What is the best
handgun to bring to class or for self-defense?
We've seen 'em all!
Big handguns, little ones, cheap ones and expensive handguns. The bottom line
is to purchase the absolute best defensive handgun you can afford. Remember only
your life depends on what you choose and use. Don't listen to marketing hype.
Go to a reputable gun shop who specializes in defensive firearms. Ask for clerks
who have personally attended advanced defensive training themselves, and ask them
about your choices (unfortunately you won't find many gun store clerks who attend
professional defensive firearms training!). We suggest you consider three criteria
when you select a self-defensive handgun: criteria
#1 "reliability,"
criteria #2 "reliability,"
and
criteria #3 "reliability!"
It is extremely important your defensive handgun work each, and every, time you
pull the trigger and will work in any kind of weather under stressful conditions!
Also, be sure the gun you choose fit your hands.
Ladies:
Don't let some well intended husband, boyfriend, father, or male friend pick out
your defensive handgun for you. Choose one for yourself! Your selection of a defensive
handgun is personal and you need to make 100% certain it fits you and you can
trust your life with it! Also don't let someone convince you that you need or
can only handle a "wimpy," "cute," little handgun. We've seen
small "dainty" petite women using their .357 Magnum and .45s shooting
circles around many of the guys. We work with many petite women law enforcement
and corrections officers who are able to qualify at their agency with full size
Glock 19s and 22s. Handguns, chambered in a standard defensive caliber, are "equal
opportunity" tools and you can shoot, manipulate, and handle anything a guy
can and usually better. . . . much to a male's chagrin!!
Finally the
handgun you choose must be safe and easy to operate at your skill level. There
are many good models on the market today to choose from and we do not endorse
or recommend any particular handgun/firearm. However, the ones we see a lot at
our school and have a decent track record (remember these tools are man made and
can fail!) are:
This is only a list of the most popular handguns that seem to be relatively trouble free and frequent our school. This doesn't mean you shouldn't bring your handgun if it isn't on this list. Bring to class what you use for your self-defense handgun.
What
handgun caliber is best for self defense?
Is the .45 more powerful and a better stopper than the .40? Isn't
a .40 better than a 9mm? Okay, lets get one thing straight . . . no
handgun caliber is best for self defense. So, which caliber should
I choose? Pick the biggest caliber you can accurately, safety, and proficiently
put consistent hits onto the target. For some that may only be a .380 or 9mm,
while for others that may be a .357 SIG or .45 ACP. At a minimum we suggest 9mm
in a full size or compact handgun and a .380 in the subcompact or pocket handgun.
The best defensive handguns on the market today are chambered in the most popular
defensive caliber's of 9mm, 357 SIG, 38/357 Mag, 40 S&W, & .45 ACP.
What
ammo should I bring and how much is enough?
We require
you purchase new factory ammo for your class. You've made a big investment in
your handgun, carry gear, and now you're investing a day of your time plus tuition
to attend a class. Why shortchange yourself with cheap ammo or unreliable reloads.
If you want to use reloads in your own training and practice sessions that is your prerogative . . . when you're at our school surrounded by other students and our staff we want you using factory new ammo to minimize problems and reduce hazards to others and yourself. When our staff attends firearms training, which we do often, we use factory new ammo and always bring more than the minimum outlined on the class syllabus
Why
do I need one of your courses when I already know how to shoot?
We hear this question a lot. If you already "know" how to shoot
then ponder this . . . shooting a firearm on a peaceful Saturday afternoon under
no stress at an inanimate non-threatening paper target, within a known distance,
in broad daylight is one thing. Being rudely and suddenly awakened, at 2:37 AM,
from the sound of broken glass by a swift moving drug induced intruder armed with
a shotgun who is threatening you and your family is quite another! When you're
suddenly confronted with vicious and violent behavior and you're defending your
life it is not like shooting tin cans with friends at a rock pit or paper targets
at your local range.
If you are ever attacked you will rise to the level
of training you've undergone. If you are not properly prepared for this kind of
sudden encounter then the absence of training and muscle memory results in panic
and confusion. This phenomena is called the "flight, fright, or fight mode"
When in this mode our brain chemistry is altered. The part of the brain which
controls our rational thoughts is bypassed and during an attack the mind and the
body relies on "scripted" responses that are programmed during training
and practice. If you don't have a "script" to follow then you are trying
to withdraw emergency skills from an empty self-defense account! In her book entitled
Surviving Deadly Force Encounters, Dr. Alexis Artwohl found that 74% of
the police officers she interviewed who had survived a lethal encounter ran on
"automatic pilot." These officers survived because of their training.
They had practiced the correct steps over and over until these steps and tactics
were programmed into muscle memory. Once programmed, and practiced ritualistically,
the mind and the body will be able to successfully fight, on "automatic pilot",
even when the rational part of the brain is out of gear.
So you see,
our classes are not just about teaching people how to "shoot." Our classes
are about "life" . . . the continuation of life for you, your
family, friends and the general public. If you already "know" how to
shoot, then you are at a good place to start. But it is only a "start!"
You still have much to learn in order to defend you and your love ones from predatory
violent behavior. It is our intention to build upon your previously acquired "shooting"
skills/experiences and help you further develop the five essential competencies
necessary in self-defense situations including:
Women usually require a canted or offset holster to accommodate their hips.
Holsters built for men don't always fit well on women (NOTE: 99% of the holsters
on the market today are designed by men for men). Women usually prefer holsters
configured like anoffset holster because they both cant away from their hips and
sit slightly lower making the holster more comfortable and easier to facilitate
consistent safe presentations from the holster. Usually an IWB holster digs into
a woman's side causing pain and making it extremely difficult for them to present
the handgun. Most OWB holsters, designed for men, will also cause the same problem
for women. However, an OWB is the better of the two choices if no other option
is available. Typically women will prefer, and find it more comfortable, to wear
their holsters in front of the hip, near the front pants pocket, whereas, men
usually have the holster on their side, centered on the pant leg seam, or positioned
somewhere over the strong side rear pocket area.
Shoulder holsters, small of back and thigh rig holsters are not permitted.
For defensive purposes you need a holster you can obtain a good Master Grip with either hand and be able to quickly and easily present the handgun and then re-holster with either hand from any body orientation
Can
I bring my young son/daughter/grandchild to one of your courses?
There is no cut-n-dry answer to this question but as a general rule anyone 18
or older is welcome to attend our courses without anyone accompanying them. If
they are under 18 then it is a "case-by-case" basis and you should call
and talk with our office. However, here are some guidelines to assist you in the
timing of your decision and when is the proper time to bring your minor to an Combat Tactical Academy course:
They are at an age where they can understand and follow your instructions
AND they will follow our instructions
AND they can understand the concept and reality of death and/or serious injuries as a result of their actions
AND they have develop the morale aptitude to determine right from wrong
AND they have the appropriate mindset and behaviors to respect and appreciate using lethal force in the defense of themselves and other love ones.
Help!
I've lost or misplaced my directions to your Academy or I didn't receive my Course
Confirmation?
No problem, we've got you covered! Call our office
- 888-844-8438 x 5
What if I cannot make it to the course?
All payments towards classes are NON- REFUNDABLE. Due to our small class size, your reservation is guaranteed. Any changes to your reservation must be done in writing 2 weeks prior to scheduled course date. In the event you need to change your scheduled date, a change of date fee of $100.00 per student will be charged. Upon receipt of change of date fee, the balance of any tuition paid will be credited towards another course date taken with in 1 year from original date of course sale. Cancellations, if any must be done in writing 2 weeks prior to scheduled course. In the event of a cancellation with less than 2 weeks notice, tuition will be forfeited.