Cruel Hand Luke

NOTHING needs to be around your holster that could get into the trigger guard. One of the first things I look for in class is who has keys hanging from their belt next to their holster, drawstrings on jackets, shirt tails , etc. Any gun with no manual safety applied can fire if the trigger is pressed...whether it is pressed intentionally by a finger , pressed UNintentionally by a finger , or pressed unintentionally by a foreign object that was close to the holster. A khar, Sig, SW MP or even a revolver or ANY DA auto carried with manual safety OFF can all fire if shoved back into the holster with something touching the trigger.   Draw QUICKLY, shoot PRECISELY, and reholster RELUCTANTLY.....

I know some of you have been waiting for this one to get up on the schedule so here it is...the flagship course of the Suarez catalog...Close Range Gunfighting!  CLOSE RANGE GUNFIGHTING June 7-8, 2014 Price $350 Chattanooga, Tennessee Instructor: Randy Harris This is our flagship course and goes as far as you can safely go on a square range with live-fire pistols. The dynamic curriculum surpasses the traditional handgun methods commonly taught in most institutions and focuses of the use of the pistol in aggressive close range applications likely in individual civilian street encounters. The class begins with a tune-up of the fundamentals, then we progress quickly to new skills such as Proactive and Reactive Manipulations, Shooting While Moving Off The X, Reality-Based Multiple Hostiles Engagement, 360 degree CQB Movement, Danger-Close Fighting, Bilateral Shooting, 360 degree After Action Assessment Methods, and Integrating the Flashlight and Other Tools into the Firing Platform. This is the life-saving material that is often ignored in many other programs. In two days, you will receive more information than most armed professionals ever get! We must point out that THIS COURSE IS NOT FOR THE NOVICE SHOOTER. If you have not received basic instruction, or have a question about your skill level, please call us first.   DURATION: 2 days   TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM   AMMUNITION: Approximately 500 rounds (Minimum)   YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape).   REQUIREMENTS: Modern defensive pistol and a holster specifically made for that pistol and designed to be worn on the belt. Three (3) magazines and magazine pouch, a belt of the same width as the belt loops for the holster and magazine pouches, and range safety gear (eye protection, and ear protection).   NOTES: Range is private range 35 minutes SW of Chattanooga. Range is located where Tn, GA and AL come together on the map. Range is on CENTRAL TIME. For more info and to register http://www.suarezinternationalstore....x#.UyimpvldUas Range information, directions, local hotels, and contact information will be Emailed after purchase, contact the office if you haven't received information for your class.

The shotgun is one of the most misunderstood and misused weapons out there. Lets look at  a few issues.....   1. Hitting moving things. The shotgun , due to its expanding pattern of shot, is easier to hit with than a single projectile. As such they are typically easier to score hits with against a moving opponent than a rifle or pistol.    2. Low Light engagements. Again due to the spreading pattern it is easier to hit with in low light.   3. Making people stop what they are doing. The typical service handgun round will deliver around 400 ft lbs of energy whether it is 9mm, 40sw, or 45acp. The 12ga 00 load will run more like 1500 ft lbs AND punch MULTIPLE holes in the target with each press of the trigger. People just do not tend to keep fighting much after taking torso hits with buckshot. Now yes I know, we can dig long enough and find a failure to stop with a shotgun...but they are FAR fewer and farther between than failures to stop with a pistol.    These are things that would recommend the shotgun. Now lets look at some things that do not....   1. Heavier recoil. That energy you are delivering to the target comes at the price of more recoil being directed to your shoulder. Many people just do not like shooting shotguns and even fear the recoil.While proper technique will mitigate the recoil to some degree it will still always kick more than a .223. A gas operated semi auto (as opposed to inertia operated semi auto )  will kick less than a pump but it still kicks harder than a semi auto .223 , 7.62x39 or .308.    2. Manual of arms is different than anything else. Unless you are an avid shotgun sport shooter the odds are you have never spent a lot of time loading , unloading, handling and clearing stoppages in a shotgun. They do NOT work anything like your AR or AK or pistol. They load differently , unload differently and the typical malfunctions in a shotgun are not the same as with a semi auto rifle or pistol.    3. Longer than a rifle or pistol. A readily available to civilians 18" barrel pump (or semi auto) shotgun is as long as an M16A2 or M16A4. And nobody likes using a full length M16A2 or M16A4 for CQB unless it is all they have.  Your collapsible stock M4 with 16" barrel will be shorter and easier to handle in close quarters than an 18" shotgun. In fact a 16" rifle is as short as a 14" shotgun (which would require NFA registration). So if your mission is to search or clear a structure then a shotgun has some liabilities that shorter guns do not.    Use of slugs.....   What are you actually using them for? To extend the range past where buckshot is effective? How far are you REALLY going to need to shoot in your house? The OP was talking about for home defense, not for patrol work. So if you are going to use it IN THE HOUSE then why are we even considering slugs. Now if you live in Alaska and big bears are a real concern then slug loaded shotguns make more sense due to the energy and penetration they deliver....but people are not bears and at the distances that most people would actually be shooting inside a house a buckshot load will only be about the size of a 5-6" plate and still be delivering more than enough power down range to get people's attention.   Use of birdshot....   At 3 yards or less birdshot will PROBABLY be fine ....maybe....The issue is penetration. Birdshot will leave a really nasty but largely superficial wound anywhere past 5 yards especailly if the target is wearing heavy clothing or leather. Not everyone stops from pain. Some people due to drugs, alcohol , or just being tough people do not stop immediately when they experience pain. In those cases we want something that will RELIABLY (over a wide range of circumstances) penetrate deeply enough to perforate vital organs. Birdshot does not do that past 5 yards. The pellets just do not have the mass to penetrate deeply enough to reliably do that. At less than 3 yards where it has not yet begun to spread and is still essentially a "single projectile" it is MORE likely to penetrate deeply enough, but currently there is no birdshot load that meets the FBI or IWBA test protocols for penetration.       Where shotguns rule....   Shotguns are probably at their best in civilian context as a "defending the stronghold" type weapon. If you can "bunker up " in a safe room or bedroom or bathroom or whatever and force them to come to you through a channeled area (like a doorway or hallway ) and you ideally being behind hard cover, then the shotgun loaded with buckshot is THE weapon to have.    If anyone is interested I will conducting our 1 day Defensive Shotgun class in Knoxville April 26. Info can be found here.....http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140426-defensive-shotgun-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UyhUvPldUat   and on Sunday we'll be doing Defensive Pistol Marksmanship http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140427-defensive-pistol-marksmanship-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UyhVAvldUat   TGO thread about the classes is here.....http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/75954-knoxville-shotgun-pistol-april-26-27/

OK, so it is on, you just can't sign up yet? Like I said, I could not find an entry form link anywhere....

Anyone know for sure if the "Summer Sizzler" match is happening this year in Manchester?   I saw on their site that it has a date (July 26?) but cannot find a registration form anywhere and I heard this weekend (rumor) that they might have cancelled it....Anyone know for sure? Thanks!

It was good to see you again Spiffy.   On a side note regarding the Cleveland IDPA.....Looks like they threw out stage 2 since A LOT of people apparently screwed up that stage and the scoring (and application of appropriate penalties) was not consistent between squads.

I just got some cool new steel targets and some realistic "tac man" targets I'm looking forward to using in this class!!! 

Just a quick reminder that this one is coming up in just a little over a month!   This pair of single day classes is an excellent way for the new shooter to get started right or the more advanced shooter to polish their skills.    The one day class format makes them easy to attend for busy folks who may not be able to devote 2 days to a class. For those that do have the time for both days you can sign up for both and save $50 over the single day prices($350 for 2 days instead of $400).   So if you are looking to learn the shotgun and pistol from an experienced instructor (15 years in the training industry) and accomplished shooter (IDPA Master Class ) in the Knoxville area then get signed up! I look forward to seeing some TGO members there!

This one is coming up in 3 weeks! And at the discounted rate of $350 (save $50 off the normal $400 price) you'll kick yourself if you miss it. Looking forward to seeing some TGO members there!

Those classes are a week long hence the added expense. They end up being about $300 a day . But considering the classes I'm offering in 2014 are priced at  $350 for 2 days that is still kind of high...plus the ammo expense and it starts getting really spendy.   Most "normal" folks have a hard enough time freeing up a weekend to do a 2 day class much less a 5 day class. That would mean taking a week of vacation for most folks. How many wives would be all excited about spending vacation that way? 

Armor on a daily basis becomes a real inconvenience in everyday normal life. Most people whine about carrying a full size pistol...much less wearing a vest.    I used to work a job where we made VERY large bank deposits and some of my colleagues had been robbed at gunpoint, so I was both armed and armored when I did it...but as soon as the bank run was over the vest came off. No matter who it is made by or what kind of vest it is, it is stiff and hot and not comfy to sit around in.  Unless I were in a very HIGH risk job or in a very HIGH risk part of the world (Bagdad, Kabul, Cartegena, San Pedro Sula, ....Damascus...or maybe New Orleans the week after Katrina) I would not be making armor a regular wardrobe accessory. I still own it...but I certainly don't wear it to go to the mall or a movie, Walmart or the Post Office. Nowadays I mostly just wear it when teaching team tactics classes.    Keep in mind..... IF YOU SHOOT SOMEONE you may well have to answer in court why you felt that you really needed to be somewhere that things were so dangerous that a reasonable person would feel they needed to wear armor.....for that matter imagine what they'd have said if Zimmerman had been wearing a vest..........   Now if you want to make armor a part of your home defense plan then that is probably going to be looked at as a little more reasonable....your home is your castle after all.... But as a daily wear item....I try to stay out of places that are so dangerous that I reasonably would need armor.

This one is getting closer....

I work in the industry in my day job. I hear all manner of conspiracy theory crap every day....everything from "The military is using .22s to practice, to homeland security has a new .22 machine gun (yes someone really said that) to the govt is buying it all and throwing it in the ocean.....   The truth is far more simple...it is simply a matter of demand outstripping the supply chain. More people probably own .22s (and shoot them) than anything else. You would think nothing of burning up a brick of .22s on a Sunday afternoon with the kids...but you probably wouldn't shoot 500 rounds of 30/30 in a lifetime. So you have a caliber that EVERY ONE owns and that people actually shoot a lot of and everyone is competing for the same resources at the same time.    Using rough numbers we can say that there are 100 million gun owners in the US. Under normal times only about 20% of them actually  buy on a regular basis (20 million people).And they are normally not ALL buying at the same time.  But when within a 6 week time span (Nov 2012 to Jan 2013) you see Obama get reelected, a horrific school shooting, and the consequent push by dems to pass more gun control the percentage of active buyers multiplies exponentially. The 20% of regular buyers begin buying anywhere from 10 to 100 times what they would normally be trying to buy and 70 million of the other 80 million gun owners who don't normally buy much at all started buying in earnest too... So you have an industry that in normal times is essentially at full capacity in order to service 20 million people now essentially trying to service the equivalent of 300-400 + million people. There is NO WAY (even running 24/7) for them to catch up anytime soon ...at least as long as people KEEP BUYING.   Think in terms of a snow storm forecast...what does everyone do? Go buy milk and bread. If you go to the store late you won't find any milk or bread. Why? Because people who don't even drink milk or eat bread on a regular basis think they need to go buy it in case they get snowed in. It defies logic but it happens. But this time the forecast is for the biggest storm in history...and the forecast is the same EVERY DAY for 5 MONTHS. That is what happened in the ammo industry. If people stopped buying ammo for 6 months it MIGHT start getting back to normal. The 1st time Obama got elected it took almost 2 years to get back to "normal" again and this was FAR worse than then.....

This one is getting closer every day. All you West Tn guys, this one is in your area....   You can make a little vacation of it...do the class during the day and hit the casinos at night!

Not ALL instances of defensive use of a pistol are inside 3 yards. And under TN law you ABSOLUTELY CAN use lethal force in defense of a third party (someone else).    I know of 2 cases of defensive use of a pistol IN TENNESSEE that were 37 yards and 20 yards respectively. Also you have the Fairchild AFB shooting where Andy Brown shot the AK wielding gunman with his Beretta 92 from 70 yards away. Remember the Aurora theater shooting?  How long a shot might that it have been if someone in one of the back rows had been armed and decided to try to stop James Holmes?     A bigger gun simply gives you more options. That does not mean small guns are useless...it simply means that a bigger gun gives you more options. If I ever found myself in a situation where a 25 yard shot might stop a mass shooting I'd MUCH rather have a Glock 17 (or even a 19) than just a J frame. On the other hand what are the odds of us ever being present when a mass shooting event kicks off? Who knows?   If you need to carry a tiny gun then carry a tiny gun. That is much better than having NO gun.  If you can make it work for you to carry a bigger gun then you simply have more bases covered. 

ONE WEEK TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hope to see some TGO members there!

Mav, it all comes down to what you can articulate in court. If you had a reasonable fear of crippling bodily injury or death and they had the intent, means and opprtunity of delivering that grave bodily injury or death then you can certainlly respond with equal force. Police get training too. Yet it does not hurt them in court if they have to use htat training. In fact if you can argue why through your training that you KNEW just how little time you had to do something and how you recognized the signs of impending criminal assault then you are far ahead of the guy who's defense is "I shot him because I was scared".  "WHy were you scared?" ...Um...I don't know...I just was" ....good luck with that defense.   As to avoiding fights...that is ALWAYS plan A. If we can't avoid them then we try to run them off (either verbally deescalate - if possible- or make it obvious that you are a HARD target). Then if that does not work then plan C is to do what you have to do to survive. If I get taken to the ground I can make a logical legal argument as to why that would justify me choking someone out, breaking a bone , dislocating a joint, or depending on circumstances employing a weapon. The difference between the trained and untrained is panic. If you go to the ground and panic you may end up doing something that 12 jurors might see as excessive. If you go to the ground and do ONLY what you need to to get back up and get away then things just look better for you. But on the other hand if your last resort is to use lethal force then you'd be far better off being able to point to some training that had given you the wisdom to know why you should have been in fear of crippling injury or death in that particular moment and why lethal force was justified and prudent as opposed to "I was losing the fight so I pulled my gun" those are two COMPLETELY different things.   Lets keep things in perspective. As a private citizen you have NO legal duty to do ANYTHING to help anyone or to do anything at all. You have no duty to retreat either. You are pretty much going to be judged by the standard of what a reasonable man in your stuation would do based on the knowledge he possessed at the time. Sometimes the right answer is to use lethal force. More often though the answer is to not do dumb stuff out in public and don't go looking for fights and avoid a fight if you can do so without endangering yourself. I'm about as well trained in dealing with criminal assault as anyone and I will still go out of my way to avoid questionable situations that might even possible result in a fight if I can reasonably do so. Why? Because my training has taught me just how easy it is to get crippled or killed in violent physical confrontation and as such I'd rather not be the victim of the bad guys getting lucky. My only duty is to my family...and that is to get home safe. If I can do it without fighting all the better....but if I HAVE to fight then we simply do what must be done as quickly as possible ...depending on the situation...and the training is what helps us better read the situations and know the appropriate response. That does not just happen by osmosis.  

Welcome from Ooltewah! 

Coming to Knoxville Tn in April, Suarez International instructor Randy Harris will be offering two one day classes. On Saturday April 26 we will be offering our 1 day Defensive Shotgun class and on Sunday April 27 we will be offering our 1 day Defensive Pistol Marksmanship class. Each one is $200 per day OR $350 if you sign up for BOTH days. These are the perfect opportunity for those who are looking to gain some skills with their pistol and shotgun and since they are single day classes they are great for those who may not be able to do a 2 day class. You can do either day or both days. Classes will be held at a private range in Knoxville.         April 26, 2014 DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN Price: $200 Knoxville, Tennessee Instructor: Randy Harris   The shotgun is the top choice among Americans for limited role home defense. In its niche it is a devastating weapon. This one day class will teach you everything you need to know to employ this iconic American fighting tool to its best utility. DURATION: 1 Days TIME: 9:00am to 5:00pm AMMUNITION: Approximately 100 rounds of Birdshot, 50 rounds of Buckshot, 15 Slugs and 50 rounds of pistol ammunition. YOU NEED TO BRING: Clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), folding chair, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape). REQUIREMENTS: Shotgun (any caliber pump or semi-auto). All shotguns must be equipped with a sling and a stock. Pistol with at least two magazines, suitable belt, holster, and magazine pouches. A method of carrying extra shotgun ammo (for example: shoulder bag, ammo pouches, side saddle, or butt cuff). Ear & eye protection.   Range information, directions, local hotels, and contact information will be Emailed after purchase, contact the office if you haven't received information for your class.   To register......http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140426-defensive-shotgun-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UvqvNfldUas     And then on Sunday April 27...............     April 27, 2014 DEFENSIVE PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP Price : $ 200 Knoxville, Tennessee Instructor: Randy Harris In this class you will learn how to fire an accurate shot with your carry handgun, from concealment, in situations replicating what may be necessary to prevail in a proactive street gunfight. This course is perfect for the novice or new CCW licensee (although no licenses are necessary to attend).   DURATION: 1 day  TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM AMMUNITION: Approximately 150 rounds (Minimum) YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather, lunch/snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day, baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape) REQUIREMENTS: Modern Defensive Pistol, Holster specifically made for that pistol and designed to be worn on the belt at the "strong side", 3 Magazines and One Magazine Pouch, A Belt of the same width as the belt loops for the holster and magazine pouches, Range Safety Gear (Eye protection and ear protection) Range information, directions, local hotels, and contact information will be Emailed after purchase, contact the office if you haven't received information for your class.   To register.....http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/140427-defensive-pistol-marksmanship-knoxville-tn.aspx#.UvqvifldUas     Or you can sign up for BOTH for $350- a $50 discount!    http://www.suarezinternationalstore.com/combo-140426-both-classes-knoxville-tn.aspx#.Uvqvx_ldUas

You can sign up any time between now and Feb 21.   To get your certificate at the class you will need to sign up by Thursday Feb 13. The class packet including the certificates and class roster is mailed to me the Friday the week before class from Arizona.    You can still sign up for class all the way up to Feb 21 but your certificate will not be there by the class. They will mail it to me after the class and I'll then sign it and mail it to you. 

Just a quick reminder this one is coming up in 3 weeks!

This class is getting closer every day! This one covers everything from solid stress proof gunhandling,  position shooting and use of cover to reloads and malfunction clearance, CQB distance shooting, transition to secondary weapon an intro to team tactics and much more. Hope to see you there!

Returning again to Tunica in 2014 for ADVANCED RIFLE GUNFIGHTING!  For those who were there last year for Rifle Gunfighting this is the next step up and the logical progression of the skills we learned there. Don't miss this rare opportunity in the midsouth to get some of the most advanced rifle training you can get anywhere.   Suarez International RGF-3: ADVANCED RIFLE GUNFIGHTING March 8-9, 2014 Tunica, Mississippi Instructor: Randy Harris Advanced Rifle Gunfighting is the most advanced level rifle training available outside of Special Operations schools. This class will consist of all new material and take your rifle fighting skills, both as a firearm and as an alternative force tool, far beyond what you would think possible. Not for beginners. Students must own the basic combat rifle skill-set and be in reasonable physical condition for this class. If in doubt, attend the introductory class scheduled immediately before. This class will leave you gasping for air with a red-hot smoking rifle barrel. DURATION: 2 Days TIME: 9:00AM to 5:00PM AMMUNITION: RIFLE: Approx. 500 rounds (Minimum) PISTOL: Approx. 100 rounds (Minimum) YOU NEED TO BRING: Spare clothing appropriate to the weather. Lunch, snacks and water (minimum of 1 gallon per person) for the entire day. Baseball or other style hat, sun screen, bug repellent, allergy medication (if needed), chair (if you have a problem with sitting on the ground, note taking paper/pen/pencil and a boo boo kit (band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment and tape). REQUIREMENTS: A military pattern rifle, (3) magazines and any ancillary rifle gear. Pistol, holster, pistol magazines, eye and ear protection. Note: Chest Rig/Tactical Vests are not allowed with CCW Holsters. If you wish to use a Chest Rig or a Tactical Vest, use a vest mounted holster or a thigh holster. For more info and to sign up........http://www.suarezinternationalstore....x#.UoTZg_mkrks

Just some general advice.....   Krav can be good....or it can be the equivalent of israeli Tai Bo...depending on the instructor. Some places focus so much on the "getting in shape" aspect that they cover little in the truly combat effective realm. BUt the same can be said with most any martial art.   Keep in mind that the Krav that they teach the 2 year 18 yearr old conscripts is not the same thing they teach 30 year old SF guys. At 18 the males are still jockying for hierarchy and do not really have the filter to amp it down. By the time they are in an SF unit they are ostensibly matured enough to know how to be a good training partner and not destroy their team mates in training. At 18 that is normally not the case. And that is why not all Krav (or anything for that matter) is equal. If you teach all the joint destructions to 18 year olds you will have a bunch of injuries...   On the BJJ front, like with Judo,  you work against a live resisting opponent and that is good...but you are still working within the rules and constructs of the sport. And real street fights rarely have agreed upon rules. If you grab my gi and I hit you with a full power chin jab and a knee to the groin and follow it up with an axe hand to the back of your neck as you lurch forward you are probably going to the hospital....or worse.....and as such that cannot really be allowed in the dojo.SO you grab mine, I grab yours and we manuever for position...not strike each other.... So while BJJ does allow you to work with a resisting opponent it is still not a 1 for 1 approximation of what you are likely to encounter in a bar or an alley.   About the only thing that allows full power striking is boxing but even in boxing there are a lot of "foul blows" that are not allowed for good reason...because delivered at full speed they can maim and kill people....and the big gloves are there to protect the other guy more than there to protect your fists.    My suggestion...give the Krav place a try and if that does not work out try the Bjj place. Just remember that NONE of them are an answer for EVERY problem and a mix of techniques is probably going to cover more bases.