{"id":154,"date":"2023-03-15T04:15:10","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T04:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/knifevoyager.com\/?p=154"},"modified":"2023-03-15T04:15:11","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T04:15:11","slug":"things-you-need-to-know-epictactical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/knifevoyager.com\/?p=154","title":{"rendered":"Things You Need to Know \u2013 EpicTactical"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Dana Benner<\/p>\n

I recently visited Manchester Firing Line, an indoor shooting range near my home, to put a few rounds downrange with my XDS .45ACP.\u00a0 While there I ran into a mother and a pre-teen young man doing the same thing.\u00a0 They were using both a .380 and a 9mm handguns.\u00a0 While I was using my .45ACP, the results and the reasons were the same; to hone our self-defense skills.\u00a0 As I watched them shoot, I wondered to myself why handguns and not long arms?<\/p>\n

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Dana at Manchester Firing Line shooting at 40 feet.\u00a0 It is good to practice at different distances and in different settings just to see what you and your firearm can do.\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Manchester Firing Line<\/p>\n

When I first learned to shoot it was with a bolt-action .410 shotgun and a .22 rifle.\u00a0 My family didn\u2019t own a handgun.\u00a0 To this day I prefer rifles and shotguns as defensive weapons.\u00a0 With that being said, handguns do have their place.\u00a0 If you are going to purchase and rely upon a handgun there are things that you need to know.<\/p>\n

Think Long and Hard:<\/p>\n

Before you run out and purchase any firearm, ask yourself \u201cWhy?\u201d If you can\u2019t honestly answer this question sensibly, then a firearm is not for you.\u00a0 The purchase of any firearm should never be an impulse buy and they shouldn\u2019t be bought because it is the \u201ccool\u201d thing to do.\u00a0 Firearms are tools, dangerous tools that need to be treated with upmost respect.<\/p>\n

Before You Buy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do your homework.\u00a0 Know what you are looking for, how much you are willing to pay and what your main purpose for purchasing a handgun.\u00a0 Do you want a semi-automatic or a revolver?\u00a0 I recently purchased a Heritage .22LR single-action revolver.\u00a0 The handgun is one I will use to teach my daughter and granddaughters how to shoot and properly handle a firearm.\u00a0 I had done my research and knew exactly what I wanted.\u00a0 The salesperson tried to sell me a double-action revolver for much more money.\u00a0 Once he knew I was serious about what I wanted, he backed down and I actually purchased the handgun for less than I had planned to pay.<\/p>\n

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Heritage single-action .22LR revolver.\u00a0 The perfect firearm for the shooter just starting out.<\/p>\n

What Do You Plan on Using It For?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are your main intentions for the handgun?\u00a0 Do you plan to hunt with it?\u00a0 Is it mainly for self-defense?\u00a0 Do you just intend to shoot targets at the range?\u00a0 How you answer these questions will help determine what handgun is the best for you.\u00a0 There are many different handguns out there.\u00a0 There are revolvers and semi-automatics.\u00a0 Short barrels and long; and way too many calibers to list.\u00a0 Each one has its place and purpose.<\/p>\n

Target Shooting:<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your main intention is just to have a handgun to take to the range and shoot targets, then you can\u2019t go wrong with either a revolver or semi-automatic chambered for .22LR.\u00a0 These are also great firearms for teaching people how to shoot and firearm safety.\u00a0 These handguns come in a variety of sizes, though for target shooting I have found that a four or six inch barrel is perfect.<\/p>\n

Personal Protection:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here the choices increase and it is something you should really investigate.\u00a0 I recommend going to a place that will allow you to try different firearms and different calibers.\u00a0 The range I go to, Manchester Firing Line, allows you to rent different handguns and shoot them.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want more gun than you can handle.<\/p>\n

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Dana shooting at 30 feet.\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Manchester Firing Line<\/p>\n

Popular calibers include .380, .38 Special, .38, .357 Mag., 9mm, .40 and .45ACP.\u00a0 Calibers such as 10mm and .44 Mag. are, in my mind, are a bit much.\u00a0 A .22 is not the caliber for this purpose.\u00a0 Your personal defense gun should be light and easy to use.\u00a0 As you not going to make long shots, short barreled handguns, four inch barrel and under, are perfect.\u00a0 They are easily concealed and easily carried.<\/p>\n

Hunting:<\/strong><\/p>\n

While there are hunters out there who do hunt specifically with handguns, the vast majority of hunters carry handguns as backup.\u00a0 When I go hunting, even bird hunting, I carry my Springfield XDS .45ACP as my backup gun.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Well, more than once I have encountered a bear or coyote while turkey or grouse hunting.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like relying on birdshot in these instances.<\/p>\n

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Springfield XDS with American Eagle FMJ rounds.<\/p>\n

For small game, (squirrels, rabbits, porcupines, etc.) I would stick to the old reliable .22LR.\u00a0 In this case, the longer the barrel, the greater the distance and accuracy of your shots.\u00a0 Just be aware that the longer barrels are heavier.<\/p>\n

In areas where larger game is more likely to be encountered, you will want larger caliber handguns.\u00a0 Good choices include .357 Mag., .44 Mag., 10mm, .45LC, and .45ACP.\u00a0 I know someone who carries a .40 with them, but to me, that is just on the edge of being effective and by no means is a 9mm large enough.\u00a0 While I hunt using long guns, there may be times where the long gun can be more or a hindrance than an asset.\u00a0 An example of this include going into heavy brush after a potentially wounded bear or hog.<\/p>\n

Teaching:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The responsibility just starts with the purchase of the handgun.\u00a0 Just because you own a handgun doesn\u2019t mean you know how to use it, and use it safely.\u00a0 It is your responsibility to fully understand how the firearm works, how to solve problems and how to be safe when carrying and using the firearm. \u00a0Start by reading the manual that comes with your handgun, before you load a single round in it.\u00a0 Each handgun is different so make sure you are familiar with it before you head to the range.<\/p>\n

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Dana shooting revolver from bench rest.\u00a0 Photo courtesy of Mark Goddard<\/p>\n

Safety starts with proper control and that is only accomplished by constant practice.\u00a0 If you are new to using a handgun, start by taking a class taught by professionals.\u00a0 When I teach people to shoot I spend a great deal of time on safety, proper stance and gun control; all before a single round is loaded.\u00a0 You need to know the mechanics before anything else.\u00a0 When we finally get to the range, I am always watching the student to make sure they are doing what I had taught them.\u00a0 I correct as needed.\u00a0 If a safety rule is violated all shooting stops and we go back to the beginning.<\/p>\n

Safely Carry:<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you plan on carrying your handgun you must do it safely.\u00a0 Accidental discharges can, and do, happen.\u00a0 Handguns can go off if they are accidentally dropped or when you accidentally touch the trigger when drawing it from the holster.\u00a0 Don\u2019t rely upon the mechanical safety on the firearm to keep accidents from happening.<\/p>\n

Some firearms don\u2019t have a mechanical safety and some have more than one.\u00a0 It is up to you to know your firearm.\u00a0 With revolvers, most manufacturers recommend that you let the hammer rest on an empty chamber when carrying.\u00a0 Even though my Springfield XDs has multiple safety features, very rarely will I carry it with a round chambered.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t take much to load one in the chamber when needed.\u00a0 The bottom line is that it is always best to error on the side of safety.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like with everything else, there are pros and cons that come with handguns.\u00a0 As long as you understand this, you can deal with them.<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/p>\n