Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQs . . . click on the question below for the answer

How can I train with you if my state doesn't issue a concealed handgun license or I'm not a LEO?

What is the best handgun to bring to class or for self-defense?

What handgun caliber is best for self defense?

What ammo should I bring and how much is enough?

Why can't I bring & use my reloads?

Why do I need one of your courses when I already know how to shoot?

What accessories should I put on my defensive handgun?

What holster should I bring, buy, or use for self-defense?

Why do I need training from you ? I live in a "safe" neighbhood. . . "It will NEVER Happen to Me!"

Can I bring my son, daughter or grandchild to one of your courses?

How can I tell when my Fox OC was manufactured?

 

 

What is the best handgun to bring to class or for self-defense?
We've seen 'em all! Big handguns, little ones, cheap ones and expensive handguns. The bottom line is to purchase the absolute best defensive handgun you can afford. Remember only your life depends on what you choose and use. Don't listen to marketing hype. Go to a reputable gun shop who specializes in defensive firearms. Ask for clerks who have personally attended advanced defensive training themselves, and ask them about your choices (unfortunately you won't find many gun store clerks who attend professional defensive firearms training!). We suggest you consider three criteria when you select a self-defensive handgun: criteria #1 "reliability," criteria #2 "reliability," and criteria #3 "reliability!" It is extremely important your defensive handgun work each, and every, time you pull the trigger and will work in any kind of weather under stressful conditions! Also, be sure the gun you choose fit your hands.

Ladies: Don't let some well intended husband, boyfriend, father, or male friend pick out your defensive handgun for you. Choose one for yourself! Your selection of a defensive handgun is personal and you need to make 100% certain it fits you and you can trust your life with it! Also don't let someone convince you that you need or can only handle a "wimpy," "cute," little handgun. We've seen small "dainty" petite women using their .357 Magnum and .45s shooting circles around many of the guys. We work with many petite women law enforcement and corrections officers who are able to qualify at their agency with full size Glock 19s and 22s. Handguns, chambered in a standard defensive caliber, are "equal opportunity" tools and you can shoot, manipulate, and handle anything a guy can and usually better. . . . much to a male's chagrin!!

Finally the handgun you choose must be safe and easy to operate at your skill level. There are many good models on the market today to choose from and we do not endorse or recommend any particular handgun/firearm. However, the ones we see a lot at our school and have a decent track record (remember these tools are man made and can fail!) are:

This is only a list of the most popular handguns that seem to be relatively trouble free and frequent our school. This doesn't mean you shouldn't bring your handgun if it isn't on this list. Bring to class what you use for your self-defense handgun. As John Farnam says; "you bought it . . . you brought it. . . now you've got to make it work for you!"

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What handgun caliber is best for self defense?
Is the .45 more powerful and a better stopper than the .40? Isn't a .40 better than a 9mm? Okay, lets get one thing straight . . . no handgun caliber is best for self defense. Lets face it . . . handguns do not possess enough power to stop a threat like we see portrayed on television. If you want stopping power then get a shotgun or rifle. However, you cannot pack a rifle or a shotgun to Nordstrom's without drawing unwelcome attention to yourself and your family. So, people choose to carry handguns, not because of their power, but because we can legally and easily conceal them without negative social implications. People choose handguns because we are more apt to conceal them on our person or in our vehicles and they can be legally taken into most social settings without drawing unwelcome attention to ourselves. Handguns are not our prefered choice but sometimes are our only feasible choice. So, which caliber should I choose? Pick the biggest caliber you can accurately, safety, and proficiently put consistant hits onto the target. For some that may only be a .380 or 9mm, while for others that may be a .357 SIG or .45 ACP. At a minimum we suggest 9mm in a full size or compact handgun and a .380 in the subcompact or pocket handgun. The best defensive handguns on the market today are chambered in the most popular defensive caliber's of 9mm, 357 SIG, 38/357 Mag, 40 S&W, & .45 ACP.

 

What ammo should I bring and how much is enough?
We strongly recommend you purchase new factory ammo for your class. You've made a big investment in your handgun, carry gear, and now you're investing a day of your time plus tuition to attend a class. Why shortchange yourself with cheap ammo or unreliable reloads. We've seen way too many students ruin a day of training for themselves because they wanted to save $10-$30 on a case of low quality ammo or home made reloads and the ammo won't run in their gun. The frustrated student will end up "borrowing or buying" ammo from other students or "borrowing" another student's gun to finish the class because their gun is out of commission due to the ammo. It's ugly! And it affects everyone at the class. Besides reloads can and do ruin guns and can injury other students and/or our staff. Please read these actual "reloaded ammo" examples from some of John Farnam's courses. If you want to use reloads in your own training and practice sessions that is your prerogative . . . when you're at our school surrounded by other students and our staff we want you using factory new ammo to minimize problems and reduce hazards to others and yourself. When our staff attends firearms training, which we do often, we use factory new ammo and always bring more than the minimum outlined on the class syllabus. And yes, we realize "factory new" ammo is expensive because we pay for the ammo out of our own pocket just like you!

What about Wolf or other steel cased ammo? Stay away from it in NATO spec firearms! The steel cases are known to destroy extractors and the lacquer coating can melt off and gum up your internal parts. This ammo is fine for a SKS or AK but not for an AR.

If you're using a GLOCK please bring jacketed ammo only (NO lead bullets!) Also, when we post the number of rounds on the course description we are only posting the minimum. Bring what you want to shoot. If you don't shoot it you can take it with you and use it on another day of practice or training . . . it won't go to waste!

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Why do I need one of your courses when I already know how to shoot?
We hear this question a lot. If you already "know" how to shoot then ponder this . . . shooting a firearm on a peaceful Saturday afternoon under no stress at an inanimate non-threatening paper target, within a known distance, in broad daylight is one thing. Being rudely and suddenly awakened, at 2:37 AM, from the sound of broken glass by a swift moving drug induced intruder armed with a shotgun who is threatening you and your family is quite another! When you're suddenly confronted with vicious and violent behavior and you're defending your life it is not like shooting tin cans with friends at a rock pit or paper targets at your local range.

If you are ever attacked you will rise to the level of training you've undergone. If you are not properly prepared for this kind of sudden encounter then the absence of training and muscle memory results in panic and confusion. This phenomena is called the "flight, fright, or fight mode" When in this mode our brain chemistry is altered. The part of the brain which controls our rational thoughts is bypassed and during an attack the mind and the body relies on "scripted" responses that are programmed during training and practice. If you don't have a "script" to follow then you are trying to withdraw emergency skills from an empty self-defense account! In her book entitled Surviving Deadly Force Encounters, Dr. Alexis Artwohl found that 74% of the police officers she interviewed who had survived a lethal encounter ran on "automatic pilot." These officers survived because of their training. They had practiced the correct steps over and over until these steps and tactics were programmed into muscle memory. Once programmed, and practiced ritualistically, the mind and the body will be able to successfully fight, on "automatic pilot", even when the rational part of the brain is out of gear.

So you see, our classes are not just about teaching people how to "shoot." Our classes are about "life" . . . the continuation of life for you, your family, friends and the general public. If you already "know" how to shoot, then you are at a good place to start. But it is only a "start!" You still have much to learn in order to defend you and your love ones from predatory violent behavior. It is our intention to build upon your previously acquired "shooting" skills/experiences and help you further develop the five essential competencies necessary in self-defense situations including:

"Arrogance has no honor here . . . only competence & confidence"

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What accessories should I put on my defensive handgun?
Clint Smith from Thunder Ranch says it best . . ."the less you do to your gun, the happier you'll be . . ." Most high quality defensive handguns are just fine out of the box. Other than adding a set of night sights and dehorning or tactically "rounding" your stock handgun should be more than adequate. GLOCK's are great right out of the box. Typically all you need to do to a GLOCK is replace the plastic sights with metal night sights and you're set to go! Ignore marketing hype from some aftermarket parts companies! All they want is your money as their parts are not going to significantly increase any defensive value to your gun.

Remember it's software (training, practice, mental & physical conditioning)
not hardware (your gun & accessories) that win fights!

You may "WANT" these accessories but you don't "NEED" them. You don't "NEED" extended parts (we will show the correct way to drop the magazine or release the slide even if you cannot reach the magazine catch or slide stop lever). You also don't "NEED" the "plug" for the hole in your GLOCK as the open hole next the magazine well, in the receiver of a GLOCK, is placed there for a good tactical REASON! You don't "NEED" a rubber buffer in your 1911. You also don't need any of the other aftermarket nonsense being hyped at your local range or club by "experts" who read and believe everything being promoted in gun magazines. Some accessories are needed and make sound logical sense. Most only cause you problems and will only makes things worse. Instead, save your money and get professional training in order learn how to safely and correctly operate your firearm in defensive situations.

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What holster should I bring, buy, or use for self-defense?
Holsters and the selection of a holster is an important decision for people serious about self defense. A good "defensive" type holster is as important as a good "defensive" handgun. You've invested a lot of money in your handgun, now it's time to invest wisely in a good holster. Unfortunately many people buy a $500-$800 high quality defensive handgun and then carry it in a $39 "one size fits all" holster. Invest some time and money in procuring a good holster for your defensive handgun!

Holster Selection Criteria:

• Make sure the holster completely covers the trigger and trigger guard when the gun is holstered.
  
  
• Make sure the mouth of the holster remains open when the handgun is removed and will not collapse. This is especially important for IWB holsters.
  You need to be able to reholster using one hand! You shouldn't be using one hand to force the mouth open.
  
  
  
• Make sure the holster belt loops match the size of the width of your belt. In other words, if your belt is 1.5" then your holster loops should be 1.5".
  If the holster only has one clip for attachement then get rid of it!
  
  
• Make sure you purchase a good sturdy double thickness belt. The belt is as important as the holster and should be considered an essential part of the "conceal carry system." Typically a retail store type belt like those from JC Penny's or Wal Mart is not going to work. They are too flimsy and frail causing the holster to move around too much. We've seen them actually break during our courses!
  
  For private citizens a double thick belt of 1.25" is sufficient (it doesn't scream "cop" or "gun" belt) while police officers usually prefer a 1.5" or 1.75" belt for duty/off duty. You'll need one in black and one in brown to coordinate with your daily wardrobe! Please visit our Alumni Pro Shop at OFA to look at our holsters and belt selection or better yet contact the experts at Lightening Arms Sports who are stocking dealers for Milt Sparks, Alessi, and Galco - see more about them at the end of this FAQ.
  
  
• Make sure the holster is properly fitted/molded to your exact gun so the holster will retain your handgun without straps in any position/orientation (It should retain the gun in the holster even if you are upside down, laying on the ground, rolling on the ground, running . . .)
  
  
• Finally PLEASE stay away from "one size fits all holsters" that requires a thumb snap and strap to secure your gun in the holster. If the holster comes in a "blister pak" or if it lists a number of handgun models it will fit then that is your first "warning" this is a holster you want to stay away from. For your handgun you will want a holster that is properly molded and is specifically fitted to the leather or kydex holster. With a fitted holsters you will not require a strap to hold the gun in place.
  

STAY AWAY from "middle-of-the-back" type holsters! Why? First never put anything up against or near your spine. We encourage our law enforcement, corrections, and private security students to move handcuffs and other similar items away from the middle of the back to avoid back injury. Think of this . . . if you ever fell, tripped, or are pushed over backwards onto the holster/gun, located in the small-of-your-back, you could seriously injury your spine. Plus if you do any sitting for any period of time the gun/holster will put pressure on the back and can provide a recognizable "clank" when you sit down in a metal chair. Once you're seated try safely presenting the handgun from this position or while lying on your back. Also, it is difficult (although not impossible), under stress, to acquire and present the handgun with your support hand (and that is an important skill in defensive shooting) from this holster system. Further it is difficult to reholster using the support hand only without pointing the muzzle at yourself.

For defensive purposes you need a holster you can obtain a good Master Grip with either hand and be able to quickly and easily present the handgun and then re-holster with either hand from any body orientation. The small-in-the-back style of holster does not permit this. Also, most professional schools and many local ranges will not let you practice with this type of holster system. Also, small-in-the-back holsters don't conceal as well as other choices. We know of several individuals who prefer these holsters (for reasons that are beyond us) and we constantly see their guns revealed throughout the day as they stoop, bend, or move around in normal daily routines. They compromise their concealment with the use of these holsters all the while living with a pseudo sense their handgun is completely concealed. The only person they are deceiving is themself! Finally it is difficult for the defender to secure and retain the handgun during scuffles with this system. Perhaps there is some legitimate application(s) for this holster and it might make a suitable carry system for some, but, most of us have other better choices to consider first.

How can I attend your classes if my state doesn't issue a concealed handgun license or I'm not an officer?
No problem, we've got you covered! Call our office as we have a new service that will provide you and us with the complete background check at a very affordable rate. Call the office for more info - 541-451-5532

NOTE: a background check or concealed handgun license is not required for the Basic Handgun Safety Class!