Upcoming Classes

AK 101
12/8 Casa Grande, AZ

AK Operators Level Armorer Course
12/9 Casa Grande, AZ

Snubby I
1/5 Las Vegas, NV

Team Tactics
1/12-13 Yuba City, CA

Officer Rescue Tactics and Command
1/14-16 Albuquerque, NM

Pistol I
1/19-20 Fayetteville, NC

Team Tactics
1/26-27 San Jose, CA

Introduction to Pistol
2/9 Yuba City, CA

Integrated Combat (FOF) Basic Course
2/9-10 Casa Grande, AZ

Carbine I
2/16-17 Ravensdale, WA

Carbine I
2/16-17 Holidaysburg, PA

Carbine I
2/23-24 Fayetteville, NC

Carbine I
3/1-2 Casa Grande, AZ

Home Defense
3/8-9 Yuba City, CA

Street Combatives
3/8-9 Warrensville Heights, OH

Team Tactics
3/8-9 Fayetteville, NC

Defensive Medicine
3/10 Yuba City, CA

Pistol I
3/14-15 San Jose, CA

Carbine I
3/15-16 Nashville, TN

In This Issue

• Special Offer: LMS Twelve Days of Christmas
• Letter From The Editor
• LMS Defense News
• Training Topics: Two is One, One is None
• Feature Class AAR: Pistol I Course
• Gear Topics: Tactical Lights
• Gear Review: Surefire Kroma

Special Offer: LMS Twelve Days of Christmas
John Chapman

LMS Defense Twelve Days of Christmas

To help everyone get in the Christmas spirit, LMS Defense is pleased to announce our own special version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Every day between December 13th and December 24th we will choose one name at random to win one of twelve great prizes. To become eligible for one of the prizes, register for (with paid deposit) any LMS Defense Course at www.LMSDefense.com, between now and December 24th, 2007. Prizes include LMS Defense Gear, Ammo, Classes; and on Christmas Eve one lucky student who registered at between now and December 24th for an LMS Defense Class will win the grand prize, a Cavalry Arms Rifle.

Starting December 13th, 2007 you will be able to log on to the Twelve Days of Christmas room at the LMS Defense Forum (http://www.lmsdefense.com/forum) and check that day's thread, which will include a short video from John Chapman announcing that day's winner.

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

Letter From The Editor
Yancey Harrington

The weather is changing. It is getting cooler outside and many places have snow on the ground. This is not slowing us down, and LMS Defense is continuing to provide classes around the country. Recently, devastating wildfires swept Southern California. More than 500,000 residents were evacuated – some with fire licking at their heels. More than 1,300 homes have been lost. Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by this tragedy. We cannot stress enough the importance of being prepared for any eventuality. On the subject of preparedness, LMS Defense instructor Ken Hardesty speaks about the importance of having a backup gun. While not everyone who carries a firearm on a daily basis carries a backup weapon, Ken’s article gives merit to the thought.

During classes, I see that many people do not have a flashlight on their person. Every year, the FBI violent crime statistics show that most violent crimes occur after dark. Have a flashlight and or a weapon light - it just makes good sense! Train as you fight and be prepared. Lastly, Robert M., an LMS Defense Alumnus, reviewed an Arizona-based Pistol 1 class held in September. We greatly appreciate the feedback from our students. Thanks Robert.

LMS Defense News
John Chapman

Fall has been exciting here at LMS Defense. As we move into 2008, we have several new courses coming.

Snubby 1 is the class you need but never take. If you are like most of us, you carry a snubby revolver a lot, but shoot it only a little. Snubby 1 will make training with this essencial piece of life saving equipment, if not fun, at least productive. Topics covered in this fast paced one day course include carry options, effective presentation techniques from unusual positions, close in snubby use, practical combat marksmaship with the snubby, speed strip and speedloader reloads, loose rounds reloads, pocket shooting, and much, much more.

The first Snubby 1 course will be in January 2008 in Las Vegas. See the schedule for details. In law enforcement training news, Jeff Hogan, our Senior Law Enforcement Instructor, will be leading our new Officer Rescue Tactics and Command course in New Mexico on January 14-16, 2008.

In other news, LMS Defense now offers ammunition for sale to our students. Now you can order ammo for a course, and have it waiting for you when you arrive for the first day of class. All popular calibers are available. E-mail Ammo@LMSDefense.com for details. 

Always Fight, Never Quit.

Training Topics
Ken Hardesty

Two Is One, One Is None

I am often asked by recruit officers that I train, “Sir, do you carry a back-up weapon, and if so what kind?” My answer is always a resounding, “Yes!”, and then the true discussion begins. The first part of the question must be answered with a few questions. Do you have 100% faith in your primary weapon to always work when needed? Do you wish to leave your fate in the hands of a mechanical device? Can you access your primary weapon with your non-dominant hand? If the answer to any of these is no, consider yourself in need of a secondary weapon. The doctrine that I preach, “two is one, one is none,” is not new, but it still holds true.

In 2006, 146 police officers died in the line of duty. 49 of these were a result of gunfire. This is not to say that secondary weapons only apply to law enforcement personnel. Quite the contrary; every responsibly armed citizen should consider the option of carrying an additional weapon. If you are authorized to carry one weapon, why not carry two? Firearms manufacturers are making compact and sub-compact weapons smaller and more concealable.

Choices

Most of the major pistol manufacturers offer compact and sub-compact versions of full frame pistols. The two that commonly come to mind are Glock and Sig-Sauer. For instance, a 9MM Glock Model 19 or 26 will accept full size magazines made for the Model 17. Before spending your hard earned dollars on a secondary weapon, you need to determine what your purchase will be used for. Will it also serve as an off-duty/concealed carry sidearm? If choosing a dual purpose weapon, also consider such things as spare magazine/speed loader placement when off-duty and where and how you plan to carry concealed. If you are choosing a weapon for backup purposes only, I recommend a weapon that will accept the full size magazines of your duty weapon.

More Choices

Once you have the weapon picked out, how do you wear it? This is where the real decision – and sometimes argument – comes in. For off-duty/concealed carry purposes, I recommend a dominant side, belt supported holster. You have the choice of outside or inside the waistband. For hot summer days with shorts and t-shirt, an inside the waistband holster is ideal for concealment. For on-duty, backup use, you have a multitude of options - all with pros and cons. One of the most common options in law enforcement circles is the ankle holster. Entire training classes could be taught on the various methods used to draw from an ankle holster. Some of the pros include high concealability, and comfort while wearing boots. A major con is that the weapon can easily become dislodged during intense activities as foot pursuits. As with any backup weapon, you must practice. Your training regimen must include drills that focus on bending and drawing the weapon from the ankle holster, while keeping your eyes on the threat area.

I have known officers who carried backup revolvers in the back pocket of their non-dominant side. A simple elongation of the chosen back pocket allows them to comfortably carry a titanium or similar lightweight weapon in the pocket. Another option is the vest slot holster. Plain leather or nylon holsters are manufactured with strap slots on the rear side. The slots accept the straps used to secure body armor to the chest. A small backup weapon can be carried in this fashion on either side of the chest. The weapon is accessed through the front of the shirt.



A Smith and Wesson 340PD revolver with its' Scandium alloy frame and Titanium cylinder makes for a painfully light weight .357 Magnum.

My personal favorite, and the location that I have carried a backup weapon for years is known as the B.U.G. holster. The acronym stands for Back Up Gun. The B.U.G. holster is a simple yet very effective one piece nylon rig. It measures approximately three inches by three inches square. The set-up is sold as one piece and is stitched to the front of any type of personal body armor. The front of the holster has a fold down flap that is secured in place by Velcro® across the top. Once the flap is folded down, the interior contains a small internal holster. Sold in three sizes (small, medium and large), the holster will accept handguns ranging from the sub-compact Glock 26 to the full size Sig-Sauer 226. I have carried a backup weapon in just about every conceivable place and fashion. The B.U.G. ranks as my personal favorite due to its accessibility and low maintenance. I place the weapon in the holster at the beginning of the night, and never worry about it again. The system is also set up to allow a left or right handed draw. I have recommended this system to scores of recruit officers for all of these reasons.

The bottom line is simple. You have a choice: the choice to carry one gun or two. When carrying two, your options are endless. If you choose to carry one, you essentially rest your fate in a mechanical device as mentioned above. LMS Defense offers training, suggestions and options to assist you in your endeavors. You will not be concerned with comfort when faced with a life and death situation. You will, however, take comfort in knowing you have a secondary weapon should you need it. That choice is yours to make. Stay safe and take care of your equipment.

Feature Class After Action Report
Robert M.

Pistol I Course

A while ago, Yancey Harrington contacted me and informed me that there was going to be a Pistol 1 class on September 15 & 16 in Casa Grande, Arizona. Immediately I signed up for the class because I have been meaning to take a pistol class for quite some time. Josh Jackson, a K-9 officer in California, taught the class.


Photo credit: Cavalry Arms

  I had no idea how much I would learn over the weekend. It was incredible how much we covered in the 2-day period. The class moved along at a brisk pace and Josh was very good at getting his point across and making sure that we understood and retained the information before we moving on to the next item. He was extremely professional throughout the class, but he was not a hard ass. He was supportive, yet direct when the situation required it.  



Photo credit: Cavalry Arms

  I chose to shoot two different Glock’s during the class. On the first day, I shot a Glock 34 with a Streamlight M3X weapon light attached and used a Blade-Tech kydex holster. My gear on Day 1 worked great, and I could not have been happier with it. On the second day, I used a Glock 19 with a Bianchi level 2 retention holster. As with Day 1, I was happy with my gear selection. I chose to use two different models of Glock in order to gain experience with both – and insure that I was not overly dependent or favoring only one firearm in any given situation.



Photo credit: Cavalry Arms

My overall impression of the class was that it was a good and very relevant course. At times, I felt some of the information was fed to us through a fire hose. I look forward to the next class LMS Defense offers in Arizona.


-Robert M.

What other students have to say about the Pistol I course:

"Learned a lot....hope to do more classes in the future" - Coyote Arms

"LMS classes are well worth the time, effort and experience. You'll come away a better shooter, a more informed CCW holder and a better person for it."- Bubba

Visit our website for upcoming classes and additional information.

Gear Topics
Todd Nielsen

Pistol mounted light or hand held flashlight; Which is better?

This really is the question for all the modern day operators. Should I mount a light on my pistol or do I use a hand-held flashlight? Which is better for me?

Considerations

First, you need to think about how you will use the pistol. Are you going to use the pistol in a law enforcement capacity where it will be your primary firearm? Are you using your pistol as a secondary weapon like a SWAT team member? In a military application or in a CQB-type action? Each one has a different application for a pistol.

Second, are you willing to take the time to train and apply that training in the field? I commend you for taking the time to read this article – it shows that you have a willingness to train. I am a trainer for my police department, and I have found that training time and training dollars can be hard to come by. In many departments, the training budget is so minimal that only a few select individuals will be able to go to the courses – just to maintain standards! Effectively, this forces the individual who wants training to pay for it themselves and go on their own time.

As with any weapon system, you have to do some maintenance training to stay proficient. This is especially true when it comes to using a firearm in a low light condition. If you choose a pistol mounted light, the learning curve is short. Using a hand held flashlight does take a bit more training time, yet it allows you many more options. Regardless of what type of system you choose, ask yourself this: “Are you willing to put in 18-20 hours of initial training to become proficient and about 20-60 minutes a week to maintain that training?” There are some distinct differences between the two systems each of them having their advantages and disadvantages.

Pistol mounted lights

There are many great things about having a pistol mounted light. I have used many types of lights and have found this to be true: You get exactly what you pay for! I would recommend that you stay with the tried and true brand names. (SureFire, Streamlight, and Night Ops, for example). Here is the bottom line: your life is on the line when you use this light. What is you life worth? Do you trust the light with your life?




One of the best benefits of having a weapon mounted light is that the light is always with the weapon and generally, your hand position does not change. However, you may have to place one finger in a slightly different position in order to activate the light. Transitioning from strong hand to weak hand is the same as if you were not using a light at all. You can use the pistol with a single hand while using the light. You can also perform reloads and clear malfunctions in the same manner as which you have already been trained. These are some of the advantages of having a weapon mounted light. However, there are some disadvantages as well.

To begin with you will be adding more weight to your pistol. In addition, you will need to have a holster that will accommodate the light mounted on the pistol. This really becomes an issue when you are trying to carry concealed. You can not use the light as an independent light source to illuminate another area while covering a threat area. You will have to think about how to activate the light depending on how the switching mechanism works. Remember strong hand and weak hand transitions, because the switch could be activated differently on each side. Finally, you will need to consider is how the light is mounted on the pistol; you will have to maintain that union between the pistol and light.

Hand held lights

The use of a hand-held light in conjunction with a pistol requires you to use different techniques. Hand-held lights allow you to carry a variety of different handguns and different lights. You could use a revolver, if that is your chosen or preferred platform. Or you can use a small framed semi-auto if your mission dictates. Hand held lights are easier to conceal on your person and less conspicuous if, your mission calls for a concealed carry. You can use the hand-held light as a signaling device or as a stationary illumination device; whereas a pistol mounted light must stay on your pistol.

You can use any number of different techniques. The names may be different depending on where you come from, but the basics are the same and include the Harries, the Rogers/Surefire, the Chapman and the FBI or Modified FBI technique. These techniques have advantages and disadvantages that require you to master them. There are a number of other techniques out there that I am sure you the readers are going to tell me about. (I welcome the information because Iron sharpens Iron)

If you have a technique that works for you I encourage you to use it. However, I will challenge you to master at least two different techniques. I have learned in force-on-force applications that one technique will not work in all tactical situations. Be able to use both your right hand as well as your left hand. I have seen far too many operators shot in force-on-force training because they failed to transition to a different technique or to their other hand.

Some of the shortcomings of having a hand held light are that you need to stow another piece of gear and acquire it while under stress. The light needs to be positioned on your body so that is can be acquired by either hand. Depending on the light you chose you will have to find the switch to activate the light. While transitioning between techniques you need to be aware of your muzzle as not to injure yourself or others. You will need to stow the light in order to perform a reload or clear a malfunction.

Personal note While I am in the field I use a pistol mounted light, however I only use it when immediate deployments are needed or as a backup. I use a hand held light in order to give me more options while I am in the field. My preferred techniques are the FBI modified and the Harries. I like the FBI modified because I can place the light in any direction, angle or height. I also like the Harries technique for getting that stable shooting platform. I encourage you to contact me to obtain additional training in this area or if you simply have a “what if” question. The instructional staff at LMS Defense can offer training, suggestions and options to assist you in your training regime.

Gear Review
Officer Heather G., Denver Police Department

Surefire Kroma

I started back to patrol duty on the morning shift, working 9pm-7am. This made finding a good handheld flashlight critical. I've used the Surefire Kroma for the last 2 weeks, and been impressed. What makes the Kroma unique from other LED flashlights is that it offers multiple lighting options: a large center LED light, and an outer ring of small LED's. Further, via a rotating ring just behind the bulb portion of the light, you can switch the LED's through dim and bright red light, white light, and dim and bright blue light. The light functions with a two-stage button switch on the tailcap. When the button is depressed halfway, it activates the outer ring of LED's for a more diffuse (and somewhat dimmer) light. When it is depressed fully, the center LED (which is white only) is lit, offering a much brighter, more focused light pattern. The tailcap can also be twisted for steady-on, and has a lock-out function to prevent accidental turnons. It is powered by 2 lithium 123 batteries. It came with a clip for putting it in a shirt or pants pocket which I removed in order to carry on my duty belt in my old Stinger flashlight leather holder (where it fit with absolutely no problems, eliminating the need to buy a new flashlight holder).




Pros:

• Very rugged, durable casing
• Extremely variable functioning for nearly any situation
• Lightweight
• Small, easily pocketed
• Surprising battery life
• Very bright

  Cons:

• Too much choice in lighting. I ended up putting the ring selector to plain white light, and using the low-light and high-light functions. I can't think of any situations where I would choose to use either the red or blue light.
• Because of the multiple choices, figuring out what kind of light you want how bright takes concentration and two hands to change. It's not very practical for patrol function, where most often, your belt light is something you need to be able to use one-handed, and on very short notice.
• When using the tailcap button switch, it quickly became very tiring on my thumb to hold the button in fully for the brighter light when I was in situations that the "always on" function wasn't an option (searching a house on a burglar alarm, etc).
• Price. Definately expensive for simple patrol use, especially when you have to provide batteries on top of the price of the light.

Specifications

Features:

• Selectable, dual-output white primary beam and dual-output secondary beams of blue and red
• Electronically controlled LED light source has no filament to burn out or break, lasts for thousands of hours
• Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens produces tightly focused central beam
• Rugged aerospace-grade aluminum body, Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized in black
• O-ring sealed, weatherproof
• Tempered Pyrex® window
• Heavy-duty pocket clip
• Tailcap switch: press for momentary-on low beams, press further for momentary-on high white beam; twist for constant-on low or high beams
• Switch lockout prevents accidental activation during transport or storage
• Output/Runtimes:
  
  • White high: 50 lumens / 1.5 hrs
  • White low: 1.4 lumens / 20 hrs
  • Blue high: 3.4 lumens / 8 hrs
  • Blue low: .48 lumens / 80 hrs
  • Red high: 6.3 lumens / 8 hrs
  • Red low: .52 lumens / 80 hrs

MSRP: $299.00

This gear review is courtesy of Tactical Testing & Evaluation. We encourage you to visit them at their website: www.ttellc.net, LMS Defense is extremely grateful for their support.