American Defense Enterprises

I like when the “what if’s” are put to the test.  The “what if” in this case is…

What if I am hit by a TASER?  How quickly can I get back into the action?

James Yeager found 3 volunteers and found out..

Video here.

Summary:  If I were a cop, I may NEVER release that power button

(Story found on TheFirearmBlog)

There was a sobering article in the LA Weekly this past week – view it HERE – which should be a reminder to everyone that crime, like other endeavors, looks for new customers where they congregate. In other words, they’ll come to you. Check out the article, then consider coming back and signing up for the knife class if you haven’t already. I’ll be there this Thursday.

Oh, that’s me. JK hesitantly gave me access to the ADE blog to add my .02 here and there. I’ve been a student for several months now and am thoroughly enjoying my time with the team. I wanted to help out with posting some relevant information that I run across from time to time and also share some perspective from the newcomer point of view.

Back when the Dead Sea was only Sick, I was working for a private investigation firm that mostly worked for the State of California and we also performed some bail recovery and car repossessions when work was slow. It was there I received some training, got my first handgun and learned how to shoot. Or so I thought until years later when I took my first course with ADE and realized I didn’t know anything practical and most of what I learned was ineffective at best. The training I received years ago didn’t prepare me for the experiences I would encounter, and I was smart enough to find a different career before things went pear shaped. I still went to the range periodically and it was there I met the ADE crew who promised me that regardless of experience, bad habits, poor hygiene, whathaveyou, that I would see noticeable improvements after one class or my money back.

They didn’t lie. And much like potato chips and tattoos, you really can’t stop at one, so I kept taking classes. In a short time I learned more effective, practical skills than in a lifetime of supposed training and personal endeavors. I also learned I enjoyed it a lot, and there is a remarkable yoga like calm that comes from the single minded focus you acquire from honing your abilities – something that was never achievable on my own or from previous improper instruction. Seeing as you can’t yoga your way out of a carjacking, I hope that my posts here inspire others to get involved and take charge of their responsibility to stay safe, be aware, and be prepared.

As our economic situation circles the drain, and unemployment rises, it’s a simple fact that crime will escalate. Hopefully it will never happen to you, but as your chances increase, you may consider buying a gun, or dusting one off you inherited from your crazy uncle. In any case, you owe it to yourself and those around you to know what you’re doing if you pick one up, and in 20 years of gun ownership I can assure you there is no better place to learn than ADE. Email me if you still have doubts and I’ll be happy to respond. I don’t get paid for this, I just want to help and I’ll be glad to share my student point of view with anyone who is considering taking a class and is unsure for whatever reason.

It’s nice to be here. See you around on the blog, and better yet, the range!

In response to a recent internet discussion regarding the manageability of a shotgun, I was reading the large number of comments about the shotgun being too unwieldy to be effective in home defense.  This is easy to test at ADE .

So, we hijacked a student during today’s class and at the break and threw a
shotgun at him.

The student is not big (~5′8″, 130-140lbs) and had no experience with
rifles or shotguns.  He got 5 minutes of training on safety,
operation and general technique and let him run the course.  His
practice consisted of 2-3 dry operations of the shotgun so he would
understand the mechanisms.

The course was one close (4′) and one slightly distant (10′) opponent.
He performed this course, twice each, with a pistol and a shotgun.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTZvhcYj-ek

Summary:
- 12 gauge recoil 00 Buck on winchester low recoil law enforcement ammunition is manageable even by those that have never shot a shotgun before.  He didn’t drop the shotgun.  it didn’t jump wildly about.

- acceptable accuracy with a rifle/shotgun is much easier to accomplish than with a handgun.  Even his point shooting was dead on.
In contrast, his pistol shots were in both in the lung on the distant target.  I would not bet that these pistol shots would instantly take
down an opponent and this is from a person that has trained  ~5 hours with a pistol. With 5 minutes instruction he shot it as I would in a
close contact situation and was dead on.  His 1st run though the course was low on the distal target and dead on in the 2nd run.

- the big downside seems to be the pumping mechanism.  I considered him to be slow in operating the shotgun.  With 30′ of
practice we could get him pumping with the recoil and his speed would probably be similar to his handgun work with more lethal results.

- This exercise really reaffirmed that the pistol really is a remarkably difficult to master weapon.  With 5 hours of training, he
was somewhat lethal with a pistol —  I tried to build up the stress during the exercise, his pistol shots were drifting as a
result.  If you believe in shot placement, I would not want to rely on this skill level under the stress of a “real” engagement if you needed to stop somebody now.  In
contrast, the shotgun was dependably operated (although slightly slowly) with this level of stress and SIGNIFICANTLY less training.

All for what it’s worth for 1 test case example… But, it was fun to test.

This Orlando Sentinel has a very scary story on the current state of commercially available ammunition.  The short summary, most stores are having a very difficult time getting their orders filled for ammunition.  Not excess sized orders, but, even their routine level orders.  Apparently stockpiling is a new hobby…..

We did already mention Obama is firearms salesman of the year…  Here is yet another story about the incredible level of firearms sales…

 San has been doing phenomenal custom action work for some time.  Turns out he has other skills as well… He is also an AMAZING wood worker!

Check out these custom grips.

As seen in this NRA-ILA announcement:

You all REALLY should take a look at that projectano website…  It borders on crazy..

If you look closer… they are upset about AIR RIFLE and AIR PISTOL training!!!!  WTF?  Is marksmanship REALLY that henious?  I can think of few things that teach patients, discipline, responsibility and provide rapid positive feedback as well as AIR target shooting.

Is it really evil?  The history of air rifle/pistol is summed up well by this quote (from http://www.pilkguns.com/aphp/comphis.htm):

“Without a doubt, we owe the modern air pistol’s early development to postwar Germany. After Allied sanctions were put in place, restricting the manufacture and ownership of most forms of rifles and pistols, German engineers turned their attention to one area of firearms design that was not so restricted – air guns. In Europe, the shooting club was, and still is today a very interesting social scene reminiscent of a cross between country club & local pub. It is not unfamiliar to have a beer with your friends in the clubhouse after an informal match on the range. People longed for a return to the serious fun of local rifle and pistol matches, and many excellent arms designers set to work on delivering air guns that had accuracy and affordability for the populous.”

Even in Europe its a supported sport..  Wow.

Story here.

Summary: all gun owners must have a license.  penalties harsh if you dont get a license or dont register.  penalties are harsh if you transfer a firearm without using an approved dealer.  Thankfully, the bill did not find a cosponsor and has been shoved back into committee.  Story also includes a history of Holt (the bill’s namesake)

This will be fun to watch.  G_____ can be our representative in the satellite march.  I liked this Q&A in the FAQ:

Will people be carrying guns?

Because it is the right of all people to keep and bear arms, we fully
support the peaceful carrying of firearms where allowed by law. However,
because Washington DC’s overly oppressive laws prohibit carrying firearms in
public, We cannot promote or condone carrying firearms on the main march in
Washington DC. However, if not prohibited by law at any of our Satellite
marches, we fully support the peaceful carrying of arms.

I was reading this ok story on a history of rifle caliber when I came across this comment that I felt was pretty interesting:

1. AfgDesertCaton 09 Jan 2009 at 5:54 am

   My $0.02

   I served as a Squad Designated Marksman (M14-ERB) on my first tour and a Team Leader (M4) on my second. Both rifles have niche roles. I think that is due in part to the rifle design. However, I think this is primarily because of their respective ammunition’s characteristics. I can’t talk about terminal ballistics vs. external ballistics or muzzle energy or anything like that. What I can tell you is this:

   People shot with a M14 drop with noticably greater frequency then those shot with a M4.

   I don’t care what anyone says 762s are more predictable at greater distances than 556. Learn how to account for bullet drop and get over it.

   Most soldiers can become proficient with an M4 rather quickly. (I think that is why it is so popular with wannabees.)

   Most soldiers (even experienced ones,) have trouble with a M14.

   SAWs (556) are great for surpressive fire. 240-Bravo (762) not so much.

   240-Bravo will bust up a mudhouse. SAW not so much.

   556 rounds don’t penetrate car windshields very well. 762 rounds do.

   M14s will wear your ass out (shoot em and carrying em).

   Hope it helps. But then again, what the hell do I know.