Wednesday Wisdom: 26 November 2025

A weekly compilation of valuable information and insights for the citizen defender. These posts will contain links to my writing as well as posts that I believe are worth the time and trouble to read. They will cover the entire gamut of personal security, electronic security, self defense, firearms, equipment, and more.

Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, Thanksgiving 1993

As we celebrate our traditional festival of thankfulness, we Americans may ponder a bit on what we are being thankful for. I do not think it seemly to dwell, at this point, upon the individual disasters with which we are beset, since gloom-saying never accomplishes anything worthwhile. The times are indeed very dark - probably darker than any time since the founding of the Republic, but while we all do our individual best to hold back the tide of disaster, we should in truth take a moment to remember the good things that we enjoy. It is fitting that Thanksgiving should be celebrated at a feast, because come what may, we all have plenty to eat. In truth, there may be Americans here and there who are temporarily on the ropes, but they are exceptional and unusual. On the contrary, the thing that most foreigners observe first about Americans is that they are uniformly too fat. No, hunger is not our problem, but the loss of our liberty is. So while we do our best to hold back the political night which threatens us, we can enjoy our traditional feast with family and friends - realizing that the news is not all bad.

Not Safe for Work: Tracking and Investigating Stealerium and Phantom Infostealers

Don’t click that link! Threat actors are increasingly turning to information stealers in malware delivery, and Proofpoint threat researchers have observed an increase in the variety of commodity information stealers regularly used by cybercriminal threat actors. While many threat actors prefer malware-as-a-service offerings like Lumma Stealer or Amatera Stealer, some actors prefer to use malware that can be purchased one time, or openly available on platforms like GitHub. Stealerium is a good example of this. In 2022, it emerged as a freely available open-source malware on GitHub, and is still available to download “for educational purposes only.” While open-source malware can be helpful for detection engineers and threat hunters to understand the patterns of behavior for which they can develop threat detection signatures, it also provides a different kind of education to malicious actors. These actors may adopt, modify, and possibly improve the open-source code, resulting in a proliferation of variants of the malware that are not so easy to detect or defend against.

Attacks and Attackers, Categorized

The types of attacks one may face fall into one of the following two categories: opportunistic and focused or targeted. These two descriptions exist on far ends of the spectrum; every attack will fall somewhere between the two.

Evolution in the Dark

The subject of escape and evasion is everywhere at the moment. One can find it featured in print and in online videos, there are even entire blogs, podcasts, and websites dedicated to the subject. In addition, escape and evasion seminars are being taught all over the world — there is no shortage of information on the topic.

Handguns

Derided as a tool of criminals, handguns are the only reasonable choice in defensive firearms in the vast majority of settings and occasions. The criticism (from people who dislike all guns) is that handguns are small and hence easily concealable. Their twisted logic follows that the opportunity to commit a crime creates criminals who then commit crimes. Hence, their opinion that owning a handgun can transform an ‘ordinary’ person into a homicidal maniac at the slightest provocation.

A Brief History of Tritium in Commercial Use: From Labs to Glow Fobs

When most people think about glowing gadgets today, they might picture stylish glow fobs, or the tritium vials used in keychains and outdoor gear. But the story of tritium in commercial use goes back much further than the modern Outdoor world. Tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, has been a quiet workhorse for decades, finding its way from research labs into watches, emergency exit signs, and now, into the hands of everyday adventurers.

I have a glow fob on my keychain and have found it very useful when locating my keys in the dark.

A Brief History of the Steyr Scout

The Steyr Scout is the result of the collaboration of many individuals. The scout rifle concept was the brainchild of Jeff Cooper, noted author and shottist who in the early 1980 conceived of the concept of a light, handy, general purpose field rifle (as opposed to a "paper puncher") capable of handling targets up to about 800 - 1000 pounds in weight. In conjunction with several other shooters the concept was codified during several “scout rifle conferences” beginning in December of 1983.

I have an earlier scout and love it. If I could only have one rifle, this would be it.

Deliberate Practice Part 3--Putting it all Together

So you’ve read the articles, books, blogs, and watched all the videos of the Distinguished Masters; you can do this—Right? This is where most people breathe a sigh of relief and go back to their repetitive practice routine (if they practice at all). And then they fail miserably because at the end of the day becoming a better shooter is not about knowing—it is about doing. 

DTI Quips: The Battle for New Orleans, January 1815

Allowing oneself to be pressured into rash actions is usually a formula for failure. Single-minded people who are unrealistically expectant of continuous, positive outcomes are always candidates for calamity. Pakenham was overwhelmed by romantic prospects and inflexibility in his thinking. The current presidential conflict provides another perfect example. Well-rounded people who live a full life and are thus intimately acquainted with both victory and failure make superior commanders.

Are Martial Arts (or Shooting Training) Self-Defense?

The short answer is 'no.' That answer, however, will create a storm of controversy -- especially from people who have invested years of the study and those who make their living by teaching martial arts/shooting AS self-defense.

What most people do not understand is that “self-defense” is not a verb – it is a legal term.

Why Google is really warning 2.5 billion Gmail users to stop using their passwords.

Google is telling users to change their passwords, but not because of a breach that exposed them. In fact, Google’s real advice is to stop using your password altogether. 

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Testing Buffalo Bore Full Wadcutter Self-Defense Loads

I recently did ballistics testing of the Buffalo Bore standard pressure .38 Special,150 grain wadcutter and their 200 grain .44 Special standard pressure wadcutter heavy self-defense loads.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a full wadcutter is a bullet that has a completely flat face that is often seated flush or nearly flush with the cartridge’s mouth. Bullseye competition shooters originally used wadcutters in revolvers because this design leaves a sharp, round hole in paper targets making them easier to score and increasing the likelihood of cutting a line and therefore getting a higher score. Smith and Wesson as well as enterprising gunsmiths eventually designed or modified semi-automatic pistols to feed .38 Special wadcutter bullets.

Learned gun pundits such as Jeff Cooper and Jack P. Lewis recommended loading wadcutter bullets for self-defense during the 1970s and 1980s. In Lewis’s Law Enforcement Handgun Digest, he discusses loading the Speer 148 grain .38 target hollow-base wadcutter backwards in the case.(1)

Of course, we have progressed since we used dry sand as a ballistics testing medium. Buffalo Bore loads their .38 Special with a hard cast 150gr. wadcutter bullet. Buffalo Bore states that they cast these bullets “hard” so they will not deform or mushroom when passing through soft tissue. This bullet design cuts or crushes a .357 full diameter hole in human flesh just like it does on a paper target. According to Buffalo Bore, “. . . it penetrates deeply (roughly 14 to 16 inches in human tissue) and its full diameter profile maximizes blood loss as it cuts and crushes its way through tissue.” (Note: I have no idea how Buffalo Bore came to this conclusion. Human tissue testing seems rather out there; therefore, I seriously doubt that the bullets were tested on human tissue).

Be that as it may, I tested the Buffalo Bore 150 grain wadcutter .38 Special load with 10% calibrated synthetic ballistic gelatin. I fired the bullets from ten feet through a double thickness of a corduroy jacket material with a layer of five-ounce dress shirt material inside the jacket. I did this to simulate a scenario where the bullet had to penetrate from a side angle.

I fired all the shots from a Smith & Wesson 342PD Titanium Centennial .38 Special and achieved an average velocity of 849 feet per second (fps) from the two-inch barrel. Through this lightweight pistol, the recoil was brutal. The average penetration was twenty inches in the ballistic gel. Although this exceeded the FBI standard of 12-18 inches, if the nominal penetration in the synthetic gel is greater than the FBI standard, we can adjust the penetration by multiplying by 0.85 to reach a standardized penetration of seventeen inches.(2) (see below)

.38 Special

I also tested the Buffalo Bore Anti-Personnel .44 Special Ammo with a 200 grain, hard cast wadcutter in 10% calibrated synthetic ballistic gelatin. I fired these rounds from a S&W Model 696 with a three-inch barrel and achieved an average velocity of 935 feet per second (fps). Although a heavier bullet at a higher velocity, recoil was much less brutal from this pistol. Once again, the average penetration was twenty inches in the ballistic gel which we can standardize to seventeen inches (see below).

.44 Special

As I expected, all recovered bullets retained almost 100% of their initial weight. The .38 Special bullets had an average retained weight of 147.70 grains (98%) while the .44 Special bullets had an average retained weight of 197.67 grains (99%). (see below)

So, do I recommend these bullets for everyday carry? Yes, I do and I have started carrying them when I carry my revolvers. The one downside to full wadcutter bullets is the potential challenge associated reloading a flat-nosed bullet in the revolver. Although my cylinder chambers are chamfered, I still suspect reloading under stress would be difficult. I carry rounder-nosed hollow points for reloads.

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(1) Law Enforcement Handgun Digest; Lewis, Jack, 1924-2009; published 1980

(2) The tissue stimulant the FBI uses in their ballistic tests is Kind & Knox or Vyse 250-A ordnance gelatin. A standard FBI protocol ballistic gelatin block for testing ammunition is composed of porcine gelatin mixed at a 10% concentration. This is dissolved in 140 degrees Fahrenheit water and then refrigerated for 2 days. It must pass a strict calibration criteria to be valid as a test medium. The cooled gelatin solidifies and becomes a flexible solid with mechanical properties similar to human muscle tissue. A 10-percent porcine gelatin block matches living muscle tissue’s low-velocity flow characteristics and has a density like mammalian muscle tissue.

While the FBI has the resources to conduct testing with porcine gelatin, most private citizens wishing to test ammunition do not. Ballistic gels made from natural gelatin are typically a somewhat clear yellow brown color and are generally not re-usable. Therefore, most private testing is done with Clear Ballistics gelatin. This gelatin is 100% synthetic, so it doesn't require any special storage and can be remelted. An additional benefit is that the gelatin is completely transparent and shelf-stable from -10 F to 95 F (-23.3 C to 35 C). Thus, it is much easier to use than the FBI standard gelatin; however, it does not accurately mimic the FBI formula. Bullets fired into the Clear Ballistics gelatin often demonstrate a penetration that is approximately 20% greater than a bullet fired into the FBI standard gel.

Wednesday Wisdom: 19 November 2025

A weekly compilation of valuable information and insights for the citizen defender. These posts will contain links to my writing as well as posts that I believe are worth the time and trouble to read. They will cover the entire gamut of personal security, electronic security, self defense, firearms, equipment, and more. 

Immediate Action to Counter the Free Swinging Blade

You need options: The free-swinging blade is a complex problem. The attacker's hand moves incredibly fast, and instead of just one stab, you're likely to face a rapid series of thrusts, like a sewing machine pounding away. When a sharp blade comes at you, it's natural to flinch, pull back, and try to hollow out.

Violent People Don't Like You. Start Training Like It.

Whole bunch of y’all need to understand that the good comrades of the Progressive side of things hate you, and fantasize about killing you — and then you need to start training like it.

Threat Modeling: An Introduction

Threat modeling is the examination of two things as they relate to each other: an adversary and a security measure. The effectiveness of the security measure is weighed against the skill and capabilities, focus, and time available to the attacker. Threat modeling allows you to understand what you “look like” to your opposition, understand his or her capabilities, and select effective mitigations.

Cooper Commentaries – Nov 94

Self-control is obviously the essence of good marksmanship of any sort, but self-control under conditions of extreme hazard may more properly be referred to as "stress control." We learn of people who fail to shoot well in the field because they were excited. We hear of people forgetting their basic principles in conflict because they were frozen with fear. These are not acceptable reasons. When you are holding a firearm, you have the power to surmount stress. The killing expression, as those who have seen it know, is one of complete calm. Regardless of what you may see on the screen, one does not grimace when he is shooting for blood - with pistol, rifle, tank gun or fighter plane. Thus it is that a great field shot may or may not be a great target shot. He must be a good target shot, but not necessarily a master. What makes him a master field shot is his ability to control stress so that he can put his targeting abilities to proper use, regardless of his personal hazard or excitement. A good hunter is nearly always a good soldier. Let the bunny-huggers bear that in mind whenever they feel threatened.

Extreme Decision Making

People make decisions constantly. We make little ones (do I go around the coffee table on the left side or the right side?) and huge ones (what am I going to do with my life?) and all kinds in between (what kind of car shall I buy?). Decision-making is at the heart of all our lives. Many of our common decisions we make with little or no conscious thought. It’s just part of daily life.

Harlem Hellfighters: WWI’s Fiercest Warriors

In the early days of World War I, France experienced heavy fighting with Germany. In dire peril of defeat, they requested the immediate assistance of the United States Armed Forces. One of the first units to deploy to France was the Harlem Hellfighters. They were a National Guard Unit comprised of African-American men from New York and several surrounding states. Later, they were re-designated as the 369th Infantry. The Germans called them “Hellfighters” because of their deadly hand-to-hand fighting skills.

The Model 76 – Smith & Wesson Submachine Gun

The history of the Model 76 submachine gun began in April 1966, when Smith & Wesson’s Washington, D.C., sales representative received a call from the US Navy Department, which asked whether Smith & Wesson would be interested in designing and producing a 9mm submachine gun. The US Navy needed a submachine gun for its SEAL special operations team in Vietnam. The SEALs’ weapon of choice was the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45―a well-made and reliable submachine gun.

Percentage of Americans Owning Guns in 2025

There has been a 25% increase in gun ownership in America since 2000. The percentage of Americans owning guns varies depending on the state, age, and other factors.

Over 60% of those living in Montana, Wyoming, and West Virginia own guns.

-- 34% of Americans own guns in 2025.

-- 37% of Americans between 50 and 64 own a gun.

-- 21% of Americans between 18 and 29 own a firearm.

-- 40% of men and 25% of women own guns in America.

-- 66% of American gun owners own more than one firearm.

Infrared Imaging

Thermal cameras form images based on the emitted infrared radiation detected from an object. All objects warmer than absolute zero emit infrared radiation, with most of the spectrum easily detectable by today's thermal imagers. Absolute zero is –460 degrees Fahrenheit so thermal imagers can detect everything if there is a difference in temperature between the object and its environment.

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The Los Angeles Police Department Bonus Qualification Course

I recently fired the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Bonus Qualification Course.* The LAPD administers this course of fire as a primary qualification course and as a bonus qualification course. The LAPD began using the bonus course of fire in 1964. Police recruits had to get a certain score on the course to graduate from the police academy. The bonus course is no longer a graduation requirement, but it does serve as a qualification test for officers to demonstrate their marksmanship skills.

The LAPD Bonus Course of Fire uses the LAPD BT5s silhouette target with shooters earning points according to the value of the target’s rings. To achieve a perfect score of 400, a shooter must place 40 rounds inside target's ten rings. Additional rounds in the head above the two required hits are scored as five points.

The course of fire consists of six stages as follows:

Stage One fired at seven yards with both strings starting from the close contact position: at the start signal, fire 4 body shots in 3 seconds (2 on the right target and 2 on the left target). Return to the close contact position. At the second start signal, fire 2 head shots in 1.5 seconds (1 round on each head).

Stage Two fired at seven yards starting from the close contact position: at the start signal, fire 6 body shots in 3.5 seconds (2 on the right target, 2 on the left target, and 2 on the right target).

Stage Three fired at ten yards starting from low ready position. Repeat the stage one strings.

Stage Four fired at ten yards starting from low ready position: at the start signal, fire 2 body shots in 2 seconds (First pair on the left target, second pair on the right target, third pair on the left target). Between each pair of body shots, the shooter must return to a low ready position.

Stage Five fired from seventeen yards starting with a holstered pistol loaded with 4 rounds and with 6 rounds in the spare magazine: at the start signal, draw and fire 10 single body shots in 30 seconds (alternating right target, left target throughout). The shooter will fire 4 rounds and then perform an out-of-battery speed reload with a 6-round magazine. The shooter will continue to fire the last 6 single body shots alternating right target, left target, etc.

Stage Six fired from behind a barricade at twenty-five yards starting with the shooter’s sights aligned on the target and their trigger finger on the trigger. At the start signal fire 2 single body shots in 4 seconds (1 on the right target and 1 on the left target). There are three barricade positions used during this stage (right-hand, right-side of the barricade, left-hand, left-side of the barricade, and a kneeling position firing over the top of the barricade). Shooters receive a separate start signal for each string.

LAPD officers receive marksmanship recognition and pay bonuses as follows:

-- Distinguished Expert: 385-point average over 6 consecutive months will earn an extra $32.00 per pay day

-- Expert: 380-400 points will earn an extra $16.00 per pay day

-- Sharpshooter: 340-379 points will earn an extra $8.00 per pay day

-- Marksman 300-339 points will earn an extra $4.00 per pay day

So how did I do? I fired the course cold with my SIG P365 using Critical Duty equivalent reloads. I scored a 363 which put me in the Sharpshooter qualification band. I fired the course of fire a second time with the same pistol and scored a 376. In both qualifications I failed to fire the second head shot in each string within the allotted 1.50 seconds so I dropped twenty points right off the top for each qualification.

My targets

All the times seemed reasonable and some were quite generous with one exception. The extension to fire and transitions associated with two head shots in 1.5 seconds is really moving. Although my head shots were in the head’s ten ring, total time for my head shots were right at two seconds for each qualification. Contrast this time with the thirty second time limit for the seventeen-yard stage of 4 reload 6 which seemed excessive to me. I performed seventeen-yard stage in well under 15 seconds for both qualifications and scored the full ten points for each shot.

Of the thousands of officers who have shot the course in the decades since its inception, only 41 had achieved a perfect score until January 2022, when Officer Justice Huynh became the 42nd using a Staccato P becoming a member of the LAPD’s elite “400 Club.”

Officer Justice Huynh and His Perfect 400 Targets

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* Los Angeles Police Department Stand Alone 7– LD 35 Firearms Session No. 40 – Intro to the LAPD Bonus Course, Version 6.0 dated 9/29/2015 with an LAPD review on 10/01/2019