SWAT Magazine: Weapons, Tactics, Training

A report from the National Safety Council shows that accidental firearm-related fatalities continue to decline. In fact, they are at the lowest level in the history of record keeping. Statistics in the council's Injury Facts 2004 reveal a fifty-four percent decrease over a ten-year period ending in 2003. Last year, 101,537 U.S. residents died in accidents of all types. Less than one percent–700–involved firearms. The most common deadly accidents involved motor vehicles, falls and poisonings. Combined, these three categories claimed 72 percent of all accidental deaths.

One thing which has almost certainly led to such a dramatic reduction in firearms-related deaths is good training–the kind you can expect to read about in S.W.A.T. For example, the ready position known as "Sul" is both misunderstood and misused. That's why we went directly to one of the persons who developed it, Max Joseph, to explain when it should and when it should not be used. His report appears in this issue.

Many fatal accidents are also attributed to involuntary discharges caused by the so-called "fist reflex"–an involuntary reaction which closes all the fingers of the hand when a person is subjected to stress. To understand how the "fist reflex" can be conquered through training, we called upon one of the finest tactical minds in the martial arts–Phil Messina of Modern Warrior. His insight and suggestions on this subject should be required reading for anyone who carries a weapon for self-defense.

You'll find all this and much, much more in our December 2004 issue.

The Briefing Room:

No Right To Whine

Denny Hansen

Enemy At The Gate:

Crazy Gun Laws: The Laughable Menace

Richard W. Stevens

Frontline Debriefs:

Here I Stand

Scott Reitz

Street Smarts:

The Fine Art Of Debriefing

Brent T. Wheat

Training & Tactics:

I Am The Bullet

Louis Awerbuck

Up Close And Personal:

Habits

Jeff Gonzales

The Cutting Edge:

Foster 1911 Folder

Denny Hansen

The Gear Locker:

New Products and Accessories

Staff

Lawful Carry:

BlackHawk Carbon Fiber CQC Gear

Flint Hansen

Long Guns:

Remington's 7600P Patrol Rifle

Leroy Thompson

Mail Room:

Letters from our Readers

Staff

Off Beat:

4^{th Generation Lasergrips for 1911s}

Eugene Nielsen

Training Calendar:

Find Out Where And When What Training Is Occurring

Staff

Previous tables of contents and featured articles can be found in the Archives ...

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December 2004 Cover

Seven Rules For Concealed Carry The author lays out his basic plan for carrying a concealed handgun. Many of the "rules" are so obvious, that citizens who arm themselves often overlook them.
by Kevin Davis

Position Sul: Here's The Scoop Employed by many operators and misused by even more, one of the originators of Position Sul explains when it should–and when it should not–be used.
by Max Joseph

Larue Tactical: Rings and Mounts Unlike in the past, most fighting weapons now have optical sights mounted on them. Optics, however, are only as good as the mounts and rings which hold them to the firearm. The author gives a complete review of what he considers some of the best.
by Patrick A. Rogers

S.W.A.T. Sweepstakes: H-S Precision Pro-Series 2000 HTR .308 The December S.W.A.T. Sweepstakes features the H-S Precision Pro-Series 2000 HTR .308 rifle, complete with Leupold Mark 4 3.5-10x40mm LR/T scope. With a retail value over $4,500, this is our most valuable giveaway to date!
Courtesy of S.W.A.T. Sweepstakes


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Morrigan Consulting's Advanced Defensive Pistol Course Bill Jeans, the owner/operator of Morrigan Consulting, has over twenty years experience in law enforcement and an equal amount of time in the field of tactical training. Read why his Advanced Defensive Pistol Course is training you can literally bet your life on.
by Tiger McKee

Tactical Duty Knife Course: Training On The Cutting Edge Numerous peace officers and private citizens carry a knife as a last-ditch defensive weapon, but few ever take the time to be properly trained in its use. That is changing as more trainers are now offering courses in the use of the "tactical" knife.
by Erick Gelhaus

Hilton Yam's 10-8 Pistol: Fit For Duty Is a custom 1911 pistol really necessary?. For those whose life depends on their equipment, the answer is an unequivocal "Yes!" Find out how two pistols from one maker stood up under several weeks of arduous training at Gunsite.
by Patrick A. Rogers

Kel-Tec's Su-16 Rifle: The Perfect "Bug-Out" Weapon The SU-16 is a very handy carbine which can be folded in half for storage and transport. If you need a rifle that is capable of one-inch, hundred yard groups, this is not it, but if you need a small, light package for small spaces or backpacking, it is worth a second (and third) hard look.
by Denny Hansen

To The Rear, March! Nostalgia and Refinishing An AR-15 Refinishing a badly worn AR-15, the author was able to relive some fond memories of his days as a young Marine–and he ended up with a rifle he will enjoy for years.
by Mike Detty

TEES High Risk Environment Dignitary Protection Course This course is designed to provide a potential private contractor with the skills needed to apply with a company providing dignitary protection overseas.
by Devon L. Crinklaw

Bang! Reconditioning Drills To Avoid Accidental Discharges Most involuntary discharges are caused by what many trainers call the "fist reflex." This article includes several drills which can help one train to avoid this "natural" response.
by Phil Messina

Hearing Loss And Protection With advanced electronic protection, you can safeguard your hearing and also have the possibility of hearing like you never dreamed possible.
by Dr. George E. Dvorchak, Jr.