DoubleStar PhD

March 06, 2016 By Handguns Staff

8B-DoubleStar-PhD1911-cmyk If you're in the market for a 1911 for defensive uses, the name of DoubleStar's newest pistol says it all: PhD stands for Personal Home Defense. To that end, one of the unique features on this gun is the XS Express sight setup — a big white outline tritium dot in the front sight teamed with a shallow V-notch in the rear featuring a vertical white line. This "lollipop" sight picture is very quick to acquire and is a great choice for defensive uses. The gun also features a Wilson high-ride beavertail, which permits a high, recoil-controlling grip on the gun.

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Personal Defense

AR-15 for Home Defense

Personal Defense

AR-15 for Home Defense

For a rifle intended to be used for duty or defensive application, a light is mission critical. Without a light, you would be unable to confirm a threat in in a darkened corner. While a handheld flashlight works with a pistol, it's impractical with a rifle, which requires the use of both hands.

Personal Defense

Target Transitions

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Personal Defense

Room Clearing with a Light

Personal Defense

Room Clearing with a Light

Room clearing for private citizens is very different from law enforcement or military room clearing tactics. Without the benefit of a team, the odds are stacked against you. Fortunately, you're not tasked with apprehending a suspect or engaging enemy combatants. Instead, your job is to protect yourself and your family. That will likely require a firearm, a light, and a basic understanding of solo room-clearing tactics.

Personal Defense

Malfunctions

Personal Defense

Malfunctions

Regardless of the pistol you carry or the ammunition its loaded with, malfunctions can occur. You need to be prepared to clear the malfunction quickly to stay in the fight. Rather than learn a different technique for each type of malfunction, these two techniques will cover them all.

Personal Defense

AR-15 Basics

Personal Defense

AR-15 Basics

The AR-15 is a popular choice for defensive applications. It's easy to shoot well, holds plenty of ammunition, and offers better ballistic performance than a handgun but they can be confusing or intimidating for those new to the platform. It's important to have a solid grasp of basic AR-15 operation.

Personal Defense

Lighting Techniques

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Lighting Techniques

Self defense scenarios often occur at night or in diminished light. To identify a threat, you'll need a lighting source. It's important to know the pros and cons of weapon mounted and handheld flashlight and to be proficient in their use.

Personal Defense

Appendix Draw

Personal Defense

Appendix Draw

Appendix carry makes a gun easy to conceal and fast to draw but wearing a gun in the appendix position is not without controversy. With this mode of carry, understanding how to safely draw and holster are critically important.

Personal Defense

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Personal Defense

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Follow through is perhaps the least understood marksmanship fundamental. It encompasses staying on target to ensure a hit as well as being prepared both mentally and physically to deliver accurate follow up shots.

Personal Defense

Drawing from Hip Carry

Personal Defense

Drawing from Hip Carry

On or just behind the hip is one of the most comfortable and practical ways to carry a concealed handgun. But just having a gun is not enough. To protect yourself from a deadly threat, you need to be proficient in drawing your gun quickly and efficiently from your concealing garment.

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