Concealed carry, defensive pistol training, and after-action reports from the classes I take.
Welcome to the Self-Defense corner – no fluff, no mall-ninja fantasy, just the stuff that actually keeps good people alive when things go sideways.
This is where I lay out the hard truths I’ve learned (and teach) as a certified defensive firearms instructor: draws from concealment, surviving lethal-force encounters, picking the right gear that won’t fail you at 3 a.m., legal realities most ranges won’t talk about, and the skills that separate survivors from statistics. If you carry a gun to protect yourself or your family, everything here is battle-tested in classes, force-on-force, and (for a lot of students) real life. Dig in, train hard, and stay dangerous in the right way.
Selecting a firearm for self-defense means taking an honest look at your skills and the situations you’re likely to face. There’s no single best option—choose the one that fits you, train hard, and put safety first.
Ever chased that shoulder holster dream only to tangle in straps like a bad spy flick? I tested Craft Holsters’ Sig Sauer P226 shoulder holster, and it’s a premium rig with a few quirks that’ll make you chuckle (or cringe).
You asked for it — my battle-tested Top 5 concealed-carry pistols for 2025. One costs less than date night. One more than a used bike. All five I’d trust my life with — and one rides my hip every day.
I’ve hauled this Mystery Ranch Catalyst 26 everywhere for years—office, truck, backroads. It started as a commuter laptop hauler that morphed into my get-home bag, and still won’t quit. I keep grabbing it every damn day.
Gritr’s affordable Omni holster claims IWB/AIWB/OWB ambidextrous magic. I warned ‘em my holster reviews are brutal. They sent it anyway. Spoiler: it’s not trash… but it ain’t perfect. Dig in for the full scoop.
Low-percentage, high-risk shots under the worst circumstances demand marksmanship honed to a razor’s edge. Brutal stakes, zero glamour, pure mastery. That’s precisely what Presscheck’s No Fail Pistol delivers.
A rough arthritis flare-up gave me time to reflect on personal safety. The world is a tough place, and you alone are responsible for your safety. That’s reality. The question is: what are you going to do about it? Let’s…
Nothing screams gear nerd louder than a pricey tactical flashlight like the Modlite PLHv2-18650 handheld. Bright, rugged, and modular, it’s a beast. But is it worth the $300 hit? Let’s break it down and see whether it’s a must-have or…
I don’t shoot or talk about Glocks much, but I’ve got a few, including my first: a Glock 43. It’s an itty-bitty pistol that rarely sees trigger time, but it’s got its place. Let’s check it out.
Ken Hackathorn’s The Wizard doesn’t mess around—it’s a raw competency test for concealed carriers. You either have the skills to nail it, or you don’t. So, how tough is it? Let’s break it down.
Compact pistol optics aren’t my thing, and enclosed emitters? Never tried ‘em on a handgun. But the CZ Shadow 2 Carry forced my hand, so here I am holding a Holosun Ronin EPS Carry. Let’s check it out.
