#CQB

Stand-off devices for handguns are frame-mounted parts that form a shield in front of the muzzle to prevent the action from going out of battery when the muzzle of the gun is pressed against the target. There are multiple different stand-off devices for the most popular modern handguns, however, if you want to retrofit your 1911 with such a gadget, there are not too many options. Well, D&L Sports is one manufacturer that makes a dedicated 1911 stand-off device.

Ready positions are important. These are the positions we can immediately fight from. The gun is readily accessible AND we are able to cover an angle of exposure. An angle of exposure is an angle from which a threat could present itself. This could be from behind a couch, an open doorway, etc. Ready positions provide a clear and safe path to a target and provide an unobstructed angle of attack. This is the position we want to use if we are worried about an imminent threat. There are three ready positions including Low Ready, Retention and High Ready. Each position has an inherent use. Which ready position is used is based on what is best for the scenario at hand.

This is not the same as belly carry, where the muzzle points at an outward angle. Belly carry results in a lack of awareness of where the muzzle is oriented. It also does not allow for use in as confined spaces as low carry, where the muzzle points straight down.

When transitioning to slung positions, the users need to use their hands for something other than holding their rifles. There are two slung positions, front and rear slung. Today we will discuss some key takeaways on these positions.

While it may not be the sexiest topic, the way you manipulate and move with your firearm are huge tells of your experience level. It all comes down to what Varg Freeborn refers to as advanced safety. This is more than simply keeping your finger off the trigger and not pointing guns at people. Having practiced sling positions that you can readily transition between will not only help you move in a safe manner with the firearm, but it will also help you get on target more readily. While ready, carry and slung positions are beneficial to square range work, they are essential to truly fight with a rifle.

Shoot houses and Close Quarter Battle (CQB) courses are often accompanied by misconceptions. People are confused with what the courses are about and who they are intended for. They assume the information will not apply to them if they are not law enforcement or military. Others see civilians that attend CQB courses as just wanting to attend a tactical band camp or be a Navy Seal for the weekend.

Spring is coming and soon training classes will start to pick up. Courses will be available for every budget and shooter. Some will focus on basic safety and cleaning. Other courses will cut tenths of a second off draw time or teach CQB team tactics.

TNVC Night Fighter Armed Professional is a course put on by Tactical Night Vision Company in order to provide vetted civilians and professionals with the tools to fight under varied lighting conditions. Students are expected to already have an understanding of low light and no light operations.

Nestled in small Alliance, Ohio is the Alliance Police Training Range. One of the main attractions at the Alliance facility is the 8,100 square foot 360 degree shoot house. The Alliance PD Range was established to provide quality training to military, law enforcement, and responsibly armed civilians. Many engagements happen in or around structures, but few ranges have the facilities to train for these encounters.

There was a massive interest when the HERA Arms stock and front grip was released.

Over the past few months more information has emerged on one of Russia’s most interesting firearms – a big bore close quarters assault rifle. The Tula-based Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) designed ASh-12 (or ShAK-12 according to a recent Jane’s article) is a bullpup chambered in a huge 12.7х55mm round.

It’s currently in fashion to disregard steel armor. To be sure, there are some significant differences between steel and ceramic composite armor, but there are a few things that steel can indeed do better than ceramic composite. It tends to be thinner and it produces virtually unmeasurable back face deformation. That means you are a lot more likely to stay in the fight. Steel is more durable than ceramic, but not nearly by the degree that many folks think. It is true that steel armor can be defeated by some threats that ceramic armor in the same rating might stop. But it will stop many threats that will cut through pistol rated armor like it isn’t there.

While HERA Arms are doing their best to deliver back orders of the CQR buttstocks for the AR-15 rifles they just announced officially that they are in R&D for a version for AR-10s.

Previously, I have penned numerous articles focusing on testing various firearms in use throughout a home. Most testing has been completed using drywall, but that is about as realistic as using ballistics gelatin – that testing simply fails to capture the complexity of most structures including pipes, wires, studs, furniture, etc. Other testing has been a bit more valid – but proves a later point here in a moment.

Much of the recent discourse regarding the future of infantry combat has centered around the long engagement distances encountered during the Afghan campaign, and the rise of designated marksmen as key elements in the infantry squad. However, arguably more important than the long-range ambushes of the Taliban were the urban engagements in both that campaign and the operations in Iraq. It seems the highest echelons of the US Army agree, as Chief of Staff General Mark Milley commented recently about the future urbanization of the battlefield (via Military.com):