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We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Pat McNamara: Boost Accuracy With Long-Distance Bullseye Drills

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BROWSE BY BRAND

\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

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Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n

When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n

Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n

Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n

Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n

Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"

I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n

Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n

There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n

Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n

Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n

When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n

If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n

Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n

Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n

When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n

Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"

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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n

Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n

Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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VIDEO: Pat McNamara Was On the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast

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Pat McNamara: Boost Accuracy With Long-Distance Bullseye Drills

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BROWSE BY BRAND

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If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

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Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

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$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n
\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

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Thanksgiving has the reputation as the busiest travel day in America, be it in the air or on the road. For those of you who are driving, make sure you are tanked up and invest in a power station with a compressor and jumper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

\n[in_content post=\"191948\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving has the reputation as the busiest travel day in America, be it in the air or on the road. For those of you who are driving, make sure you are tanked up and invest in a power station with a compressor and jumper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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\n
Thanksgiving & Black Friday Holiday Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n[in_content post=\"191948\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n\n\n\n

Thanksgiving has the reputation as the busiest travel day in America, be it in the air or on the road. For those of you who are driving, make sure you are tanked up and invest in a power station with a compressor and jumper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n

Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n

We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n

When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n

Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n

Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n

Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n

Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"

I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n

Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n

There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n

Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n

Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n

When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n

If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n

Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n

Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n

When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n

Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"

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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n

Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n

Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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BROWSE BY BRAND

\n
$\"Holiday$
Photo by Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving & Black Friday Holiday Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"191948\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving has the reputation as the busiest travel day in America, be it in the air or on the road. For those of you who are driving, make sure you are tanked up and invest in a power station with a compressor and jumper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Whether stepping into the holiday season with excitement or trepidation, it is upon us. It's the time of year when most car accidents, DUI, and car break-ins occur. It goes without saying that taking holiday safety seriously is of the utmost importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Holiday$
Photo by Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving & Black Friday Holiday Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"191948\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving has the reputation as the busiest travel day in America, be it in the air or on the road. For those of you who are driving, make sure you are tanked up and invest in a power station with a compressor and jumper cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are flying, check in your gun if you\u2019ve got reciprocity in your destination state, aka, \"free America.\" If you haven\u2019t flown with your gun, you\u2019ll need a double-locked hard case (don\u2019t use TSA locks), declare it at the ticket counter, and hand-carry it to TSA. Scan the TSA website<\/a>. Chances are you will know their rules better than they do, so be prepared to absorb the ass-wound once buffoonery ensues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the day after Thanksgiving, don\u2019t get sucked into the shenanigans of Black Friday. It\u2019s not worth the heartburn. Shop online if you feel so inclined, but let the huddled masses looking to save a few bucks on a TV deal with the madness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If family members do get drawn into this rookie play, tell them to keep their wits about them. Don\u2019t get caught in Condition White<\/a>. Check your target fixation and stay visually aware. Parking lots are a good place for would-be scammers who wait for you to back into them. For the love of all that's holy, keep items you don't want stolen in the trunk or covered up. Smash-and-grabs are a common theme around the merry ol' holidays. If you lock eyes, even for a second, with a piece of dung waiting for you to let your guard down, you have taken away his ability to prey on you. A predator, just like in the wild, does not want to get caught. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving & Prepping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$\"first$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Don't overlook the roads when it comes to holiday safety. As you are driving the roads with all of the other experienced and well-trained drivers out there, stay vigilant. Drive the roads like you are playing chess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On those two-way 55s, make sure you\u2019ve got your seat belt on. Think of it this way: That car coming at you at 60-plus miles-per-hour, they have your life in their hands. That 17-year-old girl who\u2019s texting or that 70-year-old man who\u2019s been out day-drinking to escape the bane of his nagging wife decide whether you live or you die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in those parts of the U.S. where the weather gets bad, don\u2019t wait until a storm is forecast before you go and stock up and milk and bread. Milk and bread?! WTF?! We don\u2019t plan to fail, but we sometimes fail to plan. You should already have a generator, gasoline, water, first aid, light, food, fire, first aid, coffee, and booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cars in your driveway need a full tank of gas This should always be the case. And no, just because you live in the north does not mean you know how to drive in the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good citizens shouldn\u2019t be punished for being stupid enough not to be prepared prior to a crisis incident. Make sure you are not among the idiots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n[in_content post=\"190713\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\n\n\n\n
Concealed Carry Christmas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No doubt about it, Christmas always hits us smack in the face. It sneaks up quickly. This is where holiday safety really <\/em>needs to ramp up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no better feeling than to have all of your stupid gifts bought weeks prior. Poking around the mall with all of the other ill-prepped dads the day before Christmas is an indicator that your planning skills suck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are a trained gun handler, you should be carrying. You should also have your CCW permit. It is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve; to protect yourself and your loved ones and to serve your community as a responsible and trained gun handler. You need to be your own first responder. You should also have performed a few dry fire reps, seeing how you are likely wearing a couple of extra layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dodge a DUI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There's no shortage of alcohol during the holidays and there's especially no shortage of cops who are looking to throw drunk drivers in jail. Do yourself and everyone on the road a favor and hire a ride service or stay the hell where you are if you end up drinking too much. The last place you'll want to be in the New Year is in a jail cell or a courtroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the contrary, if you suspect someone on the road is drinking, call that in. If someone gets too drunk at your holiday party, either call them a cab or have them crash on your sofa. You may save more than just one life in doing so.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The 'No Snowflake' Guide to Holiday Safety","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-11-10 13:55:54","post_modified_gmt":"2023-11-10 18:55:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2017\/11\/17\/pat-mac-holiday-safety-guide\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2062,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2021-03-26 06:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-03-26 10:00:00","post_content":"\n
We sometimes neglect working on the fundamentals. These are the core skills around which everything rotates. It\u2019s sometimes necessary to lie flat on your belly and work on your basic rifle marksmanship (BRM). Practice building a position to achieve a natural point of aim. Understand that without a natural point of aim, there is muscular input, and where there is muscular input, the weapon will move when fired. This will have an adverse effect on your desired point of impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
I like to define \u201cnatural point of aim\u201d as being comfortably on target with zero muscular input. When prone and building a natural point of aim, I like to leave my support hand off of the rifle initially so that I can breathe in and out and watch my sights fall and rise in a straight line. This also allows me to check that my sights fall directly into the center of the target during my respiratory pause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basic Training for Rifle Marksmanship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic rifle marksmanship can be mundane, but we must have an acute understanding of the fundamentals in order to advance in our overall marksmanship. BRM allows us to exercise introspection and objective self-critique. It helps us to build skills into our hard drive that we can access on a subconscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you practice BRM, you appreciate external ballistics and the effects that wind, temperature, humidity and angle have on desired impact. And you develop an understanding that this differs from one round to another depending on the make, grain, caliber and type of projectile. In fact, you should practice by firing one single shot at a time. This forces you to concentrate on the fundamentals, which should be engraved into your hard drive because, as tactical gun handlers<\/a>, we must be able to perform these basic skills intuitively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BRM Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are certain facets that must be felt and performed on a subconscious level, including loading, pre-combat checks, safety manipulations, building a position, achieving a natural point of aim, sight alignment, trigger control, feeling the metal-on-metal imperfections in the trigger group, calling your shot, seeing how far the sight rises, seeing where the sights settle, following through, realigning the sights and resetting the trigger. These must be practiced in slow motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We want to perform certain tasks at a subconscious level because we humans are not multi-taskers. We can task switch, or task stack, or perform certain tasks intuitively barring that we have performed the appropriate amount of meaningful repetitions. Also, we must have a firm understanding of minute of angle (MOA) and our rifles\u2019 inherent accuracy. We must know how our sights adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BRM allows you to establish a tempo or demeanor. It also allows you to zero your carbine. You can\u2019t zero a gun if you can\u2019t create groups. And you can\u2019t do that until you abide by the fundamentals of marksmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Rifle Marksmanship Curriculum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once zeroed, I typically \u201cstoryboard\u201d a target. I shoot all of my groups using a center-mass hold. With one group, I will purposefully break my cheekweld to force a parallax. With another, I\u2019ll cant the rifle a full 90 degrees, and with the last, I\u2019ll rest my barrel on a hard surface. The results are pretty telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Basic$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
More recently, I started to reincorporate \u201ccalling your shot\u201d drills, as the photo above depicts. Knowing where the sights are when the hammer falls is not only good marksmanship training but a liability concern and a tactical necessity. We must know whether the shot is good or not before the rounds impact the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should perform this drill at a distance where you cannot see the impact of the round register on the paper target, say 50 to 100 yards. You should also reduce the amount of stability in your shooting platform to increase the \u201cwobble area.\u201d Consequently, shooting from prone is out. Use a standing position for this drill. You can\u2019t expect a great group, but that isn\u2019t the point. Instead, do you know where the shot landed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a marksmanship data book or a simple notebook with your target drawn in it. Break this target into quadrants. Fire five rounds. After each round, annotate on your drawn target where you believe that round hit your target. Then compare your notepad to the target downrange. Your notes and the actual target do not have to match up perfectly. For example, if you called two high, two low and one left, and your target\u2019s feedback mirrors your notes, you have succeeded in this drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Does It All Mean?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Groups on paper are telling. Each has a story. If you know what the story is saying, you are better equipped to correct yourself or someone else. Consistently tight, dime-sized groups say that you are abiding by the fundamentals. A group that drifts left to right, or vice versa, might indicate that your natural point of aim is off. A high or low group indicates that your rifle is recoiling too much because of your loose shooting position. Because of the recoil, you\u2019re probably moving too quickly at the tail end of the trigger pull, yielding some north-to-south stringing on paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A big group means you are too fast on the trigger. Keep in mind that trigger control is the king of all of the fundamentals. Two separate groups can be a result of breaking your cheekweld and reacquiring a different position in relation to the sights. When using an optic, your eyeball can be considered your rear sight. We want that eyeball, or rear sight, to be in the same spot every time to mitigate parallax. (All optics have parallax to some degree, even though the manufacturer might state otherwise.) Two separate groups might also be a result of canting the rifle. The rounds are going to fall in the direction of the cant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We shooters tend to be very good at practicing what we are good at. Embrace the suck and get back to the basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above story is from the February\/March 2020 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab digital or physical subscriptions at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","post_title":"Rifle Marksmanship: Pat Mac's Delta-Grade Drills to Tighten Your Groups","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"rifle-marksmanship-drills","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:14:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2021\/03\/26\/rifle-marksmanship-drills\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":92882,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-10-29 06:00:38","post_date_gmt":"2019-10-29 10:00:38","post_content":"\r\n\r\nYou aren\u2019t armed just because you have a gun. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental.\r\n\r\nI believe that most confrontations will be physical rather than lethal. Escalation of force must be considered in any confrontation. The first thing to consider is that the best way to get out of a bad situation is to not get there in the first place. Don\u2019t beg for attention and achieve separation if the situation dictates that you do not have to be there.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"111969\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
When to Draw Your Weapon<\/h2>\r\nIf a confrontation cannot be avoided, or if duty calls and dictates that you should be there for the good and protection of others, then size up the situation. If a would-be douchebag adversary has confronted you or someone who requires your professional assistance, stay \u201czone aware.\u201d Do not close on or stand chest to chest with the ass clown. You can never underestimate the makeup of a human being.\r\n\r\nA predator is looking for easy prey and an opportunity to strike. Stay out of his zone. This zone is a distance from where he can throw a haymaker or thrust with a blade. Don\u2019t back up, either. Instead, assume an \u201cinterview stance,\u201d as used by police officers. Talk in a disarming, non-aggressive posture with your hands open between you and the dickhead. Your arms should be close to your body. You are also slightly bladed, slightly athletic in your stance without appearing aggressive.\r\n\r\nAt some point in your disarming dialogue, take an obvious step to the left while adjusting your verbiage. This is nothing more than tactical deception. You are putting a bug in the aggressor\u2019s mind. He\u2019ll ask himself, \u201cWhat does this guy know, and do I want to find out what this guy knows?\u201d\r\n
Gain The Advantage<\/h4>\r\nYou see, a human predator is just like any predator in the wild. They need to take easy prey. If you appear to have the magic, this may dissuade him to look elsewhere for a target.\r\n\r\nThis same deception can be used during a lethal confrontation. If you are face to face with a potentially lethal opponent (\u201cpotentially\u201d only because he has not yet made a move), both of you are thinking about your next act. You are in a virtual chess match where a nanosecond can make the difference between life and death. Brain defaults will force you to make the first move, or react, based on actions presented to you.\r\n\r\nPolice officers work in a profession where deadly uncertainty and terrifying unpredictability are commonplace. They find themselves relying on split-second decisions to save there own lives and safeguard others. Most decisions, good or bad, are products of training. Many others are hard-drive-default mechanism reactions. These defaults are usually correct.\r\n
Interview Stance<\/h4>\r\nThe interview stance offers tactical deception. You are appearing non-aggressive but are still ready for spontaneous, non-telegraphic movement similar to that of a jungle cat. Next time you are in an interview situation and determine that the person in front of you is likely to act violently, move 12 inches laterally and watch the person\u2019s reaction. You are going to throw him off track. He will find himself outside of his comfort zone because you made a benign movement. This automatically gives you a physical and tactical advantage while placing him at a mental disadvantage.\r\n\r\nIf you are in a sparring match with a lethal opponent, a simple move laterally to your left or right will often throw your opponent off and allow you the valuable time you need to execute your plan, and yes, you should have a plan. And it should be one you have rehearsed many times.\r\n
Drawing Down<\/h4>\r\nAt what point is the threat apparent enough that you should draw your pisto<\/a>l? And if you are standing stationary when you draw, why do we call it a \u201ctactical draw stroke\u201d? If you are standing stationary, you are not using tactics.\r\n\r\nA tactical draw stroke is commonly taught step by step in accordance with draw stroke doctrine. This doctrine is normally slightly modified from instructor to instructor. There is no magic to it, and there is nothing tactical about it. Why don\u2019t we just call it what it is? It is a pistol draw. Adding \u201ctactical\u201d to an action or object adds sex appeal but doesn\u2019t change what it actually is.\r\n\r\nRemember, if you are drawing a pistol, it is because someone dangerous is directly in front of you. This bad guy is relying on your predictability and his defaults. His intentions are bad.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"116831\" alignment=\"align-right\" \/]\r\n
Bring Movement into the Draw<\/h4>\r\nSo here is my suggestion. Take a short lateral step to the left when you perform your tactical draw stroke. It won\u2019t slow your draw down or throw you off balance. But it will encourage the thought process\u2014your brain works more efficiently when you are moving\u2014and minimize your predictability. It will also temporarily throw off your adversary, which will increase your lethality. In a gunfight, temporary is an eternity. Being lethal is non-negotiable.\r\n\r\nWhy step to the left? It\u2019s estimated that about 93-percent of the adult population is right-handed. In addition, most people can\u2019t shoot. Most of them will jerk the trigger, which will lead them to hit low and left. But stepping right or left isn\u2019t the important part. What matters is movement. Mobility equals survivability.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve added movement into our draw stroke to eliminate predictability. We\u2019ve also increased our lethality, which assists in survivability. Now we can call it what it has become\u2014a tactical draw stroke.\r\n\r\nThis article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at <\/em>OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/strong> For digital editions, visit\u00a0<\/em>Amazon<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/10\/29\/pat-mcnamara-draw-your-weapon\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":3402,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-09-24 06:00:58","post_date_gmt":"2019-09-24 10:00:58","post_content":"
I had a job in Eastern Europe during the Cold War that, in a nutshell, consisted of emplacing spy networks for would-be double agents. It was in a spy hotbed\u2014high-speed \u201980s stuff in a low-tech \u201980s world. Practicing \u201cgood demeanor\u201d was a constant mantra. Good demeanor was flavor-of-the-day jargon, so we even had demeanor classes. This cracked me up a bit. When it comes to deportment, you\u2019ve either got it or you don\u2019t. Stevie Wonder could\u2019ve picked out some spec-ops knuckle dragger trying to pass as Eurotrash.<\/span><\/p>\n[in_content post=\"6835\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\n
Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Right Stuff<\/span><\/h4>\n
There are a lot of guides for kits to help you survive miles from anywhere, but how often do you end up miles from anywhere? What about the everyday, mundane situations where you constantly find yourself saying, \u201cIf only I had (fill in the blank)\"? You should consider packing an urban survival kit with things you\u2019ll need wherever you go, including a pencil and notebook, scissors, tape, and a pocket knife or multi-tool.<\/span><\/p>\n
Whenever I fly, I check a bag. This allows me to pack a knife, a lighter, a multi-tool and other gear for the other side. A good pocket flashlight is another must. These days, an LED model is the way to go. They\u2019re tiny, can be gripped in the mouth for a hands-free job, and are amazingly bright and long-lasting.<\/p>\n
Super glue, duct tape and paracord are worth their weight in gold when you need an item to stick to another thing. Band-Aids, antibacterial spray and antibiotic ointment and other medical supplies are necessary, too. But the most important part of the urban survival kit never goes inside a bag, because you can\u2019t pack knowledge. In order for these items to be of any use to you, you have to know how to use them. How much good will your paracord be if you can\u2019t tie a knot?<\/p>\n\n
Road Rules<\/span><\/h4>\n
When traveling alone or with your family, there are some basic rules to follow. First, heed your instincts. If a particular person, situation or location feels wrong or makes you nervous, get away as quickly as possible. It\u2019s far better to walk away, even if it seems overly cautious, than to stay in a situation that might become dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you feel like you\u2019re being followed, conduct a surveillance detection route (SDR). Use reflections in vending machines and bus-stop shelters. Stop to read a restaurant menu to dissuade a would-be tail. But don\u2019t get caught rubbernecking; turning abruptly may not just provoke a thug\u2014it might create one that wasn\u2019t there in the first place. Even in bad neighborhoods, most people are just ordinary folks trying to live their lives. They may have biases, but they\u2019re also just going about their business. Being polite and <\/span>respectful can get you a long way.<\/p>\n\n
Wrong Turn<\/h4>\n
Thugs typically go after those who look timid or lost. Try to appear calm and confident. Nothing places a bullseye on your back in a bad neighborhood like looking lost and confused. If you can, research the neighborhood before you enter it. Look at maps and pictures. Know where you\u2019re going and mentally map the streets well enough so that if you get lost, you can find your way out without having to look at a physical map or ask for directions. Knowing something as simple as \u201cIf I keep heading north on Murray Road, I\u2019ll hit Main Street\u201d may be enough. Even if you are lost, pretend you know where you\u2019re going.<\/span><\/p>\n
It\u2019s not good enough to look both directions before you cross the street. Look up and down, as well as left and right. Danger can strike from any direction. Don\u2019t be naive. Situational awareness<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking with someone, keep conversation flowing. Avoid topics that might indicate where you\u2019re going, where you\u2019re from or what kind of stuff you have. Also avoid stairs, elevators and parking garages altogether if you\u2019re getting a bad vibe from the neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with emergency exits in malls, restaurants and entertainment locations.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re walking toward a person or a group of people who are checking you out, try to walk in a different direction to avoid them altogether. But don\u2019t make it obvious. If you cross the street, for example, go into a store on that side so it seems that\u2019s why you crossed. Remember, you want to avoid dangerous situations, but you don\u2019t want to come off as paranoid or scared. At the very least, be alert so you can spot a potential confrontation early enough to cross the street without making it obvious that you\u2019re intimidated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Protect Your Space<\/span><\/h4>\n
Dress for survival success. Avoid wearing flip-flops, baggy pants, loose bling, headphones, techno-geek gadgets and constricting clothing while you\u2019re on your own and especially when you\u2019re with your family. Put your phone away. Don\u2019t text while you walk and, most importantly, pay attention. If you\u2019re digitally connected, you\u2019re disconnected from reality.<\/p>\n
When you check into a hotel, get two business cards or matchbooks with the hotel name and address on them. Place one by the phone in the room so you know where you are and keep the other on you when you leave so you know where to return to. If you get lost, you\u2019ll have the address and phone number handy. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than telling a cab driver to take you to the Marriott and they ask, \u201cWhich one?\u201d That could end up being a very expensive cab ride. Or, if you\u2019re in a country where you don\u2019t speak the language, you can simply show a taxi driver the matchbook to get back to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make your room unattractive to thieves. Give your space the appearance of being occupied. When you leave your room, always leave the television on. Place the \u201cDo not disturb\u201d sign on the door and know all of the alternate routes to and from your room.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t display your room key in public or even inside the hotel or at the swimming pool. Crooks have been known to walk by casually, observe the number if it\u2019s stamped on the key and make false charges in the hotel restaurant, bar or store using your room number.<\/p>\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n
Take a leaf out of the spy book and prepare yourself to survive on the streets in a foreign place, or even to make it through a survival situation in your own urban backyard. Pack your bags and walk the walk so you\u2019re not in the lurch with a target painted on your forehead.<\/p>\nThis article is from the June\/July 2019 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab physical and digital copies at OutdoorGroupStore.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong>","post_title":"Tradecraft: Pat Mac on Spy Knowledge and Not Becoming a Victim","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara","to_ping":"","pinged":"\nhttps:\/\/www.ballisticmag.com\/2018\/04\/02\/situational-awareness-pat-mcnamara\/","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:16:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/09\/24\/spy-tradecraft-pat-mcnamara\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":127806,"post_author":"645","post_date":"2019-08-09 06:00:32","post_date_gmt":"2019-08-09 10:00:32","post_content":"Amidst the serious news and body cam videos<\/a> and product reviews we bring you on a daily basis, we like to have fun in the Athlon Outdoors office. A recent example involved us coming up with a tactical nickname for everyone on staff; most of which are not repeatable in this forum.\n\nThis exercise evolved \u2014 or devolved, pending your point of view \u2014 out of a slow news day. But it ended with us laughing for about an hour straight. Then we thought, \"How can we get our readers involved in this?\"\n\nSo here you go. It's very simple. Your tactical first name is the first initial of your actual first name in real life. You tactical last name is your birth month. Follow along in the graphic above and figure out your tactical nickname. Share this with your friends and figure out who has the most ridiculous nickname. One of our editors ended up with \"Magnum McSendIt,\" which we figured is a firearms god who moonlights as a porn star in his spare time. Think yours is better? Let us know in the comment section below.\n\nAnd yes, before you ask, that is Pat McNamara<\/a>'s silhouette in the graphic. We couldn't help ourselves.","post_title":"CHART: Figure Out Your 'Official' Tactical Nickname","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 16:16:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/08\/09\/chart-figure-out-your-official-tactical-nickname\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":93502,"post_author":"861","post_date":"2019-07-05 06:19:27","post_date_gmt":"2019-07-05 10:19:27","post_content":"
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\r\n\r\nLots of scary stuff happens when the lights go out because darkness invites mischief and debauchery. We\u2019d all love to be creatures of the night, capable of stalking prey like a jungle cat. But for us humans, that simply won\u2019t happen. However, we can prepare for darkness. We can train during periods of limited visibility and carry items, such as a self-defense flashlight, on us that are battlefield multipliers. We can also prepare our gear and mindset to ensure that we are not victimized when shit goes bump in the night.\r\n\r\nTake your home, for instance. Are you prepared to illuminate a would-be douchebag who\u2019s got eyes on your wears? If something goes bump in the night, escalation of force must be considered. We can\u2019t go assaulting the objective all sua sponte. If you need to investigate, take your flashlight and leave your home\u2019s lights off. If there is an attacker in your lair, you want him to stay in the dark. You know your real estate and can navigate it in the dark. But we must have the capability of lighting that attacker up like a neon sign so we can identify him.\r\n\r\n[in_content post=\"117382\" alignment=\"align-left\" \/]\r\n
Self-Defense Flashlight <\/strong>Considerations<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen it comes to lumens \u2014 a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source \u2014 more is not always better. Sometimes enough is enough. Too much light can be a double- edged sword, especially indoors. The reflection off of walls and other surfaces can broadcast your position as well as your adversary\u2019s. As far as self-defense flashlight selection goes, there is a plethora to choose from. Both weapon-mounted lights and stand-alone flashlights are personal items. Whatever you choose must operate properly when needed, turn off when not needed and be intuitive in operation. It should not ever turn on accidentally. An accidental discharge of light can be detrimental to your longevity.\r\n\r\nToo often, I hear of folks who use a weapon-mounted light but no hand-held light. Suffice it to say that I don\u2019t think this is prudent. My first line of defense in darkness has always been my handheld light. Whether I am investigating an ally, walking my wife to her car, helping an old lady find her keys in a parking lot or signaling to someone, my handheld is ready to deploy and employ. I simply cannot do these things with a weapon-mounted light. So it\u2019s best to have both.\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to employing your handheld light, there is no right answer as to where you should hold it. Once again, this is a personal preference. There is much debate over this. Some say to hold it high in your support hand, opposite your firing hand. The reasoning behind this is that an adversary is most likely to shoot at your light. But this thinking cracks me up because over 90-percent of adult males are right-handed. And if they suck at shooting, those same guys will typically miss low and left. So, if they aim for a light that is high and left and miss, you\u2019ll get hit right in the face.\r\n\r\nI prefer to use my cheek as an index for my support hand while holding my flashlight<\/a>, sort of in a fighting stance, while firing with my strong hand. This of course requires practice. I am confident in my abilities to fire with just my hand, in succession, at distance.\r\n\r\nAnother hot topic of debate comes with sights. There are those who are adamant about fiber-optic sights and those who aren\u2019t. Once again, this is really a personal preference. Your sights have to work for you. I prefer tritium sights for my carry guns instead of fiber optics. A good set of night sights makes it easier to acquire a target during darkness or EENT (end evening nautical twilight). If there is a bit of ambient light, you may be able to discern and discriminate without the use of a white light. Although I love them on the range, fiber-optic sights do not work for me in the darkness.\r\n
Using Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWe\u2019ve all heard it before: \u201cNever crowd cover!\u201d But you must determine if you need to crowd your cover or not based on the situation, not on what some dude told you. Try this: Back up from cover in your home. Use your handheld light and illuminate through a doorway. Have someone stand in that room. Ask if they can identify you. Now crowd the cover, illuminate them and ask them the same question. Try this with your vehicle, especially if it\u2019s white. Backing up from cover and illuminating over the hood will light you up like a luminaria. There are times to crowd and there are times to defend from areas of defilade. You must make that determination based on the situation.\r\n\r\nBeing able to discriminate in the darkness is absolute. Nothing would be worse than taking down an \u201cintruder,\u201d only to find that they\u2019re victims of circumstance. This type of unfortunate situation has happened before and will continue to happen. I mean, what if your neighbor on an Ambien-induced sleepwalking trip stumbles into your home looking for a sandwich? Or a teen happens to walk into your home, mistakenly thinking it\u2019s his friend who actually lives next door? That's why every gun owner needs a self-defense flashlight. As responsible and trained gun handlers, we are not in the business of indiscriminate fire. We must be able to fire with impunity.\r\n
This article was originally published in Combat Handguns July\/August 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","post_title":"Pat Mac on How to Use a Self-Defense Flashlight With Your Firearm","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"using-a-self-defense-flashlight","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_modified_gmt":"2023-05-31 10:37:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.dev.athlonoutdoors.com\/2019\/07\/05\/using-a-self-defense-flashlight\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"jnews_block_23"};

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\nAnyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Tradecraft<\/h2>\n
Anyway, in order to blend in, one had to walk a line between truly not giving a shit and being completely switched on at the same time. And if you think a true spy walks around all nonchalant, unprepared for the worst, you\u2019ve been misled.<\/span><\/p>\n\n