Personal Defense

To Shoot or Drive | When is Lethal Force Justified?

There’s been a few videos circulating around the internet containing individuals, often with their families with them, attacked by armed personnel while in their vehicles. Such as the following video.

I’m not sure as to why this has become a “trend” among criminals, but I could only think that they decide to attack the innocent at this time due to the fact it’s the least expected place one could think of being attacked. Possibly, it’s due to the adversary thinking they have an advantage due to being able to maneuver while the targeted individual is confined to such a small space. Nonetheless, I thought I would write an article that will hopefully spark a few minds in case you find yourself defending from a vehicle. There is no such thing as, “I will never have to” ….when it comes to a gunfight.

Luckily, I’ve never been in this scenario in a real life or death situation! Before deploying to Iraq as a private military contractor, one of our blocks of instruction did include teaching us to fight and defend from a vehicle. The primary response to an attack while in a vehicle should be to drive through the contact. Nothing sucks more than being pinned down in a confined space with limited maneuverability. If the primary cannot be accomplished, the secondary response would be to simply fight.

I’m sure we’ve all seen the movies where an individual who is pinned down by gunfire while in a vehicle, takes cover behind the vehicle or door with their body pressed against it. I would advise against hugging against the vehicle. For anyone who has taken a CQB course or has been in a gunfight in a building or room, it’s advised not to hug the walls as rounds tend to travel with the wall – the same goes for vehicles. There is also the risk of not only catching the immediate shrapnel, but the risk of catching a ricochet. Below are a few steps you can take to increase your survivability if you ever find yourself needing to fight from a vehicle.

Try to push through the contact — BREAK CONTACT!
If all else fails and you must return fire, as in any firefight, gain fire superiority. This may start from within the vehicle. Shooting through the windshield or side window may end the fight without you exiting. NOTE: Shooting through the windshield from within the vehicle, expect the first round to go high. This is what I call, “the sacrificial round”. Once a hole is punched through the windshield, continue to shoot through the hole and put rounds on target.
If you must exit, BE AWARE OF YOUR SEAT-BELT! Don’t get your arm wrapped in the seat belt and have it yank you back in.
Once you have exited, do not hunker down behind the vehicle. It not only limits your situation awareness, but it may lead to you catching a ricochet.
DO NOT EVER DO THIS:

*Featured image courtesy of gunfighteru.com

Skallywag Tactical Dagger

Everyone has that one item that they have had their eye on for a long time but for some reason never pulled the trigger. For me it was the Skallywag Tactical Dagger that tickled my fancy so when I got an opportunity to snag one up from the guys over there I jumped on it.

The dagger is one solid piece of 440C Stainless steel and measures 7.8 inches in total with a max thickness of ¼ of an inch. The larger ring on top allows for a solid grip during a fight diminishing the possibility of losing your weapon. The dagger itself is lightweight but has a nice sturdy feel to it when it is in your hand and gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling. The only thing that makes this weapon better than the sleek look and sturdy construction is the pinpoint tip.

The mounting options are one of the biggest pluses of this weapon. Skallywag Tactical includes a kydex sheath with the dagger and offers a slew of carry options including IWB hooks (pictured below), a TEK-LOK that can mount vertically or horizontally, and even a molle adapter. The IWB hooks can fit up to a 1.75 inch belt with a little effort, I carried it IWB for a little while but found it to be a little uncomfortable so I just reversed it and clipped it on the outside of my belt and it still maintained its extremely concealable profile. I ended up using it as my tertiary weapon in my go bag loadout. I was able to clip it through on the outside of my HSGI Slimgrip belt through the two rows of molle and it held perfectly.

All in all the Skallywag Dagger is an excellent weapon for creating space between you and an advisory. Its versatility in the mounting aspect is unparalleled by others I have carried. It can truly fit the needs of any carry situation you find yourself in. the dagger is currently offered in black and FDE at a reasonable price of 155.00 directly from their website. Like I said in the beginning, this item has been on my wish list for a long time. If you are looking for a dagger for any of your setups, this needs to be at the top of your list.

Use promo code ‘LOADOUT’ for 30% off your order when shopping at Skallywag Tactical!

Author – Wes Nanny

So you want to learn Combatives?

Damian Ross is a lifelong martial artist, wrestler, bouncer, and fighter who studied under Carl Cestari who was a teacher of the William Fairbairn / Eric Sykes method of military combatives. This system of combatives was developed prior to World War II for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) which was the predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The instructors for the military and agents of these American agencies needed a fast and easy to learn, yet highly effective fighting system, so Defendu was born. Furthermore, this combatives system was taught to the Shanghai Police Department and used daily by its police officers.

I have personally studied this system for the past five years and have taught its concepts to law enforcement, security personnel, as well as civilians. I find it to be highly effective. I believe in it so much that I have enrolled in the instructor certification program so I can officially teach it at my combatives academy.

It is NOT martial arts! I love martial arts. I believe that Damian Ross loves martial arts (he has black belts in several martial arts systems) but martial arts do not prepare you for modern-day fighting.

From the Self Defense Company’s website:

“The Self Defense Training System (SDTS) is a train at home program that uses a method called COMBAT CONDITIONING to hardwire CORE COMBAT SKILLS into your system that will just KICK IN when you need them most…even if you haven’t practiced in years.

We have seen new members’ self defense skills increase exponentially in 30 days or less regardless of your age, size, man or woman. Just follow the step by step instructions and let the system to the rest.

Created by Instructor Damian Ross, the SDTS has over 400 lessons and drills on demand from any device. The program uses active resistance, physical training and mental visualization or mind-setting to accelerate your training and give you the results you want, faster than you could ever imagine.”

This is a very reasonably priced system that you can learn from a certified instructor or you can learn at home with a training partner or even by yourself! If you want to learn a no bull-shit system of fighting here it is…go to my www.myselfdefensetraining.com for more information.

Featured photo courtesy of africom.mil

Fox Knives Folding Karambit | A Favorite Among Overseas Contractors

The Karambit design is an extremely effective design when used for personal defense. The curved blade will slice right through clothing and flesh with very little effort. It is not designed to stab and will not reach vital organs, but it will inflict enough damage on any threat allowing you to pop smoke and get the hell off the X.

Although there are practitioners who have spent years honing the art of the karambit blade, you don’t have to be an edged weapons expert to employ this blade in time of need. The shere fact that when you deploy the blade, it’s in the reverse grip, allowing you to use as if you were throwing punches in a street fight. Boxing is as basic as you can get when it comes to fighting. There are no complicated or fancy movements as seen in other martial arts. The fact that you can throw punches while having a karambit clenched in your fist is a force multiplier in any street fight.

Fox Knives of Italy makes a folding karambit that incorporates the Emerson Wave opening feature. With the wave opening feature you are able to have the blade deploy as you pull the knife from your pocket allowing you to strike fast with violence of action.

The Fox Knives Karambit deploys faster than most automatics and with a blade length of 3″, you’re going to be able to be legal in most jurisdictions. If you don’t want the ring of the karambit showing at the top of your pocket, then simply drop the knife inside your pocket. As you reach into your pocket and pull the knife out it will still catch the wave feature and deploy as it normally would. That gives you the capability of having a 3″ folding knife totally concealed.

SOFREP writer Kurt T. carries the Fox Knives Karambit when he is contracting overseas.

SOFREP Editor-In-Chief and Journalist Jack Murphy also carries the Fox Knives Karambit as his EDC blade. He carries the Fox Knives Karambit when he travels to Iraq for reporting trips. Towards the end of the video he shows the karambit he personally carries.

*Featured image courtesy of Fox Cutlery

Surefire P2X Fury High Lumen Flashlight

One of the easiest to carry non-lethal weapons is the flashlight. Not just a cheap off brand flashlight, but a high lumen light capable of temporarily blinding someone. We have covered several flashlights here on the Loadout Room and discussed the importance of carrying a light as part of your EDC. When it comes to high lumen flashlights, Surefire is at the top of the food chain.

A huge benefit of an EDC light is that it can be carried just about anywhere including airports and aboard airlines. Granted it may not be as effective as a firearm or blade, it can still buy you some time to either run or subdue the threat.

I personally always have a flashlight on me in the event I’m at a venue where the power goes out, or I need to temporarily blind a bad guy to buy myself and family a few valuable seconds to get off the X. If you find yourself in a close encounter you can also use the light as an impact weapon, especially if it has a serrated bezel. The light we are going to take a look at today is the Surefire P2X Fury. There are several models depending on what feature/s you’re looking for. Generally speaking if I am going to carry a light I don’t want one with multiple modes. I want to be able to depress the tailcap and hit the threat with the maximum amount of light. The Surefire Fury offers a version that is a single output 500 lumen LED. Check out the following video to see the various models offered from Surefire.

(featured image courtesy of surefire.com)

The Karambit: Why Are These Southeast Asian Combat Knives Still Popular After So Long?

How many martial arts fads have you seen come and go?

Whether it’s weapons, gadgets and tools or entire fighting systems, it’s rare that a fad will catch on and stick around for more than a few years.

So when one does, it’s worth taking note.

The karambit combat knives from Southeast Asia have the potential to be included in that elite group.

Brief History of the Karambit, Southeast Asia’s Popular Combat Knives

Over the past 4,000 years, mankind has effected thousands of variations in the design of swords, combat knives and impact weapons. The major influences in their evolutionary path are related to three triggers.

The most profound one has been the discovery of new materials or the ability to process old materials into a more usable form. Human beings progressed from sharp sticks to stones, then to copper, bronze, iron and steel implements. Each discovery caused a major leap in weapon design and tactics.

The second trigger has been the clash of cultures. Every time there was a physical shift of cultures — whether because of famine, natural disaster or invasion — an opportunity to learn from the successes and failures of the enemy ensued. Inevitably, each side would adapt, modify or copy the weapons and applications that appealed to its people.

The third trigger has been invention and innovation. Whenever there was an advance in armor, weapon design or tactics, the development of the key needed to defeat it inevitably followed. Those that didn’t evolve quickly enough faded into obscurity or died off.

Read more – blackbeltmag.com

(Featured image courtesy of emersonknives.com)