Get a Grip!

Right off the bat I want to say that I did not "invent" this idea. I learned this from a Christian Warrior and excellent intructor - Gabe Suarez. If you have a chance to attend some of his courses I recommend you take advantage of the opportunity. His site is linked over there on the right.

Gunfighting is not range shooting. Gunfighting is not gun gaming. Gunfighting happens usually when you least expect it and oft times when under much less than "ideal conditions".

Darkness, rain, mud, blood (and Johnny Cash is singing in my head...) can characterize your environment. Stress, fear, injury and pain could make an appearance. As I've said before when discussing bad things: Murphy will show up and he usually brings friends.

Working your slide is easy in the living room or on the range. Doing it under a variety of stressors can add to your challenges. Your weak hand (yeah, I call it that) can slip while conducting any of a number of immediate action drills. Let's face it - smooth steel is slippery in it's own right. Add mositure and it gets worse. Add shaking hands and you may have a problem. Enter Grip Tape.

After learning of this idea from Gabe I thought about it but I really didn't want to "mess up" my brand new Glock. Then one day my daughters (who were then going through a Skater Chick phase) showed me how they had added skate board tape to their boards and I asked if they had any left.

"No, we threw it away."

"Where?"

"In our waste basket"

"Well bring it down here."

My girls periodically clean their hair brushes out and toss the strands into the waste basket. The girls had tossed the tape scraps (sans backing) into said basket and the scraps were covered with hair.

I am a frugal man...

I pulled the hair off the pieces, cut them to general shape and stuck them on my Glock. While I was at it, I added some to the grip portion also. Really, I just wanted to see how it felt. I figured if I liked it, I would just buy some more tape, "cut it out correctly" and make it look nice.

That was over a year ago.
It's still there and still going strong. I don't see any need to replace it.

I showed the idea to a friend of mine and today he came over and showed me his Ruger. He did the same thing - sort of. Because he is neater than I, he masked off parts of the slide with tape and then he sprayed a truck underliner rubbery compound on his gat. Guess what? It works.

Now, he just did this last week so we don't know how it will hold up but after inspecting it, I suspect it will last a good long time.

So, if you think this idea sounds cool - give it a try. To paraphrase Bruce Lee - "take what is useful, discard the rest."

See ya out there.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21

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If you have any comments I’d love to hear them.
If they really interest me, I may even post them.
You can reach me at Joe

You can also join us to discuss this and other issues at Viking Preparedness Forums

Prepared Americans for a Strong America

Iron Viking Gear

In a few short months I hope to have several brave men, women, and perhaps even some children join me for Iron Viking ’09. I have been asked on the board, via PM, through e-mail and in person just what folks are going to be allowed to bring.

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words so there ya go! It sure looks like a lot of stuff to me. In addition to all that stuff I will also issue each brave participant a goody bag. “And what might be in that bag?” you would ask…

Shyeaaa! Like I’m gonna tell anyone. You will have to come to find out (or wait until we are done and then maybe I or someone else will share the tales of woe).

So let’s talk about the gear list a bit: First off, there are no substitutions or additions. There will be a shake down inspection prior to launch and I will sadly send any cheaters home – without a refund. But I don’t think that will be a problem.

Participants must focus on the Letter and the Spirit of this list. This is not a list to try and “figure a way around it”. The exercise does not include showing us how clever you are in selecting your items. The list is the list. It is fairly minimal but more than adequate – especially when you see your goody bag….which you won’t unless you participate. When I say “bring” that means you can wear it or carry it.

Okay – you can zoom in on the photo if you need to but here’s what we are looking at:

Must Bring
If you don’t bring these you cannot play.

Trowel – notice I did not say “shovel” or “e-tool”
3x5 Card with emergency contact information – who we contact if you bonk. You can place this in a sealed envelope if you wish.
Small Flashlight – small and only to be used in an emergency. Stubbing your toe is not an emergency. Losing a piece of equipment is not an emergency. Walking through the deep dark woods is not an emergency. Potential loss of life, sight, or limb constitutes and emergency.
Whistle on lanyard – to be used only in an emergency. Lanyard is only used to secure whistle to your person.
Two liter soda bottle full of water. Not a canteen, not a camelback and full of nothing but water.

May Bring
All are “one each” or “pair” unless otherwise noted

Clothing
Underwear – boxers, briefs or panties – I don’t care. Women can also bring a bra – sports, regular, whatever.
Socks
Footwear – I recommend boots. Laces may only be used to keep footwear on feet.
Long pants
Belt – only to hold up pants or secure gear to waist.
T-shirt – short sleeved.
Long sleeve Shirt
Hat
Bandana
Sweater/sweatshirt/fleece top
Coat – if it has a liner then you don’t get a sweater/sweatshirt/fleece
Long underwear – only if the forecast is for below freezing – I’ll make that call when we begin.

Medical
Any needed medicines – must be cleared by me in advance
Tampons/pads – women only and only for intended use – Ziploc bag also and only for these.
Prescription Glasses – two pair, one case. Not sunglasses, only if needed.
Toothbrush – no paste
Dental Floss
Toilet Paper – only for toilet paper. Ziploc bag – only for TP

Tools
Blanket – a blanket – not a sleeping bag, not a comforter, not some king sized monstrosity. If I don’t like what you bring I will give you some threadbare cotton rag to use instead
Pistol, holster, two reloads, reload carrier – because some folks don’t like walking around “naked”.
Knife with sheath/carrier – you can bring a machete or you can bring a Leatherman or you can bring a bayonet – any knife will do – you get ONE – plus sheath. No “accoutrements” allowed.
Camera - with Ziploc just to protect the camera.

That’s it.
I hope to see some of you out there.

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. – Matthew 10:9 - 11

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If you have any comments I’d love to hear them.
If they really interest me, I may even post them.
You can reach me at Joe

You can also join us to discuss this and other issues at Viking Preparedness Forums

Prepared Americans for a Strong America

Iron Viking 2009

This will be a cool t-shirt.
No, you cannot "buy one".
You have to earn one.

You have to survive - Iron Viking 2009

Scant details are available here: details

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

We are back to yellow. People are not dying in any kind of large numbers. This is presenting like "normal flu."

Sure, it could morph. But it hasn't yet. Life goes on.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. - Joshua 24:15