Jarvis Totherow - Firearms Instructor/Competitive Shooter

Making the jump back to Revolver.
I'll be burning these at The Vault on Tuesday night.

I had a decent night at The Vault the other night.
https://practiscore.com/results/new/e037ee93-9d8e-4757-ad0d-8687918843cd

A very nice surprise tonight at The Vault . Bryant Brough brought me this from Georgia State Championship. I didn't stick around for the awards because I thought my terribly mediocre performance wasn't getting anything.

I left my concealment vest at the range this past weekend. It was hot and my brain had already quit working. I'm hoping this post will get to someone who might have picked it up or knows who might have picked it up. Please share.

Ever seen them packaged like this?

Cosmo Zaharof at VIR 2024.

Tom Cannon in deep concentration.

A pic from the Virginia Indoor Regional. Brass in the air and muzzle still flat. This G35 performs so well.
SharpShooters Indoor Range

Hopefully USPSA can shed the corruption and revive itself.

We are Winning Benstoeger.com PSTG.US for digital coachingBen Stoeger books on Benstoegerproshop.comPodcast from pstg: https://traininggrouplive-pstg.libsyn.com

Concealed Carry Basics for People with Disabilities

Arming the Disabled: A Self-Defense and Concealed Carry Guide for People With Disabilities
Those who want the best self defense possible may consider carrying concealed. Choosing to carry concealed is a personal decision and only you can decide if it’s the right thing for you. If you’re willing to train with it and if you’re legally allowed to carry concealed, carrying a firearm does offer a level of protection that nothing else can.

The Right Weapon
The first step to carrying concealed is finding the right weapon. For a concealed carry weapon (CCW) to be effective, the user must be able to control the firearm and utilize its functions. This includes:

Racking the firearm
Pulling the trigger
Handling the recoil
Stabilizing the gun
For many, this means choosing a 9mm or .380 pistol over a .357 revolver or 12 gauge shotgun. A smaller caliber that you have the manual dexterity and strength to handle will protect you much better than a larger caliber you can’t control.

The Right Training
Once you have the right firearm, you must start training. You have to learn how to handle, fire, and care for your gun to be effective at self defense. And your training shouldn’t just consist of standing in front of a target and shooting a box of ammunition. That’s target practice. You need self-defense training.

With regular and continued practice, your firearm can become an extension of yourself. To make that happen, you need to practice with your CCW often. And not just until you’re efficient, but always.

Practice pulling your gun from your holster from all different positions: standing, sitting, and lying down. Learn to fire it with both hands. Learn how to rack it without your free hand. Use snap caps or rubber bullets and role play any and all situations you can think of, from being in the shower to getting in your vehicle.

The Right Holster
Almost as important as the right firearm, you must have the right holster if you want to carry concealed. Fi****ms are unsafe carried loose in your pocket or bag. And, although primetime television may disagree, they’re not safe just jammed into your waistband.

You need a holster to not only keep your gun safely secured, but also to ensure that when you need it, you know exactly where it is. A good holster makes drawing your CCW easier and more consistent than fumbling around trying to find it.

The right holster for you depends on your size, shape, firearm, and disability. And you may have to try a few different holsters before you find the right fit. To help you along the way, look for these qualities in a CCW holster:

Fit: You want a holster that fits snug against the body and stays in place when you move around.
Retention: Your holster should hold your firearm tight, so tight that it won’t slip out during an altercation, even if you fall onto the floor.
Presentation: Although you want good retention, your holster shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t withdraw it when needed. Instead, it should have a smooth presentation that allows you to draw your firearm and put it back without issue.
Concealability: If you’re going to carry concealed, your holster should hide your weapon, not draw attention to it or imprint through your clothing.
Protection: A good holster protects your gun from outside elements, as well as from your body’s sweat and oils.
Comfort: If your holster isn’t comfortable, you won’t wear it. So ensure it doesn’t rub against your skin or dig into your hips.
If at all possible, use a holster that’s on your body. A firearm is always safer when you’re wearing it on you than when it’s in a purse or jacket. That being said, sometimes off-the-body holsters are necessary, especially for those with certain disabilities. Look for customized CCW jackets or purses, which can even be found with locks that protect your firearm from other’s hands.

CCW Suggestions for People with Disabilities
When it comes to concealed carry weapons, there are basically two options: semi-automatic pistols and revolvers. They both have their pros and cons, and some will be better suited for certain individuals. But for most, it’s simply a matter of preference.

Semi-Automatics
Semi-autos are magazine-fed handguns that after the initial racking, fire a bullet every time you pull the trigger. The faster the trigger is pulled, the faster the gun fires. For those with dexterity problems or who lack hand strength, pulling back the slide of some fi****ms may present a challenge. Look for an easy-to-handle slide and practice racking the gun with both hands before you buy it.

A good option to try is the Smith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield EZ. This .380 caliber pistol is designed to be easy to slide and easy to load, perfect for CCW novices. It also contains multiple safety features, including both a grip and trigger safety mechanism. Other good options include the Kel-Tec P32, which comes in .32 ACP, a caliber that’s small, but quite effective with the right training, and the SIG Sauer P239.

Revolvers
For those who lack the hand strength or fine motor skills to maneuver a semi-automatic slide, a revolver offers an easier option. Wheel guns have no slide and no intricate safety mechanisms, but the shooter needs to have the strength for the long, and sometimes heavy, trigger pull. While triggers can be changed out, the long pull offers a safety to prevent accidental firing.

When looking at revolvers, two good options include the R***r SP101 in .327 Mag, a short, but powerful round, and any Smith & Wesson J-Frame chambered for the .38 Special.

Small Calibers
Don’t fall victim to thinking a smaller caliber is always better for shooters with disabilities. For instance, .22 calibers are available in both semi-autos and wheel guns. Although they’re easy to shoot, these rimfire cartridges aren’t recommended for self defense (and neither are the somewhat obscure and slightly larger .25 ACP bullets). While they can be deadly, their stopping power is unreliable, especially in high-stress situations.

That being said, if your disability impacts you in such a way that you can only handle a .22, then a small gun is better than no gun. To get the most from a .22, opt for a mini-revolver by North American Arms chambered in .22LR or .22 Win Mag.

Overcoming Disability Obstacles to Carry Concealed
Arming the Disabled: A Self-Defense and Concealed Carry Guide for People With Disabilities
While having limitations to carry concealed can be frustrating, knowing your obstacles gives you the opportunity to prepare for them and be ready when in a life-or-death situation. Some of the most common physical limitations that impact shooters with disabilities include:

Limited range of motion: When your disability causes a limited range of motion, reaching behind your back can cause pain and make drawing your CCW difficult. Try a shoulder holster or clip holster on your dominant hip. Beware of snap holsters, as they can be hard to unfasten and re-secure.
Poor hand strength: If you use a semi-automatic pistol and have limited hand strength, opt for a pistol with an easy-to-use slide or one with a tip-up barrel. Or choose a revolver, just ensure you have enough finger strength to fully engage the trigger.
Problems with balance: For those who struggle with balance, choose a handgun that’s light and has limited recoil. Wearing a snug shoulder allows you to easily access your handgun and won’t throw you off balance like reaching behind the hip for an in-the-waistband holster. If the shoulder holster still gives you trouble, consider a pocket pistol nestled in a pocket holster.
Chronic pain: When you have chronic pain, carrying a concealed weapon can trigger more pain. To make the least impact possible, choose a small, lightweight firearm that won’t influence your gait or change how you sit. A holster that sits low and tight to your hip can be convenient and easy to reach, but many may find that a belly band is the most comfortable option.
Vision impairment: Most self-defense situations occur within 10 feet, which means even those with poor eyesight can often see rather well. Adding a light to your CCW can aid in seeing during the night as can wearing corrective lenses. A laser can also be a huge benefit and can boost your confidence when in a threatening situation.

Reprinted from ammo.com