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Learning the ABC’S to shooting – Ammo, Bang, and (re)Coil.

Learning the ABC’S to shooting – Ammo, Bang, and (re)Coil.

by | Nov 17, 2020 | Uncategorized

Learn from my mistakes #137 – Having the right ammo makes shooting more fun.

diagram of bullet
bullet, components, parts of ammo, whats in a bullet, round, handgun ammo, gunpowder

There’s a lot of industry language, and if you’re new to firearms it can be ‘just one more’ thing to make you feel unsure, filled with anxiety and well, like you know nothing.

So, let’s start at the beginning, with our ABC’s as it were

I get it. No one wants to sound dumb, or vulnerable. But we all start with little knowledge at the beginning of our journey. Whether it’s a new sport like golf or tennis or even driving a car.

I know from personal experience that it can be a bit intimidating as a woman, to walk into a gun range or store, by yourself (and no friend for moral support).

I think many stores now realize that the female shopper makes up the fastest growing demographic and if they ignore you, they are missing out on a loyal shopper. This is good news and I hope encouraging to all the new female shooters and new gun owners!

With that, let’s get started with A for AMMO

As you’ve heard “knowledge is power”, so here’ a bit of ammunition knowledge.

Incognito Wear IX is a founder member of The Woman’s Concealed Carry Alliance. The WCCA is a group of women entrepreneurs coming together to help women in their concealed carry journey.  T1 Ammo is our newest member. Yep, female owned!

The casing is the outer metal piece of the cartridge that contains the primer and the powder. Casings metals matter and can affect the recoil. See photo for more information.

Understanding your ammunition caliber and grain can make a difference on how quickly you’re able to get back on target after a shot and how much recoil (or kick) you feel after pulling the trigger.

If you’re new to shooting, you may find that starting with a smaller caliber pistol, like a .22, is a great introduction. Not much noise or “kick” (recoil). You’ll love shooting this firearm! It’s easy to handle and has minimal recoil. “Think” bb gun.

And given the current shortage of ammunition, this is one caliber of ammo you’re likely to find!

Another important fact is to have the  right caliber of ammunition for your firearm (there are a few exceptions but you get the point). This is so important that gun manufactures stamp the type of cartridge on the barrel and / or on the slide. So, if you’re ever unsure, look for this information.

B for BANG!

The gunpowder burns hot and quick and high-pressure gas is created, explodes and forces the projectile (bullet) down and out of the barrel… with a B-A-N-G!

Another factor to bang and recoil of shooting is how much does the actual bullet weigh? The part that explodes out of the muzzle and hits the target. This is where Grain comes in. The heavier the bullet, the more force it takes to have it leave the muzzle and thus we must have an equal and opposite motion… and we feel the recoil.

“The grain is the number next to bullet caliber that refers to the actual weight of the bullet. Some common 9mm grains are 115 GR, 124 GR and 147 GR. The grain coupled with the amount of powder impacts the felt-recoil. The higher the grain, the heavier the bullet which means the lower the felt recoil. A happy medium for most is usually the 124 grain.” (T1 Ammo)

C is for (re) COIL

To assist with recoil management, make sure you have a good proper grip. The webbing between your thumb and index finger should be up as high as possible on the back or “beaver tail” but it must be just below where the slide racks backwards, it won’t take your skin with it.

Wrap fingers around the grip firmly with your strong hand. Using your support hand conversely wrap around the grip.

A good grip with keeping your wrist/arms firm and stiff allow the firearm to do it’s thing (recycle to load another round). Chances are if you don’t have a good grip it’s possible that recoil could get knocked out of your hands.

 You’re on your way to having more fun at the range know that you’re armed with more knowledge.

Remember your ABC’s – having the right AMMO, produces the right BANG while managing the (re)COIL.

Have fun, stay safe!

Is this THE YEAR? Learn from my mistakes #121 – Don’t let your license expire!

by | Jan 31, 2020 | Uncategorized

WHAT ?! It’s expired?! Do you need to renew your concealed carry license or perhaps even a driver’s license? Let me make a suggestion, Don’t wait till the last minute! (We’ll outline the process if you’re applying for your first CCWP (Concealed Carry Weapons Permit).

Do you know when your license expires? Any license for that matter, whether it’s your drivers’ license, concealed carry weapons permit, fishing and hunting, or maybe even a membership to your favorite destination.

I have noticed for one, that the older I become, the faster the years go by. In fact, it’s nearly the second month of a new decade – Already!

I remember thinking 2020 is SO FAR AWAY. Well, honey, it’s here now. What that mean means for me is renewing my drivers license and concealed carry permit. We all get busy and life happens. It’s easy to get de-railed and sidetracked with those well-meaning items on your To-Do List.

These, however, are definitely two items you don’t want to wait till the last minute to renew.

Here, in Georgia for my driver’s license renewal requires getting a list of supporting documents together BEFORE going to the DDS (Dept. of Driver Services, formerly known as the DMV -Dept. of Motor Vehicles). These items MUST be presented in order to renew your license. You need one of the documents for each of category:  

  1. To show WHO you are: Certified US birth certificate; valid US Passport; or Certificate of Naturalization
  2. SSN: Social Security card; W-2 form; Paystub with last 4 (SSN)
  3. To show WHERE you live: Utility bill; band statement; Lease/Mortgage statement

In Georgia, you can get a driver license for a period of ten years, it’s might slip your mind when it is actually time to renew.

In my opinion, equally as important (as driver’s license) is your concealed carry license. Some might argue that it is more important than being able to drive. Your life is worth fighting for and saving.

In Georgia, my concealed carry weapons permit (as it’s called) is valid for a period of five years.

There many names for a permit to conceal a firearm as well as abbreviations. Some of the most common ones are below; although you may see any variety or configuration of these words.

CCW = Carrying a Concealed Weapon            CC = Concealed Carry

CWP = concealed weapons permit                 CCP = Concealed Carry Permit

CWL = Concealed Weapons License               CFP = Concealed Firearms Permit
CPL = Concealed Pistol License                        CHL = Concealed Handgun License

The guidelines are a bit different for everyone, depending on where you live, but here’s some of the basics. Generally, the process is the same for renewing as it is for applying for your first concealed carry license. First off, the obvious – you must be of age, not a felon, domicile in the county of the facility (you can’t go to one county’s probate court when you live in another). Many facilities require cash only, so call your local (County probate) court and they’ll be happy to let you know what’s required.

So, we’ve established meet the guidelines to enact your Second Amendment right to bear arms.

  1. File your application at a county probate court*. Some states require you compete a training class (some sort of a basic handgun safety class)prior to your application and you will need proof of completion to show the courts. Your probate court will list the acceptable documents, if required. Expect to pay an application fee. Once you’ve answered all the questions, you’ll get a Law Enforcement Affidavit which you will need to take to the police department.
  2. If this is a new application for concealed carry, you will be fingerprinted. This is for the background check. If you’re renewing your license, they will electronically conduct a background check of your name via NCIC system. If fingerprints are taken, yes, you pay for that service.
  3. Now you wait…. And wait. There is a timeline guideline, but in my county it’s questionable if they are successful. So, if you’re inside of two months of your expiration date, I’d suggest requesting a temporary license. I don’t trust the government to get issue my license in time and don’t want to be with a means to protect my life, or others.
  4. Once everything is completed, typically around six weeks, you’ll receive your concealed carry license. You can either pick up your CCW license at the courthouse or they can mail it to you. Some facilities request a self-addressed stamp envelope to do this. *if your county requires a SASE, leave it at probate court with your application.

Now you know what to expect, don’t forget to take your (valid) photo ID.

Welcome to the concealed carry parliament! (Incognito Wear IX animal totem is an owl; a group of owls is called a parliament).

Jump start your safety lifestyle by Downloading our safety tips!

Remember to train and practice. Practice builds confidence and muscle memory. If you ever need to use your firearm, you want your body to know what to do. See our past blog where we list some women only resources.

Terminology – Learn from my mistakes #111

Terminology – Learn from my mistakes #111

by | Sep 30, 2019 | Uncategorized

Are you afraid of sounding … well, let’s say “uneducated” when it comes to talking about firearms? Mag or clip? Bullet or cartridge?

If you are new to the shooting industry it can be a little overwhelming understanding the correct lingo.

If you’re like me, I didn’t want to use improper terms and sound uneducated. After all education is a part of being safe around firearms.

So, which terminology is correct – Concealed carry or conceal carry? Mag or clip?

Wikipedia defines the term in the past tense since of the act of concealment has already been completed. :

“Concealed carry (carrying a concealed weapon (CCW)) refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed or hidden manner, either on one’s person or in close proximity. While most law enforcement officers carry their handguns in a visible holster, some officers, such as plainclothes detectives or undercover agents, carry weapons in concealed holsters. In some countries and jurisdictions, civilians are legally required to obtain a concealed carry permit in order to possess a firearm. In others, a permit is only required if the firearm is not visible to the eye, such as carrying said weapon in one’s purse, bag, trunk, etc. The opposite of concealed carry is called open carry.”

Magazine or clip? Bullet or cartridge?

” A cartridge is the proper name for a complete round of ammunition. Round is another term that is accurate and acceptable. A round or cartridge is made of several different components put together.” The bullet is the pointed or rounded top end, the projectile, that is forced out of the barrel due to the explosion (from gunpowder) when shooting. Check out a few others terms from GunBacker.

One more common term that gets misused is – Automatic or semi- automatic. In these days of the anti-gunners, it seems if it sounds scary then that is the word for the narrative.

A true Automatic firearm is found only on a battlefield (military purpose). Civilians are only allowed to own and possess semi automatic; meaning you must physically move the trigger each time in order to shoot a round (down range). Read more from Gun Trader.

Another confusing term to many is single action or double action. It is what it says it is. If your firearm is a Single -Action, when you pull the trigger, it does ONLY one action – drops the hammer. Likewise, a Double-Action firearm, does two functions. It will cock the hammer and drops the hammer, thus allowing the shot and the bullet flying down range.

Here’s to helping you better understand of some of technical lingo of becoming a responsibly armed shooter.

We’re keeping you incognito while being armed.