Circuit :: OnTheJob
PREPARING
THE TOOL by |
MARK “SIX” JAMES
One Hand Operation Mark “Six” James is Founder and Executive Director of Panther Protection Services, LLC. www.pantherprotectionservices.com.
J
oe Louis and Mike Tyson both said everybody has a fight plan until they get hit. While we would love to think because of our superior training we will never be injured during an encounter, there is always the possibility Murphy’s Law pays us a visit on that day. For those who are veterans of multiple encounters, the reality is there is a good chance we may be injured or at minimum be forced to use our other (reaction) hand for other activities such as moving your client out of harm’s way; carrying something or someone, or you may be forced to cover an intruder with one hand as you dial the police with the other one.
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Preparing to Prevail (Getting the Tool Ready) The more you train the more you realize there is no such thing as advance shooting or weapons handling, there is only advanced application of the basics or doing the basics on demand. While advanced shooters typically can do the basics on demand, they are traditionally students of their craft and often find ways to make the process more efficient, and when possible minimize equipment error. A 90 degree rear sight like the Trijicon sights in figure 1 (preferably metal) versus a slope rear sight makes one hand slide manipulation easier when racking the slide off a hard or firm edge. Top of the Slide trimmed with outdoor tread (skateboard or step) tape - figure 2 - serves as an alternative to traditional rear sight racking of the slide against a hard edge during one
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hand weapon manipulation as the outdoor tread tape will grip most materials (I have racked it off my pants, torso as well as my shirt sleeve). It also works effectively in two hand weapons handling for gripping the slide over the top. Stippling - figure 3 - may be done with a soldering iron or textured with trimmed outdoor tread tape to help minimize slipping particularly when under stress or working in high humidity, rain or other inclement weather situations. Mag Well Cut Out - figure 4 - cutting away a small portion of the front of the mag well helps better expose the lip of the magazine and makes one hand Type 3 Malfunction clearing easier. Mag well cut out should be done by a professional gunsmith or for the technically inclined it may also be achieved with a rotary tool or hot blade. If you have decided to do it yourself, remove small amounts at a time until you get to your desired trim height. Cutting away a small portion of both sides of the mag well helps better expose the lip of the magazine. Bottom of the Trigger Guard - figure 5 treatment may be done with stippling or outdoor tread tape. Helps minimize weapon slippage and helps to establish a consistent grip.
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Circuit : : 21