Author: jgoggans

The color code, as originally introduced by Jeff Cooper, had nothing to do with tactical situations or alertness levels, but rather with one’s state of mind. As taught by Cooper, it relates to the degree of peril you are willing to do something about and which allows you to move from one level of mindset to another to enable you to properly handle a given situation. Cooper did not claim to have invented anything in particular with the color code, but he was apparently the first to use it as an indication of mental state.

White: Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be “Oh my! This can’t be happening to me.”
Yellow: Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that “today could be the day I may have to defend myself”. You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that “I may have to shoot today”. You don’t have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don’t know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to “Watch your six.” (In aviation 12 o’clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft’s nose. Six o’clock is the blind spot behind the pilot.) In Yellow, you are “taking in” surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, “I might have to shoot.”

Orange: Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to “I may have to shoot that person today”, focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: “If that person does “X”, I will need to stop them”. Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.

Red: Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. “If ‘X’ happens I will shoot that person” — ‘X’ has happened, the fight is on.

The USMC uses “Condition Black,” although it was not originally part of Cooper’s color code. According to Massad Ayoob, “Condition Black,” in Cooper’s youth, meant “combat in progress.”

If you are looking for a semi-auto shotgun, look no further!

The Beretta 1301 shotgun is one of the best semi-autos I have ever handled.  It is light, shoots fast, eats any ammo you feed it, and would make a excellent home defense shotgun or target shredding race gun.

Here is a quick look at it in action:
https://youtu.be/i6ZXy7sxuf0

A few months ago I was looking around and could not find anyone who had really beat up on a Ruger LCP.  Now, before you get upset,  I know this is not what the gun is designed to do.  I get it.  But I think it is valuable to see what a weapons system can take even if you never intend (nor should you) abuse it.

The pistol did fail, but was able to continue to work with some assistance to the slide.  I don’t carry the LCP often.  I am of the opinion it is not “enough gun” that I would want to use to defend myself.  But for those trips to the gym or other times you need a small pocket gun, you would be hard pressed to find a better option (for the money).

Part 1: https://youtu.be/qmiBWA_a8Eg?t=43s

Part 2: https://youtu.be/zmvniDSzLsk?t=39s

Great information from legitimate BTDT guys.

https://youtu.be/KhuaGa159hU

The late Jeff Cooper was one of the true pioneers of weaponcraft in the US. His numerous accomplishments include founder of Gunsite Ranch, editor at large of Guns & Ammo magazine, winner of the Outstanding American Handgunner award in 1995, Rangemaster Emeritus of the US Practical Shooting Assn. and long-time member of the board of directors of the National Rifle Association. He was a United States Marine, the creator of the “modern technique” of handgun shooting, and an expert on the use and history of small arms.

Even though we have moved beyond some of the techniques he taught he is still the foundation and put together some of the best “software” for cultivating a good mindset.  One of his books I think should be required reading, Principles of Personal Defense.  It’s a short book and be found online for less than $20.

 

“It is a classic, timeless work, encapsulated in a clear, concise, and succinct form………….it should be read, studied, and then periodically re-read and re-studied. No matter how many times you read it, you will always find one more pearl of wisdom that you missed during the last read.”

–Louis Awerbuck

 

Great information from legitimate BTDT guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB119pYLxRA

Are new Glocks coming?  Looks like it!

Check out this image from The Firearm Blog:

Breaking: Photo Of The New FBI Glock 17M Leaked

• A new tougher finish
• Changes in the rifling
• Longer recoil spring assembly
• Reinforced forward notch for the recoil spring assembly
• A smoother trigger similar to the G42/43
• Flared magwell
• No finger grooved
• Changes in the safety plunger
• Ambidextrous slide release
• Magazines have an extended front lip
• Magazine well cutout