ShootingClasses.com Blog

Carrying a Red Dot on Your EDC Pistol, The Pros & Cons.

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:41:11 -0500

I first started carrying with a red dot on my everyday carry (EDC) pistol in 2017, it was still in the phase of being widely acceptable then. red dot optics (RDO) were already in use on rifle platforms and it was definitely the hot new thing to buy even If you didn’t really need it. I remember thinking when, if ever, could they make red dot optics work on pistols without being too bulky. Of course, fast forward and here we are with a plethora of red dot optics to choose from. I want to share with readers what I have learned from shooting, carrying and training students with red dot optics because I don’t see some of the cons addressed nearly enough in the industry.

First, the pros of using red dot optics. For many people, myself included, being able to pick up your targets faster when compared to using iron sights is a major benefit. This is predicated on training of draw, presentation and sight alignment. The theory behind why it’s faster for most people is because with a red dot you only have two focal points to line up, your target and the dot. With iron sights you now have three focal points to line up, rear sight, front sight, and then your target. In short, it would seem using a red dot is more forgiving if you don’t have perfect sight alignment with iron sights.

The second pro, is a red dot may help with tunnel vision in a stressful situation. When you are in a fight or flight situation most people will get tunnel vision where both eyes are open and focused on the threat. Tunnel vision will make your iron sights blurry; in fact, some people that have had to use their firearm in self-defense do not remember seeing the iron sights at all. A red dot is supposed to work with your body’s reactions in stressful situations. When using a red dot, both eyes should be open and focused on the target; you look through the dot on to your target. I consider this a major advantage over iron sights.

Now the cons… the things you find from experience that some don’t talk about.

The first con is the learning curve This can be different for each person.

Finding the dot - Due to poor presentation and sight alignment, finding the red dot at the center of the sight can be difficult when you begin using the attachment. This can be improved with training; it’s not a deal breaker.
Cross eyed dominant shooters - When both eyes are open, all of a sudden every shot is to the left or right. The shooter is not conscience of which eye they’re using for sight alignment, again training will fix this. I’ve had a couple of students with RDOs overcome this once they were aware of it.
The arc of movement is amplified - This just means the dot will show more movement in your arms and hands. This can cause anxiety and lack of confidence when pressing the trigger.

The second con is that the optic is easily obstructed. The optic window gets dusty, dirty, wet, or fogged. I’m constantly dusting the optic window making sure it’s clean. I dust it at least twice a day when I can…discretely of course. In rainy weather it has gotten slightly fogged but I use an anti-fog lens cleaner that keeps it less foggy. Personally, I have not had the optic get wet, but when it’s raining outside it can happen.

The third con is the bright and dark transitioning of the optic that occurs when changing environments. This can happen when you’re out on a sunny day then go inside somewhere or vice versa. The red dot brightness setting may be too bright inside and flood your sight picture, or when it’s too dim in an outdoor setting you might as well just use your iron sights. Some red dots have an auto setting to counter this but they are not perfect either.

The fourth con is it’s something extra that can fail; sometimes the old ways are the best. The K.I.S.S method, Keep It Simple Stupid. What I mean is, the red dot can fail, or you forget to turn it on…etc. Granted, they are pretty damn reliable given that you get a good one, but a good one will cost around $300 to $600. For that price you can buy ammo and pay for a good training course.

So don’t run out and buy a red dot right away, red dots don’t work for everyone. Some people will not gain much advantage having a red dot on their EDC pistol. Statistically, most self-defense encounters take place inside of 10 yards and at that distance a well-trained person may not even need to use their sights that close. So each person needs to look at what is going to work for themselves. Rent one at your local range or see if a friend will let you shoot theirs before you decide. If you do get a red dot, make sure you seek training before you carry one on your EDC pistol. You can find excellent options for training here at www.Shootingclasses.com, you can also contact me at www.gstworkshop.net.

The Best Ways to Stay Safe During Rioting and Trespassing Situations

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:20:14 -0500

2020 was a crazy year. As a nation, we started to see problems that only other countries had, now knocking at our door. While navigating a global pandemic, we saw looting and rioting for the majority of the year. In July, a section of Portland, Oregon was taken over and received national attention. The last time we, as Americans, saw anything like this was Katrina in 2005. The events in New Orleans in 2005 as well as the events happening now prove that the veneer of society is very thin. It is imperative to know how to keep you and your family safe during uncertain times.

Prepare in Advance

So how do we stay safe? So far 2021 is proving no better, we are still in the thick of it. Our first tip is to be properly prepared. Be sure you have food, water, hygiene, shelter, and even have a community action plan. But, what if you have all those items in place and danger has still managed to make it to your door?

Barricade in Place and Call for Help

As a CCW and home defense instructor I get a lot of questions about the best plan of action in this situation. Typically your safest bet is to barricade in place and call 911.

When it comes to rioters using Molotov cocktails and other weapons, barricading in place will not work, especially if the police are not coming. This is one example why you need to know the laws in your state as it applies to self-defense.

Know the Self-Defense Laws in Your State

Generally, self-defense law requires the response to match the level of the threat. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to stop the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to stop the threat.

Every state has different laws that give the defender more or less protection from the law. Know the “Stand your Ground”, “Castle”, and “Duty to Retreat” laws and if they apply to your state.

Let’s review an example of rioting and trespassing that happened in 2020. Mark and Patricia McCloskey had rioters at their door. Many lawyers agree, because of Missouri’s castle doctrine the McCloskeys were within their legal right to stand their ground, lack of training and poor tactics aside.

Yet, the prosecutor still brought charges against the McCloskeys. Conversely, the rioters who trespassed on private property and threatened their home and their lives were not charged. This is an example of why it is so important to know the laws in your state.

Avoid Rioting Areas and Potentially Dangerous Situations

Rioters have attacked, injured, and even killed people in their vehicles. It is always better to avoid a bad situation entirely then to be in the middle of it.

You can do a few things to avoid areas when away from home. I, myself, avoided two riots because I kept an eye on news and social media for information posted about protests or gatherings. I drove around La Mesa in San Diego County to avoid the riots that cause fires and burned down buildings on Spring St. and La Mesa Blvd.

You don’t want to drive up to a riot in your vehicle. You need to be aware and if you see rioting, do whatever you can to turn around.

Escaping a Riot When in a Vehicle

What if you are surrounded by rioters and they start attacking the vehicle and you have a reasonable fear that your life is in danger? Carefully drive out of the situation. If pushing and striking people with your vehicle happens, after your escape call your lawyer then report the incident to the police, the order in which you call is debatable. You will most likely be arrested and charged, but if it is literally a “do or die” situation, you should find an escape from the rioters immediately.

Protect and Defend Yourself and Your Family

It is a challenging time in history right now, but if you have to defend yourself, be prepared to go to court to defend yourself again. Read up on your state laws, consult an attorney, and look up cases to see the legal presidencies they set.

There are many options to have legal protection that is affordable, whether you carry a firearm or not. USCCA is what I choose. Stay safe out there and make sure have had the proper firearm training to safely handle any situation.

What You Should Know about CCW for Self-Defense

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 19:35:58 -0400

CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) and CCL (Concealed Carry License) are often used interchangeably for the permit that allows you to carry a concealed firearm. “Concealed” means it’s not visible; so, no one around you would know that you have a firearm.

There are many misconceptions about what a concealed carry permit is and what is permissible by the laws of each state and/or county. There are also pros and cons of having a CCW and carrying a concealed firearm. A CCW is definitely not a “get out of jail free” card to act like Dirty Harry.

You might be wondering why you need a CCW if you can open carry. Well, when you open carry, you make yourself a target, just like law enforcement officers in uniform. It can both deter and invite trouble since you stick out. Concealed carry has the advantage when it comes to civilians. In some areas of the country, open carry will frighten people, and law enforcement may or may not handle the situation correctly. Another advantage of having a CCW in some states, such as Arizona, is that it allows you to carry more places, where open carry or constitutional carry will not.

CCW does not allow you to carry a firearm everywhere. There are still limitations, even if it infringes on the Second Amendment. Some places are gun free zones, so unfortunately you can’t carry or defend yourself with a firearm in these areas. Gun free zones are targets for criminals because they know no one will have a firearm to stop them. These places include schools, banks, bars, and private and public events. Since these areas are where they are needed most, either the law needs to change to eliminate gun free zones, or these zones need an ample amount of armed security, both uniformed and undercover.

Carrying a concealed firearm is a great responsibility. As a CCW holder, you are held to a higher standard; you have to be better than everybody else. I like to compare it to a monk who has taken a vow to use violence as a last resort. You should avoid arguments with people but know how to defuse them when they arise. You need to be aware of your surroundings so that you can avoid situations that may force you to defend yourself.

You are not a superhero looking to fight crime! You can’t instigate an argument or insult someone into trying to hurt or kill you and use a firearm to defend yourself. Don’t go looking for a fight in order to justify violence.

You also want to be aware of specific laws surrounding concealed carry. For example, in some places, if your firearm is accidentally exposed, it can be considered brandishing a firearm. Make sure you’re properly dressed for carrying a concealed weapon. And, don’t forget about the legal matters after you’ve discharged your firearm.

Let’s say you have your CCW, and you find yourself in a situation where you did everything you could to avoid firing your weapon but were forced to defend yourself. You would think everything would be ok because you did everything right. However, this isn’t the case 100% percent of the time. It’s a good idea to have legal protection. Your fight is not over. Now you’ll have to fight in court to prove you are innocent. There are many options. I myself went with USCCA. Not only do they provide legal protection, but they also have excellent training information and education.

It is always recommended to seek professional training to gain a full grasp of the information and to get actual range time. If you have any questions, please email me. I also teach CCW classes and a variety of firearms training courses through GST Workshop.

Find a concealed carry class near you today.

Why Is It Important to Get Firearms Training?

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 15:30:34 -0500

There are three reasons why it is important to get firearms training. The first reason is safety and personal protection, the second is education, and the third is learning the fundamentals. Every day, we are bombarded with misinformation both intentional and unintentional. For the average person, it’s hard to know what the facts are, based on news, television, movies and social media. It can be difficult to see through the hurricane of information.

Safety and education are synonymous with each other, and some might argue that they are one in the same. However, I beg to differ. I could tell a student everything they need to know about a firearm, but as soon as I ask them to pick up a firearm, the majority of the time their finger immediately finds the trigger. This happens before any other safety violations, which is why I argue firearm safety is first and separate from education.

So why does it seem so natural for people to pick up a gun and instantly put their finger on the trigger? It could be a natural reaction when picking up an item, related to reflexes or ergonomics. But there is still something else that could be a factor: TV and movies. For example, look at any movie poster with the hero holding a gun.

Above, you’ll see a finger on the trigger in each example.

Almost every character posing with a gun in a movie poster will have their finger on the trigger. This also happens in the movie itself when they muzzle everyone and have their finger on the trigger. Everything we see in the media might subconsciously influence us. But this is just my opinion, and there are many other factors. This leads us to the second reason why it’s important to get training.

The second reason is education. Students need to learn about the operation, functions and parts of firearms. This will dispel any myths or misconceptions about firearms. Every gun is different, so learning the operation and functions will help the student safely use the firearm. Setting the expectations of use and capabilities of firearms is important. We can help students choose the right firearm to fit their needs, such as shooting sports or hunting. I always like to say, “You don’t know… what you don’t know… until you know it.”

The third reason it’s important to get training is to learn the fundamentals. The fundamentals of shooting any firearm will improve accuracy and situational awareness as students advance their training. The fundamentals can also reset yourself, undoing any training scars and get you back on the right path. Maintaining accurate shots increases safety; remember that every bullet is the shooter’s responsibility, so they must have responsible gun ownership. Stray shots or ricochets can be dangerous or cause property damage. Know your target and what’s beyond it.

Taking a firearms training course will bring this together and show how Safety, Education, and Fundamentals reinforce each other throughout training. Safety governs Education and Fundamentals. Safety and Education help with learning the Fundamentals. Fundamentals are the foundation of the biomechanics of shooting and operating a firearm. Get training! Thanks for reading.

How much does gun training cost? It’s hard to put a price tag on your safety!

Hopefully, you’re now asking yourself, “Where can I find firearm classes near me?” Good news! You can search our database of firearms classes and instructors.

Tips for Teaching Beginner Firearms Students

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 15:12:57 -0500

As a firearms instructor, first and foremost, you need to know your students.

You will want to know their experience level, what type of student they are, and why they are interested in shooting lessons. Some of them might be timid. Some might be open-minded student, while others are close-minded student. Everyone will be different. Knowing your students will help tailor your training style.

The next tip is a big one…. Wait for it… it’s patience. Yes, patience will almost always benefit you as much as your student, no matter what type of student they are.

At the beginning of each firearms training class, I try to set the tone of the training experience. I give an introduction, explain safety rules, and state that nobody knows everything. I emphasize to have the mindset to always be a student and keep an open mind. Theories and how we train have changed over the years, so we have to keep up and never stop learning. No one technique is the best with every situation, and different techniques should be tried.

When it comes to the shooting range, have the student only load one round in the firearm as a safety precaution. Watch the student instead of their target. If a student is having a difficult time, I will point out all the positive things they are doing, and then try to correct the student in a positive way. This helps build confidence.

If the student is doing multiple things wrong, try to correct only one thing at a time and let them shoot. You don’t want to overwhelm them with all the fundamentals at once. Safety violations should be handled in a similar fashion. Try to avoid embarrassing the student but be strict in a positive way. Small improvements in the student’s accuracy can be used to reinforce their confidence.

Let them shoot! The more a student shoots, the more they learn. Try to keep it fun. If a student is following all the fundamentals and still shows no improvement in accuracy, it could be the firearm. In this case, try a different gun. Many beginner students bring their own gun that does not fit them well. If accuracy improves after changing guns, then you are on the right path. If you do not see a noticeable improvement, some students may benefit more in a 1-on-1 training session.

So, when it comes to your own firearms instructor training, remember the following: know your student, have patience, set the tone of the class early, correct one issue at a time, be positive, let them shoot, and keep it fun. Keeping instruction fun for a new student will increase the chances the student comes back to further advance their training. Having a poor experience could cause a beginner to shy away, and they may never seek training again. Properly trained students are safer students, and we all want safe and responsible gun owners.

If you want to reach more beginner students, firearms instructors are welcome to join ShootingClasses.com to promote your shooting classes.

Interested in becoming an instructor? Read the following article to learn more about how to become a firearms instructor.

How to Dress for Discretely Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 20:49:19 -0500

Whether you are thinking about getting your CCW permit or already have it, you are making a lifestyle change. Your mentality, your routine, and even the way you dress will change. Once you start carrying a firearm for protection, there is an adjustment phase most people go through. This adjustment phase is where most of the mistakes can happen when carrying a firearm.

So how do you dress to properly conceal your firearm? First, practice at home to figure out what methods of carry work for you. I suggest having at least two methods of carry, but you may want more options.

When testing a carry method, I decide if it’s comfortable when sitting and standing – without having to adjust it in public. If you have to keep adjusting your gun because it’s not comfortable, you will let everyone know that you have a firearm. So get comfortable with your gun. This might require trying different holsters and other equipment experimentation.

Dressing to your firearm is also important. Again, practice at home. Look in the mirror or have someone take pictures – can you see the firearm through your clothes? If you’re used to wearing tight or athletic fitting clothing, you may have go up in clothing size. Give yourself some room to breathe and make sure that you can still get to and draw your firearm quickly.

In the pictures above, the imprint of the firearm is visible. To prevent this, going up a shirt size will help. Wearing a shirt with a pattern, such as a plaid shirt, will hide imprinting better that any solid color shirt.

Wearing additional layers, such as a button-down shirt, will also hide the imprint. If you’re carrying using something like a shoulder rig, wear a shirt with button snaps instead of real buttons.

To keep things simple, here are some key takeaways to remember:

Have a sturdy gun belt or shoulder rig
Avoid tight fitting clothing
Avoid solid and/or light color shirts
Dark colored clothing with complex patterns breaks up imprinting
Carry the right size firearm!

I prefer to avoid off-the-body carry like a backpack or purse. A bag or purse can be stolen. It also takes longer to draw the firearm. But again, you have to use what works for you.

There is no “one size fits all” solution. You have to find what works for your body type and size and the firearm you carry.

Hopefully after reading this you have some ideas to try to discretely conceal carry your firearm. Thanks for reading!

Learn more about gun safety and training on the ShootingClasses.com blog or get more information about taking shooting lessons in your area.

Search ShootingClasses.com: “Find a concealed carry class near me.”