Marswolf

I agree. I've been fortunate to generally work with men who not only had the training, but also have been proved in combat. But I've also worked with people in secondary positions who also had training and carried a gun every day, who curled up in the fetal position when the bullets started flying. Some long-term LEOs have never been tested. Some people panic. Some don't. Training can not always overcome fear. After a while you get where you can pretty much pick out the panicky people from the ones who will hold up and keep shooting if possible even if they are hit. I preach mindset over and over. You have to anticipate what might happen and know what you are going to do if a given action does occur. That doesn't apply only to self-protection with a handgun. I have had it happen in other day to day situations. You look for the potential dangers and figure out what you will do if the potential becomes real. You are then ready for quick action if needed. Back on topic, I had heard of point shooting but never tried it until It was mentioned on a non-gun training trip to Quantico. We took some spare time and I practiced the two-hand technique. Actually got fairly good with it given the short time available. Main problem I had was automatically going into an isosceles stance rather than what I was supposed to do. The one hand approach was demonstrated (middle finger pulling the trigger), but I didn't try it. It appeared pretty controllable, but then the demonstrator has practiced for years doing it. Sort of like, "Hey Bob - show that one handed thing." The point of this mention is that some people who know a lot more about top of the line weapons training than anyone here don't think it is stupid. I doubt many practice it a lot, but it can work - with training.... Just one more possibility in the repertoire. I seldom talk in absolute pronouncements. I give learned, and I think well thought out, opinions but I'm not the voice of God. You may hear me say that I don't like a given handgun and give my reasons for that view, but you'll never hear me say that someone is stupid for choosing it. Even if it's a POS, that may be the best they can do. I'd rather help someone learn to shoot his junker than tell him he's a fool for buying it. At least he'll get off one shot and have some idea what to do if it jams. In time, those lessons will transfer to a better handgun. The best way to train on a technique is to do it. Different stances and techniques work better for different people. None is stupid if it works for you.

Well, I have never carried a 1911 as a duty or protection weapon, but I've owned several of them. I just can't see any difference in carrying a 1911 cocked but unlocked as opposed to a Glock that essentially is always in that mode. It seems to me that if it's OK for a Glock, it's also OK for a 1911.

Only thing I'd disagree with is that, "The purpose of the Constitution is to limit the powers of the federal government." The Constitution is supposed to set forward things that the government is allowed to do, not set rules that it is not allowed to do. This was why James Madison opposed the Bill of Rights in a letter to Jefferson. Madison eventually went along with the BoR rather than go through another Constitutional Convention, but it opened a confusing can of worms that we have lived with ever since.

Sorry if I misspoke, but I'm confused. You mention that you have a "CZ75 because it can be carried cocked and locked like a 1911". I interpreted that as carrying with the safety on.

http://www.lbl.org/RULESGeneral.html GENERAL REGULATIONS 1. LBL is one of 300 United Nations Biosphere Reserves, dedicated to natural resource conservation. All regulations protecting our environment are strictly enforced. 2. Motor vehicles are permitted only on legal roads and in the Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area. A legal road map is available at any LBL Welcome Center. 3. LBL permits the gathering of mushrooms, nuts, berries and other fruits. All other living plants and wildlife within LBL are protected. Injuring or destroying animal life, except legally taken game and fish, is strictly prohibited. 4. All dogs, cats and other pets must be kept on a leash at all times. The exception is hunting dogs during authorized hunts and field trials. All pets must have current rabies inoculations and have collars identifying the owner's name and address. 5. Possession, transportation or discharge of firearms, air guns, crossbows, bows and arrows or other weapons and explosives, including fireworks, is prohibited except authorized hunting equipment during set hunt dates. 6. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers at LBL provide assistance to visitors and enforce all laws and regulations.

The DA trigger pull of the USP is worse than the Beretta. But I don't have a problem with either handgun. I de-cock them for normal carry, but cock them if I think there is any reasonable possibility of a problem. The DA mode is there if I need it in an emergency, but normally I'll be in SA mode when needed. Unlike you, I don't ever use the safety on a pistol. The USP is variant 3 (de-cocker but no safety). The Beretta safety is only used to de-cock and then immediately returned to firing position. My IWB gun is a P7M8 and backup, the DAO Kel-Tec P-3AT. Different strokes for different folks.

We probably don't need to start the debate about who needs to grow the balls. Oddly enough, as I was reading your post I was working on the middle finger shooting technique with my P-3AT. It really feels good. - Mars Special Advisor - Vietnam A whole bunch of stuff since then

Once you hit 21, you certainly won't have any problems with the ranges. I wouldn't think you would have any trouble after turning 18. We all like different handguns. I highly doubt that any of us bought the "perfect" gun the first time. Glocks are very popular, but I don't care for them. Springfield Armory's XD series is good and reasonably priced. I like H&Ks, but that may be a little out of your price range. Berettas like Saints was talking about are excellent 9mm handguns. I carried one for a couple of decades before going to a H&K USP. In fact I still carry a Beretta 92SB on some occasions. Look around a lot and try them out. It has to be something you can shoot well and you are comfortable with. Don't overlook trade-ins at the shops. People trade off good handguns all the time.

Microwave popcorn? THAT'S STUPID!

That salt for the wounds?

Handy information. I've never understood why your initial application requires cash or certified check, but a personal check is OK for renewals.

From what I hear, it should be showing up about now.

FOOD FIGHT!

Gee, someone with some sense.

I'm sorry, I only do jungles and multi-cultural cities.

You know, I've never been on a board with more emphasis on paying for training. Admittedly, the government has provided my training, both military and civil, but I've learned a lot from LE and military buddies and others with special skills. I've also taught them some interesting stuff that I've learned the hard way that never showed up in formal training. For most shooters, good training is establishing proper technique and/or correcting bad habits. A lot of that training can be free at the range just by asking someone you trust for their expertise just what you are doing wrong. Self diagnosis is often pretty difficult. Fixes are often simple. Nothing wrong with formal training to learn usable skills, but some of this is beginning to sound like armchair commando stuff. More braggadocio than reality. For most of you, you aren't going to have to know how to clear a building or do a running firefight. If it ever happens, your worse moment is likely to come in a Wal-Mart parking lot or facing some druggie breaking into your house. If you need Special Ops training, the government will provide it for you. The skill set you need is how to recognize a dangerous situation, respond properly to avoid it if possible, and develop the shooting skills and mindset to pull the trigger if necessary to neutralize the threat. Part of that comes from training. Part of it comes from within. The world is full of cowards who panic at every confrontation leaving their family or buddies to fend for themselves. In my experience, they often are the ones who bluster the most about how good they are. You need to know your opponents and also know your "friends" if you expect them to watch your back. I'm just saying we all need to be realistic about the threats we will face and work toward proficiency in combating those actual dangers.

The military uses the middle finger on the trigger.

Just found this picture of Bill Jordan. He's the tall guy. If you don't know who he is, your gun education is lacking. Google 'Bill Jordan Border Patrol' and read away. A friend gave me a copy of his No Second Place Winner some time ago. It had belonged to her father who was a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer. Note that he is point shooting.

Actually, this technique is described in Army's Field Manual 3-23.35 for the M9 and M11 pistols along with three other methods. Point shooting is less accurate and they consider it to be an emergency method. While not as effective as aimed shooting, it is a useful skill to work on.

Yeah. They are sexy, if you are a nitpicky techie like me.

Some of the topics here look more like advertising and spam than information. But it's not my board. I'm not counting your post in that category, Saints. Ed makes great grips for the 1911.

I caught something on an RSS feed about WV having some bill up that changes reciprocity requirements. I think it passed the House and was headed for the Senate or whatever they have there. http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=3074&year=2007&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_HTML/2007_SESSIONS/RS/BILLS/HB3074%20SUB.htm Not sure what this changes.

Yep it's in: Tennessee Code/Title 39 Criminal Offenses/Chapter 17 Offenses Against Public Health, Safety and Welfare/Part 13 -Weapons.

Mike, while you are waiting for the permit, why not spend some time reading over Tennessee's gun code. It's not unusual for those teaching the classes to be wrong on an item of two. Or maybe they might have said something you misunderstood.