TAP-RACK Tactical

I have had a lot of exposure to this concept, or the lack of it, in my lifetime. Just when you think you are firing on all cylinders, something will jump up and kick you in the head.

Honor as defined by a google search is; A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.

And Integrity as;  the quality of being honest.

There are other deifnitions to be sure, these are just examples. I will say that the above definition of honor is probably more accurate than the definition of integrity. We use integrity more often than honor, and even though there are lots of definitions of honor, most of them include the word integrity. If integrity at its base is just being honest, then I have failed to be a man of integrity on many occasions. I have told people their babies are cute. I have busted on fellas who really picked up an OK looking 180 pound girl and transformed her into a 250 pound monstrosity to get a laugh. I have said the dress looks great, the meal is delicious, and told people that everything will be OK when it clearly won't. 

I think Honor is the better word for members of a Tactical Team. At it's base, the foundation of the team is built on trust. Trust that you will cover me, trust that you will be there when it gets shitty, trust that you will do your job so that I don't have to, and ultimately trust that you will put yourself in harms way in an effort to keep your teammates safe. It goes without saying that honesty is an important part of that trust. I do think that it is OK to bust the chops of a team mate and tell him he's fat when he really isn't, especially when that comment will send him into a two a day workout cycle and a strict paleo diet. Good natured hilarity.

However, there comes a time when we all strap on the golf shoes and do something stupid. There are times when we all make a mistake and dont really want to hear the comments that will soon be forthcoming. There are times when a team member has to be sat down and given the hard conversation that their physical and/or mental performance are not up to standard. All of these conversations suck. But it is at these times, when I have screwed up that Honor prohibits me from lying my way out of consequences. It is a sad state fo affairs when being concerned about consequences, a blow to your ego, or embarassment will cause any man to sacrifice his Honor.

I have made some big ass mistakes in my life. Huge. Monumental. Alot of people have. With that in mind, I beleive that most people will cut others some slack as long as they admit their mistake and take their lashings. We are a profession that has many conversations about not making excuses for poor performance, poor decisions and poor behavior. It is always sad to me when good men default to exactly that when they are under the gun. So many times if guys would have just stuck to their honor, the mistake wouldn't even be remembered. When they dont, it is the lack of Honor that is unforgettable. It makes you start to question whether or not they can be trusted in the most critical of times. It makes you wonder if you have been given a glimpse of their true character.

Do your best to maintain your honor. There are precious few professions that require it, but for those that do, nothing less is acceptable.

Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people. Welsh Proverb.

CURRENT 2012 OPEN ENROLLMENT COURSE LIST

March 5 & 6, Tactical Pistol, Woodburn OR.

April 23-25, HR, Spokane, WA.

May 22 & 23, Rife/Pistol Update, WSTOA Conference

June 18-19, Shield User, Spokane, WA.

July 23-27, Carbine Instructor, Flathead, Montana

August 20-22, Narcotics Warrant Service, Spokane, WA.

October 24-26, Breacher, Spokane WA

Nov. 5-9, Carbine Instructor, Richland, WA.

Nov. 18 & 19, Shield, Richland WA.

Dec. 17-19, SWAT T/L, Spokane WA.

Course Update

March 5 & 6, Tactical Pistol, Woodburn Oregon

April 3-5, Hostage Rescue, Spokane Wa.

May, (Unavailable due to closed courses)

June 18 & 19, Ballistic Shield User, Spokane WA

July 23-27, Carbine/Subgun Instructor, Flathead County Montana

August 20-22, Narcotics Warrant Service, Spokane WA

Dates TBA Ballistic Shield User, Richland WA

Dates TBA Mech/Shotgun Breaching, Spokane, WA.

Dec. 17-19, SWAT Team Leader, Spokane WA.

If you're interested in attending any of the courses above or if you want to host training let me know.

I have been thinking alot about the impact of the economy and shrinking budgets over the last few weeks. I would say that my team is very well equipped, by and large we have everything we need to do our jobs successfully. There are certainly advances in technology and equipment that make us better, safer and more capable of doing our jobs. I embrace that stuff and I believe that we should do everything we possibly can to acquire the latest and greatest.

However, I can't help but think back to when I first started on SWAT. We didn't have ANY armored vehicles, we had one beat up ballistic shield, a hodge-podge of different weapons with iron sights only, and body armor with fixed pouches. Somehow we managed to survive.

I dont want this to be an old dinosaur rant, I'll still smoke the hell out of you in PT:). Every year around the time of the SHOT show, some piece of equipment comes out that we absolutely must have. It is so vital that we will all certainly be killed if we don't get it right now. Can you imgaine my wife's horror that I was dismembered on a callout because the agency didn't provide me with aftermarket helmet rails to hang a light off of? The horror....

Don't take this the wrong way, I love new stuff. I love technology and the advantages that new technology offers. If I gave the right guy a stock rifle, a quality pistol, decent armor and a crap ton of training, he would be safer and more lethal than the guy with little training outfitted with the best from head to toe. This is no revelation, my guess is that all of you are nodding your heads and thinking "true, true".

With that in mind, wouldn't we all be better taking care of the stuff we already have and spending every penny on outside training to supplement the good training we already get from our teams? Now some of you are nodding up and down and others are going "Nice sales pitch". Well, I hope it is. But recognize that I am trying to sell good training from anyone, not just mine. In fact, if you want to send me an email, I will send you a list of trainers that I have personally learned a lot or a little from. Some are local dudes, others are not. What they share is the rare commodity of being good instructors who also happen to good at what they teach, not just teaching the topic. If you have latched onto one instructor, then you are only getting one perspective. You should be filling your bucket with numerous thoughts on how to get the job done, this allows you to adapt to the specific circumstances you will face on mission day. Seek knowledge everywhere.  

Focus on good training, not just good gear. Strike the balance that you think is appropriate, but I will tell you that if you received $1000 in new kit last year and did not attend ANY outside training, then your balance may be off kilter. I don't know everyone's circumstances or budget, but I would guess there is probably some piece of kit that you can do without so that money can be diverted for training. You decide. The knowledge you gain from a single class may be what prevents you from getting hurt or killed in the line of duty. There are very few pieces of gear that can boast the same.

Food for thought. As always - Be good, to be safe.  

My 2012 calendar is rapidly filling up, get in touch ASAP to save dates if you are interested in hosting a class. I will be throwing up dates for scheduled courses soon so get your request in.

I just finished reading an article that stated 2011 was deadliest year for LE since the 70's. Bad economy, unemployment, civil unrest, anti-government sentiment and so forth were all given as reasons for the increase. I am sure those things are true and have a cause and effect.

Bad budgets mean a cut in department priorities. One of the first things to be cut is usually training. However, running nad pushups are free. Dry firing doesn't cost a penny. Looking up information onliine and wathcing youtube videos related to increasing our lethality and proficiency are free. (Since your reading, I'm assuming you have internet). All of these things can be done quite easily and make you more prepared for the fight that is coming. An area where all of us can get better, is trauma aid.

My team just did a medical update and instructor asked what we are carrying. He also asked if guys were carrying their tourniquet on patrol. Very few were. I carry a TQ on my patrol belt, it is attached with a hair band that my daughter had. I wanted it to be visible and accessible so that any officer in my agency would see it in case I am down and they dont have theirs. I know a few guys that carry them somewhere hidden, in a pouch or pocket. The problem with that is that I won't know your carry location so you better hope I have mine.

One of the best TQ's out there is the RMT from m2inc. http://www.ratchetingbuckles.com/type/ratcheting-medical-tourniquets/

 I'm gonna say it, it is the best tourniquet on the market, period. "But, but but, my team bought the CAT/SWAT-T/SOF-T/Whatever TQ!". That's great, its better than nothing, but it is inferior to the RMT. No other TQ is as easy or intuitive to use. No other TQ is as easy to apply and occlude blood flow WHILE bloody yourself. It is the best and when I am bleeding, I want the best. At the low price of around $35, it is also the least expensive life saving tool you can buy yourself. At this time of year it would make a great stocking stuffer, and I am sure someone loves you enough to drop that kind of dough. Hell buy several. Keep on your belt, in your blow out bag, in your patrol bag, attached to your rifle stock and anywhere else you can think of because they save lives. But here is the deal, YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT WITH YOU!!! 

LE has to change it's opinions and stance on this stuff, we have to wake up. I will tell you that I carry 3 pistol magazines, damn near fifty bullets, on my person for the primary gun. It makes more sense for me to dump one of those mags and carry a TQ in it's place. I know, crazy talk. But I would rather have that TQ as accessible as a spare mag than not. That third mag can go in a fancy pouch attached to my boot, the TQ shouldn't. Get that TQ on you somewhere that it is visible and ready to save your life, and more importantly, my life. Update your medical training so that you are constantly doing trauma aid. Prepare for the fight that is coming in 2012, do not be a statistic.

Upcoming Courses

Narcotics Warrant Service, Bellingham, WA. Nov. 15-17, 2011. Still room available.

My 2012 calendar is starting to fill up, please remember that I only post open courses. Closed courses are not posted but they obviously take up time. If you are interested in hosting a class or want a closed course for your agency or team, get in touch with me so we can pencil in tentative dates to ensure you get the training you want.

I just finished a team leader class in Spokane and a Basic SWAT class in Tacoma. The team leader class had some really good cops in it and I could feel their dedication to their teams. All of the guys that showed up appeared to be there for the right reasons. They want to make their respective teams better by being quality leaders.

One of the topics of conversation that always comes up is what to do with a problematic boss or inexperienced commander. The first one is harder than the second one. Issues range from the guy is flat incompetent, he doesn't have or exhibit any "leadership" qualities, micro-manager, keeps everything close hold, in-bred and won't seek outside instruction for fear of being called out. All of these things are tough to overcome and I don't have a magic answer. All I will say is that you must persevere and try to build the relationship where open and honest communication is welcomed. You owe it to the team to step up and take on that challenge, even if it means you end up under the guys microscope. There is a fine line between doing the right thing and overstepping bounds that get you removed from the assignment. You have to assess if the probem at hand is worth the fight, and potential consequences. I hate the term "pick your battles", because most guys that use it spend all their time picking battles, instead of fighting any. At some point you have to make a stand, and let your frustration be known. There is always the possibility that the guy doesn't know his behavior is detrimental or even thought of as poor leadership. Your conversation might make changes if you have to the courage to have it.

I actually value the poor leaders I have had as examples of what not to be. This sounds canned, but a good dose of self reflection will help you determine if you are slipping into some of the behaviors that you are upset by. Don't be that guy. I always do a simple drill at the start of the T/L class. I have the students tell me the qualities/traits/characteristics of a good leader. The list is always the same, and it will always be the same. As such, it is a ROAD MAP to being a good team leader. Do your best to be that guy, and self reflect when you fall short and correct it. Simple, and yet it is also vey difficult. The mantle of leadership is a heavy thing to shoulder, it is not easy, and rightfully so. If you are not willing to change, improve, self reflect and then do something about it, you should step down.

If nothing is more important than your assignment as team leader, then you are missing the boat. The title "Team Leader" doesn't make you one, your actions do. The men will absolutely see through you and they do notice your weaknesses. Fix them, your job is to support the team and the men. The balancinig act is not pissing someone off and getting removed from the team. If you are the right guy for the job, then it is important for you to be there when the team needs you the most. On that day, make your decisions based on W.I.N., What's Important Now. The right decision on that day will probably save lives, if there are consequences after the fact at least you can live with yourself. Keep pushing the issues, keep fighting for the team, keep forcing the men to improve and work harder. It is hard to argue with your success, and a bad boss will have a tougher time giving you problems.

On the gear side, I have been using a pair of Bobster "Echo" ballistic glasses throughout the summer. http://www.bobster.com/echotrade-convertible-smkd-clr-lens-ballistics-z87.aspx The glasses came with clear and smoke lenses, a cleaning cloth, and earpieces as well as an elastic strap. All of that was in a MOLLE case and the lenses are ANSI rated. The entire set sells for around $70. I have been using them as my patrol sunglasses as well as converting them to clear for range use. They are very lightweight and the transition from smoke to clear is fast and easy. They also come with a foam insert that turns them into a set of goggles. The foam caused them to fog up quickly and I ended up not using the foam because of that issue. They were comfortable all day, however the nose piece does not have any foam or rubber contact points. This was not a big deal unless I was sweating, then the glasses tended to slip down my nose. Overall, I was impressed with the product and you get alot for $70. The lenses ae very clear and I would say that the visual acuity is as good as my Oakleys or Revision glasses. I also have a set of the Prowler glasses and they definitely provide good protection. They are a tad large, but they are not heavy for being so big.

As a reminder I am on Facebook now and put out class updates there as well as updates on new blog entries. If you use facebook, look me up and "friend" me to get those notices. Be good, to be safe.

It's been awhile since I updated this. Partly because the Facebook thing has been working and partly because I'm lazy. Upcoming classes:

Oct. 11-13, SWAT Team Leader, Spokane, WA.

Oct. 17-21, Basic SWAT, Tacoma, WA.

Nov. 15-17, Narcotics Warrant Service, Bellingham, WA.

If you're interested in any of the classes above, or you want to host a class, shoot me an email and we'll get it done.

I have been busy as hell since the last update, but the most significant development is that I have been reassigned to my SWAT team. I know in a previous post I made mention that I had made mistakes and left the team in a less than desirable state. My year off has done alot of good things for me. It has allowed me to take a look at my performance and self reflect. My intention when I return is to do everything I can to improve the unit before I leave again. I am fired up to get back at it, and as much as I love training (both a a student and instructor) missions are the driving force behind what we do.

Training and Critique are all meant to make us better for missions. Up to date, relevant training in all aspects of the SWAT world are extremely important. Most guys take this seriously. The critique part, not so much emphasis. I can tell you that I have made more mistakes than I care to count. The current state of PC talk, lack of fortitude to say what needs to be said because someone's feelings might get hurt, and general team drama are all detriments to team improvement. I believe that straight talk and honest critique are just as important as entry training or firearms practice. I can run through a house with my hair on fire and think I did a great job. If no one is willing to tell me I'm a knucklehead, then my training will continue to suck. Building an environment where guys can fire off honest opinions and assessments of everyone's performance is critical to advancement. It is astonsihing that we all sit around and talk about leaving the ego behind, until it's our own ego that is getting bruised. I know that there have been moments in time where my decision making process was absolutely FUBAR. I also got beat up by team members, but more importantly I left that beating knowing that my teammates didn't think I was a complete Jackwagon. I was for that moment in time, but their overall confidence in me was not diminished. Thinking back, I really appreciated those moments when good leaders and mentors talk to me about my performance. In hindsight, they were demonstrating just how much they cared about the team and my welfare. Thank god those men weren't afraid they would offend me, or that I might get sad inside. My mistakes have left a far greater impact than my successes.

So, talk to to your teammates, demand excellence, give them straight talk. There is always the possibility that I am not recognizing my mistake and that I will appreciate your comments.

Next open course - June 28-30, Spokane, WA. High Risk Warrant Service

It's been a busy couple of months with work and classes. One of the things that has struck me, or maybe re-struck me, is the absolute necessity to hit basic skills over and over again.

Team attrition, new teams, work getting in the way of training and so forth always leads down a path where we start to forget or ignore the lessons of mastering basics. There must be something about the human psyche that causes us to believe that Mastery Training is unnecessary. Or maybe it's just that once we meet an established minimum standard, there is no further path to travel?

I don't know, I'm not that smart. I do know that I am as guilty as the next man in this area. I do get pissed off when I realize or recognize that my individual skills have degraded due to lack of effort. I also get upset when I find myself being happy with my present level of performance. Don't get me wrong, I don't punch myself in the head over it, but I do try and re-ignite the fire to make myself better. Life does tend to get in the way, but we all must find a way to make time for individual skills and PT. A fix for me is to conduct drills or PT that absolutely pulls me out of the comfort zone. In some cases it might be a piece of equipment.

To that end I have recently acquired a set of Ameriglo Hackathorn pistol sights. The front sight has a tritium vial for low-light, but the vial is surrounded by a hi-vis orange ring. The rear sight is all black but the notch is much wider that standard sights. Picture here: http://www.ameriglo.net/catalog/sights/pistol-sights/glock/special-combinations

I have found that the orange ring forces a much better hard focus on the front sight than other pistol sights I have used. This could be because it is so different that typical white ring night sights. It could also be because my brain is seeing something new. Regardless, the orange front explodes into view and is really easy to see. In particular when shooting both eyes open, it is extremely easy to see for first shot breaks and to track during recoil. The rear notch is mucgh wider and allows fast pick up. I have not noticed any difference in accuracy at distance, they are not so wide that you can't line everything up. These are absolutely great pistol sights and after shooting them for a month and about 1500 rounds, I will be adding them to all of my handguns. The price is really great as well. I don't work for Ameriglo, I really think these are the cat's ass.

I have open time in July and November if you're interested in hosintg a class, please reach out.

Shield User - Kent, Wa. April 25 & 26. Still room in this class and I will take late registrants. $250.

Dynamic Warrant Service - Spokane, WA. June 28-30. Filling fast.

3 Day rifle/handgun Update - Klamath Falls, OR. August 16-18.

Lots of closed courses though June

I have been wanting a decent fixed blade knife for some time. I was carrying a full size TDI for a while and it suited my needs as a cheap ass pry bar and cutting tool. I used it as a pry bar in several MJ grows to remove sheet rock. It also came in handy to cut plastic to find hidden rooms. The weird angle was always stupid and I'm still not sure what they intended with it. Yes I have seen the videos where you draw it like a pistol and pop a balloon. Lame.

The ZT line of knives has always appealed to me and I started looking for a used or cheap one to buy. Like all of my stuff, I use it and do not trust people or equipment unless they have scars. I found a brand new X'd model ZT0121 at stabbersteel. http://www.stabberssteelconnection.com/shopping/index.php?cPath=1 I elected to pay with a money order and Ricky took good care of me. He sent the blade as soon as I told him the MO was in the mail. It arrived soon thereafter.

This is a really nice knife and I like the blade profile. I have attended two knife fighting courses over the years and I do not consider myself proficient with a knife. A knife for me is mainly meant to cut stuff, not really for defense. Obviously if need be, I could stick someone with it.

i have been busy with classes but one that stands out is a Basic SWAT class in Jackson County, Oregon. What stood out is that the entire team went through a Basic class together. New guys and veterans, training basic concepts. I applaud those guys for doing it as a unit, Master the basics and you'll be advanced. It was a good week and they are a good team.

As always, please excuse the typos. If you're interested in any of the classes above or want to host, reach out. Be good, to be safe.  

Upcoming Training:

Hostage Rescue / Spokane / March 15-17, 2011. THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THIS COURSE

WSTOA One Day Firearms - Course FULL

Ballistic Shield User Course / Kent, WA. / April 25 & 26, 2011

No Open enrollment courses in May

Narcotics Warrant Service / Spokane / June 28-30, 2011

SWAT Team Leader / Spokane / October 11-13, 2011

I have several closed courses in the last half of the year but still plenty of room for host agencies to get free spots. If you're interested in hosting, let me know and we'll get it done.

As a side note, my daughter convinced me that I should have a facebook page. Mission accomplished (with her help) so if any of you are on facebook, look up tap-rack, and friend the hell out of me. I hope to expand the page as time goes on with AAR's, photos and possibly gear reviews. Most importantly, I would like that to be the source for training comments from students. Good, bad or ugly, I will not edit training critiques.

I just finished reading T.A.P.S. by Pat McNamara. Nothing earth shattering, but a pretty good read. Lots of drills and examples of target arrays that range guys might be able to use and/or modify.

I am now running a TQ directly on my patrol duty belt with a bit of Shock Cord. The TQ has stayed in place and the method allows for quick access. I also keep 4X4's in a plastic seal-a-meal bag in my cargo pocket. Pretty minimal, but enough to start work if needed.

I have some time as a student coming up and I am lookng forward to being critiqued and coached. Learning is a never ending process and I'm excited about it. I am considering hanging out my civilian training shingle for firearms courses. Obviously LE/Mil could attend, but I have not allowed civilians in my courses in the past. I have had the pleasure of shooting with some serious .civ type dudes, and they have motivated me to try and get out there. I swear to god though, the first douche that shows up in all Multicam with a Crusader morale patch is getting tased. Forewarned is fair warned. Enough on that.

As always, reach out if you have questions about training or want to host.

Scheduled Training for 2011

March 15-17 - Spokane, Hostage Rescue

March 28 - Tacoma, WSTOA 1 day handgun/carbine update.

April 25 & 26 - Kent, Shield User Course.

June 28-30 - Spokane, Narcotics Warrant Service

Oct, 11-13 - Spokane, SWAT Team Leader

I have several closed courses and some tentative open courses that are in the works. As always, agencies that commit to dates first get those dates. As a general rule, I like 90 days notice for open courses so they have time to fill.

2010 was a great year for Tap-Rack and I appreciate the agencies that have supported me by hosting training. I also appreciate the guys that attended my training for the first time and gave me a chance to provide training. For the guys that have attended numerous courses by me, I sincerely appreciate the vote of confidence and I am proud to be part of your, and everyone's, training. I take my responsibility seriously and I always hope it shows in my classes.

I am looking forward to 2011 and the calendar is filling up very quickly. For those that don't know I was involuntarily removed from my team October 1, 2010. The reasons are varied and probably not appropriate for an open source blog. I truly believe that SWAT is what I was meant to do and I am saddened by this decision. 

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and he asked if there was any part of me that was relieved about being removed. He was wondering if I kind of liked not having to get up early for warrants, if I was happy to not be tied to my cell phone, if I was relieved that I did not have to deal with requisitions, training or team drama. The answer is an emphatic Hell no. I loved the assignment and would jump back onto the team in a heartbeat. I miss the guys, the gear and  the missions. My assignment to SWAT was the most rewarding and fulfilling job I have ever had. I miss it and my team a great deal.

To that end, I have regrets about my performance while I was on the team. I feel like I lost a bit of fire toward the end. I regret that I may have let certain team standards slip. I regret that I did not push myself and the team to be harder, faster and better. I do not believe that I left them team in the best possible shape I could have. After 15 years, I do not feel like I got the job done.

You never know what life is going to throw at you. Work hard every single day to improve your own physical skills, your mental skills and your teams skills. Don't spend all your time "picking battles" and no time actually fighting some. Force the men on your team to step up, show leadership at every opportunity, and face danger with courage and character. Be proud that you are assigned to the finest SWAT team in the nation. Spend every minute making that last sentence be true.

Do your best to spend every day doing something to make yourself and your team better. You never know when it will be your last day.

Hostage Rescue - Dec 15-17, Medford OR. This course is FULL.

2011 Calendar is filling very quickly and I will post all of the known training dates/courses, locations and so forth on the next Blog entry. I do not have an open course until February so there is plenty of time to register for open courses.

If you want to host training, let me know and we can work out the details. If you want information about a specific course that may be coming up, shoot me an email and I'll let you know.

I mentioned in the last entry that I would be reviewing products from Clearshot and Multitasker. I'll start with the Clearshot lens cleaning stuff. The product comes in a hard plastic case that has two separate tubes. One of the tubes has a small bottle of cleaning fluid with a spray top. The other tube has two different lens cleaning cloths. The blue cloth is for grit & grime, the white cloth is for polishing.

Like most guys in this field, we don't skimp on optics for our long guns and eye protection. I have always tried to take good care of this type of equipment, whether it was personally purchased or provided by the department. The Clear-Shot system is a great way to ensure you are not damaging those pieces of equipment. The lens cleaning fluid is biodegradable and it has anti-fog properties. During the instructor course it prevented my lenses from fogging. One of the students in the class used it as well and he commented that his eye protection was not fogging after using the cleaner. The stuff works as advertised and the quality of the lens cloths is obvious as soon as you pull them out.

When I first saw a picture of the system I thought it might fit into a pouch to be carried at all times. It is a bit big for vest carry, unless you have a dedicated admin pouch that is fairly large, it takes up a good chunk of space. It is a great addition to a range bag or gear bag so you can avoid using the bottom of your t-shirt to wipe things off before training & missions. For under $20 it is great insurance to keep expensive lenses in great shape. www.clear-shot.net

I also tried out the Multitasker "Tube". The Tube is a machined aluminum pen that has a variety of uses. The pen shape makes it easy to slide into MOLLE webbing and have available on your kit. The machine work is high qualty and it feels robust in your hand. The tool I used had an AR front sight adjustment tool, a pick, and a scraper. The top can be unscrewed and the pocket clip doubles as a flat tip for adjusting optics. I also had the expansion kit that contains several 1/4" drive bits that can be used in lieu of the front sight tool. In short, it is a well made and handy piece of gear. During the instructor course, guys used the front sight tool and the pocket clip to make adjustments when we verified and confirmed their zeroes. The Tube and the expansion kit are small enough that they can easily fit into an admin pouch. If you are an instructor, it is an all in one tool that will assist on training days. They are available for sale at a variety of places, and they make several different multi-tools that are specific to weapons.  http://www.multitaskertools.com/

Last, I was able to get an ambi-safety from Battle Arms Development. As a lefty rifle shooter I am always looking for products to make shooting the AR from the good side easier. I have used different Ambi safeties in the past, however in all cases I have ended up cutting one side off and making it a left handed safety only. The reason is that I did not like having the ambi-safety hit my indexed trigger finger or in one case, there was enough room between the selector and the receiver that material from my gloves would get inside and bind the selector.

I had seen reviews of the B.A.Dass ambi-safety but initially discounted it for the reasons above. I ended up -re-reading some information on it and realized it was completely modular. This allows the user to put their variety of levers on either side of the gun to customize it for the end user. I got one and put the normal sized lever on the right side of the gun. This allows me to run the selector with my left thumb as normal. On the left side of the gun I selected the lever that has half of the lever machined down so that it is very thin at the end and normal sized toward the front. This allows the lever to go under my trigger finger quite easily, however when I switch to support side there is enough meat left there that I can use my right thumb to effectively and easily operate it. The parts are high quality machined, and not cheap MIM parts. The levers are held in place with set screws and I used blue loctite to ensure they do not back out. I have fired over 2000 rounds with it on the gun and there are zero issues. The kit comes with a stainless steel detent that replaces the standard detent to make for a more positive engagement. I replaced the spring at the same time. I had read reviews that the BADass did not engage effectively, however I have not experienced this with the one I have. It clicks into Fire and Safe as well as any other selector I have used. I highly recommend the BADass.  http://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/badass.php

I have a pair of Outdoor Research Overlord gloves and I am in the process of trying to destroy them. More on that next time.

Be good, to be safe.

Upcoming Training

Carbine/Subgun Instructor - Auburn, WA. Nov. 1-5, 2010

Hostage Rescue - Medford, OR Dec 8-10, 2010

I have settled on dates for three different courses in Spokane for 2011. Spokane County Sheriff has a great training facility adn their support is top notch. I will be posting the dates and course titles in the next few weeks.

As always, if you're interested in the courses aboe or want to host training, please reach out and contact me by email or phone. Hosting is easy and you get the benefot of two free spots for every course you host.

I have been testing an Elzetta ZFL-M60 flashlight as a weapon light. I am also using one of their "Zorm" light mounts. I am very impressed with this light. I have about 2500 rounds fired and it has had no issues. This includes flat range and some shoot house work. I have knocked it against walls and door frames with zero issues. I have a PWS FSC556 comp on this gun and it takes plenty of muzzle blast. I have coated the end of the light with carbon on numerous occasions. Wipe it off and it's good to go.

I will be using it during the 5 day instructor course that I am teaching Nov. 1-5. Should have another 1500 rounds fired.

I would not hesitate to use it for duty, it is absolutely a fantastic light. www.tacticalleds.com

I am hoping to get a pair of Outdoor Research Overlord gloves for testing. With any luck I will have them for the Nov. class as well. That class will also get testing time for the Multitasker "Tube". This looks to be a perfect size for vest carry. I have also been using a new (new to me) lens cleaning system for shooting glasses and optics. Those reviews should be up by Thanksgiving.

As a last comment, someone was joking with me that I have not posted a review yet that a particular product sucks. Rest assured, if something doesn't live up to expectations I will write an honest review. The flip side of this is that I am not trying to review everything under the sun. If it doesn't appear to be a quality product with a good company backing it, I don't even want to touch it. I am of the mind that newer companies and products should be given a fair shake, all of the big names started small. So I specifically look for products that would be good alternatives to existing items that are more expensive, items that could make life easier, or simply innovative items that some guys may not have heard about.

With that in mind, I'm not reviewing junk, so it is probably less likely to get a crappy review.

Upcoming Training:

Carbine/Subgun Instructor, Nov 1-5, 2010. Auburn WA. There are still spots in this course.

Hostage Rescue, Medford, OR. December. My apologies on this, my revious post listed this course in Bend, the hostage rescue course is in MEDFORD.

Upcoming Training -

Carbine / Subgun User course, Klamath Falls, OR. Sept 27-29 - $350

October - Closed Course, Clatsop County Oregon

November - Carbine / Subgun Instructor, Auburn, WA. Nov. 1-5 - $550

December - Hostage Rescue Course, Medford, OR.  Dec. 8-10 - $350

If you're interested in any of the courses above are want to host training and get free spots for your team, give me a call or send an e-mail and we'll get you squared away.

I was fortunate enough to receive one of the new Tru-Spec tactical uniforms to T&E. Kevin Cain from Atlanco hooked me up with the uniform, I initially gave him the wrong size and he was very quick to replace it with the correct size. I have had other dealings with Kevin and they have been excellent as well. So props to him.

The uniform he sent was OD and I believe they will be available in different colors like the rest of their. The uniform should be available for sale some time this month. I was impressed with the stitching and the fabric. I am not a tailor, I am an end user so I don't know much about the sewing game.

The shirt fits great with plenty of room through the shoulders. The pockets are positioned correct and I like that they can be accessed either with velcro or with a zipper. With kit on I can reach inside my vest and keep stuff in the zipper section of the pockets. I carry my Ops plan and I often refer to the entry line up to ensure accountability of personnel and the equipment they brought to the job. The shirt came with a commanders arm band sewn directly to the sleeve. I tried to like this feature but ultimately cut it off. I like being able to roll my sleeves up a couple of folds and the arm band did not allow that. If you like using one and have a need for it, it's a pretty cool feature. The back and shoulder area are made from a different material that is more breathable. There is a billow on the back to allow ventilation. The cuffs are comfortable when sleeves are down and the mandarin collar is a mandatory feature. In short, the shirt is comfortable and well designed.

The pants are very much like the 24/7 instructor pants. The addition of the exterior heavy duty fabric on the knees is excellent. The tag says it is called "Superfabric" and it does a good job of prtoecting the knees even without the neoprene pads. The pants did not come with neoprene pads but I added some from another pair I had. During a course I was teaching the material did get a small 1/4" cut, but I was kneeling on rough cut rocks nad getting there from standing quickly. Very sharp stuff.

The waist band is super comfortable with hidden elastic system. If you have worn the 24/7's you know this is the most comfrotable waist band ever. I like the zipper fly and the snap waist closure. Again good stitching and the material is comfortable. The cargo pocket has the side zipper feature as well and the cuffs are zippered to mid calf. There was a large piece of fuzzy velcro sewn inside one of the front pockets. I cut that out because it felt bulky, YMMV. The back pockets are a "billow" type of design, sorry don't know the correct terminology.

I have worn the uniform during woodland training, on numerous firearms training days, during a breaching course, ballistic shield course, patrol procedures training day, and a bunch of Simunition hits. The uniform has held up very well for the amount of punishment and washings it has received.

I like the pants so much I will be buying several sets when they are available for use during all of my training courses. I highly recommend this uniform, you can see pictures of the uniform here .

Subgun/Carbine Instructor - Auburn, WA. August 23-27. Still openings in this course, shoot me an e-mail or call if interested.

I am working on a custom course that will be hosted by Clatsop County, Oregon. It will be a hybrid class that will be a mix of SWAT and Patrol Leadership scenarios. Classroom based, but with plenty of practical exercises and table tops to keep you thinking. Dates are being worked out now.

As always, if you want free training for your men, contact me about hosting a course. It is quite easy to host and you get two free spots in the course for your team.

I have been busy in the month of July and have been slow to post my thoughts on products. I finished a shield course and was able to get a Lasermax guide rod laser for T&E. The Lasermax is easy to install and it is bright! The Laser pulses so it is easy to pick up under full daylight. It was activated with an indexed trigger finger, in my case with the Glock the take down bar is replaced and becomes the switch. The only downside was that it cannot be turned off with one hand, so if your holding the shield you would have to holster with the laser activated. I don't think this would be a big deal. For muzzle down carrying, you can direct the laser into the back of the shield to prevent yourself from being targeted by the laser bouncing around. One guy in the class had an MX6 light/laser mounted to his pistol. When shooting from contact ready, recoil would knock the switch into the shield, effectively turning the laser off during firing. He was able to modify his hold to prevent this from happening, however I prefer the trigger guard to be firmly planted on the shield to help prevent malfunctions. If this is really unclear, send me an email and I'll try to clarify.

I have been shooting the crap out of my pistol with the Warren tactical sights. They ARE the best sights out there. The front sight literally explodes into view, during a recent training class I was able to see the front sight during it's entire travel through recoil. This ability makes follow up shots so much faster. I tried to do this with a diffrerent pistol wearing 3-dot sights, I could not do it. ALL of my guns will be wearing Warren sights as soon as practical, they are the cats ass.

The KG gun oil and trigger lube has been working outstanding. I will be running another 700 rounds through the rifle tomorrow, I don't expect any hiccups using the lube. The cleaning portion is still the best I have seen/used.

Last, I will be trying an Elzetta weapon light from www.tacticalleds.com . If you are interested their products, contact me for an online coupon code to get a discount. Their new website is up & running and it is much easier to navigate. I will be reporting on the Elzetta as soon as I get it mounted up.

Last, I visited the new Rainier Arms store yesterday and it is a nice place. Congratualtions to those guys for getting the store up & running. Their customer service is second to none and the prices are decent. They are having a grand opening this weekend so if your in the area stop by and throw your name in the hat for some great giveaways.

Be good, to be safe.