New American Truth

It is quite entertaining at times to be in the company of those who know firearms. Everyone has an educated opinion and we type A personalities don’t tend to be tactful in how we represent our opinion. I’ve enjoyed listening to some truly great minds in the firearms field debate the pros and cons of the .45ACP versus the 9mm. In the past few years the debate has grown to include the .40S&W, the .357Sig and now the .45GAP. Being highly presumptuous and arrogant, I’m going to way in with my two cents worth on the pros and cons of the various calibers and loadings and offer my outlook on what I believe the best is.

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With Black Diversion Bags & Packs
by Ralph Mroz

Off-body carry of a handgun – usually in a bag of some sort – isn’t the best option in terms of preparedness — you give up some weapon security and access time.  But it is necessary on occasion.  Sometimes the only other option is to not have a gun handy at all, and in some parts of the world, it may give you the option to suddenly “lose” an incriminating item (this, of course, isn’t an issue for law enforcement personnel state-side, but it is relevant to other folks).  Similarly, covert long-gun carry is really only practical in an off-body bag, whether the weapon is broken down or intact.  Often times this is a necessity for the good guys in populated and/or hostile territory, such as Bogotá, Columbia or Cambridge, Massachusetts. Read the full story

by Ralph Mroz

If your objective when working or carrying off-duty is to remain below the radar, to show no indicators that you’re a cop or armed, then plain clothes is what you need.  I mean “plain” in the ordinary sense of the word.  The tactical “plain” clothes that have hit our industry like a storm over the last decade are not actually “plain” — rather, they are “professional”.  They aren’t a uniform, but in wearing them, the fact that you are either on the job or armed is hardly hidden.  They make excellent choices for detectives and other investigators, but they certainly “make” you. Read the full story

Reviewed by Ralph Mroz

First, did you know that Smith & Wesson has teamed up with technical clothing vendor Wild Things to make a line of clothing?  The new line is for both professionals that demand high performance outdoor apparel, and other people who carry guns that want stylish, functional concealed carry clothing.  Probably not – but you will.  Both companies are starting to roll out the new products as you read this. Read the full story

Reviewed by Ralph Mroz

5.11 has been making some off-body concealed carry bags the last couple years that meet my definition of “beyond discreet”; that is, they contain no MOLLE, do not look tactical, and are available in non-tactical colors.  In other words, they look completely innocent, blend in to any environment, and do not draw any attention to themselves.  These are the kind of invisible or “gray” packs that you want to carry your weapons and gear in if you have to carry off-body while off-duty or undercover, or even in many plain-clothes assignments (such as narcotics work). Read the full story

By Ralph Mroz

Note: most of the photographs in this article come from Armed Response, a book by David Kenik.  Armed Response is probably the most complete source of information for new defensive shooters—whether they are new to the gun or just new to the defensive aspects of the gun.

Most people get to the range now and then.  Weekly if you’re lucky and disciplined; many folks less often.  (For context, a trainer of a national-asset HRT team once told us that 200 rounds a day of practice was the minimum for that level, and 200 rounds a week the minimum for any operator at a lesser level.  Frankly, I thought he was being generous – I would have expected the numbers to be much larger.  I know of units where several thousand (handgun) rounds before lunch is common.)  Once at the range, most people tend to shoot the same routines – they have fallen into a rut.  Most practice is at 7 yards plus, and people tend to care a lot about nice, tight groups…and they practice all the little things that achieve them: sight focus, steady posture, two-handed shooting, deliberate shot release, and so on.

None of that is realistic. Read the full story

By Max Schulte

Have you ever considered having a custom kydex holster made to fit your pistol perfectly?  Allow me to let you know that it is worth the expense and the wait to look at Raven Concealment Systems.  I had been carrying my Glock 23 with Surefire X300 weapon light in what is basically a duty holster with a paddle attachment.  While this works fine, it is very hard to conceal without wearing very baggy button up shirts or jackets.  This had me looking for a holster that would offer good concealment off duty while allowing me to still carry my pistol with a light on the rail.  It took me a while but, I finally found what I needed from Raven Concealment Systems in their Phantom Light Compatible Holster. Read the full story