Author Archives: Bob Henckel

About Bob Henckel

Bob Henckel is a retired Police Officer and currently serves with the Department of the Air Force. He has 40 years combined military and law enforcement experience. Bob has experience in Patrol, Training, Emergency Service Team Member and was the Senior Firearms Instructor and Armorer in his previous department. Bob also has over 25 years experience as a Firearms Instructor. He holds numerous Instructor Certifications in Pistol, Carbine and Shotgun. He is also a Certified Instructor in Concealed Carry, Force On Force, Active Shooter, NRA Advanced Pistol Instructor, ASP Baton and OC Spray.

Photo Of The Day: Smith & Wesson Model 15-2

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During a recent Women’s Only Handgun Selection Seminar, I allowed the students to shoot my S&W Model 15-2. I decided to shoot it after the class, as I don’t often get the chance since I usually shoot and teach with semi auto pistols. It was a walk down memory lane so to speak, and also good to see that I could still run a wheel gun pretty well.

My introduction to the Model 15 was in 1977 upon entering the USAF Security Police. As it was the policy to issue a different weapon at each duty assignment, I had eight different Model 15’s over the years.  I was again issued a Model 15 when I joined my current department in 1988, carrying it until 1989 when we converted to semi auto pistols.

My fiance bought this one as a Christmas gift after I talked about having one as my first duty weapon. (She’s A Keeper).

Mine has the narrow grooved trigger and hammer spur. As I recall my Air Force issues had the wide target trigger and hammer spur. They had seen a lot of ammunition and some hard usage, but they always shot and were accurate, despite the appearance.

I installed a Wolff spring kit and polished the internals, as well as adding the Ahrends Cocobolo Retro Combat Stocks. I wish my duty guns had those modifications back in the day. It has some holster wear, but other than the spring kit and stocks, it’s original and in great shape.

I would compare the S&W Model 15 to the Glock 19 of today. Both fit the niche of a very effective fighting handgun without unnecessary weight or complication, and will get the job done as long as the user does his or her part. There was something about being armed with a revolver named “Combat Masterpiece”.

 

 

 

AAR SIG Academy-Close Quarter Pistol Operator

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I recently attended the SIG Sauer Academy – Close Quarter Pistol Operator Course. This one day class was taught by Todd Rassa. Todd is a Sig Instructor and also has his own training company Tactical Defense Readiness Concepts. He also works for a large municipal Police Dept. I had been to SIG twice in the past for armorer classes and had been impressed with the facilities and staff. In the two years since my last visit, they have been busy. It’s almost worth the trip there just to see the Pro Shop. (Leave Your Credit Card At Home).

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Smith & Wesson M&P 45c Testing and Modifications

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S&W M&P .45c 36 Rounds Corbon DPX

After the recent purchase of 2 S&W M&P Shields in 9mm for back up and as student loaner guns, my descent into the world of the M&P began. Being a long time fan of the .45 ACP cartridge, there was only one choice, an M&P in .45. I decided on the M&P 45c SKU 109108. This is a 4in. barrel, 8 shot magazine M&P with ambidextrous thumb safety. The pistol is supplied with 2 eight round magazines, one flush fit and one with an extension. The pistol has the standard 3 dot sights and interchangeable backstraps of the M&P line. I’m currently using the small backstrap insert as that gives me the best fit to my hands. As Hilton Yam has noted before, the M&P with the thumb safety is very natural for a 1911 shooter who uses a high thumb grip to shoot. The pistol is available with or without the safety. Continue reading →

Photo Of The Day: S&W M&P Shields

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We recently acquired two 9mm M&P Shields for carry/backup and as student loaner guns. (For when a student shows up at class with what a Gunshop Commando told them they needed, rather than what is the best gun for them.)

These were my first foray into the world of the M&P and so far I’m impressed. While I’ve seen M&P’s in class and competition and shot a few rounds through them, I had not owned/carried one until now.

The pistols come with flush fit 7 round and extended 8 round magazines. The extended magazine actually extends the grip in a useable manner, rather than the pinky hook found on the front of many magazines.

While larger that some other pocket pistols, I have found they work very well in a pocket holster or an ankle holster. I’ve also carried AIWB with the holster in the photo.

So far each pistol has shot 100 rounds in testing and proved completely reliable. While certainly not a complete break in, it is encouraging. The group in the photo was 15 rounds at 7 yards.

More testing and student evaluations to follow.

Mossberg 930 SPX Review And Modifications

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The Mossberg 930 SPX Shotgun has several factory features which make it a formidable combat shotgun out of the box, but as with most weapons some modifications will better suit it to the user.

The 930 SPX is a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun with 18 1/2 inch barrel, and is fitted with an LPA Fiber Optic front sight with Ghost Ring rear sight. The red fiber optic front sight is adjustable for elevation and shows up well in daylight and glows like a night sight when a mounted light is used. There are tritium front sights available for the LPA Sights. Having been in the situation of not being able to see a brass bead, trust me you want a visible front sight. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the click adjustments are well defined, and are clearly marked in white. The rear sight is mounted to the receiver on a Picatinny rail, which allows mounting a red dot sight if so desired. Both front and rear sights are protected by metal ears and are very rugged. The 930 SPX has a Choate extended magazine tube. Synthetic stocks with recoil pad and sling studs front and rear round out the package.

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Training Techniques- New Or Old?

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After being a serious student of firearms and tactics and techniques for 35 years, and an instructor for 20, I’ve come to the observation that none of what we do is really new. While we as instructors perhaps refine techniques and adapt them to new technology, have we really invented anything new?

The greats of our art, Col. Cooper, Thell Reed, Bill Jordan, Jack Weaver, etc. refined, codified, and brought our techniques to what they are today.  However, I would make the observation that some poor soldier in WWI used a technique that allowed him to live, and his buddy next to him tried something else, and he died. He then put that in his “Tactical Toolbox” and perhaps passed it on to his comrades and a technique was born. We could of course take this further back in the history of combat to the time of the cap and ball revolver or perhaps who had the bigger rock and stronger arm. Continue reading →

Black Leather Is Always In Style

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Alessi DOJ-S

 

I know that many of us have made the switch to Kydex Holsters and support gear. And while Kydex certainly has it’s place, I for one still like the look and feel of quality leather holsters and accessories. While I’ve owned quality holsters from several makers, I’ve come to the conclusion that you’d be hard pressed to surpass the quality of Alessi Holsters. The workmanship fit finish and leather quality are second to none. While I own several Alessi products, in OWB, IWB, and Ankle Holsters, this review is focused on the DOJ-S. Continue reading →