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This week I finally get to do a reader/listener question show... but since 1 was a big question... I only answered 3. :( Hopefully next time I can answer a few more. The questions include... 1) What are my favorite 3 drills for validating my skill level. 2) How do I store my pistols overnight 3) A long question selecting a holster, gun and caliber for CCW. Referenced Posts Fill your Hands God, Gals, Guns, Grub Top 10 training drills for the range Dot Torture F.A.S.T. (Fundamentals, Accuracy, & Speed Test) Ft Knox Pistol Safe Buckeye Firearms - Handgun Stopping Power MTAC Holster Blade-Tech Nano Blade-Tech Appendix Holster

Mike Hughes is the high energy president of Next Level Training and is passionate about everything he does. This energy is what allowed him to be successful as a college football player, a lawyer and in competitive shooting. In this episode of the podcast I talk with Mike about the history or the SIRT line of trainers, how they should be used, plans for future development, how they can be used in conjunction with physical fitness training and of course his appearance on the History Channel's Top Shot. I also take a segment to talk about the SIRT AR Bolt, because I don't think it gets the attention it deserves. Like I mention in the episode, if you have an SIRT trainer you live in a shoot house and I think that is doubly important with a long gun. This episode is significantly longer than most, but it is as long as it needs to be to cover the content. Reference Links NextLevelTraining.com Next Level Training on Facebook Top Shot Can Wushu help us think about shooting skill and competition shooting?

One of the biggest supporters of the When the Balloon Goes Up! Podcast and store has been the man with the worst kept identity in 2nd amendment radio and the host of everyone's 2nd favorite podcast the Un-named Trucker. Shortly before this interview the Trucker had just completed the Massad Ayoob Group Instructors Class (MAGIC) to become a staff instructor and in this episode I talk with him about the path he is taking to become a firearms instructor. If you are familiar with his podcast it is pretty informal and it would have been impossible lead him through a structured discussion, so I didn't and allowed him to run. If you have ever wanted to become firearms instructor, Trucker talks a little about how he's going about. Referenced Links RoadGunnerPodcast.com Apex Tactical gear on BalloonGoesUp.com Night Hawk Custom Training Massad Ayoob Group International Law Enforcement Educators and Training Association RoadGunner on Facebook RoadGunner on Twitter

Doug Holloway started ATEi in his father's barn and has grown machine shop supporting the dairy industry, through making aftermarket parts for performance Mustangs, to doing prototyping for the big 3 auto makers and EOTech. His interest in the firearms industry lead him from fixing the things he didn't like about his own gun to modifying guns for Chris Costa and me (Ok I'm nobody, but Chris Costa is cool and I figured out a way to mention myself in the same sentence!) In this episode Doug talks about how each of his modifications came to be and why he cuts them the way he does. He also opens up and explains why only install the Trijicon RMR's... here is a hint! Listen to the full podcast below! Reference Links ATEi Website ATEi on Facebook Crusader Podcasts Modern Self Protection Podcast

The Zimmerman trial is full of learning's for the concealed carrier, but this week I leave them all for Michael Bane and I focus on the risks associated with riots and threats made on social media. Social media can allow thoughts of violence to spread and have them normalized by keyboard commandos (or in this case thugs) and then allow them to be organized quickly.  This can pose a major risk following the trial and you should have a plan in place and follow the trial enough to know when those events might happen. Relevant Links Follow trial events at legalinsurrection.com Down Range Radio #322 Neighborhood Watch Scenario from the Best Defense

In this episode, Devin tells the story of the company, explains what sets his holsters apart and describes his method of making the holsters. White Dog Holsters is a small family owned company that makes custom Kydex holsters in a variety colors, cants and belt mounts. Devin has experience in an armored car, in security for a governmental agency, concealed carry and as a competition shooter. The company was started at the urging of Massad Ayoob, after Devin showed him the product. Since its founding, the holsters have been used and tested by Massad Ayoob, Gail Peppin, Kathy Jackson, and Marty Hayes.  It is hard to beat that group for an R&D department! In addition to just testing it, Massad appears to believe in the product, as he mentioned the company by name in an issue of shooting illustrated. Since I became aware of the company 15 months ago Devin has refined his design and has and the product has continued to become more refined, but it still has all of the craftsmanship of the early models. Reference Links White Dog Holsters White Dog Holsters on Facebook WTBGU! review of White Dog Holsters White Dog Holsters available from WTBGU!

***NOTE - THE NEW RULE BOOK HAS BEEN POSTED FOR COMMENT AND OUR FIRST THOUGHTS ARE POSTED HERE***   Joyce Wilson is the executive director of the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) and has led the organization through many recent changes. In this episode Joyce and I talk about 3 major changes that have happened in the past few months, including: The redesign of the IDPA website and their partnership with RangeLog. The creation of a new IDPA Backup Gun Nationals match. The complete reworking of the IDPA rule book. The IDPA rule book hadn't been changed in 8 years and was over due for an update, but still I was surprised at the depth of the changes. Joyce shared a set of 4 rules that were used to examine each rule that led to long series of changes. What is the purpose or history of the rule? Is it still valid? Does it support the founders principles or values? Does it require the Safety Officer to make a judgement call? During the interview there were a number of rules changes that were confirmed including a change to the structure of the rule book itself. The rule book has been split into 2 parts... a rule book and a match administration handbook. The handbook will provide specific roles and responsibilities for Safety Officers, Match Director, Area Co-ordinators et cetera. It has also  tiered the level of matches in order to try to permit more participation in national level matches... which has become a major concern for some shooters. Confirmed IDPA Rule Book Changes An increased flexibility for local clubs to hold specialty matches (like the Backup Gun Nationals) for specific guns or people. Authorization for a .22lr class for local matches to reduce the cost of participation and make it even more new shooter friendly. SSP has been redefined to be for all striker fired guns Changes to the rule using muzzle safe points Development of a code of conduct Changes to the clothing rules (vest, kneepads...) Changes to the classifier Allowance for shooters to move backwards in classification Annual review of the rule book Confirmed No's In addition to the confirmed changes there were a few confirmed "No's" that I believe will be of interest to many members. CDP will remain 45acp only. There will be no power factor changes for ESR or SSR Appendix carry is still forbidden Slide mounted optics are still a no... for now "You'll have to wait for Monday Tuesday" Lastly there were a number questions that weren't "spec

This week I spoke with Charter Arms President, Nick Ecker about the company history, the recent laws past in Charter Arms home state of Connecticut and the innovative 9mm Pitbull Revolver. Charter Arms revolvers are 100% American made and nearly all of the parts are sourced within 60 miles of the factory. They are also extremely innovative (for revolvers) in fact was founded because Ruger wouldn't build the lightweight Undercover .38 revolver designed by the company founder. They developed the transfer bar safety. And they developed the patented system that allows for rimless cartridges to be loaded into a revolver without the use of moonclips. Among our other discussions was a short description of the Charter Arms warranty program that has caused some confusion in the marketplace... make sure to listen to the podcast for details!

Trijicon VP of Sales & Marketing, Tom Munson took some time to talk with us about the Trijicon RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) line of sights... twice actually since I had a recording issue the 1st time. In this interview Tom tells the story of the special operations request that lead to the development of the sight, explains the reason for the shape of the sight, and we talk about the reliability and the possibility of a smaller version for single stack carry guns. My carry gun should be back from the ATEi in the next couple of weeks and there will be lots more slide mounted red dot coverage on in the months to come at http://blog.balloongoesup.com

This week I get Kathy Jackson talking about... The dynamics of a women only pistol class How normalization can affect a woman's view of concealed carry How the "look of the gun" can be a very good thing ... And why loved ones aren't the best people to teach any new skill, but especially shooting. This episode is considerably longer than past episodes, but it was too good to cut short. Kathy Jackson is a trainer that is best known for her work with new and female shooters, partly due to her website corneredcat.com and her book the cornered cat: a woman's guide to concealed carry. This episode covers many of the factors that concern all new shooters but is definitely focused on the new female shooter, making it a must listen for women interested in shooting and concealed carry or every man that has a girlfriend, wife, sister, mother or daughter that wishes to introduce them to the sport for fun or safety.

Since 1991, Kenn Blanchard has been involved in almost every pro-rights event that involved a person of color. He's worked with all the pro rights organizations, the National Rifle Association, the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, the Second Amendment Foundation, the CATO Institute, Gun Owners of America, and the list continues. He has lobbied the US Congress, testified in the state legislatures of Virginia, Texas, South Carolina, Michigan, Maryland, and Wisconsin. He has done commercials for TV against racist gun laws and been featured in three documentaries and debated nationally known anti-second amendment people on national television. In addition to his activism, Kenn is a published author, produces a popular podcast called The Urban Shooter, and is the pastor of a Baptist church in Washington D.C. Still if you asked Kenn what he is he'd probably just say "I'm a loving husband... and that's enough." Everything Kenn has done since he left public service involves communication and that is what this discussion was all about!