First of all, I have to admit that I am partial to axes and hatchets. It might be the Nordic Viking blood running through my veins, but I have always loved axes and hatchets. I started splitting wood using an axe at about 10 years of age and loved doing it. The Cold Steel War […]
Combat
The benefits and detriments of ringed knives
Knives are excellent backup weapons if you’re carrying a pistol. They also make good primary weapons for an everyday carry if you are unable to carry a pistol. Often when traveling abroad, I have found it exponentially easier to obtain a good knife than a reliable (or affordable) pistol. They are usually cheaper and easier […]
When point shooting in CQB is good to go
For every shooter there is a certain range that they reach their limit of proficiency at, of course this is not a constant but changes with time and practice; as skill improves, so does the distance. This point of proficiency is the furthest distance the shooter can effectively engage point targets with an almost constant […]
How to “slice the pie” for beginners
There are several different schools of thought out there for CQB (close quarters battle) tactics. The one thing that will remain constant, provided technology doesn’t find a way around it, is the act of slicing the pie. This is a term used to round corners or objects that obstruct the shooters field of view while […]
How to simultaneously walk and shoot like a pro
Walking and shooting is an incredibly simple task that is often made unnecessarily complicated by instructors and the general shooting community. For instructional purposes, this article will be targeting beginners — but you paper-slayers out there might learn a thing or two as well. There is a great deal of practical uses for shooting while on the […]
How to breach a door using a shotgun
Utilizing a shotgun to defeat a door in CQB is a technique that is not only efficient but also relatively cost-effective in terms of specialized equipment. Really it requires very little other than a shotgun and the correct ammunition. The shotgun itself should be a tertiary weapon to the breacher’s sidearm and primary weapon in […]
Proficiency in combat: Getting good at the basics
You’ve seen it before time and time again — the YouTube videos of foreign Special Operations members drawing their weapons in non-traditional ways lightning fast, engaging two targets with rapid headshots from the hip, transitioning to a knife, stabbing another target in the chest. Well, you’ve probably seen some version of this — you know the types […]
The Cooper color code and threat assessment
The Cooper color code system of awareness gives us a baseline to identify the psychological condition of a person dealing with a life threatening situation. Developed by Lt. Col Jeff Cooper, Marine Corps retired, the system includes four stages or colors that denote a person’s mental state during a dangerous event. The sequence of these […]
The Blackhawk STRIKE Medical Pouch – An IFAK for all
The Individual First Aid Kit, aka the IFAK, is a concept that exploded during the Global War on terror. No longer was Doc the only guy carrying trauma gear. Every Marine and Soldier is equipped with an IFAk and if their leadership isn’t a failure they’ll know how to use it. An IFAK is a […]
Asolo Fugitive GTX Boots: Combat Tested
I’ve tried several boots in the past few years and I always seem to get the same brands: Asolo, Lowa and La Sportiva. In the past 3 years though, I’ve worn the Asolo Fugitive GTX. The boots are tough, keep your feet dry and are comfortable even when you are carrying a heavy ruck. The […]