The SYMTAC Consulting Shotgun Skills Class--an After Class Report

Rob Discussing Loading

In early 2026 I attended both the Shotgun Skills course and the Advanced Shotgun course that Rob and Matt Haught’s SYMTAC Consulting conducted.

This after class report covers the Shotgun Skills class SYMTAC held at the Camp Villere National Guard Training Center in Slidell, Louisiana in February 2026. The weather was quite chilly in the mornings but warmed up in the afternoon with the sun generally at our backs—hence the unique garments in some of the pictures.

The Shotgun Skills course primarily focuses on the Push/Pull method of recoil control that Rob Haught developed in the 1980s. Rob’s Push/Pull technique is a recoil management method that significantly reduces felt recoil and enables the shooter to fire rapid follow-up shots. When executed correctly, a competent shooter can accurately fire a 12-gauge shotgun as fast as most shooters can fire their pistols.

I had received (fifth hand+) instruction on the Haught push/pull technique many years ago when I worked with DEA in Lima, Peru and I was looking forward to receiving instruction directly from Rob and Matt Haught. I had wanted to attend these classes for some time and was pleased with the opportunity--I was not disappointed.

During the Shotgun Skills class, Rob and Matt demonstrated the push/pull technique and described the felt recoil reduction advantage the technique provides. Students then received one-on-one instruction from Rob, Matt, or one of the two other assistant instructors as they perfected their use of the technique. Rob and Matt also discussed loading techniques and methods of carrying spare ammunition.*

Engaging from Outdoor or High Ready

Rob and Matt discussed two ready positions. One they characterized as “outdoor” ready, commonly known as high ready, and low ready. Once the class was executing the push/pull correctly, Matt demonstrated how to safely execute 90 and 180-degree pivots and turns from the left, right, and rear using the low ready position (for safety reasons, we did not execute turns using high ready). We then practiced forward and rearward movement with the shotgun firing on command from high and low ready and drills where we moved in various directions while engaging targets at the appropriate moment.

Rob and Matt also taught the shotgun short-range engagement (SRE) technique (also known as “short-stocking”) which is a method that allows the shotgun operator to effectively shorten the shotgun’s profile by one third. A typical home defense shotgun has an 18-inch barrel and a stock that’s about two inches too long. If we use a normal high or low ready position with this gun, it is very difficult to maneuver through tight hallways, around corners, up or down stairs, or around obstacles such as furniture without completely dismounting the gun. If you leave the gun mounted, you also announce your presence with the barrel sticking out as you maneuver around corners, through doorways, etc. If you have the gun dismounted, it is difficult to get the gun on target if confronted with a short-range threat.

The SRE Technique

The SRE technique enables the shooter to maneuver in extremely tight quarters and accurately engage targets at close range. This is one of my favorite techniques. I had seen several videos discussing the SRE technique; however, I had never had the opportunity to learn from Rob and Matt. Note: you should seek competent instruction before trying this technique, otherwise your shotgun might give you an unpleasant smack in the face.

In addition to the techniques I mentioned above, we discussed shotgun marksmanship fundamentals, patterning zones, ammunition selection, manual of arms, equipment selection, low light considerations, malfunction clearances and other topics. We also fired the SymTac School Drill and the Shotgun Skills Gauge Test.

Rob designed the School Drill to enable the shooter to get the highest possible value out of a box of birdshot. Per Rob: "Each shot fired during the School Drill requires a separate push/pull and sight picture." The target for the School Drill can be a common USPSA, IDPA, Shoot Steel or similar cardboard/paper target or you can use a steel target. 

Distance for stages one-three is ten yards and the distance for stage four is five yards with a cardboard/paper target or seven yards with a steel target. (Note: NEVER shoot slugs or any shot other than lead shot on steel targets. In other words, no steel, bismuth, or tungsten shot (which is too expensive anyway) on steel targets. There is a high probability of direct bounce-back from the target which can cause serious injury or death).

The School Drill is a 25-round skill-maintenance exercise that practices all the shotgun manual of arms as follows:

-- Stage #1: A single shot executed from outdoor ready or low ready (5 times--5 rounds)

-- Stage #2: Two shots starting from outdoor ready or low ready (5 times--10 rounds total)

-- Stage #3: With an empty chamber, shotgun aimed at target, pull the trigger. Upon the "click" of an empty gun, conduct an emergency/chamber load of one round, shoot one round (5 times--5 rounds)

-- Stage #4: A single shot executed using the SRE technique (5 times--5 rounds)

In contrast, the SymTac Shotgun Skills Gauge Test is a one-stage, five-round test of your shotgun skills using shotgun slugs. No steel targets for the Skills Gauge. Instead, they use a common IDPA cardboard target, one at three yards and one at ten yards offset as needed to accommodate left or right-handed shooters. The SymTac Shotgun Skills Gauge tests all the shotgun manual of arms taught in the class including SRE, multiple-shot engagement, target transitions, reloading, and a precision shot. 

Scoring for the Skills Gauge is anatomically relevant with zero seconds added for the body shots in the 8-inch scoring zone, and head shots. One second is added to the total time for hits outside the 8-inch scoring zone and five seconds for a miss.

With the shotgun loaded with four slugs, at the start signal, the shooter fires one round from the SRE position at the three-yard target and then transitions to a shoulder mount and fires three rounds at the body of the 10-yard target. After the four rounds and a now-empty gun, the shooter conducts an emergency (chamber) reload, then engages the 10-yard target with one head shot.

Matt stated that they consider a time under ten seconds as a competent skill level. They consider a time of under eight seconds as advanced and under six for a pump and under five for a semi is outstanding. The Haughts award a coin to anyone able to do this drill in under six seconds in class with a pump or five with a semi. My Skills Gauge time in class with my Beretta 1301 was 5.74 seconds—not bad and the fastest student time in this particular class, but no coin for me.

If you have the opportunity to attend a SymTac Shotgun Skills class, I would highly recommend it--your time and money will be well spent.  I enjoyed this class so much that I jumped at the chance to attend SymTac’s first advanced shotgun class offered publicly. I will discuss the advanced class in another after class report.

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* The shotgun is often criticized for being a “low capacity” weapon. I personally think that ammunition capacity for a home defense weapon is a non-issue. Each round of 00 buckshot delivers eight or nine 33-caliber bullets at an average velocity of 1250 – 1600 feet per second depending upon the load. A quick look at the ballistics of fifty-two commercial 9mm loads on ammotogo.com showed that the fastest commercial 9mm round was 1265 feet per second. My Beretta 1301 home defense shotgun holds 7+1 for a total of eight rounds which equates to sixty-four individual “bullets” with an eight pellet 00 buckshot load. I cannot imagine a posse of home invaders willing to stand up and engage in a gunfight facing a competently wielded shotgun.

Wednesday Wisdom: 8 July 2026

Medal of Honor: Sergeant Grant Frederick Timmerman

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as tank commander serving with the 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands, on 8 July 1944. Advancing with his tank a few yards ahead of the infantry in support of a vigorous attack on hostile positions, Sgt. Timmerman maintained steady fire from his antiaircraft sky-mount machine gun until progress was impeded by a series of enemy trenches and pillboxes. Observing a target of opportunity, he immediately ordered the tank stopped and, mindful of the danger from the muzzle blast as he prepared to open fire with the 75-mm, fearlessly stood up in the exposed turret and ordered the infantry to hit the deck. Quick to act, as a grenade, hurled by the Japanese, was about to drop into the open turret hatch, Sgt. Timmerman unhesitatingly blocked the opening with his body, holding the grenade against his chest and taking the brunt of the explosion. His exceptional valor and loyalty in saving his men at the cost of his own life reflect the highest credit upon Sgt. Timmerman and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

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The Army has Another New Rifle, The XM8 Carbine

The Army is about to roll out a smaller carbine as part of its new, multi-billion-dollar rifle system. A slightly shorter and lighter carbine version of the M7 rifle, the Army confirmed, is now close enough to fielding that it has been given its own name: the XM8.

Troops tapped for early testing of the new carbine should start to get their hands on the first XM8s as soon as October, an Army spokesperson told Task & Purpose. The XM8 shares internal firing components with the Army’s new M7 rifle, firing a 6.8 x 51mm round.

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Pistol Caliber Carbines: The Best or Worst of Both Worlds?

Why do pistol caliber carbines even exist? We’ve got a plethora of AR, AK, and other carbines chambered for intermediate rifle cartridges like 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, and 300 Blackout. They are affordable and come in all shapes and sizes. They have proven, time and again, to be more effective on target than anything chambered for a pistol cartridge. What good is a PCC other than as a range toy? If you’ve already decided to use a long gun, why would you get one chambered for the weaker cartridge of a pistol? Pistol caliber carbines are the worst of both worlds. They are feeble and anemic like pistols but carry the size penalty of a rifle.

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Lubrication and Ammunition: How Oil Affects Cycling

There are two camps in the lubrication debate: people who run their guns practically dripping wet, and people who barely touch them with oil. Both camps experience malfunctions and blame the ammunition. In reality, how you lubricate your firearm directly affects how ammunition cycles through it. Here's what actually matters.

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The Problem with “Anchor Shots”

I recently attended a class where someone mentioned that (what was described as a “well-known”) force on force trainer was teaching “anchor shots” in their classes. In this video, Massad Ayoob address the concept of anchor shots — and why it is both legally problematic and ethically unsound. While the idea is sometimes discussed in theoretical or tactical conversations, strict legal standards and responsibilities govern real-world use of force. The notion of intentionally delivering a specific type of shot outside of justified necessity can quickly cross legal boundaries and lead to serious consequences.

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In Addition to Anchor Shots: Think Before Shooting--Fleeing Suspects

Suspected Burglar

This article recounts a burglary incident and shooting that happened in German Township, Ohio in 2019. Richard Winegardner’s unoccupied home has been burglarized numerous times over the last few months; however, this time it happened while Winegardner was home and in the shower. Winegardner calls 911 while he is confronting the person in his house and simultaneously providing the dispatcher information. It seems that the suspected burglar at some point decided to flee and Winegardner apparently gave chase, ultimately firing numerous shots at the burglar’s SUV. The news reports that police found the SUV with the back window shot out, bullet holes in the interior, and the rear bumper.

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SIG’s Full-Size 1911-X Blends Classic Design with Contemporary Feel

The SIG Sauer 1911-X full-size is a great example of a modern production 1911 done correctly. It blends traditional styling and handling with SIG’s modern design and practical upgrades. The result is a pistol that feels classic but offers modern features like optics compatibility, accessory rail support, and enhanced reliability.

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The Best (and Worst) Quick Access Safes for Rifles and Shotguns

Secure storage devices for keeping a single home-defense carbine or shotgun close at hand are tough to come by, especially if you want something both small and affordable. I decided to set a limit of $400 for this batch of gun safes. If you’re willing to spend more than that for a small quick-access storage solution, you might consider looking into the “incognito” storage options like shelves, cabinets, and other furniture with hidden compartments. Whatever your budget happens to be, before you go safe shopping, be sure to read the article linked below about avoiding gun theft.

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Gun Theft Happens: How to Reduce Your Risk

One concern we all share as responsible gun owners is keeping our guns out of the wrong hands. That can range from children who aren’t ready to handle the responsibility of gun safety to violent criminals looking to arm themselves.

Criminals gain access to firearms in several ways, the two most common being vehicle break-ins and residential burglaries. While guns are sometimes stolen from gun stores (often by driving a car into the building) and by robbing someone known to be carrying a gun, today we’re focusing on how the average armed citizen can avoid the theft of an unattended firearm. Here some ways you can protect against unauthorized access and loss of a firearm.

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Hackers Abuse DocuSign API to Send Genuine Looking Invoices

Cybercriminals have started leveraging DocuSign’s API to send fraudulent invoices that appear shockingly authentic.

Unlike traditional phishing schemes that rely on poorly crafted emails and malicious links, these attacks use legitimate DocuSign accounts and templates to impersonate well-known companies, making them difficult for users and security systems to detect.

Traditional phishing attacks often involve fake emails that mimic trusted brands, tricking victims into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information such as passwords or banking details.

While email filters and anti-spam measures have become more adept at identifying these attacks, the new tactic of using trusted services like DocuSign makes detection significantly more challenging.

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Review: Heritage Manufacturing’s Badlander Double Barrel Shotgun

Heritage Manufacturing Co. jumped on the coach gun bandwagon in 2024 with the release of the Bandlander series. In late 18th century England, Richard Bolton developed a double-barrel, 10-ga. "scattergun" designed with the challenges of defending a moving coach from galloping highwaymen in mind. These defensive double-barrel shotguns, or "coach guns," continued to evolve and eventually migrated to America, where they became a fixture in the settlement of the Old West. In those days, a second person often rode up top next to a stagecoach driver to fend off horse-mounted bandits with double-barrel shotguns. It's where the term "riding shotgun" originated.

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If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.

Wednesday Wisdom: 1 July 2026

Medal of Honor: LTC Andre C Lucas

 

While serving as the commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army, at Fire Support Base Ripcord in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam, LTC Lucas distinguished himself through extraordinary heroism. Although the fire base was constantly subjected to heavy attacks by a numerically superior enemy force throughout this period, LTC Lucas, forsaking his own safety, performed numerous acts of extraordinary valor in directing the defense of the allied position. On one occasion, he flew in a helicopter at treetop level above an entrenched enemy directing the fire of one of his companies for over three hours. Even though enemy fire heavily damaged his helicopter, he remained in an exposed position until the company expended its supply of grenades. He then transferred to another helicopter, dropped critically needed grenades to the troops, and resumed his perilous mission of directing fire on the enemy. LTC Lucas's courageous actions prevented a larger enemy force from encircling and destroying the company.

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Declaration of Independence: A Transcription 

In Congress, July 4, 1776: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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Factory Master Engraved and Relief Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 21 Deluxe

The Winchester Model 21 was one of, if not, the finest American double barrel shotgun made during the 20th century and was the choice for innumerable sportsmen, from the trap field to the grouse woods and everywhere in between. This exceptional Model 21 was completed in 1947, just as Winchester was shifting their attention back to the civilian market after spending the last five years in full war-time production supplying the Allies during World War II and completing only a limited number of civilian arms. Winchester produced over 500,000 M1 Garands and 800,000 M1 Carbines for the war effort along with a plethora of other war materiel and was instrumental in the fight against the Axis Powers.

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Satellite Reveals Immense Scale of GPS Signal Tampering

I occasionally include articles that may have impact and perhaps interest. This is one of those. An experimental satellite has mapped the scale of GPS jamming across Europe and the Middle East from space for the first time (there has been a lot of it). The data surprised the team behind the project and indicated that satellites orbiting far from Earth aren't the only ones that experience degradation of their positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) signals, which could affect their performance and the safety of their operations.

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Switching It Up in West Texas: The WTO SwitchLug System

There are a lot of cool barrel-swap systems in the firearm world, but most are expensive, and sometimes a whole new rifle is required. The SwitchLug by West Texas Ordnance is designed for popular rifles, and it’s a modern system that doesn’t require buying new rifle. Instead, it’s a simple lug change on the action, and it’s about as easy of a barrel change as possible.

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Supreme Court Hands Down Significant Second Amendment Victory

In a major victory for gun owners, the U.S. Supreme Court has released its opinion in United States v. Hemani, a case challenging the lifetime firearms ban for marijuana users.

The Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief in support of Hemani which explained that firearm possession by marijuana users affects millions of law-abiding Americans who face losing their Second Amendment rights simply for using a substance that is state-legal and widely accepted, often for medical reasons. Marijuana is currently legal to an extent in 40 states. In the decision, the Court affirmed the Fifth Circuit's ruling that the lifetime ban for marijuana users is unconstitutional and secured a victory for Second Amendment advocates and firearms owners nationwide.

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A Better Battle Belt: Safariland’s Baseline Molle Belt 

The Baseline Molle Belt is designed for users requiring a comprehensive load-bearing platform. Unlike other belts on the market, the Baseline prioritizes rigidity and comfort, featuring an improved MOLLE interface for precise placement of pouches and accessories. I value gear that can be customized for specific missions, as I prefer modular, scalable setups. A versatile MOLLE belt should handle a variety of scenarios and loadouts comfortably without adding bulk, and that’s where the Baseline Molle Belt excels.

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The Wait Is Over—The Aimpoint COA

In 2025, there was only one good reason to buy a Glock: to get your sweaty mitts on Aimpoint’s hot, new COA sight—a rugged closed emitter sight with a minimalist housing for an unobstructive sight picture, and the tougher-than-nails, low-profile A-CUT mounting system. The COA quickly became the red dot as well as mounting system by which others are judged. Unfortunately, Glock had the A-CUT and the COA locked up for a year before other manufacturers could start integrating it into their platforms.

Now for the good news—no longer can Glock hold shooters hostage—as of mid 2026 there are numerous platforms shooters can get with the A-CUT-mounted COA. Here is a short rundown of what to buy for those like me that dislike Glock.

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Civil Liability After Self-Defense

Every armed citizen needs to understand the risks of civil liability after a self-defense shooting. Criminal acquittal or prosecutorial decision not to prosecute is not the conclusion of legal exposure following a self-defense shooting. The criminal and civil justice systems operate under fundamentally different rules and apply different standards of proof. A person can emerge from criminal proceedings without a formal charge and still face years of costly civil litigation. Understanding this distinction is a practical necessity for any citizen who carries a firearm.

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Cleaning up the action of a Winchester New Model 94 Trapper

John Moses Browning specifically designed the 1894 Winchester lever action rifle as the first lever action rifle to be marketed for use with the new smokeless powders. The 94 has been in nearly continuous production since 1894, which makes it one of the most successful products in history. This gun makes a fine entry-level Cowboy Action lever gun and new owners of these successful rifles will want to know how to slick them up so they shoot better.

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Awareness, Agility, and De-Escalation

The Wall Street Journal published an article about police use-of-force in rural America. In the article, a specific incident was highlighted where, according to the WSJ article, an officer responded to a report of an individual walking alone along a rural highway at night.

The individual was carrying a BB-gun pistol wrapped up in a shirt or jacket. The initial contact during the event can be seen in the linked video, which also includes demonstration and discussion of some related training mechanisms using the NURO System. Summarizing the video of the initial contact, the officer asked to see what was in the subject’s hand. The subject removed the pistol from the jacket and threw it aside. Shortly after the pistol left the subject’s hand, the officer fired four rounds.

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Tested & Reviewed — The 28-Year Shotgun Evaluation

The gun was a gift. That detail alone elevates its score on whatever scorecard it is that gun writers use to rate firearms. After shooting my first turkey with a good friend’s gun, thrust into my hands after he’d downed a strutting tom while being admonished to shoot what must’ve been that bird’s twin brother, I walked into my office the following week and discovered a box leaning against my desk. Inside the box was a shotgun, a circa 1998 Remington 870 Express Magnum.

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Patterning Your Home Defense Shotgun

A critical, but often overlooked aspect of being prepared to use your home defense shotgun is determining the pattern that your shotgun produces with a particular buckshot load. In shotgun circles, this process is called patterning your shotgun. Without patterning you will not know the size and shape of your shotgun’s pattern with a given load at a given distance. You must do this with the ammunition you intend to use in your home defense shotgun. 

The way manufacturers produce shotgun barrels means that it is unlikely that two guns will pattern exactly alike--even with the exact same ammunition. Your gun may pattern very poorly with one brand or size of buckshot, yet do very well with another. The only way to know is to shoot the buckshot loads at varying distances.

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Five Reasons Why the Revolver is Still Relevant

Semi-automatic pistols dominate the modern handgun market. Walk into any gun store, and you’ll find rows of pistols designed for concealed carry, home defense, and competition. Yet despite decades of innovation, the revolver continues to maintain a loyal following among experienced shooters, armed citizens, hunters, and firearm instructors. While it may not offer the capacity of a modern semi-automatic pistol, they still provide several advantages that keep them relevant today. Here are five reasons many shooters continue to choose a revolver.

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Defending Your Family from an Armed Attacker 

Picture a family reunion in the front yard. Roughly twenty people, kids and older relatives among them, on a Sunday evening in Leesburg, Georgia. Five minutes later: rifle fire, people diving for cover, a 62-year-old woman on the ground next to her 77-year-old sister.

That is what witnesses say happened on June 7 on Autumn Leaf Drive in Lee County, according to a news channel. The family got several things right before a shot was fired, and the things they got right are the things you can train.

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If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.If you enjoy reading these articles, please follow/subscribe. The link is on the upper right side of the page. All that will happen is that you will receive an e-mail when I post an article. Your information will never be distributed.

 

Wednesday Wisdom: 24 June 2026

Medal of Honor: PFC Emory Lawrence Bennett 

24 June 1951: PFC Emory Lawrence Bennett Bennett, a member of company B, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. At approximately 0200 hours, two enemy battalions swarmed up the ridgeline in a ferocious banzai charge in an attempt to dislodge PFC Bennett's company from its defensive positions. Meeting the challenge, the gallant defenders delivered destructive retaliation, but the enemy pressed the assault with fanatical determination and the integrity of the perimeter was imperiled. Fully aware of the odds against him, PFC Bennett unhesitatingly left his foxhole, moved through withering fire, stood within full view of the enemy, and, employing his automatic rifle, poured crippling fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants, inflicting numerous casualties. Although wounded, PFC Bennett gallantly maintained his one-man defense and the attack was momentarily halted.

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Training For the Real Fight

Realistic training for a future gunfight is critical for a successful outcome. My combat experiences have taught me to reevaluate my training system, work ethic and how to channelize my training regime into a more streamlined and effective package. It also confirmed some lessons while voiding others. Proven combat techniques may not be flashy and may require a bit more physical effort on the part of the shooter. Further, they may not win competition matches, but they will help ensure your survival in a shooting or gunfight on the street. (opens a ".pdf" document)

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How Your Recoil Spring Affects Ammunition Performance

Your recoil spring is the most underappreciated component in your semi-automatic firearm. It controls slide velocity, affects extraction timing, influences feeding reliability, and determines how your gun handles different ammunition. Change the spring, and you change how every round performs. Here's why that matters.

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Don’t Go Deaf — Understand Risks of Concussive Hearing Loss

Did you know you can damage your hearing even if you are wearing the best hearing protection available? Well, have you ever heard of concussion (or concussive) hearing loss? There is no amount of anything you can put in or over your ears to protect you from concussion loss. My audiologist explained to me the concussion comes through the facial bone structure and damages the ear’s tiny bones.

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I’m Not Quite Dead Yet

 

July 15, 1967—USAF base, Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, 366th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was about 0020 and Airman 1st Class (E4) “Roy” Arce was doing some rounds through several barracks before packing it in for the night. That was when the first sledgehammers hit. Immense explosions erupted across the base, including one at the southern wall of his barracks. And then, a direct hit on the barracks itself.

Roy describes it as an intense wave of super-heated air, accompanied with a slamming impact that threw him at least 25 feet, tumbling and spinning, before landing him in an already-existing roadway crater and smashing him unconscious.

When we first heard the story of Roy Arce it sounded like one of those war stories that starts with “so . . . there I was.” Sometimes, the correct response to that intro is to treat what follows as entertaining fiction, pull out your entire collection of challenge coins, and order another round. But this story was so intriguing that we had to track down the man himself. Turns out, Roy is alive and well at the age of 80, and Holy Hannah, did he validate the story.

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New Survey on the Rate that People Carry Concealed Handguns

The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) hired McLaughlin & Associates to survey 1,000 general election voters on May 19th, 2026, regarding whether likely voters carry concealed handguns. In the survey, 13.2% carry all/most of the time, with another 16.6% carrying sometimes/rarely. Twenty percent of likely voters hold a concealed handgun permit (20.2%), over double the rate for adults overall (8%). Constitutional Carry states have only a slightly higher permit rate than pure Right-to-Carry states (21.38% versus 19.81%). However, our research suggests this gap will narrow over time because the share of adults with permits is declining in Constitutional Carry states while rising in pure Right-to-Carry states.

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Come Back Fighting! The USS New Orleans in World War II

In modern times, all but one US Navy battleship went to sea named after a state within the federal Union. From the 1880s on, each smaller and generally faster cruiser carried the namesake of an American city. Although the USS New Orleans (CA-32) was built in Brooklyn, New York, she represented the “Big Easy” and her people. And now, she is the subject of the newest special exhibit at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans: Come Back Fighting: USS New Orleans at War, now on display in The Joe W. and Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery.  (Comment: If you visit New Orleans, visiting the National WWII Museum is well worth the time and effort)

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The Greatest Mistake in Combat Psychology

Hunter-gatherer morality evolved specifically to encourage behaviors necessary for group survival and discourage behaviors that threatened it. This observation leads to an uncomfortable conclusion. Many moral beliefs common today could not have emerged in the environments that shaped human evolution.

Pacifism is one example. Not because human beings were naturally bloodthirsty, but because pacifism depends upon conditions that did not exist. Pacifism becomes possible when defense can be delegated to others to do the difficult task. It becomes possible when individuals can benefit from security without personally contributing to its provision. It becomes possible when civilization separates the costs of violence from the benefits of protection. (Comment: A long but fascinating read)

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Gunsmith Fix: Diagnosing AR-15 Troubles

An AR-platform chambered in the straight-wall .450 Bushmaster with feeding issues came across a gunsmith's bench. Here he outlines his troubleshooting methods and the fix, which turned out to be the simplest thing.

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Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle in .450 Bushmaster

 

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle in .450 Bushmaster features a cold hammer-forged, medium-contour, alloy steel barrel with a matte black oxide finish. The threaded barrel is fitted with a Ruger Precision Rifle® Hybrid Muzzle Brake, which can be removed in order to attach other threaded barrel accessories such as the included thread protector.  The magazine release is a push-forward Mini-14® paddle located just ahead of the trigger guard. (Comment: It appears that Ruger currently does not offer this rifle configuration. However, you can find them on GunBroker and similar outlets)

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The Case for Lasers

An in-depth article all about lasers on pistols. In the firearms world, when someone refers to a laser, they are talking about an alternative sighting device, similar to a laser pointer, which lets the user know when the gun is lined up properly by putting a brightly-colored dot right where the bullet will land if the trigger is pulled at that moment.

There are many different types of laser aiming devices available for different types of firearms, and the lasers can be mounted on your firearm in different ways. Each of the various types has its own advantages and disadvantages.

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Low Light:Using a Laser on Your Carry Pistol

I am a believer in laser sights on pistols in low light scenarios.  During the Sensible Self Defense Academy Low Light Match in April 2021, I experimented the SIG P320 Lima Laser module (with a green laser) that I have on my everyday carry (EDC) pistol. There was a full moon so there was sufficient light to identify all the targets without a handheld light. For the experiment, I wanted to see if I could use the laser system in low light as effectively as I could the red dot sight during daylight.

The experiment showed that yes, the laser system in low light was as effective as the red dot sight during daylight. I shot and hit all the targets in low light using moonlight only. The total time difference between my pistol daylight runs using the red dot and my low light runs with the laser was 0.29 seconds for the entire match. For this match at least, I ran the pistol with the laser as well during low light as I did during daylight.

A video of me shooting a 1/3-size IPSC target, at 75 yards, in low light, from the retention position is available here.

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Access Log 003: Keyloggers and Coffee

While we were chatting at her desk, I quietly plugged in my dropbox under the desk and placed the keylogger between the keyboard and computer. I kept the conversation going to keep her focused on me, not what I was doing. "Have you had any issues with network lag or dropped calls lately?" I asked casually. "We're pushing some upgrades and just checking stability. Oh, your screen is locked. Mind logging back in real quick? And go ahead and save anything you've got open, just in case."

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Unraveling The Red Dot Gordian Knot

When Alexander the Great marched into the city of Gordium, he was shown an ancient ox-cart that belonged to the city's founder, Gordias. The cart's yoke was lashed to a pole by an incredibly complex knot, with the ends hidden. An oracle prophesied that whoever could unravel the elaborate knot was destined to become the ruler of all of Asia.

Alexander drew his sword and sliced the knot in half with a single, decisive stroke.

Today we have similar situations in the world of combat studies. Shooting an adversary with a firearm is a very brutally simple matter...like hacking through rope with a sword. But instead, we see literal volumes written, and hours of video, over complicating the skill and the act.

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Reasons to Consider the 1911

If you are a casual gun owner that is going to purchase whatever is commonly available on your gun store shelf, then stick with the mainstream stuff. But if you are the type of guy that will go to GunBroker with a specific manufacturer SKU then you can probably venture outside the safe harbor of Glocks and M&Ps. If you are willing to objectively and thoroughly evaluate your performance (against time and accuracy standards) and carry a gun based on the results, the 1911 might be an option for you. Let's begin by discussing reasons that the 1911 might make the short list of handguns you consider for defensive purposes.

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SignalTrace: License Plate Readers Now Track Phones, AirPods, and Smartwatches 

Screaming down the slippery slope. A surveillance company is expanding the capabilities of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) by integrating sensors that capture unique identifiers from mobile phones, wearables, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The technology, called SignalTrace, transforms ALPR cameras from vehicle-focused tracking tools into systems that can more readily identify and track specific individuals. As ALPR cameras have become ubiquitous across the United States, SignalTrace represents a significant escalation in surveillance capabilities, raising privacy and civil liberties concerns. (Comment: With good reason I might add. Any organization that collects data wants to share it with other entities.)

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