. CSAT, LLC SEPTEMBER 2017 TRAINING UPDATES: GENERAL: Every Day Carry (EDC) Fall and winter training seasons are on us. After I receive a several e-mails over the same subject, I like to write an article reference the questions to help other students. This one will reference my Every Day Carry (EDC) and training with the same. PISTOL I train and carry two different platforms. Mostly I carry the Glock 33 or the Glock 26. Why? Simplicity in training, parts, maintenance, holsters, mags, mag pouches, etc. First, have more rounds through the following weapons in their order of mention:.45 ACP/1911 platform.357 Sig 9mm.38/357 I grew up on revolvers, but during my time in Special Ops, I shot the 1911 for ten years. When I retired and started teaching in the civilian sector, I began shooting the.357 Sig in a Glock 32 because no one liked to shoot that caliber because of the recoil. Ammo would find its way to me and I made the most of it. The Glock 32 is the same size as the Glock 19, so the transition to that platform was a natural because the holsters and mag pouches were the same.
Page 2 Still liking the.357, I carry a Glock 33 most of the time and use my G26 s for class/training. Why the smaller platform? Two main reasons. First, I generally appendix carry and will travel on the road for 10-12 hour stretches and it is the most comfortable platform for me. Next, if you can shoot a short sight radius gun, picking up a pistol with a longer sight radius will be a breeze. I heard the stories of shooters that came before me who practiced with snub nosed revolvers to get their mechanics and alignment perfect and those mechanics translated directly to the larger weapons enabling them to shoot tighter groups.
Page 3 Reference magazines in a short pistol, I use the standard carry mag with a Pierce Grip extension and carry the full size mags for reloads. I do the same for the Glock 26. SIGHTS I use the green Ameriglo Hackathorns on all my pistols. All my sight pictures are the same. HOLSTERS Recently I have been running J & M Kydex holsters, either right side, outside the waistband or appendix. The company has provided efficient and reliable service. My only issue with new holsters is the screws. Darn near with every company, I have to pull all the screws and add a bit of loc tite to them to keep from losing one in training or during carry. I apply either blue Loc-Tite or VC-3 Vibra-TITE. I am told the VC-3 can be broken loose and retighten without another application. Since using both systems, I have not lost a screw.
Page 4 AMMO Speer has been my go to ammo. I purchase all my own via the internet and Gold Dot is what I use. I use a 125 Grain in my.357 and a 124 Grain in my 9mm. FLASHLIGHT Fenix is my choice of flashlight and I use the PD35 which is rated at 1,000 lumens. In years of using them every day, I have only had one tail cap go bad and they replaced it. You can get several for what you would pay for a name brand light. As for batteries, I use the 18650 rechargeable in all my lights and have spares. I also keep a supply of the lithium s in stock, just in case a charger is not handy.
Page 5 KNIVES The original Hissatu folder is my choice of folding knife and the Colonel Blades is my choice for close in fixed blade. I have known James Williams who designed the Hissatu folder for years and consider him a good friend. I think he knocked it out of the park with this blade. It is cost effective and stout. I have never had it not open. It is the sharpest knife I have seen out of box. I can buy 10 of them for the price of a custom folder.
Page 6 In addition, once the finish wears down, I can make a trainer out of it that is the same as the real one, minus the tip and sharp edge. Colonel Blades is the other close in choice and it is simple and efficient. It can be used right or left handed with little training. It is my favorite recommendation to police officers for off side carry should someone attempt to grab their gun. Simply trap their pistol, face the form and cut the cancer off them. Colonel Blades also comes with a trainer and the sheath is reversible.
Page 7 BACK UP/DUAL PURPOSE/FAMILY GUNS
Page 8 If you wish to add a back-up or family gun to your system, this is what I am using. It is the S & W351C in.22 WMR. It is light, simple and I can teach the family with it without excessive recoil and it is a point and click to use for family members who do not train much. They also make a snake shot for it if you want to dispatch snakes as we have lots of them here in East Texas. Pictured here is some 40 grain Gold Dot. I modified the DeSantis holster with a clip for inside the waistband carry. TRAINERS, MANUFACTURES AND GEAR WHORES In today s world of the firearm industry and new trainers, the tendency is to throw product at someone for an endorsement. I have seen a lot of gear whores who sell their soul for a few guns or product. They tell you, the guy on the street, this is the greatest, only to move on to their next company to repeat the cycle. The next product is now the greatest. I try and buy everything I use so I don t have a conflict of interest. I ask for an instructor pricing when it is available and try and not abuse or pimp out my business. When I use a piece of gear, I am betting my life on it and expect that you can do the same. In short, keep your system simple and efficient. IN CLOSING Thanks and we look forward to seeing you on the range. Paul R. Howe