Off Body carry

Off Body Carry By Todd R. Mendenhall At a local Mall, I sat sipping a cup of coffee, as my wife did some shopping. Being a student of human behavior, I enjoy watching people in there daily activities. Soon, an older lady sat down at a table in front of me and placed her bag on top of the table. We exchanged smiles and greetings and she checked her phone. I noticed that her bag had a special side zipper compartment, which to me screamed “conceal carry”. Soon, she took a sip of her beverage and realized she forgot something for it. She stood, walked 15 feet over to the condiment counter, and “dressed” her drink, which took a minute then on her way back stopped and talked with an acquaintance for about 8 minutes. The whole time between there laughs, I would glance back at the unattended bag. She finally, came back to the bag and her phone of which she proceeded to scroll through it. The birth of the article was started on Off-carry there. When I say “off-carry” what am I talking about? Off-Carry is the carrying of a concealed firearm in a place that is not directly on your person/body. It is usually associated with ladies carrying in a purse; however, it is often used by gentleman as well, in form of laptop bags, Note bags, briefcases and other forms. There may be times that off-carry is the only true option one has. As with all forms of “carry” there are things that must be adhered to. This article is not going to make you an “expert” nor will it substitute training from an instructor. Carrying off the body brings with it some special things to consider. Following are some things to think about. Safety- Is the “bag” your going to carry the firearm in, built for it? Just taking a firearm and throwing it in a “bag” for personal protection is an accident waiting to happen. Your conceal carry course should of included the need to carry in a holster. The “bag” is the same way. The firearm trigger housing should be secure to keep unwanted things from getting into that area. As well as, keeping the firearm oriented in a consistent place in the need for access. Access- The “bag” should be designed so you can quickly and effectively access the firearm if the need arises. It should be pointed out, that accessing an off-carry firearm takes longer than various on-carry options. So awareness should be higher, we will touch on that little later. As part of one of my instructor courses we was trained and had to “qualify” drawing and engaging with a conceal carry purse. Yes, there is a certain technique to use, so it can be done safely and quickly. On an off-carry bag, there is a need to secure it closed, do to the nature of carry. I see zippers as the biggest means of doing this. As explained in one of our courses, if an incident a rises, the human body looses the use of fine motor skills. So, one should train to minimize the use of these. For the zipper access, I suggest a “lanyard”, can be of Para cord or other material be attached to the clip of the zipper. This will give you more control and quicker access if your awareness warrants it. Awareness- As with any situation this is critical, as again is pointed out in one of our courses. You need to have time to gain access to your firearm in need arises. It will take longer to gain access to an off-carry firearm than it will one that is on your person. So you should be aware and have time on your side. Instead of just pulling a garment open or up, to access your firearm. You have to orient the “bag”, open the compartment, to gain access. This as will all things in self defense must be practiced. So, you can see, especially when carrying in this mode, you need to be able to actually use tactics to ensure a favorable outcome. Security- “You have a responsibility to keep firearms from unauthorized people”! Ever heard this before? This is YOUR responsibility if you carry! You must keep anyone from not only taking your firearm (bag), but keep others from gaining access to it. As I finish this article on 12-30-2014 there was an unfortunate example of this. As a lady was looking at some item in a big box store, her child accessed her pistol in her purse and shot her. This should drive home the responsibility you have in off-carry. Though the “bag” is on a table, floor, cart, passenger seat it is still your responsibility whatever happens. I have seen some “bags” with locks on them, to keep others from accessing them. This is a personal choice that must be weighed. It is my opinion that these are not a good option. One, if you are carrying a firearm for protection, you just limited your reaction time if the need arises, not good. Two, it clouds your sense of responsibility. What I mean by this, is you will start to believe it is okay to leave it in there alone, no one will get into it (like putting a loaded firearm on the top shelf thinking “kids” can’t get to it, we know better right). In my opinion, putting a lock on an off-carry bag is the same as having a trigger lock on an on-carry firearm. The only true way to ensure security, to maintain presence of access of the firearm at all times. Carry- “What is the best way to carry it?” There are a few differences of opinion on what the best way to carry is, let’s look at both options for a bag. Across the body- this gives more security of the bag and anything within it. If someone wants the bag, they will have to “rip” the strap (a good CCL bag will have a cable in the strap), and/or pull you to the ground. On the Shoulder- This is more comfortable carry which provides easier access to material inside however is “stripped” from the body easier, with less chance of being drug to the ground. You must decide for yourself what way will work for you. If you do carry over a shoulder, I do suggest you have a hand on the actual handbag at all times. I have come across a new design of conceal carry purse, that is innovative and helps eliminate some of the above which is displayed below by Warrior-Creek with there permission. They also have other options which might be worth looking at. Hopefully, you have gained some sense of awareness that comes with this form of carry. There is more to it than just throwing a firearm into a bag or purse and going on your business. I suggest doing what we teach with regular on-carry before going out the door and practice few times. There is a lot of information out there, some good, but don’t just take “you tube” video training or another persons word for it. Do some research, take a course that will address, as well as instruct you in the “how and why”. Be safe, keep training and always aware. Todd R. Mendenhall Instructor I.S.C.A.P.E.

Revolver: coming full circle

Standing on the firing line, some of the students was becoming impatient. They have had there semi-automatic pistols loaded and made ready for a full 20 seconds (to them and hour). I could see the anticipation of there breathing as they was awaiting the commands. Once the other student was ready, and the line was ready the shooting began. After all the string's of fire was complete and the range was clear and cold, the students began to gather their gear and go back to the classroom. As I passed one table, one student looked at the "slower" one and said, "you should really upgrade to the 21st century", half joking. The other student kind of smiled and kept at the task. I then decided and impromtu discussion should take place here, for the benefit of the students. I stopped them all and had them come into a school circle on the range. I then asked, "what is the most reliable pistol they have ever shot?". The class was made up of mainly younger men, and two ladies, one was closer to my age (that young). While they was stating a few "name brand" pistol's, I began to clear and lay out a few different models on the table. After they was done,I said "which one would you put in a new person hand and have them defend your life, of the ones on the table?" There was a look of confusion, then one asked "which would you?" I reached over and picked up the open cylinder revolver, raised it to my chest and said "this one". The looks of doubt was all about. I then began to fill the students in as to why this was my personal opinion of the choice. I pointed out a few key things for them to thing about; 1) For well over a hundred years, the double action revolver has in essence been unchanged. That is because it works! 2) The Double action revolver is the most reliable pistol, (you could see some defensive looks, almost feel some chest raise as they was ready to defend there brands). This is the only pistol that you can load, set in safe area, come back months or years, pick it up and it will fire! There is no spring of the magazine to get week, or lack of lubrication ont he slide to dry out. 3) I pointed out that with this design you can place it in "single action", to acquire a more precise shot on a small target. Instead of having just one set trigger. 4) The double action revovler has a fixed barrel. You don't have to be a gunsmith or designer, to grasp that a fixed barrel will be more accurate than one that moves. 5) The mechanics of the revolver are a whole lot simpler that those of a semi-automatic. 6) The manipulation of the pistol is far easier. All that is needed is to be able to open the cylinder, insert cartridges, close and shoot. 7) Being manipulation is simpler, those with small hands, or arthritis find it a joy. 8) A person will have better muzzle control,as there is no "fighting" of the slide to lock back. 9) There is no safety on the pistol, as well as, no doubt if loaded or not. Pop open cylinder and can see, at same time makes the pistol clear. 10) If you experiance a malfuction there is one simple immediate action drill, press the trigger again. After I was done, you could see the light bulbs burning bright on the new found information of the old "wheel gun". I told them I am just giving you information to think about. That there is no free lunch as that the revolver does have a few limitions. One being that if you experiance a "squib load" or if it does lock up, you now have a club. Many cite that the revolver is limited on capacity, and a great many of them agreed with that statement. I then said "what is quicker performing a reload on a semi-automatic or grabbing a "pre-loaded" pistol?" Majority said the reload was the quickest. I then gave them a demonstration of both since I normally carry a semi-automatic with spare magazine and a snub nose revolver. We did not run any timer, but I did a reload and then went to the other pistol 3 times. Afterward, they all said that giong to other pistol was quicker and they was stunned. We live in the golden age of personal protection pistols. A person has there choice of sights, trigger, magazine, grip designs made by hundreds of fine manufactures. You can buy a inexspensive pistol and it will for the most part be reliable, accurate and if maintained last to be handed down to your children. But in this age of "poly", do not overlook the revolver option (you can even get one of those in poly too). It served our military and law enforcement a long time and saved many of there lives. If someone is struggling with a semi-automatic, educate then on the Revolver option. Stay aware, train right

Training is good gear test?

Ever ask yourself, am I using the right gear or am I just using what I have? There is a world differance especially when it comes to conceal carry. When it comes to this one size does not fit all. This is the nice part of it, you can customize it to your physical ability and disadvantages. But a great many people do not. They settle for what they purchased or what a "friend" told them. You have to take that with a grain of salt, because we are unique in our own way. Size, Shape, clothing options, sex (men and ladies are built differently), all come into play. Then there is the simple fact of how can you effectively tell if the firearm and/or gear is correct for you. Yes, you can and should do safe drill's are home (applying the 4 firearms safety rules, you remember them?). You can go to the range and do drill's and training. But the question is this, are you training to the standard of your ability or the limitation of your gear? Taking training class is a great way to find all this out! I inform people who are very limited in firearm knowledge for conceal carry, take a class before you purchase a pistol. If is cheaper to take a $100.00 class and become educated, then spending $500.00 or more on a pistol that you find out is not right for you. I have had a lot of students who, say "I wish I would of known that before I bought the pistol". Besides the obvious education knowledge you will get, you get a chance to test gear and firearms. I always have time after the "official" class range time, so students can try other holsters, pistols and ammunition. It is amazing how friendly the community is, just about everyone is like "here, shoot it". You get a chance that firearm stores and ranges cannot offer, do to overhead and limitations. During training the instructor will ensure you are meeting the standard and skill set. You will find the flaw's of a certian firearm, or gear. Perhaps a simple change is all that is needed, or that you become educated why it will or will not work for you. Have had many cases in some classes where students thought they had the best holster for them, but when doing training, the holster came off the belt, or the belt broke. Far better to find it out now than when it really matters. Many times, people find that a slight adjustment in a certain technique was all that was needed (one's that somehow get missed in video learning). One occasion had a student that could not hit the target effectively, upon investigation, it was found that the ammunition that was being used was not as accurate as other ammunition (wonder how long and how much that would of cost on their own to find out?). One a few other occasions the students found out that their gear was great standing, but when put in common position, was the worst for it. The key is that an Instructor should not just tell you, but mentor you in training so you make the discovery yourself, which really drives it home. Taking training once a year can not only discover the weakness in your system of protection. But, it can also at the same time vindicate it. It will dust off the cobb webs and build your confidence on the things that are working great. If it is, don't change a thing, ask the Instructor what can I do to make the weakness stronger. You are paying a professional, they should and are more than happy to help and guide you to success. Stay aware, train properly and be viligant. Todd