Winter is coming— 9 Ways to Prepare for the Upcoming Gun Owner Winter -

The most common gun question I field lately is, “Where can I get ammo?” Number two is, “Should I get this gun or that gun?” Mostly these questions aren’t from hard-core gun people. They’re from people who have some or no guns.

Local gun stores have dried up somewhat. Ammo in common calibers is close to non-existent and in many cases has been priced out of reality. 38 special is now rarer than a dead man who doesn’t vote Democrat. Basic “State of the Art” handguns have jumped in price or are constantly sold out. 9mm Glocks are often selling at $750.00 and up. So-called hi-cap magazines might as well be gold. Ar15’s are flying off the shelves. Even my liberal friends are buying guns and ammo.

Used guns for sale? Where? We all want to know!

Why? Because we all have found out there are bad times a’comin’. For the American shooter, Winter is coming. Now everyone is trying to stock up. Here’s what you need to know and how to winterize yourself.

A small kit of a pocket gun with a holster, a light, a reload, and a knife beats a race gun in a box at home. My Colt Agent in a pocket holster, a PoBoy Benchmade Emerson, an Emerson LaGriffe and a couple of small lights makes for a easy carry setup for the beach. — A small kit of a pocket gun with a holster, a light, a reload, and a knife beats a race gun in a box at home. My Colt Agent in a pocket holster, a PoBoy Benchmade Emerson, an Emerson LaGriffe, and a couple of small lights make for an easy carry setup.

1.Buy two shoot one.

If you always buy twice as much ammo as you shoot, then your stores of ammo will always build. When ammo prices go through the roof or the supply dries up you will be sitting comfortably on a stack of munitions that will last you through the drought. It just takes a little discipline and some time.

2.Take care of the basics.

Have the self-defense, working guns you need/want before you get the pretty, shiny “Trump 2020” commemorative Tommy gun (it’s cool I get it!). Make sure you have mags and essential spare parts. And make sure you have spares. Two is one. One is ok for now.

Always make sure to buy a QUALITY holster like this from Kirkpatrick Gun Leather and keep a few spare mags handy. I got the whole rig for less money than a Glock in a box!

3. Dry fire.

If you don’t practice dry fire, you are missing out on the most effective, cost-efficient forms of training out there. Add in the use of video to review your form and you can fine-tune your gains. Daily, or at least weekly, practice will ensure that when you do burn powder in practice you will get the most from it.

4. Fill in the gaps.

Med kits, medical training, edged weapon training, BJJ, fitness training, legal training, even stress reduction. There are plenty of places you can spend your hard-earned dime to get better prepared.

Chasing rising ammo prices isn’t necessarily the best way to go. If you haven’t had CPR in a few years go to a refresher course. Hit the gym and lean up a bit or work on some cardio. Go to a BJJ class and get your ass handed to you, maybe learn a few tricks. Worst case, you learn not to tangle with a BJJ practitioner.

If you really want an eye-opener, go to a kali or escrima class. I can personally recommend Filipino Combat Systems taught by Tuhon Ray Dionaldo. You will quickly learn why cops shoot people wielding knives. The point is to GET OUT THERE AND LEARN. It’s not all bang bang.

5. Build rigs instead of buying guns.

You go out and buy a Glock. That’s good. But a Glock in a box is minimally useful when compared against a properly set up rig. A gun, a proper concealment holster, spare mags, and a way to carry them, more spare mags, and for PETE’S SAKE… get a decent belt.

I’m not anti- Glock… I have more than a few of them. But I also have holsters, spare magazines, spare parts, mag carriers, etc for them in multiple calibers. Not having the gear that goes with it is a big handicap. Now ask yourself….can I wear it with blue jeans….can I wear it with a suit? Make sure your rig has you covered both ways. That Glock in a box doesn’t compare to having a rig. Ten Glocks in a box don’t compare against one proper rig.

glock with red dot sight, holstered on belt — I love my red dot sighted Glock. It’s probably the best tool I have in a handgun, but it spent about a month in a box in the safe while I waited for a holster that fit the gun with the RDS and the Surefire. While I was waiting I just carried another Glock and trained using dry fire to switch from iron sights to an RDS.

6. This old gun.

Train with what you have. Nothing is cheaper than learning to use what you already own.

1943 Victory model 38 special Smith with grip adapter — My old 1943 Victory model 38 special Smith is a heck of a tool. The best thing is with the addition of a grip adapter it works well for me. Revolvers let you get grips that fit YOU.

Dad’s old 38? Old men (and women) did plenty of work with those old guns. The bird gun you have? A good man with a shotgun is hard for anyone to beat except a true expert with a rifle. The rifle is easier to learn…but you own the shotgun.

This 1943 Victory model 38 special with holster is a better option than ye olde Glock in a box. Plus its prettier and cheaper. — This 1943 Victory model 38 special with holster is a better option than ye olde Glock in a box. Plus it’s prettier and cheaper.

Wheel guns, shotguns, bolt action rifles, lever guns….no one is looking to ban those….yet. There isn’t a rush on them either. And again…if you do feel the need to spend money, get a proper holster for your dad’s old 2.5-inch model 19. Get the belt, and ammo carriers to match. I’ll take an old cop’s rig over a Glock in a box any day.

An old wheel gun like this Ruger 357 from the 80’s may seem like its outdated, but old guns like this will do just fine as long as you train with it. Often you can find such used guns with extras like holsters! — An old wheel gun like this Ruger 357 from the ’80s may seem like it’s outdated, but old guns like this will do just fine as long as you train with it. Often you can find such used guns with extras like holsters!

At its time a Fitz Special like this was the epitome of a fighting gun. Its still a workable option today, but it may not need to be your first choice if you aren’t an expert. Cut away trigger guards are not advised nowadays due to our litigious society. — At its time a Fitz Special like this was the epitome of a fighting gun. It’s still a workable option today, but it may not need to be your first choice if you aren’t an expert. Cutaway trigger guards are not advised nowadays due to our litigious society. Photo Credit to Tinker Pearce.

Old guns do good work. My Skeeter Skelton 44 Special Smith and Wesson is a great example. It’s old. It’s heavy and it’s big. It only holds 6 rounds. Yet with a quality holster, a few speed loaders, maybe a speed strip or two, and a way to carry it all, I do not feel at all under-gunned with it. Side note: heavy gun?… WEAR A GOOD BELT.

7. Take up reloading.

Every time there is an ammo shortage people start hunting their buddy, their pal…the reloader. Every time ammo prices go down they don’t take up reloading themselves because the price of reloading isn’t really a great saving….until ammo prices go back up. Then it’s back to bugging Bob to hand load you a box of 9mm. Except now Bob is telling you to pound sand….because he can’t find primers. So when you do start reloading….stockpile primers!

8. Fix your weaknesses.

Does your vehicle run 100%? Spare tire, jumper cables (one set for EACH VEHICLE), etc. Home security? Good locks, good doors, kick proofed, fire extinguishers, alarms, exterior cameras, gun safe (Tractor Supply Co. almost always has a good price on them), etc?

ring door bell cameras — Left: Ring doorbell cameras are a great simple easy solution to home security. You can monitor them through an app, the set up is super easy and it’s a quick solution. Right: Ring also offers spotlights/ additional cameras that don’t require hard wiring into a power source but can be run off batteries and you can even add solar.

Go back and find where you are weak and FIX IT NOW. Should you buy one more Glock or replace that dry rotted spare tire? It’s not even a choice. REPLACE THE TIRE!

Make a list and keep at it. It’s not about being perfectly prepared, it’s about being better prepared today than yesterday…and even better tomorrow.

9. Improve your situational awareness.

If there was anything I wish I could actively teach people to better prepare them, it’s situational awareness.

A fight is like a car wreck. If you see the wreck coming you can take measures to prevent it or to lessen its impact. You win 100% of the fights you never get into and any fight or wreck you get into puts you in legal peril both criminally and civilly. Avoiding them is always the best path.

Best of all… it’s FREE!

All you have to do is get heads up, unplug from your cell phone and pay attention. It’s a habit. The more you pay attention, the better you get at it. The downside is, it’s mostly elephant repellent. You never see a result if it’s working.

You see a sketchy guy in the parking lot of gas station A…you drive to gas station B. Nothing happens. Eventually, you are gonna ask yourself if you are just being paranoid. Ignore that. Careful is not paranoid. Paranoid is not going out at all because you saw a sketchy guy at the gas station.

The basic gist is living day-to-day and week-to-week with habits that prepare you for Winter and when Winter does come…shift gears and put your efforts where it’s most cost-efficient.

Good luck and Godspeed. Oh…and if you see some old guns for sale or a case of .38 Spl….pick it up for me…I’m good for it!