Pistol Fundamentals Flashback: Jeff Copper and the Modern Technique

January 18, 2023 by The Tactical Hermit in Another Reason to Be Armed, Armed Citizen Corner, Armed Citizen Corner Video, Arms and Ammo, Civilian Operator 101, Firearm Training Tips, Firearms History, Gun Hacks, Handgun Corner, Pistol Corner, Practical Skill Sets, Practical Solutions to Serious Problems, RKBA, RKBA News, Second Amendment Issues, Tradecraft, Training, Training Tips, Weapons & Ammo, Weapons Training Issues and tagged 2A Issues, Colonel Jeff Cooper, Firearm Training History, Handgun Corner, Handgun Fundmentals, Know Your Firearm History, Pistol Craft, RKBA, Self-Defense with a Handgun, The Modern Technique, Weapons and Ammo, Weapons History

H/T Lenny Ladner

No other man in firearms training history has had more influence and persuasion that Colonel Jeff Cooper, USMC (Ret.)

The Modern Technique of Pistol Craft that Colonel Cooper invented and taught revolutionized Handgun Training forever.

The MT can be divided up into four major parts:

1. The Big-Bore Autoloading Pistol

Cooper favored this pistol for its proven fight-stopping characteristics, its ease of handling, and the ability to reload it very quickly. While he personally preferred the Colt 1911 in .45 ACP, he also gave the nod to the CZ-75, the Browning Hi-Power and a few other guns. He was not a big fan of the 9 mm, however, and called double-action semi-auto pistols the answer to an unasked question.

2. The Weaver Stance

Cooper borrowed this technique from Deputy Sheriff Jack Weaver, who was consistently beating them all in the combat matches. It is a balanced combat stance that uses a two-hand, isometric hold on the handgun. The shooting hand pushes forward and the support hand pulls back. It is the key to fast, multiple shots using full-power ammunition.

Since the MT was developed over 40 years ago, there have been a myriad of other shooting stances developed that are worth checking out.

3. The Flash Sight Picture

Early on, Col. Jeff Cooper realized that when shooters focused on their front sights, their number of center hits went up dramatically. He also realized that, at close range, you really don’t have to carefully line up both the front and rear sight, nor do you have the time to do it in a gunfight. Just get the front sight on the target as quickly as possible, see the front sight clearly, and launch your shot. The effectiveness of this technique is amazing.

4. The Surprise Break

Cooper taught his students to press the trigger instead of giving it a healthy jerk that would throw the sights off target. In practice, one begins this technique very slowly, pressing gently until the shot is launched. Done properly, the shot should come as almost a surprise. With further practice, one learns to compress all the right moves and deliver his shot quickly and accurately. The combination of No. 3 and No. 4 is why you hear instructors admonish their students with “Front sight, Press. Front sight, Press.”

News Piece from 1979 on Cooper and Gunsite Academy.

Jeff Cooper’s Handgun Fundamentals Instructional Video (1985)

Best Lightweight Concealable Body Armor

January 15, 2023 by The Tactical Hermit in Another Reason to Be Armed, Armed Citizen Corner, Practical Skill Sets, Practical Solutions to Serious Problems, Self-Defense Issues, Tactics, Training, Training Tips, Urban Skill Sets, Urban Warfare, Warrior Tech, Weapons Training Issues and tagged Armed Citizen Corner, Concealable Body Armor Vest, IBA, Self-Defense Issues, Soft Body Armor, Soft Body Armor Protection, Tactics

Best Lightweight Concealable Body Armor

For me, in this day and age, this is a no-brainer.

Don’t forget to have one for every member of the family and one in your VBOB (Vehicle Bug Out Bag) as well.

Although not considered a “concealable” vest, I still have two US Palm Defender Level IIIA Soft Vest I bought for me and the wife unit many moons ago.

I think they have been discontinued but you can still find them online.

On the Guerrilla, His Ecology and His Communications

January 2, 2023 by The Tactical Hermit in American Partisan, Another Reason to Be Armed, Anti-Socialist, Armed Citizen Corner, Asymmetrical Warfare, Brushbeater, Citizen Action Groups, Civilian Operator 101, COIN, Comm Corner, Communications, Community Action Groups, Counter-Insurgency, Counter-Surveillance, Escape and Evasion, Examining GW Tactics, Examining Terrorist Tactics, Fieldcraft, Fourth Gen Warfare, Future Warfare, Get The Facts, Guerilla Warfare, Guerilla Warfare History, Hybrid Warfare, Militia History, Militias, Modern War, OPSEC, Political Warfare, Politics, Practical Skill Sets, Practical Solutions to Serious Problems, Prepping, Prepping 101, Real World Threats, Reality Check, Reference Materials, Small Unit Tactics, Studies in Warfare, Tactics, Technology, The Surveillance State, Tradecraft, Training, Training Tips and tagged American Partisan, Asymmetrical Warfare, Baofeng Radio, Brusbeater, Comms, Field Comms, Guerilla Warfare, Insurgent Warfare, Modern Warfare, NC Scout, Radio Comms, Small Unit Tactics, Tactics, Tradecraft

On the Guerrilla, His Ecology and His Communications

The Guerrilla must recognize three critical points:

He, and his local network, are his own supply line.
He fights with what he has, not with what he wishes.
He cannot fight as a conventional force.

If you have not already, be sure and order your copy of The Guerrilla’s Guide To The Baofeng Radio.

Take Heed and Prepare Accordingly.

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

December 10, 2022 by The Tactical Hermit in Another Reason to Be Armed, Armed Citizen Corner, Arms and Ammo, Civilian Operator 101, Firearm Training Tips, Home Invasion Prevention/Security, Home Security, Practical Skill Sets, Practical Solutions to Serious Problems, Rape Prevention and Awareness, Real World Threats, Reality Check, RKBA, Self-Defense Issues, Training, Training Tips and tagged Armed Citizen Skill-Set's, Civilian Operator 101, Clearing Corners with a Firearm, Firearm Training Tips, home defense, Home Invasion Training, Home Protection, MOUT, Self-Defense Issues, Training Tips, Urban Skill Sets

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

For the armed citizen, knowing how to properly and safely “Clear your Home” room by room, is an integral skill-set.

I recommend practicing clearing your house at least once a month with a “dry run” (unloaded weapon when everybody is out of the house) to maintain the edge.

Stay Alert, Armed and Dangerous!

Know Your Texas History: Frank Hamer’s Sweetwater Gunfight

November 26, 2022 by The Tactical Hermit in Old West Gunfighters, Pistol Corner, Revolver Corner, Shooting Mechanics, Tactics, Texas History, Training, Training Tips and tagged Frank Hamer, Gunfights in History, Lessons Learned, Old West Gunfighters, Revolver Corner, Shooting Mechanics, Texas History, Training Tips

Frank Hamer’s Sweetwater Fight: Lessons Learned

As a writer and old west “enthusiast” I absolutely love reading about the old Texas warhorses like Frank Hamer.

Men who were cut from rawhide and raised in the traditions of the 19th century old west but forced to live in the modern “civilized” 20th century.

In short, men who were the last of the Old West Gunfighters.

“When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us.

It is also a good idea to realize that dangerous encounters can occur with people who are known to us. This reality should also be considered when we are formulating our own personal defense plans. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible.”