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Edged Weapon

Training & Tactics
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Edged Weapon

 

 

I have been debating for a long time now if I would ever need to start carrying a knife or knives with my EDC. It was a fear of mine to carry a knife. Not because I may have to use it, but because I saw myself getting into a knife fight. I thought about it. I mean, I really thought about it. Pretty much everything I have seen which uses a knife is against someone else that uses a knife. I told myself, why would I every use a knife when I carry a gun. If I am beyond two arms reach, I will do “Shooting in Motion” from Combat Focus Shooting. Now when I am within one arms reach that might change the tactic I use.

I was too worried about getting in a knife fight with a knife fighter or with someone who trains a lot with knives. The likelihood of that happening is very low, but still possible. Now that problem is out of the way, I asked myself, why do I need to carry a knife? The more I talked with my brother Ian Strimbeck from Down Range Firearms Training and my distant uncle Alessandro Padovani from Safer Faster Defense, they made me realize how important it is for threats within one arms reach. It gives me an option if I have to defend myself with deadly force and cannot reach my firearm. Also, Alessandro has a training DVD called Safer Faster Knife Defense that can be found in the I.C.E. Training Store. I highly recommend this DVD.

 

I have been carrying a Sypderco Endura and Delica with a wave now for a few months. Ian showed me some fundamentals on reverse edge grip. With Alessandro’s DVD, I learned even more about knives and the employment of his methodology. Here’s the thing, the more I carry my knives, the more I realize I need more training with them. I tell people all the time, just because you buy a gun it does not mean you can use it efficiently.

After I had this revaluation, I finally bought the Syderco trainer copies of my knives . I was fortunate to find the Delica trainer with the wave, but could not with the Endura. As you can see from the different photos I have posted, I made wave in the Edura trainer. It only took about five minutes with a Dremel Tool. Alessandro told me it was pretty simple. So I knocked it out.

 

You will see me continuing my education with edged weapons to become more well rounded with attacks within one arms reach. Also plan to add the knife work I am comfortable with teaching in Close Quarters Defensive Concepts.

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10 Things Women Should Consider Before Purchasing A Firearm

Knesek Guns
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10 Things Women Should Consider Before Purchasing A Firearm

It’s a dangerous world, and more and more women are turning to firearms to protect themselves from things that go bump in the night. But if you’re a female looking to purchase your first handgun, what should you know before you enter the store? Here are ten things to keep in mind.

  1. How It Feels
    The very first thing to consider is the grip of the gun. Don’t worry yet about things like brand or price; the most important thing is that it feels right in your hand, that you can imagine yourself using it if you need to. Try several guns before making any decisions.
  2. Ease of Use
    If this is your first time owning a gun, you’ll probably want something small, simple and easy to fire. Resist the urge to buy beyond your skill level just because it sounds nice or looks like a good deal.
  3. The Time Commitment
    Like everything else in your home, a gun requires upkeep in the form of attention, maintenance, cleaning, et cetera. Before you drop money on a semi-automatic and then just stick it in your closet, make sure you’re appreciative to the commitment that owning a gun really is.
  4. Where You’ll Practice
    There’s more to firing a gun than pulling the trigger. Even if your goal is simple self-defense, you’ll want to become proficient enough with your chosen firearm that it isn’t a liability in case of emergencies. So where will you practice? Where’s the nearest range or hunting ground? How often will you be able to visit?
  5. The Cost of Ammunition
    Like guns themselves, bullets come in a variety of styles for a variety of uses, and some are more expensive than others. You may consider an expensive firearm a valuable investment, but will you be willing to spend the same amount on ammunition every time you run out? Before you buy a gun, figure out where its bullets will factor in your budget.
  6. Self-Defense Laws In Your State
    Gone are the days when self-defense was cut and dried. These days you can be punished alongside the criminal if the courts decide you were too quick on the draw! Before you entertain visions of yourself killing a burglar like in a Lifetime movie, research your local laws and make sure that your fantasy won’t end with you in handcuffs.
  7. Carrying vs. Storing
    Is your gun going in a holster or a bedside dresser? If it’s the latter, make sure you have locks and other deterrents in case your kids get curious. If it’s the former, make sure you aren’t buying a man’s holster, which can be uncomfortable and downright dangerous when paired with a woman’s natural curves.
  8. New Vs. Used
    New guns are shiny and exciting, but sometimes the pre-owned weapon can afford the most peace of mind. You already know they’re in good working condition and have been operated successfully in the past.
  9. Reliability in a Crisis
    Consider a scenario where you’d actually have to use your gun. Are you sweating? Panicked? Afraid? Keep these factors in mind when trying to decide, say, whether you want a 9mm or a .38, or whether you prefer a gun with an automatic safety.
  10. Permits
    One of the most important parts of buying a gun is one that most women don’t even consider until they enter the shop. Are you legally allowed to own it? No two states have the same gun laws. Some require a waiting period before you can take it home; others want a permit, or restrict the number of rounds allowed in a magazine. Before you even think about purchasing a firearm, make sure you take the proper steps to protect yourself from the law and intruders.

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Krinkov Grip & Stance Full Auto Video on Vimeo

Knesek Guns
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Here’s an ATAC TV video of Tom Clarke and Jim Fuller discussing proper grip and stance.

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Cautionary Tip For Shotgun Newbies

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As more freshman defensive shooters are discovering the extraordinary value and intimidation factor of the shotgun, I have noticed once again the proliferation of the “unstoppable pistolaro” complex. That infers that with little or no training, simply because you are carrying your concealed weapon or keep a firearm in the house, you will…when required become the Hollywood epitome of a virtual ballistic machine.

I cannot even recall how many times I’ve passed a weapon over to the new owner who had no understanding of it’s mechanical function, and / or because he or she fired a box at a stationary bullseye target once or twice a year, they were confident that they were prepared for any situation. I clearly recall the 30 something woman who purchased 2 SP-101s’. I, of course offered to spend range time for familiarization has she had never held nor fired a handgun before. Her answer was “when the time comes, I’ll know what to do”! Forget the fact that she could not even figure out how to open the cylinder. I & my fellow shop partners refused to allow her out of the shop without at least basic safety and form instruction. Your best hint is “gee, this is heavy”.

None-the-less, while at the range over the weekend, a newbie shotgun owner with his Mossberg 500 12ga pistol grip cruiser, sighted down the bead and touched-off a rnd of 3” 00 buck. Needless to say, we stabilized him until the EMTs’ arrived. His ignorance  and complete lack of even basic utilization resulted in a fractured orbital, detached retina and probable 50% vision in that eye for the rest of his life. ALWAYS work with a qualified instructor if you’re not 100% certain of every safety & operational aspect of a new firearm.

The experienced, qualified staff at KGI will always be happy to work with you.

Live & Learn,

Adrian J. Canton

 

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Presentation from the Holster

How To
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From all of the training I have done over the years, I have seen many ways of presenting or drawing your handgun from a holster.  They were all pretty much the same.  It was a choppy step by step method.  I never liked this to begin with.  The draws always seemed jerky and never seemed really smooth.  Some could say I was doing it wrong.  That wasn’t it.  Because of the motion required and so many reps to get down, it is difficult to have everything flow together.  It required stopping or having a designated spot for your weak hand to grip the gun.  I believe this method is an inferior method.

With the help of empirical evidence, we have seen time and time again that people who have trained with a designated spot for their hands to meet are shooting one handed.  Subconsciously they are realizing it is more important to get the gun out on the bad guy then stop to get a two handed grip. This is mainly seen with the Weaver Stance.

Combat Focus® Shooting’s method, which I am a certified active instructor, is the best method.  Here is the method.

1. Grip the gun and beat any retention devices
1. Grip the gun and beat any retention devices
2. Pull the gun straight up and out of holster
2. Pull the gun straight up and out of holster
3. Orient the gun to the threat
3. Orient the gun to the threat
4. Push the gun into and parallel with your line of sight and at some point as you are pushing the gun out, establish your grip with your weak hand
4. Push the gun into and parallel with your line of sight and at some point as you are pushing the gun out, establish your grip with your weak hand

This requires less time, effort, and energy to perform.  Starting out it will be a little jerky as you learn the new skill. Only after a few reps, people are able to smooth the presentation out.  This makes it the most efficient draw I have seen.  I am open to the idea of a better way.  If there is a better way, I want to see it and try it out.

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Refreshing Grandpa’s Hand-Me-Down – Part 2

How To
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Ok, allow me to lay this out for you. There are 4 levels of restoration/care:

  1. You wipe-off the dust bunnies every 10 years or so.
  2. You oil it & play with it whilst you watch “The Rifleman”.
  3. Shot on occasion, you run a rag through it and squirt in some oil.
  4. Reblued, new furniture, perfect mechanically & cosmetically.

Lets’ try something new. A museum grade restoration. Leave the metal alone except for full bore detail cleaning & lubricating. We are going to concentrate on the furniture…the wood. You should have the butt-stock & forward grip off. Remove the action bar and sleeve from the grip. Using a high-quality wood soap. & a soft brush…look in your shoeshine kit, scrub both woods. You don’t want to scrub the stories & memories away, just the years of accumulated filth.

Once everything is set straight, you have a choice. Do I leve the original finish?, do I give them a thin protective layer of shellac or (eek!) polyurethane. The answer is either the original finish is mostly there, or It’s a mess and needs a coating of some sort. Shellac is the coating of choice as it matches the original. If you can find it or a colony of Shellac beetles. I use 80 yr old shellac. You have to waterboard me to find out from where.

Brush it on thick, then wipe off with a lint free shop towel. If you want a glossy finish, carefully brush on and set aside for a couple of days. Keep in mind, that if you alter or refinish the action or use any wood finish beside shellac, you’ve just destroyed any collector value.

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H&K P2000 .40 S&W Review and Range Report

Knesek Guns
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Aesthetics:
The phrase, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, implies that everyone has their own idea of what they consider to be beautiful. In some cases, however, people’s interpretation of beauty is synchronous with one another. Enter the H&K P2000. Its looks stem from the original H&K USP, but appears slimmer and with smoother edges. Some will say that it looks like its other H&K brethren, and they’d be correct – to an extent. To one who knows their H&K’s, each and every pistol looks entirely unique and all have certain characteristics that make them stand out. The smooth lines and uniquely textured grip of the P2000 are some such characteristics.

H&K P2000
Pictured with Federal Hydra-Shok 165 grain ammo.
Ergonomics:
One thing that H&K constantly boasts about their pistols is reliability. And when measured against long term use, this quality is most applicable. However, in regards to everyday use, it is impossible not to notice this pistol’s ergonomics. Grasp it in your hand and it feels as though it were made for you. Like the company had a mold of your hand specifically, and only put the pistol into production when it fit the mold perfectly. To add to this are the interchangeable back straps that are included with the firearm (small, medium, large, extra large). My medium-sized hands had no problem with the stock back strap, and have yet felt the need to change. The grip customization isn’t quite as expansive as say the P30 with its ability to change the side panels of the grip, but with the P2000, there doesn’t seem to be a need. If it ain’t broke… The only thing I have changed is the magazine release. I do like that the magazine release is a lever as opposed to a button; it just feels more natural. However, it is a bit on the small side, so I went ahead and ordered an H&K 45c magazine release, which is a bit bigger, and swapped out the old one. From what I understand, this is a popular “upgrade”.
To the range:
One can fondle it all day long, but you can never begin to know a pistol until you take her out and send some ammunition down-range. On my first trip, I had a few different boxes with me. All 180 grain, I used CCI Blazer, Winchester Ranger, and some Reliant Ammo (more on this company in another review). All fed reliably and I’ve yet to notice any issues. Recoil is relatively pleasant, albeit snappy, but certainly manageable, and the pistol is definitely more accurate then I am.
Overall:
The H&K P2000 is a pleasure to shoot, own, and maintain. It is my first H&K and it has solidified my suspicions that I will be purchasing more (I’m looking at you Mr. 45C).

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UTAS UTS-15 Shotgun

Knesek Guns
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UTAS UTS-15 Shotgun

Shotguns are quickly becoming more and more modular and many common platforms like the Remington 870 Shotgun and Mossberg 500 series have a number of accessories available for them to change everything from the sight to the pump and pistol grip. Several new manufacturers are looking to bend the rules and develop something a bit different from the “norm” The initial response that the UTS-15 has varied greatly from person to person, but overall, it seems to be a favorable opinion from the folks that have gotten hands-on with the unit.

UTAS UTS-15
UTAS UTS-15

The dual magazine UTS-15 shotgun has a hefty pricetag, but has a number of standard features to justify the cost. Production is in full force and the guns are officially shipping to dealers. UTAS’ Director of U.S. Operations, Matt Guzeldere stated, “We’ve been working with UTAS Makine, Ltd. the Turkish company that developed the UTS-15, to set up American manufacturing for quite some time. It has been a difficult process that required building a lot of duplicate and expensive tooling, such as polymer injection molds. We have a license agreement, all of the tooling in place and have started producing parts. Of course we’ll be training personnel, running the first guns through product qualification tests and ramping up production”

The UTS-15 Tactical 12 gauge pump shotgun holds a patent, and is a full ground-up design utilizing fiber reinforced polymer for more than 85% of its parts and is the first such firearm to have the receiver molded completely from polymer. The UTS-15 is right at 28.5” in overall length and weighs only 6.9 lbs. With top-mounted alternately feeding magazines providing a total capacity of 15 rounds, the UTS-15 has truly broken new ground in tactical shotgun design. As standard features on the Military & Police Model and separately purchased accessories for civilians, there is a built in point-and-shoot impact centered, focused-beam LED spotlight, adjustable laser sight, flip-up large aperture peep or V rear sight, a glow-in-the-dark bead front sight and a screw in, breaching muzzle extension. You can read more about the UTS-15 here: http://www.knesekguns.com/commercial/UTAS-USA-451

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Beginner tips to pistol marksmanship

Knesek Guns
It’s important to develop strong fundamentals to properly use your handgun – the following tips are great for any beginner:
  1. Familiarize yourself with your handgun – Read your owner’s manual, learn about how it works, what ammo shoots best, as well as how to disassemble, reassemble and maintain it
  2. Control your grip and breath, providing a firm, stable shooting platform is essential. It’s important to have a well practiced gripping technique, you may choose one of the following:
    Palm Supported
    This commonly known as the “cup grip”. The strong hand grips the pistol as in a one handed grip, the off hand cups the strong hand while wrapping the fingers around the back of the strong hand and the thumb crosses the middle finger of the strong hand.

    Fist Grip
    Grip the weapon as in one handed. The non firing hand aligns its fingers with the firing hand and the thumb is laid alongside the firing thumb.

    Weaver grip
    Same as the Fist grip but the non firing thumb crosses and interlocks with the firing thumb.

  3. Squeeze the trigger slowly to the rear in a controlled motion. Don’t pull or jerk the trigger erratically.
  4. Learn to control your actions: reduce flinching. This may take time to control initially, but will become easier with practice.
  5. Take care of your firearms, clean them regularly and ensure that they are properly lubricated.
Print and use the following target to assist in developing your technique
US Army Marksmanship Training Unit Target
US Army Marksmanship Training Unit Target

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