Dispatch 3: The Fundamentals of Firearm Safety.

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I spend probably too much time scrolling Instagram and (less so) BlueSky Social (think “X” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, but with way, way less fascists). Because of this, I come across a LOT of bad firearms-related advice in the form of IG Reels (TikToks, whatever). One such caught my eye this weekend and I want to talk about it.

I won’t out the guy, I like 90% of his content and he seems like a good guy. If he reads this, and figures out I’m talking about him: dude, get at me, lets talk. I was going to DM you but I didn’t want to come across like an asshole.

The Reel features him sitting in his car, in his (I assume) closed garage. He demonstrates his pistol is clear and begins doing draws from appendix and dryfiring from the driver’s seat. Not bad training honestly, given most of us spend like three-quarters of our lives around a vehicle.

But the point he was trying to demonstrate in his Reel was he had “training scars” from keeping his finger outside of the trigger guard during his dryfiring. He surmised that the tenth of a second it would take to move your finger to the trigger from the frame of your pistol could cost you your life.

Ok, a lot to unpack there. Deep breaths. Ok.

If you’re in a position where you’re in a car, and stopped, and someone with a gun has the drop on you, the literal split second of moving your finger off the frame to your trigger won’t matter. Any move to your weapon will get you lit up like a mid-level executive sucking down free drinks at SHOT this week. You’re dead.

So your options are either accept risk and floor it or hand over the car. You choose your own adventure here.

You have to realize that like the real world, Instagram is full of fucking idiots who think they’re faster and smarter than everyone else. The average person watching IG Reels or Youtube vids is probably not John Wick or possesses Wickian levels of weapons handling. So maybe give gun advice that fits a lowest common denominator.

That said, PHC clients and followers are the best followers on the internet and you guys are great. Buy my Starter Packs™️.

The guy makes two good points. First point: like above mentioned he demonstrates that his weapon is clear prior to taking his reps. This falls under Rule Number 1 of Firearm Safety…

What? Oh, you’re too good to review the Four Fundamentals? Is that it? Shut up, we all need a reminder every now and then. Keep reading.

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Rule 1: Treat Every Firearm as if it’s Loaded (until proven otherwise with a thorough 3-point check: chamber, magazine, magwell).

The other thing he mentions that I DO agree with is, we all fall to our lowest level of training in stressful situations, and I think this was his original thesis. But, speaking from personal experience, trust me when I tell you your finger will find the trigger in a stressful situation.

If you’ve ever competed in a shooting competition, have you ever forgotten to be on the trigger when the shot timer beeps and you draw? No? Didn’t think so. That’s one example.

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Rule 2: Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until Ready to Shoot (read that again).

Yes, dryfire requires the shooter to squeeze the trigger. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re following Rules 1 and 3 (see below). If you watch my videos on IG you’ll see that I’m often manipulating the trigger. I’ve either already cleared the weapon or the “hammer” has already been dropped on a snapcap or empty chamber. Trigger manipulation is crucial for dryfiring, so it’s important that your weapon is cleared, recleared, and cleared a third time because bullets do be magical sometimes and will hop into a chamber when you’re not looking.

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Rule 3: Know Your Target and What is Beyond Your Target.

It goes without saying that you should know where your bullets are going, even if your weapon is empty. Blind firing is a no-go, I don’t care what kind of pirate you are. Because this folds into Rule 4…

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Rule 4: Never point a weapon at anything you don’t intend to destroy.

Until the guys in the lab figure out a way to recall bullets, understand that when you pull the trigger, that’s it. That projectile is on a one-way trip. Where? Well, hopefully you know, but understand what kinetic energy and terminal ballistics are. Know that bullets can pass THROUGH things, like target stands, car windows, human beings.

I want everyone reading this to fully understand that these are FUNDAMENTALS. And as stated above, we all fall to our lowest level of training in a stressful situation. As long as you reinforce these four fundamentals, you’ll be ok.

Complacency kills.

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