USCCA

An important question is seldom asked: What does it take for an opponent to jam my gun? In this context, we do not mean a firing jam or malfunction but knocking the gun out of battery or causing it not to fire when it is needed.

Most of us who carry firearms for self-defense are extremely conscientious about how and where we carry our guns in public. But what we do with them when we are not carrying is equally important. Whether in our homes or in our cars, we need to carefully consider how we store our guns.

There are a few basic steps you can take to better your chances of successfully responding to a late-night emergency in your home.

You don’t always have to hold the pistol vertically. When firing with one hand, tilting the gun slightly helps to align your muscles to create a better firing platform. This is not a different grip. It is a different hold.

Neglect is probably the greatest enemy of the concealed self-defense handgun. In my experience, it’s a rare one that gets fired and lubricated very frequently.

I will tell you that my practice is to, after every match or formal shooting class, hit the gun with a bore snake and make sure it’s adequately lubed.

The .22 LR is without a doubt the most ubiquitously manufactured cartridge of all time. But how does the .22 rimfire fit in the world of those who carry firearms for self-defense?

This whole concealed carry thing is about being ready to shoot someone. Let’s not sugarcoat it in any way: You get a sidearm (or a dozen) and take at least minimal training (hopefully), or, better yet, lifelong training. And for what? So you know how to safely and accurately shoot someone, or a bunch of someones, if the need properly arises. Our laws back us up.

It stands to reason that if someone is attempting to kill you and you have a loaded gun, you will use it to stop the lethal attack. Right? Well, maybe.