Category Archives: Firearms

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Let’s say you own a shotgun for home defense, millions of people do. The next question is what sort of ammunition do you use in aforementioned weapon? My original load-out for my first firearm was #4 birdshot…which isn’t the best round to use. Here is a video that explains what sort of ammunition you should use.

Here’s the deal, none of us knows it all. I will be the first to admit that I got my ammunition choice wrong, along with other things from my early prepping days. That is ok, all of us can live, learn, and adopt to new information. My attitude is that I can always learn something new and apply it to my life. You should do the same.

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What is the motivation for the surge in firearms purchases in recent years? Some of it is motivated by fear, mostly due to politicians threatening to restrict civil rights like the Second Amendment. Another aspect though is the realization that an armed representative of The State will not be around to protect you. After all, bad things happen…especially when guys like this show up.

robbery

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A few weeks ago, I purchased this particular Ruger 10/22 for my collection. As of today, I haven’t had a chance to shoot mine but have had my eye on one of these for a long time.

ruger 1022_10

For many of us, the Ruger 10/22 was the first rifle we ever shot because it has been around for the past fifty years and has proven to be very popular. It is easy to shoot and comes in a variety of different versions. Plus, like the AR-15, there are all manner of accessories that can be added to it. In the near future, I plan on adding a scope to it since it has Picatinny Rail built-in already. The plan is to practice a lot on this particular gun in order to sharpen my rifle skills. There will be more posts on this subject later so stay tuned…

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So you purchased a new firearm in 2015, congratulations on your purchase! It was a record year for gun sales and for many buyers, this was their first weapon. Buying a firearm is only the first step though, to be effective and safe one has to acquire skills. The good news is there are some drills you can do to develop proficiency with guns. Kevin discusses pistol drills for new owners over at Ricochet, which I highly suggest you do when you have a moment. These are a good starting point for learning how to effectively use your new pistol and will help guide your training. Learn the Four Rules and commit them to memory too, these will keep you safe while handling firearms. Remember too that owning a gun is a responsibility that one must take seriously. The anti-Civil Rights crowd will use any excuse or incident to push their agenda of firearms confiscation. Don’t give them the ammunition to do so; be safe, become proficient, and enjoy your new gun!

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One of my first posts was on the First Firearm that I purchased. That article has become the most popular article I have written to date, maybe because many other people have recently done likewise. My intent was to add more firearms to my inventory but job and financial considerations stymied those efforts. The good news is that with (relatively) stable employment and improving finances, I was able to purchase my second firearm a few days ago. Here is a picture of it…

This is SIG Sauer’s newest full-sized 9mm pistol, the P320.

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If purchasing a firearm represents a first step in personal protection, learning how to use it is the logical and necessary second step.  As KC writes:

Owning a gun is just the first step on a journey. Guns are not self-protection talismans that ward off evil-doers all by themselves: You have to have it handy when you need it and you need to be ready, willing and able to defend your life and your loved one’s lives, if, God forbid, the need to do so arises.

Where does one start though?  As a relatively new gun owner, I would suggest you give these folks a look.

You can read about it here but I also recommend you bookmark them and regularly visit their site.  They have a lot of good information that focuses on firearms training, personal security, and other preparation-related issues.  I’ve gone shooting with Kevin, Robert, and Jaci so I can personally vouch for their knowledge of firearms-related subjects.  They are good people and are compiling a lot of useful information you can apply.  Check them out, its worth your time.

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Unlike in Old West movies, the posse may not get there in time to save the day.

Credit: Tucson Citizen

Which means, until the good guys arrive, you are your own first responder.  That’s a scary thought, but its reality and needs to be accounted for.  There won’t always be a policeman, fireman, EMT, or other first responder on-site to offer immediate assistance when things go wrong.  That means you have to be prepared to be your own first responder.

In a mass shooting or terrorist attack, police departments now recommend taking action instead of being passive.  This can take many forms but the key concept is to take action immediately.  It may take several minutes for police units to arrive, which is plenty of time for a criminal to do a lot of damage.  As Police Officer Jack Dumphy writes:

…in the event of a mass shooting, the police may not arrive until it’s over, as was the case in about half the incidents examined.  The average police response time in the 84 shootings was three minutes, which may seem fast until one considers how much carnage a committed and well-armed gunman can bring down on a school, office, or shopping mall in three minutes.

This holds true for natural disasters as well.  Just the other day in China, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck in a rural province, which caused over a hundred deaths and over ten thousand injuries.  In some parts of the affected area, it took hours for assistance to arrive.  Due to the narrow roads and landslides, some areas may not get help for days…  Until help arrives, the survivors are on their own to manage as best they can with the aftermath.

Keep in mind that as more municipalities at all levels struggle with their finances, response times will get longer and there will be fewer resources available.  Being your own first responder will become a necessity along with building networks outside of governmental agencies to handle emergencies.  In one respect, this is a return to an earlier era in America where self-reliance, neighborhoods, and communities took care of each other instead of municipalities.  Taking the initiative to prepare is a gateway towards greater independence and freedom, which will ultimately benefit the neighborhoods we live in.

HT to Kevin over at Misfires and Light Strikes.