Loading up snap caps and starting from a self-induced malfunction allows you to get a feel for handling your gun when something goes wrong.

These might not be your top five fixed-blade knives. But, for now — and in no particular order — these are mine. Enjoy!

Since life-threatening encounters occur in broad daylight as well as in pitch blackness and everywhere in between, it behooves us to be able to follow the “know your target” rule not only by being able to see a target but also by being able to aim properly.

In a pinch, a keychain can become a self-defense tool: grasp the keychain in your fist while the keys stick out through each finger, attach a sturdy lanyard and create some kind of strike weapon, and so on.

The only reason I sometimes desire to carry a revolver more than an auto-loading pistol is because, in my opinion, revolvers have less that can go wrong when squeezing the trigger and firing.

Assuming you carry at least a gun and a folding knife — and probably obvious items, such as a mobile phone, a wallet and keys — you might benefit from carrying a few more items with you.

The FN 15 Competition was tailor made for 3-Gun from the ground up. As the name implies, competitors must shoot their way through a series of stages that offer different types of challenges involving different-sized targets, movement, cover, and distances while switching out between pistol, shotgun and rifle.

In a recent informal survey of one person – me – I asked myself what is probably the most popular way to carry a concealed handgun.

We all know how important situational awareness is in the overall scheme of personal defense. In fact, the whole point of situational awareness is to avoid trouble if you can.