My RSS Feedhttp://www.handguncombatives.com/index.htmlHot News!enuser@domain.comCopyright 2011 Chuck2013-02-08T19:56:23-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:03:56 -0500Shooting on the move? A second opinion. user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2013-02-08T19:56:23-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/96ed8eb6b3392a6c598ec387f9a3c9e9-38.html#unique-entry-id-38http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/96ed8eb6b3392a6c598ec387f9a3c9e9-38.html#unique-entry-id-38A few years ago I wrote several columns questioning the time spent teaching shooting while moving.]]>Dan Brady Addresses Reader Feedbackuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-12-28T21:14:45-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/3af44679920458740dec2f69e2ba8643-37.html#unique-entry-id-37http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/3af44679920458740dec2f69e2ba8643-37.html#unique-entry-id-37In reference to my last Blog about being armed 24/7 because you don't know when you will need your gun, a reader asked me a very good question about the]]>Dan Brady checks in once again with a lesson on why it is important to go armed 24/7.user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-12-26T15:56:39-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9ab94272af0ddaba9e1cc4724f23be9f-36.html#unique-entry-id-36http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9ab94272af0ddaba9e1cc4724f23be9f-36.html#unique-entry-id-36On Thanksgiving night 2012 I was staying in a nice hotel in Raleigh NC as my eldest daughter was competing in a cheer leading competition the following morning. A little before midnight ]]>Dan Brady on Recent Eventsuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-12-20T15:35:37-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ad6263bc9695700e71726757942f004c-35.html#unique-entry-id-35http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ad6263bc9695700e71726757942f004c-35.html#unique-entry-id-35This is from my friend and student Dan Brady and would seem appropriate for this time of year…and considering recent events in Connecticut…appropriate for all, not just warriors.

Merry Christmas!

Dave Spaulding]]>Slaughter in Progress by Dave Spauldinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-12-16T15:09:00-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f09ae6c049ed91e4873ab713a0027bf2-34.html#unique-entry-id-34http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f09ae6c049ed91e4873ab713a0027bf2-34.html#unique-entry-id-34Like many people across the country, I am saddened by the senseless slaughter of children in Newton, CT. but it is not the first time I have felt ]]>Dave Spaulding on The Goofy Little Holsteruser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-10-09T19:42:21-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/57bbfc14c7201f393d91688587d9c280-33.html#unique-entry-id-33http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/57bbfc14c7201f393d91688587d9c280-33.html#unique-entry-id-33I am not a ]]>Dave With More About The 2 x 2 x 2 Drilluser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-10-08T20:19:24-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/5835c639d940d9c6dca159c1164cc3f9-32.html#unique-entry-id-32http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/5835c639d940d9c6dca159c1164cc3f9-32.html#unique-entry-id-32I ‘m glad I did not order 250 challenge coins for the 2x2x2 drill. When I first decided to add this drill to the end of my 2 and 3 day courses, I was a bit taken back by the cost and number of coins I needed to place an order. The minimum was ]]>Dan Brady & Will Ruprecht on Shooting Drills and Standardsuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-08-21T15:27:15-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9547af823cf28699f02c06185a142fa5-31.html#unique-entry-id-31http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9547af823cf28699f02c06185a142fa5-31.html#unique-entry-id-31This blog, while written by Dan Brady, is a cooperative effort between Dan and Narcotics cop Will Ruprecht. Both men have extensive military and law enforcement training and the drills listed here are a mixture of handgun Combatives, CSAT (Paul Howe) and Gunsite Drills. I think it is a good mixture and worth the reader's consideration.

- Dave Spaulding]]>Dan Brady on Possibilities, Probabilities and Traininguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-08-07T16:19:31-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f73a7947517916b6bd9646e9971afc73-30.html#unique-entry-id-30http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f73a7947517916b6bd9646e9971afc73-30.html#unique-entry-id-30We practice shooting not only because we enjoy it but because we aren’t willing to believe that we’ll]]>Dan Brady on The CO Shootinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-07-31T19:50:53-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/b5b33f82d47c55b37b8adac2f8aaaa0b-29.html#unique-entry-id-29http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/b5b33f82d47c55b37b8adac2f8aaaa0b-29.html#unique-entry-id-29Everyone is talking about the mass shooting in CO. There is ill advised, knee jerk legislation being proposed.]]>Dave Spaulding on Gun Guy Radiouser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-07-17T18:30:57-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ecde0dff416ad34eb08eb05c6f67c8ea-28.html#unique-entry-id-28http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ecde0dff416ad34eb08eb05c6f67c8ea-28.html#unique-entry-id-28Dave's interview starts at the 10 minute mark. http://www.gunguyradio.com/018/]]>Should We Shoot On The Move? by Dave Spauldinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-07-09T16:59:58-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/486719573ca5f500bee4f1f7da6b71fd-27.html#unique-entry-id-27http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/486719573ca5f500bee4f1f7da6b71fd-27.html#unique-entry-id-27The legendary Bruce Lee said it well… "Advanced skills are the basics]]>Red Dot Rampage by Dave Spauldinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-07-03T18:35:04-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/278e730113392508dd7eb1cc22cdd6b1-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/278e730113392508dd7eb1cc22cdd6b1-26.html#unique-entry-id-26http://www.jprifles.com/3.1_tech.php?document_id=452]]>Dave Spaulding on GunTalk Radio 2012user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-06-30T16:10:52-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/085f301d7763f83a5d91a24f10b44990-25.html#unique-entry-id-25http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/085f301d7763f83a5d91a24f10b44990-25.html#unique-entry-id-25Click Here for Dave Spaulding on GunTalk Radio 2012]]>Dean Rieck on BFA leaders spend a day with handgun combatives expert Dave Spauldinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-05-26T16:28:35-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/4aee85a82e860a0c21bfee95d9f6e233-24.html#unique-entry-id-24http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/4aee85a82e860a0c21bfee95d9f6e233-24.html#unique-entry-id-24http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/8363]]>Dave on The Problem with Stopping Power user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-05-19T16:20:52-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/6773b184281c1e1a534cf701be989f33-22.html#unique-entry-id-22http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/6773b184281c1e1a534cf701be989f33-22.html#unique-entry-id-22I have long been fascinated with the topic of handgun stopping power. For almost 25 years, I read]]>Dave on Life Choices: Convenience, Cool or Prepared.user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-06-01T16:32:51-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/fe97892b73fce31333136b4ed9a42067-21.html#unique-entry-id-21http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/fe97892b73fce31333136b4ed9a42067-21.html#unique-entry-id-21My first experience with the ankle holster was the 1971 Academy Award-winning movie: The French Connection. I was in high school and hadn’t even thought about a law enforcement career. My life’s total focus was two things:]]>Dave on The Personal Armament Networkuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-04-03T21:03:54-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9de569dd17b152b1a9e91e59d7ad2536-20.html#unique-entry-id-20http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/9de569dd17b152b1a9e91e59d7ad2536-20.html#unique-entry-id-20Click on the link for the Personal Armament Network Podcast of Dave Spaulding discussing Personal Security Concepts.]]>Dave Spaulding: Reading Is Essentialuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-04-03T20:58:40-04:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/1cc573e94ddc840a5ca3aa76341b1964-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/1cc573e94ddc840a5ca3aa76341b1964-19.html#unique-entry-id-19Reading is Essential!

If you wish to improve knowledge that is…


Many years ago, while attending a seminar on Instructional Skills/Adult Learning Theory, the instructor passed on this little tidbit…]]>Dave's Thoughts on Fearuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-03-08T19:38:11-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/0626d6a10030e38bc99cdffd34f38d98-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/0626d6a10030e38bc99cdffd34f38d98-18.html#unique-entry-id-18From my worn out, ratty, dog-eared, paper back (I know…old school) version of the Webster’s Dictionary:

Fear (fir) n. 1. Anxiety caused by real or possible danger, pain, etc.; fright 2. Awe; reverence 3. Apprehension; concern.

Fear comes in many forms and the word is used in a wide variety of ways. This past weekend, while teaching a class in Florida, I had a student come up to me and ask, “Aren’t you afraid of what people have said about you on the Internet?” He was referring to the]]>Airsoft Training: Guest Editorial by Dan Bradyuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-02-17T15:40:41-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/015f32d759982e0467340c5adbdb7f9c-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/015f32d759982e0467340c5adbdb7f9c-17.html#unique-entry-id-17I ran across an argument between a couple instructors recently about the inclusion of Airsoft replica pistols as legitimate training tools in training for deadly force encounters.]]>Are You Ready? Guest Editorial by Mike Boyleuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-02-14T12:57:53-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e97fb7e8c4d0d8bb5a9844316eaab1e2-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e97fb7e8c4d0d8bb5a9844316eaab1e2-16.html#unique-entry-id-16Mike Boyle is one of the finest weaponcraft instructors I know. He is a retired law enforcement officer and IALEFI Board member who spear-headed the popular Master Instructor program that tours the country as part of IALEFI’s commitment to continuing instructor education. He works with me at Handgun Combatives LLC and I am proud to share his thoughts with all. - Dave Spaulding
]]>Dave Spaulding on The Speer Gold Dotuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-02-05T15:20:56-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/279403def780eebcd0d7ebd27ab6445a-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/279403def780eebcd0d7ebd27ab6445a-15.html#unique-entry-id-15“An off-duty police detective shot a 17-year-old mugger dead in Brooklyn Sunday after...]]>An Armed Populace: Guest editorial by Dan Bradyuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-02-01T18:16:20-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ea00a20c298f85d4eef010696068d50d-14.html#unique-entry-id-14http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/ea00a20c298f85d4eef010696068d50d-14.html#unique-entry-id-14I had this emailed to me by a close friend. I understand the authors point, but I take exception with a few statements and offer a few caveats. Please read and check my commentary.
]]>Dave Spaulding on Stupid Disputesuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-01-15T13:51:42-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/7fd62a9b2ff88c778b05aa8ebafbe0cc-13.html#unique-entry-id-13http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/7fd62a9b2ff88c778b05aa8ebafbe0cc-13.html#unique-entry-id-13If you spend any time around handgun shooters, whether at a training course, the gun club, on a gun forum or just standing around a gun store, controversies will arise that are so hotly debated

]]>Enhancing Performance with Gear: Guest Editorial by Dan Bradyuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-01-13T18:18:53-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/aace825492b2e812607420232d0f18e3-12.html#unique-entry-id-12http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/aace825492b2e812607420232d0f18e3-12.html#unique-entry-id-12Once again I would like to call the reader’s attention to Dan Brady and his thoughts on skill development and gear. Enjoy! -Dave Spaulding

Enhancing Performance with Gear

My daily kit has evolved over the years and will likely continue to evolve. The explosion of combatives ]]>Dave Explains The NESS Brothersuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2012-01-05T15:34:31-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/3d8e697654b39772d11b9532ff7c0603-11.html#unique-entry-id-11http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/3d8e697654b39772d11b9532ff7c0603-11.html#unique-entry-id-11I have been studying armed conflict my entire life. After sitting down in 1976 with a veteran of the trench warfare of WWI, I became hooked on]]>Does the 1911 need to go away? Guest Editorial by Dan Bradyuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-28T07:28:54-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/80f611e21f968973ebca200deaf65fb8-10.html#unique-entry-id-10http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/80f611e21f968973ebca200deaf65fb8-10.html#unique-entry-id-10Once again, I would like to introduce former U.S. Marine and current DOD officer Dan Brady. Dan is discussing a controversial topic in this blog and while you might not agree (or maybe you do!) the reason for The Combative Mind Blog is to get folks thinking. Thanks for checking in! – Dave Spaulding

Slaughtering the Sacred Cow: Does the 1911 need to go away as a combat pistol?
By Dan Brady
]]>Dave Spaulding on GunTalk Radio 2011user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-23T19:52:30-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e62a873f09671454bf99fb8f29b67213-9.html#unique-entry-id-9http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e62a873f09671454bf99fb8f29b67213-9.html#unique-entry-id-9Podcast]]>Dave Spaulding on GunTalk Radio 2010user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-23T19:45:18-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/d63a458ddc4e0fffbdfa38d5d2c4ccf0-8.html#unique-entry-id-8http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/d63a458ddc4e0fffbdfa38d5d2c4ccf0-8.html#unique-entry-id-8Podcast]]>Holsters are Importantuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-22T10:33:57-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/353c9d0e84a5e80c38b3b2e7ad16b0b0-6.html#unique-entry-id-6http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/353c9d0e84a5e80c38b3b2e7ad16b0b0-6.html#unique-entry-id-6Gear does not make the combatant, but good gear can certainly enhance performance. After three plus decades of practical street experience and a lot of time spent researching the topic of interpersonal conflict, I truly believe combat is 90% attitude and 10% physical skill. Skill needs to be so familiar that it can run on]]>Thoughts on Training: Guest Editorial by Dan Bradyuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-17T10:50:55-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e99030b93bf317ccf917c8b6376e1ddb-5.html#unique-entry-id-5http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/e99030b93bf317ccf917c8b6376e1ddb-5.html#unique-entry-id-5I would like to see The Combative Mind Blog become a conduit for useful (not like much of the crap found on the gun forums) personal security information. In that vein, I would like to introduce Dan Brady, a former Marine, municipal police officer, deputy sheriff and now employee for the DOD. Dan is one of my students and I have selected him to be an instructor for Handgun Combatives courses when the enrollment is more than I can handle alone. Enjoy! -Dave Spaulding]]>On SERPAs and Solutionsuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-09T17:54:00-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/7f8765ecbfb670fb95c181dbc5e998fa-4.html#unique-entry-id-4http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/7f8765ecbfb670fb95c181dbc5e998fa-4.html#unique-entry-id-4When I decided I wanted to make training a business my kids told me I needed to become involved in social media. My daughter said, “Dad, you have to have a web site, be on Facebook, Linkedin and write a blog”. I was familiar with these things, but had not paid them much attention. I was told these were ways to call attention to the business and “any attention was good attention”. I’m guessing this mode of thought is much like the misbehavior of many Hollywood celebrities who constantly crave attention by acting like idiots in public …”any press is good press” I have heard it said.
If this is true, I accomplished the mission with my most recent blog on the Blackhawk SERPA. Judging from the comments on line as well as the e-mails sent there were more than a few folks who read it. Some were in opposition to the holster design and they gave good reasons for their opinion(s). These readers drew attention to how the design can be “locked up” due to debris in the mechanism while others commented that since it was made of polymer, it was easy to rip from the belt. Valid concerns and I will leave it to the reader to decide if they are important factors in whether or not you want to buy a SERPA.
What is disappointing are the people who decided to make it personal. One wrote stating, “I will never

]]>Instructor Skills and SERPA Bashinguser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-12-02T18:52:25-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/542e1bdcf694c44837335476eead0ab3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/542e1bdcf694c44837335476eead0ab3-3.html#unique-entry-id-3My wife wonders why I still attend training courses at this stage of my life. “What could you possibly learn that you have not already heard?” she often asks. The truth is I don’t know what I don’t know so I continue to seek out additional knowledge. That said, I seldom hear...]]>2 x 2 x 2user@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-11-27T09:33:34-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f0c2ab2d8733afd1229fba6b0a36539e-2.html#unique-entry-id-2http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/f0c2ab2d8733afd1229fba6b0a36539e-2.html#unique-entry-id-2 The price of ammunition has doubled since I retired from law enforcement and while the supply shortage has ebbed, the price has not receded and I doubt it ever will. Because of this, I remain a supporter of dry fire training as many combative pistol skills can be mastered without ever firing a shot. That said, the most essential of fundamental skills requires

]]>Enter The CAP Sightuser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-11-20T18:51:51-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/d46ea27e9f482f33f9bc3da159d667ea-1.html#unique-entry-id-1http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/d46ea27e9f482f33f9bc3da159d667ea-1.html#unique-entry-id-1I have long felt that part of being a combative firearms instructor was looking for solutions not just teaching established doctrine. The debate between point shooting and sighted fire has raged for

]]>Combative Minduser@domain.comCombative Mind Blog2011-11-06T17:45:25-05:00http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/00e987dd37a597e15f8203aadc4f1d05-0.html#unique-entry-id-0http://www.handguncombatives.com/blog/files/00e987dd37a597e15f8203aadc4f1d05-0.html#unique-entry-id-0The purpose of fighting is to win.
There is no possible victory in defense…
The sword is more important than the shield
and skill is more important than either.
The FINAL WEAPON is the brain…
all else is supplemental.
- John Steinbeck

Trainers have been using this quote for many years…I use it myself. Why?

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