Author Archives: Tim Lau

About Tim Lau

Tim Lau has over a decade of experience as an end user, armorer and instructor. He has worked for several well known firearms training organizations, and holds multiple firearms instructor certifications. He owns and operates 10-8 Consulting, LLC, which provides industry consulting services as well as marksmanship and specialized firearms training to qualified civilian, law enforcement and military personnel.

Some Thoughts on Appendix Carry

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There are more excellent holster products for Appendix Carry than ever before, like this JM Custom Kydex rig.

Over the past half decade, it seems that every instructor on the Internet is promoting appendix carry as their favorite CCW method, and there are good reasons. Appendix carry is extremely fast from which to deploy, and if you appropriately dress around it, it conceals quite well. Our friend Caleb Giddings wrote an excellent article covering some of the pros and cons of appendix carry, and I agree with his assessment that it is measurably faster than standard IWB carry. It also comes with some increased risks, especially during reholstering. As with anything, these risks can be mitigated with proper training. Continue reading →

CompTac Holsters – 2 o’clock for M&P Shield

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The CompTac Model 2 o’clock for the M&P Shield with J-hook belt loops

Over the past several months I have been putting the M&P Shield in 9mm through its paces on the range, and while it is not quite as shootable as a Glock 19, it is capable of good accuracy out to 25 yards, and the stock trigger is pretty workable. It’s not as fast or easy to shoot as the G19, and you lose half the capacity. However, in return for that sacrifice in shootability and firepower, you do get a concealable little pistol that you can carry in environments or clothing that may not conceal a bigger pistol. Yes, ideally I recommend dressing around gun carry, but sometimes that isn’t an option. Continue reading →

Review: Hornady Practice 223 Ammunition

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Hornady Practice 55gr Ammunition in .223, shot alongside Black Hills Mk262 for comparison. Test platform is a LaRue Tactical Stealth upper receiver atop an LMT lower receiver with Geissele SSA trigger group.

Demand for ammunition is as high as it has ever been, and in response, the big three have been cranking out cartridges as fast as they can. Many folks have reported a noticeable decline in quality control, noting function issues, or degradation in accuracy. Winchester “white box” and Federal XM bulk packs have been a staple of mine for training for a long time, and while quality has been generally pretty good overall, this seems to have been variable over the years. A while back, my good friend, Gunsite Instructor Giles Stock turned me onto a loading  that Hornady had put together specifically for law enforcement agencies looking for high quality training ammunition at a reasonable cost.  Continue reading →

Quick Look: Do It Yourself Pinned Gas Block

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The Pinblock Pro from 87 Industries allows a home armorer to drill and pin their own AR15 gas blocks with a vise and hand drill.

For a working gun, I am a big proponent of pinning the gas block to the barrel. Yes, there are excellent factory guns, such as those offered by LaRue Tactical, that attach the gas block via set screw. Having been at the LaRue shop more than once, I can say that their QC methods are better than 99% of anyone slapping together rifles in their garage.  I have not seen a LaRue OBR or Stealth come apart at the gas block, but I have seen gas blocks on other rifles work their way loose on the range. These days, gas blocks are typically hidden underneath an extended hand guard and checking the set screws for tightness is not easy. Suffice it to say, for a gun that I am building myself, I want my gas blocks pinned.

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Airsoft for Training?

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A licensed Airsoft M&P from Airsoft GI alongside a customized 1911 frame with Simunition conversion kit, also customized with full dehorn, dovetailed sights, and refinish. The 1911 conversion kit is built on an actual Colt slide. It comes in at around $500 and that is before any of the above listed modifications.

Just the mention of the word “airsoft” and it will evoke images of an overweight mama’s boy fully covered in Multicam nylon manufactured and imported from your favorite third world country. In this article, it is my aim to critically examine whether or not the airsoft pistol has any place in serious training, or if it must permanently be relegated to a spot in an adolescent’s toy closet.

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Lighten Up!

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theChive.com is one of my favorite sites to visit and lower my stress levels. Check it out. It’s a good way to “Lighten Up”.

Here at MSW, we pride ourselves in providing blunt, no-nonsense information regarding training and equipment in the context of law enforcement, military or civilian self-defense. And make no mistake, this is serious business. We understand that giving the wrong advice when it comes to life saving equipment or training could result in loss of life or limb. And, admittedly, I would be lying if I did not say that both Hilton and I have been accused of coming across a bit on the serious side in our online personas. That said, over the years, I have learned that life is too short to be deadly serious all the time, or get wrapped around the axle over minutiae that really doesn’t matter. Continue reading →

First Look: ID Target Systems

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A sample oak of square range targets with face and multiple threat overlays from ID Target Systems.

We have come a long way since the B-27 target, a staple used in law enforcement qualifications since what seems like the beginning of time. Fortunately, we have evolved past that target that features unrealistic targeting zones that reinforce bad habits in shot placement. Before I go any further, I feel the need to mention that I use different targets for different goals. For building specific technical skills, I will use simple targets such as a bullseye, round or square plates, etc., These targets aren’t designed to simulate a tactical application, but rather, evaluate whether or not I meet a particular accuracy standard. For “tactical” type training, I prefer targets that feature scoring zones located in realistic areas such as the ocular cavity or high thoracic chest. No more shooting at the navel to get 10 points. Here, we will be discussing targets for tactical type training. Continue reading →

Don’t Panic! (But Stay Vigilant and Plan Ahead)

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been just shy of 10 years since the sunset of the “Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994” and we are in the Golden Age of the shooting sports. Nevermind that the onerous 10 year ban on arbitrarily specified rifles and magazines did nothing to make Americans more safe, we still find ourselves in a public relations war with those who would reinstate a similar law. Just last year, the industry was scrambling to meet demand as customers were paying $5000 for a Colt 6920 or $1800 for a case of .223 Remingtom ammunition, under fear of looming, sweeping bans on rifles and handguns. Continue reading →

Buying a Gun for Your Wife?

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Last night, one of my coworkers was looking at a back issue of GunUp Magazine and reading a roundup article including the new micro compact Glock 42. He told me he was considering something like that or a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard for his wife. He then asked me what I might recommend. The intended use was home defense (she wasn’t going to carry it concealed) with the caveat that she has no training or interest in obtaining any training. Sound familiar?

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Photo of the Day: The New 10-8 Performance Glock Base Pad

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Prototype 10-8 Performance Base Pad on a Glock FDE Gen 4 Model 19. Production versions will be black.

It probably comes at no surprise that I’ve been using 10-8 Performance Base Pads on my 1911 and M&P magazines for quite some time now, and have grown accustomed to the included features, including dimples for marking the magazines, scalloped sides and serrated or scooped front to aid in removing stuck magazines. All these features are built into the new Glock base pads while maintaining a low profile shape that conforms to the pistol grip. Installation is simple and uses the factory retainer plate. The new Glock base pads are molded and should come in at a very affordable price point of about $4 each. I’ve been running two prototypes for the better part of a year, and have been very happy with the design and durability of the pad. The pictured base pad above is molded OD green, but production versions will be black. Go to the 10-8performance.com website and sign up for the newsletter for updates as to availability.  Hilton advises that the current production updates put these about 2-3 weeks out.

Wilson Combat to Host Ernest Langdon in TX

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Wilson Combat to host Ernest Langdon for Beretta 92 class in Texas. Image from Wilson Combat.

On the heels of the announcement of the collaboration between Wilson Combat and Beretta guru Ernest Langdon, Wilson Combat has just announced they will be hosting Ernest for a “How to Run a Beretta Handgun” Course at the Wilson Ranch in Cuthand, Texas. Die hard Beretta aficionados will immediately recognize Ernest as the industry’s most knowledgeable instructor on running and modifying the Beretta handgun. A prior member for the Beretta shooting team, Ernest’s competition career has earned him countless national IDPA and USPSA titles with a double action pistol. He also has extensive military experience as an end user and instructor.

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The Sig P226: The Unrecognized Workhorse

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The Sig P226 coated in Robar Guns’ NP3, an excellent finish for lubricity and corrosion resistance.

In keeping with our recent series, we’ve been looking at various commonly issued practical service weapons that don’t get a whole lot of love. The Sig P226 certainly falls into that category. Most of us who have been around for a while know this pistol very well, but it seems the new generation of shooters don’t give this pistol much love. Originally designed to compete with the Beretta 92 to replace the M1911A1 pistols, the P226 has been adopted by countless domestic law enforcement agencies and has also been in use by the US Navy SEAL Teams since the 1980s. The P226 also saw service in the FBI, DHS,  and served as an interim weapon to replace the Browning Hi Power. Many of the design features came from the P220 and P225. A double column magazine holds 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition. In its decades of service, P226 has developed a reputation of being a reliable and robust pistol.

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Beretta 92FS: The Forgotten Service Pistol

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A couple weeks ago, our friends over at the gunnuts.net blog wrote about The Underrated Beretta 92, which prompted me to look back at my own experiences with the platform. Where I work, officers can choose to carry a personal sidearm as long as they can qualify with the pistol and that the handgun itself meets some basic parameters. However, the default issue pistol is still the Beretta Model 92FS, and most of our sworn personnel carry it since it is provided by the agency. So we on the range staff have quite a bit of experience with the pistol; as a result, I’ve formed a few opinions on its attributes and performance characteristics. Continue reading →

Review: Mike Pannone M16, AR15, and HK 416 Handbooks

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I’ve been following Mike Pannone through his writings and videos on the Internet for quite some time now. I enjoy his no-nonsense, performance based approach to training. His drills are challenging and rooted in reality. I particularly like his 15 in 10 Drill, which pushes the limits of speed while keeping a tight accuracy standard. This past SHOT Show, I ran into Mike in one of the hallways and had a nice chat with him. While this was the first time we had met in person, I felt like we were chatting like two old shooting buddies. His real world experience is significant (look it up), but Mike also has a solid grasp of the industry, and therefore understands the pros and cons of each weapon system. Hilton recently attended Mike’s Covert Carry Class and keeps telling me how I have missed out by not yet taking the opportunity to get on the range with Mike. Continue reading →

The Browning Hi Power: Yesterday’s 9mm Service Pistol

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Known as the most evolved of John Moses Browning’s pistol designs, the Browning Hi Power is one of the most beloved semi-automatic pistols ever. And why shouldn’t it be? It was designed by the single most influential firearms designer in history, features a double-stack high-ish) capacity magazine, a grip suitable for small hands, and is chambered for the most popular service pistol cartridge in the world.

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