover our failure points, and modify them until we could successfully repeat them. 

     We had to develop a plan in our mind on how we were going to accomplish our goal, be able to identify where our cycle broke down and fix it.  All this was achieved with deliberate practice. 

     And practice we did!  Each step was repeated twenty-five, fifty, a hundred times; as we were reminded that "repetition ... mindful and purposeful repetition ... builds good habits, which encourages problem-solving."

     Are you able to see the benefits of applying these principles to your entire life?  It's about assessment and moving forward.  As you assess the point at which you failed (whether on the shooting range or in your life), you can make adjustments, gain control of each situation, and move on to the next step (and the next) until you are able to calmly and consistently achieve your objective with precision and accuracy.  

     We didn't do anything fancy or aggressive or dynamic; it was all fundamentals -- stance, proper grip, sight alignment/picture, trigger control, accepting the recoil, picturing where the sight settled after the shot, and follow through (let the bullet leave the gun and hold).  We built a good solid foundation on which to improve our skills through mindful and deliberate practice.
     At the end of our class, we were asked to assess ourselves, and I have to say that after listening to 24 of my fellow classmates, it pretty much came down to grip (which was related to recoil management) and trigger control (which correlated to accuracy).  It may sound like a cliché, but after three days in the sweltering heat, and countless repetitive drills, I now know that "practice will make perfect" .... if you just dedicate the time and develop the mindset.

     As I told you in Friday's post, those three days had a profound effect on me.  I not only look at the art of shooting from a different perspective, but my attitude about life has advanced to a new level. Travis and Ron showed me how to look at things differently.  They encouraged us to apply these principles to every facet of our existence.  This life is short and we are responsible for making it what we want it to be ... no excuses and no giving up.  We need to go about our lives intentionally and with purpose.  We need to listen, pay attention and figure out where and why our processes are failing; and then be tenacious in fixing the problem.  We need to always be willing to learn something new.  Remaining static and institutionalized, rather than open and imaginative, is the fastest way to being passed by in life.  They warned us to never become complacent; to always reach for the next rung.  With an ability to assess, modify and repeat until successful, we can count on accomplishing any goal.  

     Re-read that last paragraph ... these two men transferred a lot of knowledge to us in three short days; knowledge that was derived from their life experiences.  Travis developed a little catch-phrase during our class time on the range; one that sums up the results of putting our training to use .... when you are able to assess and adapt, success will follow.  And I don't think I'll ever forget his voice in my head:  "If you will do these things ... It's like magic!"

Isaiah 42:16    "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them." 

      

       

     

Part One: Smaller Isn't Always Better

     It's been awhile since I've discussed my proud membership in Gun Culture 2.0.  This past week I spent three unforgettably informative days on the shooting range with Travis Haley and Ron Avery.  On Monday's post, I will give you an in-depth account of how mind-blowing that event was.  As part of a growing segment of America who have discovered a never-before-experienced passion and respect for gun ownership, it was probably the most significant time period I've ever spent.  But you'll have to check back on Monday to find out why I feel this way.
     Today, I just want to talk to all the women who, like me, have been traversing this new universe of gun ownership, and often feeling tossed by the prevailing winds.  If you are like me, you start off owning a larger frame firearm (such as a Glock 19, 9mm), because you were told it would be easier to manage.  Or maybe, you are like others I have come across in my training, whose boyfriend, husband or father talked them into a .38 revolver for its simplicity.
     As I began shooting more, and becoming more proficient with my weapon, I felt comfortable enough to get my CHL license and seriously consider carrying a firearm for protection.  But I know you will identify with the problem of how to actually conceal it.  Those bigger framed guns just don't work for us women and how we dress.  So I began to move from owning range guns, like the Glock 19 or 17, to Carry guns, like the Glock 26 and the M&P Shield.

    I knew that these three days of training were going to be intense; applied pressure with lots of shots down range.   For me, taking the Shield to the class didn't make sense, since mag capacity is only 7 or 8, meaning lots more loading of mags.  (CAVEAT:  This line of reasoning does not necessarily hold true for everyone.  Another woman friend of mine took the class with her small M&P Shield and was able to perform really well.)  I felt I needed more experience/training to really concentrate on the fundamentals, and I would gain the most from taking the class with my Glock 26.  While I knew that it was considered a small pistol (and used by lots of men for carry), I thought it would be an adequate range gun and give me more advantages to learn the principles we would be taught.  But I learned something else, too.  My Glock 26 just doesn't qualify as a range gun for me.  ( I repeat:  For me).  To get the true benefits of training, I need to go back to a Glock 19; possibly even a 17.  Here's a comparison chart of the few reasons that explain my thoughts:

Range Guns                                                                         Carry Guns

1.  Longer barrel, longer sight radius                                     Short barrel, short sight radius
Consequence:  It is harder for that bullet to stay on track out of a short barrel if you are shooting long distances; more difficulty in calling my shot and hitting where I want to on the target.

2.  Longer Grip                                                                       Shorter grip
Consequence:  You can get a firmer grip when you have more real estate to hold on to.  The larger guns offer a more substantial grip.

3.  Larger magazine capacity (15-17)                                      Smaller mag capacity (7-8)
Consequence:  If the bad guys are shooting at you, how many bullets would you want at your disposal?  Shooting larger capacity mags on the range gives me a better practice and training experience.

4.  Easier to manipulate                                                            Harder to handle
Consequence:  The tighter springs in the Carry guns make it much more difficult for a woman's hand to do a chamber check or lock the slide.  I want to learn how to handle the gun quicker and more efficiently.  Why make it harder on myself?

5.  Recoil is less                                                                        Recoil is more pronounced
Consequence:  If the recoil is more severe in the carry gun, trigger reset and follow-up shots occur slower.  The range gun delivers faster follow-up shots.

     So here's my new way of thinking:  We women are an important new component of the gun culture.  We are learning to defend ourselves and getting the proper training.  Weapons manufacturers are catering to our needs with smaller guns that fit more comfortably in our hands and are easier to wear concealed.  And, yes, that meets the concealed carry aspect of our needs.  BUT, after these last few days, I have come to realize that a smaller gun DOES NOT meet my needs on the training range.
     The object of training is to acquire proficient skills through practice.  Why would I want to handicap myself with a gun that is harder to manipulate, recoils more, and makes it more difficult for me to achieve my desired goal?  The reality is that I'm paying serious money for 3 days of training, so I want a gun that will maximize my training.  I don't want to suffer the stress of learning new gun handling skills while battling the stumbling blocks of a smaller carry gun. Why not take as many problems out of the equation as possible, so I can get the results I want?
     Does that mean that I will have less ability with my actual carry gun?  No.  Not if I transfer the knowledge I learned with the range gun to the smaller gun.  This means time and dedication.  Lesson learned:  Range guns maximize training time; skills transfer to carry gun on my own time.  There are different purposes for different guns.  There are definite benefits to choosing the correct range gun, and this is just one of the lessons I learned this past week.
     Travis Haley and Ron Avery are intense dudes, and standing in 100 degree heat while receiving pearls of wisdom simply added to the sizzle.  Tune in on Monday for the details!

Luke 6:40    "The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher."