March 7, 2015

Dear Friends:

Over the last 3 months, I have been wearing and testing a new Inside-the-Waistband holster.  It has become my favorite holster (IWB or Belt) by far, easily and comfortably concealing a service-sized Glock 19/23/32. 

Every Foxy-Tuck holster is hand-made by my new Good Friend Thomas Erickson whom I met during a course in the high desert mountains outside Saratoga Springs, UT last June.  Both Thomas and his holsters have my highest recommendation.

https://libertyfoxdefense.com/foxytuck/ 

I have worn kydex IWB Blade-Tech holsters (and leather IWB holsters by Milt Sparks, Horseshoe Leather, Mitch Rosen, and others) for more than 30 years.  The Foxy-Tuck is far superior.  It is simply the best holster I have worn for comfort and concealment!  It mates a kydex outer portion with a thick cowhide inner (next to body) section, with smooth-side facing the weapon and rough-side out, both sides in a stingray shape with widely-spaced belt clips that distributes weight evenly and allows a firm anchor of the holstered weapon comfortably against your body in such a way that the entire system stays put without allowing your pants to slip and sag!  No need for suspenders!  Its design positions the weapon much closer into the body than would an all-kydex version, and this aids the “concealability” of the system.  I’m not sure exactly what makes it so comfortable, but it is! 

The one criticism I had was regarding the metal steel-spring belt clips.  Although very functional, they tended to scratch my leather gunbelts and had the potential to gouge leather, wood or upholstered chairs or seats unless well-covered with a thick cover garment.  The answer to this was substituting kydex clips for the metal ones.  (See link below.)  That made my Foxy-Tuck the perfect IWB holster. 

UPDATE: Thomas now offers metal or kydex belt clips for no extra charge!

The one additional comment I have comes as the natural result of the holstered weapon being held so much closer (30-50%) into the body than would be possible using an all-kydex IWB
design: it is slightly harder to reholster. There is a learning curve involved that can easily be mastered through practice but it is easier to reholster into the wider mouth of the rigid all-kydex
designs. However the negligible decrease in reholstering ease/speed is more than compensated by the increased comfort, concealability and anchoring effect of the Foxy-Tuck design.

My Summary of the Foxy-Tuck is as follows:

Impression:

Superior concealment holster. 

Unique Features And Strengths:

1/. Extreme comfort and concealability.

2/. Tucks very close to body.

3/. Very good at “anchoring” the handgun/holster to the body, preventing shifting and preventing the weighted-down pants from slipping and sagging. 

Weaknesses?
1/. The metal spring steel clips used. These are in a position to gouge chairs and car-seats, or the overlying cover garment.  They may also mark leather gunbelts. 

Solution to Possible Weaknesses:

1/. Replace the steel spring clips with kydex QD clips, such as these from amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Kydex-Belt-Clips-One-Pair/dp/B00PPWXAU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1425782001&sr=8-2&keywords=+Kydex+Belt+Clips+%28One+Pair%29+by+MTO+HOLSTER+LLC

(Thomas is looking into supplying kydex clips as an alternate to his usual steel ones for customers who request them.) 

THE purpose of an IWB is concealment.  The Foxy-Tuck does that admirably, better than any other.  It is also very comfortable and uniquely anchors the pistol, belt and pants against the body without slipping down!  Most highly recommended!

Each Foxy Tuck has the following scripture stamped into the leather.
“The Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed. …to defend themselves, and their families, and their lands, their country, and their rights, and their religion.”  Alma 43: 47

Respectfully Submitted, 

Doc Gunn

SLING

You MUST have a two point sling.  Condor Speedy Sling

Optics.

If you have shot A LOT of iron sights, then you are ready for phase 2 (optics). If you are still learning iron sights, you’ll learn a ton with irons in Larry’s class.

Shooting Mat

knee pads

Magazines

CHECKLIST

binoculars

RIFLE

By Thomas E.

With significant contributions & guidance from Larry Mudgett

Introduction

After taking Larry Mudgett’s Predator Defense(PD) course, I began down this journey of finding the ideal “PD & outdoor survival” system. I HIGHLY recommend you take this course from Larry!

Before taking this course, I was convinced that a 10mm would save me from large predators. In this article, we will compare “defense” calibers and then compare “defense platforms” to arrive at an ideal PD System. By synthesizing the current literature we can make a solid decision to protect ourselves and those we love while enjoying the outdoors!

Background:

There is no good substitute for a powerful firearm to defend your life from large/determined predators.

Mace has many limitations including distance, wind blowing in the wrong direction and “cooked”/fabricated statistics.

Which handgun are you willing to bet your life on…or more importantly, the life of your loved ones when faced by a grizzly?

Deciding Questions:

Would you rather face a criminal assailant in the woods while armed with a revolver or would you rather face a large bear while armed with a 10 MM auto pistol?

My understanding is that black bears if wounded GENERALLY take off and leave the area. Also, do NOT try to play dead with a blackbear; as they will likely eat you.

Grizzly bears once wounded will ether kill or be killed (there is no quit in the grizzly bear MO). Playing dead, MAY work with a grizzly, but I wouldn’t count on it!

Consider the mis-information from govt-sources! If they really cared about you, they would recommend you carry a 454 Casull 😉

Instead, they recommend wearing bells, bear-mace and playing dead! Sounds like yet another “Government-unicorn-scam(GUS)”

Logic and the experiences of those who have been attacked by bears say otherwise!

 Philosophy of Use (POU) for PD:

1. hard hitting (heavy bullet); massive penetration (hardcast flat-nosed 30 degree sloped bullet–that do NOT veer-off, but continue penetrating ).
2. multi-option system for snake-loads, 4/2 legged predators
3. portable/pack-able.
4. commonly accepted that light-weight fast bullets do not “stop the attack of a large bear”– you are attempting to “ground-the-bear” by braking a shoulder so it cannot continue toward you and your loved ones. For bone braking effectiveness, you will need heavy large caliber; PENETRATING bullets.
5. Re-loaders/hand-loaders have much more flexibility/options with a quality launcher(Ruger Revolver). 

Likely the most ideal portable caliber for bear is the 45-70. Hiking/fishing/guiding with a 7 lbs lever action 45-70 may not always be feasible, so we must look to handguns to fit the niche (Ideally we would have a 45-70 AND a 454, but often we must go it alone with a handgun). 

“In hunting situation, if using a bullet designed to expand significantly, you may have to pass on the shots — and that’s a problem if the trophy bear, elk, or deer of a lifetime makes an appearance. I personally choose bullets that can kill a large animal from any and every angle presented, and hardcast, flat-nosed bullets allow me to do just that  (Prasac M., 2012, p. 93).”

“What is a large meplat? In independent testing, we have found that a surface area between 75 and 80 percent of the overall bullet diameter seems to be optimal. Below 70 percent, the wound channel size is compromised, as is stability(..sometimes tumble in flesh or veer off course) (Prasac M., 2012, p. 91).”

Think of the metplat as a flat hard hitting side of the bullet, with just enough cone to go straight and true for massive penetration. 45’s are already “pre-expanded”.

STANDARDIZATION:

“No slouch even in blackpowder form, the .45 Colt in modern times really takes on a different persona. Load it to its full potential and it will give the much-vaunted .454 Casull a run for its money and leave the .44 Magnum sucking wind in it’s rear view mirror…It’s just that I’m an even bigger fan of the modern .45 Colt. If there ever was a do-it-all cartridge, the .45 Colt would be at the top of the heap (Prasac M., 2012, p. 16).”

Also, your cowboy guns & predator defense share the same heritage for commonality.

The .454 is probably the most powerful gun of its size. Think of building +P 45 Colt cartridge, do you want the strongest gun commercially available..that also shoots the 454?

First decide on the caliber.

If you already own a 41, 44, 45 long colt, 500SW; then you are pretty squared away and may not have justification to seek out another predator defense/outdoor survival systems. 

I believe the 454 has a lot of merit for this POU because of the hard hitting bear loads, and lengthened case for a custom-snake-load like a “buck & ball”.

Having the OPTION to run soft-45-colt loads for plinking/practice OR the hottest 454 you can cookup, is powerful. Having more options is always good(if you are within a POU).

Looking at the numbers

454 hardcast 400 gr @ 1400 FPS (http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_355&product_id=148)

Power Factor Calculator is weight*speed/1000=560

Foot Pound Calculator 

The following chart is from three different sources (doubletapammos.com, Larry Mudgett & “big-bore revolvers book page 8)

Larry Mudgett of MarksmanshipMatters.com’s numbers – small sampling to show NO-significant-difference between 44 mag and 45 colt +P

I HIGHLY recommend Larry Mudgett’s Predator Defense/outdoor survival course!

LIFESAVING 454 Redhawk!

The Camera-man might be just a bit smarter than to get within 20 feet with a sharp stick 😉

Second, decide on the platform.

It is commonly accepted that 9mm snake loads in a semi-auto malfunction frequently and have a max-effective range of only a  yard or two!

The .45 ACP CCI snake load will function reliably with a stock recoil spring and has the best pattern and penetration of any of the CCI snake loads. Far better than the factory revolver loads. The 9MM tends not to function the gun. The .40 will also function the gun well in a normal size gun (not a Glock 20) which has a heavier recoil spring and heavier slide.

With regard to snake loads, the advantage of the revolver is that you can make custom snake loads with little effort. Making your own snake loads for autos is a project.

I have the most training/mileage with a semi-auto pistol, so of course I would want to use that system to defend myself against two legged predators.

However, I would rather have an ideal system for outdoor survival for wolves, cougars, bears…and most importantly snakes! Snakes kill more people than all other predators combined!

Revolvers have a reputation of robustness, but if mud gets into the cylinders they may not be able to rotate! Thus your holster should protect the cylinder area!

There is no perfect system for all POUs.

If you plan to load +P for 45 Colt & 454, you better get a Super Blackhawk or Super Redhawk!

 “How strong are the Ruger Blackhawk and Bisley model revolvers? Reports from the prestigious H.P White laboratory prove to us that most American Made revolvers offer approximately 100% safety factor with current Industry standard pressure level ammunition. Example: The .44 magnum is loaded to 40,000 CUP (Copper Units of Pressure). H.P White’s lab reports states that the Ruger Super Blackhawk was destroyed in a controlled test at approximately double that pressure. (80,000 CUP) (Linebaugh)”

“To check our findings we again turned to H.P White Labs and their findings paralleled ours. Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt caliber were destroyed in controlled test conditions at approximately 60,000 CUP pressure levels.(Linebaugh)”

That is just less than twice the CUPs before the gun was destroyed.  MAX is 32,000, destroying/damaging the gun at 60,000 CUP).

“Linebaugh concludes the Ruger Blackhawk is good for loads up to 32,000 CUP. Firearms similar in strength are: Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Bisley, large frame Vaquero, and Redhawk revolvers. Firearms that cannot withstand this type of pressure: small frame Vaqueros, Colt SAA and Colt reproductions (D’Alessandro)”

 Single Action OR Double Action?

I like the way Single Action (SA) handle & recoil. Being a Cowboy Action Shooter, I come naturally to SA.

Also, if you ride a horse and have to shoot from the saddle, your horse might jump or run after a shot. This might cause you to grab the reins or saddle horn to avoid falling from your mount. With a SA you cannot fire again until the weapon is re-cocked. So, there is no way your horse (and thus you) can get hurt by an accidental follow-up shot. However, with a Double Action (DA) you could accidentally fire/squeeze off another round into your horse.

Pros of the SA
1) recoil rolls up and over
2) Horseman benefits!
3) mileage/experience if you are a Cowboy Action Shooter (CAS).

Pros of the DA:
1) If you are wrestling with a bear, you can fire multiple-follow-up shots one handed. You can fire shots one handed faster and more easily with the DA than you can with the SA.
2) speed reloaders & speed strips

Barrel length?

2.5″ barrel is too short in my opinion (IMO) & 7.5+ is too long (unless of course you are hunting), 4-5″ is IDEAL IMO.
With a 2.5″ barrel, you will experience more recoil & muzzle blast.

Accessories

chest-rig-holster

Here is my custom holster my mentor Simon helped me build!

Simon charges about $150 for this rig, they are worth twice that!

I LOVE speed-strips! they fit well in a pocket, don’t budge out and are very concealable & practical for tactical reloads!

Conclusion

There are many great choices out there to select from. Having one of each would be costly and difficult to support (maintenance, accessories, ballistic charts etc).  Fear the man that has one gun & knows how to use it! I would change that to, fear the man that has one system per POU and is squared away with each of those systems!

I would be interested to hear your thoughts/input. I fear most people are willing to bet their life on a 40 S&W while in bear country!

I try to balance “standardization”, POU & support-ability (its easy to say, ALL OF THE ABOVE, but that is costly and inefficient).

Based on my research, I’m betting my life on a Ruger Super Redhawk 454 Casull SS 5″. If your game is more hunting, then elect for the 7.5″

REFERENCE ARTICLES:

The .45 Colt – Dissolving the Myth, Discovering the Potential

Heavy Hitting with the 45 Colt Part I  By Joseph D’Alessandro Editor | RealGuns.Com

 Single Action Revolvers for self-defense, by Larry & Stacey Mudgett

 Gunblast.com’s Ruger’s Super Redhawk Alaskan .454 Casull

454 Super Redhawk mods (modifications)

I ordered a Super Redhawk Spring Kit from Brownells.

I wasn’t sure which springs to use, so I started with the lower pound springs. I soon realized that the trigger return was too light (the trigger on follow up shots was too slow to return forward to be pressed again).  I also noticed I had many (more than 50%) “light primer strikes”. Light primer strikes means the firing pin doesn’t hit the primer hard enough to “go off”.

I recommend going with the strongest hammer & return springs in the Brownell’s spring kit. UPDATE. The strongest hammer spring from brownells will NOT hit the 454 rifle primers hard enough. I ended up going back to the default hammer spring from Ruger.

After much validation, I went with the hammer spring of 12 (factory is 14 lbs) & trigger return spring of 12 lbs (factory is 15 lbs). Using the strongest springs, I had ZERO failures.

Shooting the 454 full power 360 grains at 1347 FPS, 5″ barrell (Ruger Super Redhawk

Chrono’d 1316 & 1378.

5″ 454 300 gr, 1400 FPS

Ok, so a few friends inspired me to turn my “loaded just in case safe queen” into a very flexible get-home gun.

So, here is the build out.

Glock 20 (10mm full sized), with a 9×25 conversion barrel and a 40 SW conversion barrel.

Given the wide-range of ammo I’m going to be launching, I selected adjustable night sights.

Here are the items I’ve bought for it so far.

NIGHT SIGHTS: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VYW1XY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=30LWOQ1H5XM3M&coliid=I34VGXERL9IV8A

It took me all of 15 minutes to swap out the sights. I get to zero them this weekend.

9×25 conv. barrel: https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=954&CAT=241

40 SW conv. barrel: https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=951&CAT=241

Glock 20 Serpa Holster: http://www.amazon.com/BlackHawk-Serpa-SpoRusseter-Holster-Glock/dp/B0027J6UUG/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1409466688&sr=1-1&keywords=glock+20+serpa
My thought is, the g20 will likely be in a EDC pack, so I’d like it to be in a serpa with retention.

I decided NOT to get the 9mm conv. barrel, it sounded like too many IF IF IF, then it will work. My EDC is a 9mm, so by having it and the SW M&P 22 pistol…along with a G20…I’m all hooked up. I can resupply nearly any popular pistol caliber and be off and running!

captured spring: https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=910&TERM=guide%20rod
With all this conversion back and forth, a non-captured spring it quite a PIA.

So, the big benefit is that I can use the same springs, magazines and in less than 1 minute swap between calibers.

PROS

My fav caliber is the 9×25, which has amazing ballistics that would help one “get home”.  Think of a 10mm necked down to a 9mm or a 357 sig magnum. The 357 sig is a 40SW necked down to 9mm. The 10mm is able to carry a lot more powder.

Another pro is the 9×25 feels about like a 40 SW, so follow up shots are pretty quick.

CONS:

The Glock 20 (G20) is a big frame and unless you have large hands, you may not feel comfortable.

Now I need to purchase a shload of 40 SW, but is that really a downside? 😉

SUMMARY:

My other get-home gun is a SW M&P 22 pistol. My wife and I both have these as planb guns, if we lost everything, we’d have these to get us by. I used to have a beaten-ed down 9mm  XD to fill this role, but I like the fact that the 22 can do a lot for us.

1) carrying 300-400 rounds of 22 LR is easy

2) My kids can operate the MP 22 and my wife or I can operate the car, if needed.

3) One can dispatch small game and retain meat without wasting it.

4) Quick follow up shots at close range can be devastating.

My wife and I both have a backup M&P and “Foxy Tuck” holster in our “get-home kits”.

Combining the M&P 22 pistol with the Glock 20 (caliber of your choice selection) makes for a very mobile, discrete and flexible platform.

Again, make plans to train your kids; as they are on your team. Or perhaps you have a “walk-home-group” at work if you need to walk home, there is safety in numbers, even a moderately trained person can operate a M&P 22 pistol.

This page has links to our Sessions, Booth materials and other Stake Safety & Security documents.

FREE Long-term Emergency Response Cottage Meeting Sept 8th at 7pm.

“How to prepare for outages, shortages and reduce risk of violence during an emergency.
Likely causes of long-term emergencies and how to mitigate their risks. How we can help each other and build our community for a long term emergency response. Plan on a 90 minute presentation on insight and advice from Larry and Stacey Mudgett, retired LAPD.

“Preparedness FHE”, bring your spouse and mature youth.

To signup go to https://libertyfoxdefense.com/workshops

 Building Wealth, by John Pugliano

HANDOUTS: http://ssuss.liveprepared.org/blog/2014/08/05/building-wealth/

Mental preparation for self-sufficiency, by Larry Mudgett

Handout: http://ssuss.liveprepared.org/blog/2014/08/13/mental-preparation-for-self-sufficiency/

Lady beware, how to avoid being a crime victim, by Stacey Mudgett

HANDOUT: http://ssuss.liveprepared.org/blog/2014/08/18/ladys-beware-2/

“Hidden Legal Traps in the law of self-defense, Mitch Vilos

HANDOUT: http://ssuss.liveprepared.org/blog/2014/08/21/hidden-legal-traps/

 Internet Safety & Securing Mobile Devices

Last Year’s presentation recording: Internet Safety

Securing mobile devices, a parents guide, by Thomas E.

HANDOUT: http://ssuss.liveprepared.org/blog/2014/08/13/securing-youth-cell-phones-a-parents-guide/

Larry & Stacey’s resources: 

http://www.marksmanshipmatters.com/articles/why-surrender-is-never-an-option/

http://www.marksmanshipmatters.com/articles/the-armed-american-citizens-creed/

Mitch Vilos’ resources:

Free legal advice, by Attorney Mitch Vilos facebook page. gun laws of 50 states 

 http://www.gunswestpublishing.com/

SUMMARY:

What is the cost of not having a Gun Safe? Family Costs, criminal costs, peace-of-mind.
What to look for in a Gun Safe?
Tips of moving, storing and taking care of your gun safe.

First off, what if you FAIL to protect your loved ones? Can you live with yourself? NO!

Ponder for a moment how devastating it would be if there was an accident or malicious use of your firearms against your family!
Ponder for a moment if you failed to plan to protect your loved ones from evil monsters? What is the cost?

 The costs of these consequences are too high for anyone to bare. PREVENT this by having a gun safe.

A gun safe protects by
1) Preventing unauthorized access
2) fire damage
3) loss due to theft
4) Provides peace-of-mind that your family is safe and your “goodies” are safe.

I stood next to a friend as he opened his gun safe after a flood. It was half full of mud. His $10,000 of guns was “protected” by a $150 dollar safe! Lesson learned!  This is so typical American, We buy a $2,000 gun, put a $100 dollar optic on there and call it good! We protect our priceless family with a $200 gun safe! NOT! Or for life-safety issues, we bet our life on the least expensive gun, gear & training! NOT ME!

Gun Safe MOVING TIPS:
1) measure, think ahead – take your time. Sore backs are slow to heal, take another few minutes and do it right!
2) Use leverage to your advantage. Straps, hand trucks, pallet jacks, are your friend!
3) Remove the safe door, which is usually ⅓ of the weight of the gun safe, effectively allowing you to move it in two pieces.

FEATURES:

1) Spend a few hundred more and get exactly what you want. Buying proper is less expensive than buying it twice!
2) Get a good fire rating! I regret buying a 1200 degree for 30 minute safe from bass pro in 2004! Update, firefighters will tell you almost any safe is NOT going to protect your guns from heat/fire/water (from putting out the fire).
3) Having a keypad is so wonderful! Those spindles are a pain! The best of both worlds is to have BOTH in the same lock! That way if there is an EMP, you can still have access to your life saving defense “systems”.

I can get dealer pricing on:  http://www.securamsys.com/#!safelogic-xtreme/c705 (awesome EMP Proof combo lock!)

TIPS:

1) Just like a piano, don’t put your safe on a “cold/hot” wall. Meaning, don’t put it on a wall that is the outside of your home.
2) Don’t put your safe next to lots of fuel. Don’t put it near your furnace or smack in the middle of your house (If your house burns to the ground, where will it have the most fuel/least fuel?).
3) Consider securing your ammo too!
4) Buy two small safes instead of one large safe. Easier to move. You can put them in different locations (not all eggs in one basket, you could have one safe at a friends/relatives house).
5) Carry a gun with you in your house 24×7. Be able to deploy your weapon in 1 second! Home invasion takes about 3 seconds. Get in the habit of carrying at home. The gun safe is for guns you are NOT using to defend yourself.
6) Allow your spouse to put important items in your safe. Have your family photos and important documents with 2, 3 “copies” in an offsite location.
7) Many keypads light up at night. Get in the habit of hitting any key, then the clear key, then your code. that way you are in the habit and can do it under stress (for a long gun/shotgun) or half-asleep.
8)  Consider having a dedicated quick open pistol safe near your bed-stand.

Recommended “Pistol Safe”:
Read these reviews
http://www.amazon.com/LOCKSAF-Personal-Biometric-Safe-PBS-D/dp/B008VD3EBA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1406045279&sr=8-2&keywords=locksaf

Watch this youtube video of this safe at a recent hacker conference (Defcon).I suggest you skip to about minute 19 in the youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIJFQO4DIxw#t=19m30s

If you’d like to get an excellent safe at a “Amazon beating Price”, check out my Gun Safe Ordering page.