Monthly Archives: August 2012
Guest Post: 5.11 Tactical Women’s Taclite Pro Pants Review
Ok, so I finally caved and let the Noob buy me a pair of Taclite Pro women’s pants from 5.11 Tactical. Like the Noob, I have an absurd fondness for cargo pants. I own several pairs of them that are meant to be more fashionable than functional. They’re “cute” pants. Unfortunately, that means the pockets look nice, but don’t really have much room in which to put stuff. Continue reading
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Creative solutions…
I just love looking back at the progress of guns from the hand cannons of ancient China to the advanced weapons of today. You can tell, as time went by, people knew and understood the inherent weaknesses of the time. It’s interesting to see how some of the more creative (yet less engineering inclined) people thought of ways around the problems. Continue reading
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Gear Review: J. Dewey Manufacturing Cleaning Kit
Go down to Wal-Mart and take a look at a cleaning kit for your pistol. Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Seriously, go on. I’ll be here when you get back.
All done? Great. Let’s talk about what was in it. You’ve got a pile of wire brushes, right? One for just about every caliber out there it seems. You’ve got a cleaning rod that can be configured at various lengths. Probably some cotton cleaning thingies as well as a loop so you can push cleaning patches through the barrel. You’ve also got a little bottle of cleaner. Not bad, reader, not bad. Here’s my big question: how many of those brushes and such are you actually going to use? Look at me, for example. Up until recently I only had 3 pistols and they were all 9mm. Why would I need all these extra doohickeys when I was only going to use one brush?
I really hate wasting things. Continue reading
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Gabby Franco Teaches You How to Think Like a Winner
Photo courtesy of Gabby Franco.
While at the Concealed Carry Fashion Show in New York a few weeks back, I had the privilege to meet and talk with some really amazing folks in the gun community. One of those people was The History Channel’s Top Shot alumna Gabby Franco.
In addition to be a world-class shooter, Gabby is an incredibly friendly, passionate, and generous person who is willing to share her love of guns and shooting with anyone who wants to learn more. I was fortunate enough to get to speak with her for quite a while that evening. In the course of our conversation, another woman approached Gabby and described some trouble she’d been having during the IDPA matches she participates in. After gleaning some more information about the nature of the problem, Gabby began to talk about the value of mind-set in the shooter’s toolbox. As she spoke, I realized that this is one of the most, if not THE most important skill, in any kind of firearms-related activity. Technique is certainly important too, but doesn’t count for much if you can’t keep your focus under pressure.
I found Gabby’s incites about the mental component of shooting so compelling that when I got home I immediately emailed her about doing an interview. She graciously agreed to share her knowledge with the Gun Noob community, and what follows is our discussion about the value of keeping your thoughts in line with your goals. Our conversation has informed my shooting in a number of ways. For a long time, I’ve felt like shooting is a lot like yoga (only way more badass) or perhaps a martial art, and after hearing what Gabby has to say, I think you might agree.
RebeccaGuns: In what way do you feel that a shooter’s mind-set and attitude affect his or her performance?
Gabby Franco: I believe that your mind-set is as important as having good technique and knowledge in everything you do. Your technique is embedded in your muscle (muscle memory) and in your brain (knowledge) however, your mind-set will determine how efficiently you will use that knowledge and your muscle memory.
For example, you can walk on top of a balanced beam just a couple inches off of the ground several times until you can do it comfortably. When you raise the height of this balanced beam a couple of feet, you need to have a strong mind-set so your mind understands that even though there is a different factor in play, you should use the same knowledge and muscle memory to walk through the balanced beam. A shooter must trust his/her knowledge and program his/her brain for success.
RG: What type of mind-set do you cultivate when you are shooting competitively?
GF: Mind-set is something I cultivate not only competitively or at the range or while I am shooting. It is a “Way of Thinking”. If you are a negative person in every aspect of your life, it would be likely for you to be a negative person at the range. I am, and I teach my students that you are the Owner/Boss of your brain, therefore you need to give commands that will help you instead of hurt you.
For instance, if I have to shoot a target that is far away, I will only think on the technique I need to use in order to hit my target, not on the”negative known factors” (Target is far, it is difficult shot, I haven’t practice a lot of long shots, etc.)
RG: Do you think your mind-set comes into play in self-defense situations?
GF: Definitely! Confidence comes not only from practice but when you trust on your abilities. So a strong mind-set will help to keep the mind focused on finding a solution and will maintain a person’s alertness of his/her surroundings.
RG: That’s a really good point. How did you train yourself to think this way?
GF: By being not necessarily positive, but efficient in the way I think. For example, if there is something that concerns me at work or at home, I do not concentrate my attention on the actual situation; my mind will automatically find a solution to the problem. Same thing in shooting, I always try in my shooting practice to shoot beyond my comfort zone, forcing my brain to think on how do I need to prepare for the stage and concentrating on what I need to do, pushing myself more and more and keeping away any thought of failure. Basically I prepare to succeed not to fail.
RG: What tips would you give other shooters to improve their mental attitude?
GF: Do not concentrate on your fears, concentrate on how to overcome those fears. Learn how to effectively talk to yourself. For example:
DON’T: Today I will not have “Mikes” (A term used in USPSA/IDPA to mean missed shots)
DO: Today I will concentrate on my sights and trigger control.
Be aware of your own thoughts during the day and analyze if those thoughts are positive and effective or negative and useless. Do not waste time thinking on how difficult a particular shot might be, think on the technique you need to apply to make that shot.
For more on Gabby Franco, the Shoot PERFECT classes she teaches and her thoughts and advice on shooting, check out her site: http://www.gabbyfranco.com/. You can also follow her adventures on Facebook and Twitter.
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A little fun: AK vs. AR vs. Mosin…
I’m going to preface this by saying this was a forward of a forward of a forward (etc etc). I have no idea who originally wrote it and any attempts I’ve made over the last couple hours have been fruitless. Whomever wrote it, hats off to you because this is hilarious! Continue reading
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