Author: hsoi

Just say no — to drawstrings

/ hsoi / 8 Comments

The drawstring of a jacket, caught in a holster, entering a trigger guard… and you can figure what happened.

Thing is, this wasn’t just anyone — this was a Police Chief.

Yes, this can happen to anyone.

I’ve seen this before. It’s not an uncommon thing for clothing to get in the way of a holster. Something like a shirt-tail can just prevent reholstering. But these drawstring toggles? This is what happens. As the video shows, it’s not the first time.

Solution: cut the toggles off.

I do have to wonder why the Chief was handling his gun in the first place. You put your gun in the holster, and you leave it there. A casual use for comparison? Geez man, it’s not like there aren’t a host of guns behind the counter there that you couldn’t use for comparison! I also didn’t like how at around 0:50 it appeared like he was muzzling his hand; it could be the camera angle, but it sure looks like it.

Consider as well what the shop owner said: “in 34 years, this is the first time that has happened”. Take home here? You cannot get complacent. You cannot think you are immune. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been around guns, been using guns, sooner or later, it can happen.

There is nothing wrong with looking when you reholster. Have a good holster, that keeps the mouth open; holsters where the mouth collapses are generally bad news because you have to use something to open the mouth — all too often, it’s your other hand, and that puts the hand in front of the muzzle, and hopefully you can now see why that’s a bad idea. Use a good holster, holster “one-handed”, and if you need to look to ensure things are clear, do so.

I will give credit to the Chief for wanting to use this as a teachable moment, to encourage others to learn from his mistake. I will also give credit to the TV station for informative reporting (maybe fair and factual journalism isn’t dead yet).

So go… find your jacket, and cut off those drawstrings.

AAR: MAG-20 2014-03-08/09

/ hsoi / 1 Comment

There’s a great deal of focus out there on how to keep yourself out of trouble and what to do if you find yourself in trouble. There’s a huge market out there of both producers and consumers of the “before” and “during” parts of personal defense.

But what about the “after”?

The reality is, if you find yourself in a situation where you must defend your life or the life of a loved one, there is going to be an after. It may be as simple as some interaction with the police, all good, and you’re on your way. It may be as complex as being arrested and spending millions of dollars and many years of your life tied up in court cases (even if you were righteous). The after may be littered with dreams, flashbacks, hospital visits, affected relationships, and all manner of other “side-effects” for the remainder of your life. The after may even wind up with you being sent to prison for the rest of your life for a crime you didn’t commit. There’s going to be an after, and it behooves you to prepare for it, just like you prepare for the “before” and “during.”  And while it may not be as sexy as learning how to use some shiny toy or learn some cool tactics, it is a reality that should not be denied. When you are in a situation, that is not the time to acquire knowledge about how to deal with the situation.

This is where MAG-20 comes in.

MAG-20

If you don’t know who Massad Ayoob is, just Google search on his name. His resumé and legacy speak to what you need to know about him. The depth and breadth of his experience, not just as a cop, not just as a “gun guy”, not just as an author, but also as an expert witness with his extensive time in a courtroom along with his intensive study and research of these issues, he brings an immense amount of knowledge and wisdom. And he’s willing to share it, in courses like MAG-20.

I spent this past weekend (2014-03-08/09) taking his MAG-20 Classroom course (classroom only, no live fire). It was hosted by KR Training and held at the Red Oak Ballroom in Austin, Texas. Here’s the summary of the class from his website:

A two-day, 20-hour immersion course in rules of engagement for armed law-abiding private citizens, emphasizing legal issues, tactical issues, and aftermath management. Topics will include interacting with suspects, witnesses, responding police officers…threat recognition and mind-set…management of social and psychological aftermath after having had to use lethal force in defense of self or others…and preparing beforehand for legal repercussions and minimizing exposure to them. Situations in the home, at the place of business, or “on the street” will all be covered.

Now don’t think this is any sort of “Hey, learn how to work the legal system so you can kill people you don’t like, then get out of jail free!” sort of thing. No, that’s the furthest thing from the truth (and any sort of moral or ethical behavior). This class is about helping private citizens who have accepted the responsiblity for the care of themselves and those they love, to understand the realities of the full scope of their undertaking. The class conveys the weight and true gravity of the matter. Yes, there is a measure of preparedness for things like the potentially inevitable courtroom battle; why shouldn’t we be prepared for that? Not to dodge the law but to ensure we act in a lawful manner, and in a manner that doesn’t allow the law (or unscrupulous prosecutors) to steamroll us for trying to remain alive to see our grandchildren graduate college.

Yes, this is an important course for everyone to take.

Sure, Mas can be polarizing. Some consider him to be strongly on one side of the spectrum. Well, that’s alright. He’s got decades of experiences and research that back up his knowledge and why he views things as he does, why he teaches what he does. That doesn’t mean everyone accepts Mas’ teachings and stances lock, stock, and barrel. During the weekend I spoke with Mas about a particular topic where he and another respected trainer disagree, and both have valid arguments for their stances. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your while to listen to what he has to say.

Furthermore, given Mas has been around for so long, written so much, and spoken to so many, there’s no question some of the things he has said have become distorted. Case in point, Mas’ stance on using handloaded ammunition for self-defense. I know what I’ve heard over the years, and just like any round of “the telephone game”, the truth gets distorted as each person retells it from their foggy memory. In fact, back in 2009, Kathy Jackson posted a comment to this very blog about this very subject, working to clear the air on what Mas actually says (and yes, I stand corrected)! But anything you can hear straight from “the horses’ mouth” is always going to carry more weight, and certainly ensures clear air. Many things were said over the weekend that I’ve heard before, but to hear them from Mas gives a different weight, a different perspective, and certainly ensures a clarity and authority you can’t get from the Internet message boards.

Our Class

So how was the class itself?

Intense and intensive.

Two 10-hour days is a long time for your butt to be in a chair. Furthermore, we lost an hour due to Daylight Saving time starting, so by day 2, everyone was feeling a little run down. But class was never boring, never inattentive. In fact, I don’t think I’ve taken notes like this since college.

BTW, quick shout out to Circus Ponies for their NoteBook for Mac app. I’ve long wanted a good note-taking app, but for one reason or other never got around to finding one (or writing my own). I knew my traditional approaches were fine for my normal daily workflow, but for something this intensive well… Saturday morning before class started I went looking, found Circus Ponies’ app (which I had heard of before but never looked at beyond smiling at the fun company name), download, install, quick tutorial, then off and running. It was a smart move and tremendously helpful in my note-taking efforts. I’m going to continue my 30-day free trial, using NoteBook in my daily workflow instead of what I’ve done for the past 20 years, and see how it pans out. I’m optimistic! But I digress.

The class was logically presented, with each topic building upon the ones before it. Yes, if you’ve been around long enough, read enough, taken enough courses, you are going to be hearing things you’ve heard before. But now, maybe you’re hearing it correctly, or maybe the simple repetition is good for memory retention. This isn’t to say the class is just rehashed stuff; far from it. There’s a great deal of new and valuable information too.

The Power of Language

For me, one of the more interesting aspects was insight into the way the courts can work. The way the lawyers can work. Mas made a point that often a lawyer is going to make more use of Webster’s dictionary than Black’s Law dictionary. Here’s an example.

“I’m sorry.”

When you heard (read) those words, what impression did they leave upon you? Likely the impression that the person who spoke those words is sad… and regretful. Penitence. There’s implication of guilt.

But is that always the case?

What if you didn’t hear someone (loud room)? You might say “I’m sorry?” in an effort to get them to repeat themselves.

What if a friend’s mother just lost her battle with cancer. You might say to your friend, “I’m sorry.”  This is an expression of sympathy, not of guilt.

In each of these, it’s the same words uttered each time, but the intent and meaning behind those words is vastly different! Consider the impression some may take when they hear those words: “I’m sorry”. If you stand up in front of the court and say “I’m sorry”, could that be perceived as confession of a crime? or through some deft use of Webster’s dictionary, a prosecutor choosing to point out to the jury how the use of the words “I’m sorry” can mean penitence: a feeling of sadness because you did something wrong… wrong… like admission of guilt. Can you see how your words, that maybe were expressed out of sorrow, could be turned into an expression of guilt?

That was something from the course that really stood out to me. How yes, everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You’ve heard that phrase, but have you ever considered how your words may then be used against you, given the above example?

No, it’s not fair. But if you can have prior awareness, prior planning, prior knowledge — education! You can be prepared. Again, yet another time where people may not understand the value of a good education, until it’s too late.

Personal Take

All in all, I think the only downside to the weekend was a sore butt and stiff legs from sitting so much. 🙂 Oh, and I somewhat blew out my diet (two words: catered Skittles).  I learned a great deal. I have some thoughts on ways to improve my own planning, my own strategies, my own program. I even have a few things I wish to talk  over with Karl regarding KR Training. Regardless of those, I also have some thoughts on ways to improve myself as an instructor. If that’s what I walked away with, I have to think it was time well-spent.

Oh and my personal highlight of the weekend? I got to be Mas’ chauffeur. 🙂  It was fun to be able to speak with him on a more personal level, and personally experience what a down-to-earth and class-act he is. Yes, I made sure to take him to Rudy’s BBQ (nothing like their extra moist brisket!), and Mas… next time I’ll be sure to find a good BBQ joint that also serves Rolling Rock. 😉 Thank you so much for coming to Austin and sharing your knowledge with us.

2014-03-10 training log

/ hsoi

I hope I didn’t screw up my shoulder. *sigh*

Based upon Paul Carter’s LRB-365 and Base Building – dealing with ankle injury

  • Incline Press
    • 45 x 5
    • 45 x 5
    • 105 x 5
    • 125 x 4
    • 145 x 3
    • 175 x 2
    • 195 x 1
    • 155 x 13
    • 155 x 6
  • DB Bench Press
    • 55e x 10
    • 55e x 10
    • 55e x 10
    • 55e x 8
    • 55e x 7
  • Behind the Neck Press
    • 85 x 8
    • 85 x 8
    • 85 x 8
  • Seated DB Press
    • No
  • Triceps Pushdowns
    • 30 x 100

I want to get better and chin-/pull-ups. One common approach is frequency. So while I’ll more seriously work them on back days, I figured why not do a few each day, right?

So I get in, warm up some, then figure to hit the bar and work to crank out 3. 1 and 2 went fine, went for 3 and didn’t quite get it. And that may have been too much. I was a little warmed up, but probably not warm enough, and suddenly moving my 240# through the air may have been too much for my cold shoulder.

I lay down in the bench to start the empty-bar warm-up and something in my left shoulder screamed at me. Crap.

I’m not sure what I did, and it doesn’t give any symptoms of serious damage, but it does hurt. I was able to work through things for the most part. Heck, the 195 went up really easy. I did notice because of the shoulder pain I worked on getting REALLY tight and having a much better setup. It was a small thing, but I think it made the difference in that 195 feeling so light.

I thought BNP would be painful, but it went fine.

Then I grabbed DB’s for the seated press, lifted the DB’s to my shoulders to start, and immediately put them back down. There was a pain that said “don’t be stupid, stop”. *sigh*

I think it’s starting to tell me… that yeah, chin-/pull-ups are probably not in my future. Every time I try to work on them, something ends up being a problem with my shoulders. Always. It may happen slowly, it may happen quickly, but without fail any time I try working on them and this happens. I do think a great deal of it has to do with hand position and how it causes things to have to rotate, lateral stresses and so on; just given how it feels. I mentioned to someone the other day that I might go back to trying pull-ups with a towel — drape a towel over the bar, then you grip the ends of the towel and go. It’s wicked awesome to work on your grip and forearms, and it puts things in a mostly neutral position PLUS since the towel can move, it doesn’t necessarily force your body into a particular track or groove of movement. So that may wind up being the approach I consider, if I’m going to give -ups another try. If that doesn’t work well… I may continue to search for SOME sort of solution, but I may also just have to give up on them and accept that. Oh well, such is life.

Sunday Metal – Top Metal Albums 1990-2000 – #21 Yngwie J. Malmsteen

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

When Metal-Rules.com posted their Top 30 Metal Albums 1990-2000, I thought it’d make a fun list for Sunday Metal.

#21 – Yngwie J. Malmsteen – The Seventh Sign

“The Seventh Sign (live)”

My Great-Grandfather

/ hsoi

I never knew my great-grandfather, John M. Daub — simple matter of time and age differences. But I do recall as a young boy reading my baby book and seeing the family tree, and of course seeing “John M. Daub” stood out to me due to the name similarity (different middle names). I was always curious about him.

When I asked, Dad told me what he could. A little while ago a distant family relative was in Plymouth, Nebraska and took the following pictures at the community center.

Learned something new about my great-grandfather.

Here’s a close-up of the text on the left:

Quite a businessman! Quite handy too.

Here’s a close-up of the right:

I love it. He made gas pumps. Electrician. Made batteries. Opened a grocery store and meat market. Prided himself in a job well done and ensuring customer satisfaction. Which… was stuff he handed down to his son, and to his son, and then to me. And hopefully I’m doing the same for my sons.

This is neat for me on so many levels. 🙂

Great-grandpa? I never met you, but somehow I guess I’ve always known you.

 

 

 

2014-03-07 training log

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

Never good when you’re distracted.

Based upon Paul Carter’s LRB-365 and Base Building – dealing with ankle injury

  • Chins
    • BW x 2
    • BW x 2
    • BW x 1
    • BW x 1
    • BW x 1
  • BB Rows
    • 140 x 8
    • 140 x 8
    • 140 x 8
    • 140 x 8
    • 140 x 6
  • Shrugs
    • 165 x 20
    • 165 x 20
    • 165 x 20
    • 165 x 20
  • Chin-up grip Pulldowns
    • 125 x 10
    • 125 x 10
    • 125 x 10
    • 125 x 10
    • 125 x 9
  • Incline DB Curls
    • 20e x 10
    • 20e x 9
    • 20e x 6
  • BB curls
    • 20 x 50
  • 10 minutes elliptical

I’ve got stuff on my mind that’s consuming me, mentally and emotionally (and eventually it’ll spill into physically). So today was nothing but distraction. I’d try to not think about it, but it’s consuming so…. fail.

Just did what I could, but just didn’t feel like cranking through all the reps. Shit happens. This is one of those -10% days.

Unpossible

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

A Westlake High School student was robbed at gunpoint in the school’s parking lot Thursday [Feb. 27, 2014] afternoon, the school’s principal says. Principal John Carter says the student was not physically harmed. He says it happened at around 4:30 p.m. The student was approached by a man with a gun who took his cell phone and then fled the scene. The student immediately reported the incident to school officials, Carter says. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. Carter says as a precaution the school will have extra security staff in the parking lots on Friday.

Original story. (h/t Paul Martin)

But I thought guns weren’t allowed on school property. It’s a gun-free zone, right? Or does this mean that criminals don’t obey the law?

Westlake is the “rich folks” part of Austin. Crime never happens there, right? Well granted, it’s not I-35/Riverside (one of Austin’s crime hotspots), but folks — no where is immune. Not “the good parts of town”, not “in gun free zones”. This doesn’t mean everywhere is a battleground, just that you should not be lulled into thinking that there’s some impenetrable bubble around certain areas. Shit can happen, anywhere, to anyone.

Updated (2014-03-13): I work with folks who have kids that attend Westlake High School. The story is legit. Apparently some dude was combing the parking lot, breaking into cars. This student just happened to stumble upon dude, dude pulled a gun, demanded phone, bailed.

School just let out. Kids everywhere. And doing this? Yeah… just remember that if criminals had the same smarts, standards, and ethics as you, they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing in the first place.

M&P-19 ?

/ hsoi / 8 Comments

There are numerous handgun models/lines out there that have a “big gun” and a “small gun”. Look at the Springfield XD and XD-compact. Or the M&P and M&P compact. Or probably the easier way to describe it, the Glock 17 and the Glock 26.

This isn’t similar but different guns, like M&P vs. M&P Shield, or XDm vs. XD-S. This is about guns that are essentially the same, but a different size. I could put a full-size M&P magazine into a M&P compact and it works; might look funny, but it works. I can’t interchange a Shield mag with a full-sized M&P.

But for some reason, there’s a gap in many handgun lines. The easiest way to describe it?

Glock 19.

It’s almost “full-size”, but shaves off a little here and a little there. You can still get a full grip (no pinky dangle), but that little bit shaved off here and little bit shaved off there helps with concealment. A half-inch can make a difference.

Ron Larimer (WTBGU!) posted about this very thing.

Imagine a Glock 19 sized M&P carrying 15rds with a 4″ barrel an a fiber optic front sight (Ok maybe you want night sights). It would allow the shooter to get a full firing grip without the need for a pinky extension, a slightly longer sight radius than the M&P9c and a service length barrel.

I mentioned this gun to a marketing guy for Smith & Wesson at the SHOT show, but I think the only way to get it built is to prove there is interest in the platform.

If this is a firearm you would be interested in please leave a comment below as petition for Smith & Wesson. Lets get this built!

I won’t just comment on it, I’ll also write a whole post myself! Give something more to show up when the S&W folk Google about this. 🙂

Would I buy it? Yeah.

2014-03-05 training log

/ hsoi

The ankle feels better, but weird….

Based upon Paul Carter’s LRB-365 and Base Building – dealing with ankle injury

  • Squat
    • BW x 10
    • BW x 10
    • 45 x 5
    • 45 x 5
    • 95 x 5
    • 135 x 4
    • 165 x 3
    • 195 x 2
    • 225 x 1
    • 165 x 15
    • 165 x 8
  • Stiff Leg Deadlift
    • 165 x 8
    • 165 x 8
    • 165 x 8
  • One-Leg Split Squats
    • BW x 10
    • BW x 6
    • BW x 5
  • Leg Press
    • Sled x 15
    • Sled x 15
    • Sled x 15
    • Sled x 15
    • Sled x 15
  • Standing Calf Raises
    • 25 x 15
    • 25 x 15
    • 25 x 15
    • 25 x 12
  • 20 minutes on the elliptical

The next phase of the ankle rehab starts.

I’m shifting to follow the LRB protocols a little more (5,4,3,2,1+50%), but keeping the weight “light”. Or so I think it’s light. In my mind it’s light, but in reality I’ve lost a ton of strength. The ankle injury, the diet changing… hasn’t been good for strength. The 225 felt heavy. *sigh* Still, I’ll keep going up 10# per week until truly the single is a heavy single. The 165 for reps tho was pretty good for me. Around rep 10 my brain wanted to stop because things were starting to scream, but I didn’t stop. Just pressed on because brain wanted to stop, body wanted to stop, but I knew there was more in me. By rep 15 for sure I was failing because I almost didn’t stand back up… so yeah, that was kinda cool.

But boy, that took it out of me. The rest of the session was just killer…. the one-legged squats I could barely do. 🙂 I have to remind myself as well that I’m taking barely any rest between sets and exercises — maybe 60 seconds. So of course things are going to kick my ass more, compared to when I was taking 3-5 minutes between sets. I have to remember perspective, not pure numbers.

As for the ankle… it’s weird.

I do feel stronger, better, more stable. But it has taken on a strange popping. You know that feeling when a knuckle wants to pop/crack, but doesn’t? It’s some dull weird feeling that if you just got 20% further along it would actually pop and you’d feel relief? It’s that feeling…. and it’s uncomfortable because it doesn’t pop. Plus, it’s happening in that area between where the bottom of the shin bones come in contact with the top of the foot bones — that pocket. That’s a novel sensation, kinda weird feeling. But yeah, the ankle “pops” now. Not sure what to make of that. Furthermore, the Achilles tendon feels inflamed. I think part of my problem? The elliptical. But I’m torn there. I’m actually enjoying it… because I can use that 20 minutes for something else in life… reading a book, listening to a podcast, or just clearing my head for 20 minutes. I kinda like that.

Anyways, chugging along.

Avoiding tragedy

/ hsoi / 4 Comments

Ronald Westbrook, the Alzheimer’s patient, got out of his house during the night of Nov. 27. He appeared hours later at the home of Joe Hendrix, knocked repeatedly on the door and tried the bell, apparently being in a state of confusion. The homeowner, Joe Hendrix, 35, armed himself, went outside, and confronted Westbrook. Eventually, Hendrix shot Westbrook, 72, several times, which proved fatal. According to Hendrix, the elderly man was carrying an object and did not obey his commands.

Full story. (h/t Claude Werner)

By all accounts, Mr. Hendrix acted in a reasonable manner – in terms of the law. However, from outsiders looking in, they will not view what Mr. Hendrix did as reasonable. As Claude states:

While Mr. Hendrix will not face criminal charges, there is no doubt that he will still have issues to deal with for the rest of his life. Assuming he is a moral person, no doubt the outcome of the confrontation will haunt him as long as he lives. He will most likely always be known in his community as “the guy who killed that poor old man.” In some cases, there are aftereffects in family life, as well.

This is why it is important to receive self-defense training, and why that training needs to be more than just about equipment and skills. So fine, you can shoot a gun, so fine you can throw a punch, but if that’s all you know how to do, chances are that’s how you are going to respond. Tactics and mindset are often more important.

Case in point. KR Training alum and Assistant Instructor, Dave Reichek attended the 2014 Polite Society conference. At the conference, Dave participated in a Force-on-Force training scenario. Here’s Dave’s write up, and here’s a video of Dave’s session.

As well, TLG posted about it, and it’s a post where reading the comments is actually a good thing. Please, read Dave’s write up, watch the video, and read TLG’s posting too.

Look at the results of how many participants responded. Look at how Dave responded.

I can’t say what I would have done. With the benefit of arm-chairing this, the best I can think of is my initial reaction would have been to respond with “I cannot help you, but I will call the police”, then make myself scarce and dial 911 (i.e. “maxim of beer & tv“, not my problem, need to get home alive to take care of my family, etc.). But who knows if I would have actually done that, given how the scenario itself would have actually played out.

Folks….

Just because you have a Y chromosome doesn’t mean you know how “take care of things”. Just because you know how to shoot a gun, or because you have martial arts training, or took a “self defense course” one day at “the Y” doesn’t mean a whole lot. Yes it’s a good start, but you need to keep going.

As a society, we put so much weight and emphasis on the importance of getting a good education. We understand how knowledge empowers, and the more you know, the more you can do, the better off you’ll be in all areas of life. So why is it folks don’t apply this same value of knowledge to the area of taking care of yourself? Why is ignorance an acceptable trait? (which also spills into folks that attempt to lobby for or make policy/laws based on this same ignorance, but that’s another discussion).

Do not fear force-on-force training. As you saw in Dave’s video, there was nothing physical. It was very mental, it was exhausting, it’s intimidating. But you better believe everyone that goes through FoF gets humbled and walks out far better for the experience. That is the nature of it.

And hopefully, when you have this sort of knowledge, it can help you make better decisions and avoid potential tragedy.