Suppressors and Silencers

Suppressors and Silencers

Let’s clear the air: suppressors and silencers are technically the same device, but the term "silencer" is a misnomer that Hollywood made famous. They don’t magically make your gun whisper-quiet like in the movies. What they do is reduce the sound and muzzle flash when you fire, making them a practical addition for some firearm owners.

So, why would you want one? What are the upsides and downsides? And what should you think about before deciding if a suppressor is right for you? Let’s get into it.

Honoring Veterans Day

Honoring Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a time to hit pause and recognize the people who put everything on the line for our country. It’s not just another holiday or a day off work; it’s a reminder of the sacrifices our military service members have made and continue to make. On November 11th each year, we honor the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, past and present.

Kids and Gun Safety

Kids and Gun Safety

It’s not uncommon to hear people say they learned how to shoot before they were 10 years old. The same people probably have taught or plan to teach their own kids how to shoot. Teaching kids about gun safety is a super important responsibility for any gun-owning family. Whether or not you intend for your child to handle a firearm, building their understanding of gun safety can help prevent accidents and instill respect for the serious nature of these tools. Here are some things to consider when it comes to gun safety education with your children.

Truck Guns: Purpose, Preparation, and Practicality

Truck Guns: Purpose, Preparation, and Practicality

So, why a truck gun? For many, the appeal of a truck gun boils down to enhanced range, stopping power, and accuracy that simply isn’t possible with a standard concealed carry. Farmers, ranchers, and those in rural areas often keep a rifle or shotgun in their vehicle to handle pests, predators, or situations where a longer-range option is in order. Even urban drivers might consider a truck gun for a little added peace of mind on the road. If you choose to have one, be clear on why you want it and where you’ll use it. It’s not just another “cool” gun; it’s a tool.

Why Active Shooter Training Matters

Why Active Shooter Training Matters

Active shooter events are fast, brutal, and chaotic. Most of these tragic events take place in open, public spaces like malls, schools, and workplaces, where there’s little protection and a lot of potential victims. The scariest part? A lot of harm can be done before law enforcement even arrives. When seconds matter, we need well trained people to protect themselves and others. This is why it’s so important to train specifically for active shooter scenarios. When you can’t rely on help getting there in time. You need to be ready.

Why Good People Need to Exercise Their 2A Right

Why Good People Need to Exercise Their 2A Right

Our right to bear arms is not just a privilege; it’s a fundamental right that sets the United States apart. The Second Amendment wasn’t put in place for decoration; it’s there to protect our freedoms, our families, and our way of life. And if you’re a good, law-abiding citizen, it’s important to step up and embrace that right. The Second Amendment is not just about protecting ourselves from tyranny, it’s also about protecting our families, our homes, and our communities.

Squibs: The Silent Threat in Shooting

Squibs: The Silent Threat in Shooting

So, you might be wondering, “What the heck is a squib?” A squib is what happens when you pull the trigger and something’s off. If you're at the range shooting alone, you'll probably know it right away; the sound isn’t the sharp bang you expect. It’s more of a pop or a weak poof. That’s because the bullet didn’t leave the barrel like it’s supposed to. Now, if you're in the middle of a gunfight, you might not realize it at first due to the chaos and adrenaline. Sometimes, the bullet does leave the barrel but with very little force, which can make it even trickier to catch. Either way, recognizing a squib is critical to avoiding bigger problems. The powder inside the cartridge either didn’t ignite fully or didn’t ignite at all. You’ve now got a bullet stuck in your barrel and if you don’t recognize it, things can get ugly fast. If it does get stuck and you fire another round without clearing the barrel, best case, your gun gets wrecked. Worst case, you injure yourself or someone else. A bulged or exploded barrel is no joke, and neither is a trip to the ER.

Effective Strategies for Clearing Your Home in a Home Invasion

Effective Strategies for Clearing Your Home in a Home Invasion

So, you suspect there’s an intruder in your home. It’s a nightmare scenario, but before you go all Rambo, let’s get one thing straight: clearing a house is not something you should be doing alone unless there are absolutely no other options. This isn’t a game, and it’s not as easy as Hollywood makes it look. In real life, close quarter battle (CQB) professionals clear buildings in teams for a reason. They rely on each other for 360-degree coverage because without it, you’re vulnerable to attacks from your blind spots.

If you’re home alone and think there’s an intruder, your best move is to stay put, lock the door, get in a corner with your firearm pointed towards the door and call the police. But if your loved ones are in another part of the house, and you have no choice but to act, here’s how to approach it with caution.

After-Action Assessments

After-Action Assessments

If you’re tapped in with Intuitive Self Protection, then more than likely you’re not going around looking for trouble, but I can bet you probably have deep awareness of how being prepared can make a huge difference in urgent situations. Let’s say you’ve had extensive training in various areas of self-defense, and you’ve found yourself in a situation where you had to put all that training to use. The real work starts after it’s over. You have to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and how you can make sure you’re sharper next time. An After-Action Assessment is an important tool in your self-defense toolbox where you take time to review your actions. It reinforces positive behaviors and exposes weaknesses. This simple tool could have a major impact on your future safety

The No Lie Blade: Edged Weapon Training Tool

The No Lie Blade: Edged Weapon Training Tool

When considering your safety and learning how to defend yourself and family, we wouldn’t suggest you put your life on behind the latest gimmick. You need reliable and effective tools so you can get down to business. Before Intuitive Self Protection was developed, we were knee deep in combatives and had trained thousands of law enforcement and military special ops all over the world with the No Lie Blade. At that time some may have asked, “Why create a new blade in a sea of what’s already out there?”  Simple: because we were tired of the same old training blades that just didn't cut it. We needed something that could provide instant feedback; something that would reveal what truly worked in the heat of the moment. The solution? The No Lie Blade; a professional tool designed for serious training.  

New Night Vision Course for Home Security and Beyond

New Night Vision Course for Home Security and Beyond

Have you ever heard a sudden noise in a dark environment, possibly in one of the outbuildings at work or on your property, or simply outside your home in the middle of the night? Reaching for a flashlight, your heart races as several thoughts flash through your mind. But what if you could see everything around you clear as day, without giving away your position? This is where night vision would greatly benefit you. Intuitive Self Protection is collaborating with Applied Defense Concepts and Virginia Moon Lighters to offer a new game-changing course to teach you the knowledge and skills to own the night.

The Importance of Fitness in Self Defense

The Importance of Fitness in Self Defense

Let’s talk about something that sometimes gets overlooked by firearms enthusiasts, fitness. If you’re serious about protecting yourself, you need to be in your top physical shape. Here’s why being fit is just as important as having firearm skills. What if you're in a situation where you can’t reach your firearm. Maybe it’s not within arm’s length or you’re in a physical altercation that’s not life-threatening, and there’s no need for a firearm. It’s just a straight up hand to hand fight. If you don’t have the stamina or strength to stay in the fight, all your firearm skills won’t mean a thing.

Why Being Prepared Isn't Paranoia

Why Being Prepared Isn't Paranoia

The average person reading this doesn’t have to be told that unexpected dangers can arise at any moment so being prepared isn’t paranoia; it's smart. Yet, people who train the way we do often get accused of being extreme and downright paranoid. Let’s break down why this isn’t the case at all.

Pistol Reloads

Pistol Reloads

It doesn’t matter if you're in a competitive shooting scenario or a life-threatening situation, reloading your pistol quickly and efficiently is a “must have” skill. Understanding and drilling down on different types of reloads can significantly enhance your performance and ensure you're better prepared for any possibility. In this blog, we’re going to cover two reload techniques: the Slide Lock Reload and the Tactical (or Administrative) Reload. We'll hit on why they’re important, when to use them, and how to practice them safely using both dry fire and live fire drills.

The 4 Domains of Combat

The 4 Domains of Combat

The four domains of combat; lethal, physical, verbal, and situational/self-awareness, are critical to have in your skill set. Too often, people focus solely on lethal responses to danger, overlooking skills that can prevent threats in the first place. Proper situational and self-awareness can help you identify and avoid potential threats. While the chances of running into a lethal confrontation are lower than you might think, the likelihood of getting into a verbal or physical altercation is much higher. This is why mastering all four Domains of Combat is crucial for effective self-defense. There are accompanying videos for each Domain of Combat so be sure to check those out for further explanations and visual demonstrations.

Handgun Maintenance 101

Handgun Maintenance 101

What's the use in having extensive firearms training and top-of-the-line upgrades and customization if your gun jams on you in the midst of a life-or-death situation? This is exactly what could happen if you neglect proper maintenance on your handgun. Just like you need to take care of your body to stay fit, your firearm needs regular maintenance to perform at its best. You often hear it is generally recommended to clean a handgun after every use, which could mean after each range session or after firing around 200-300 rounds. However, for those who carry daily or use their firearm frequently, a more thorough cleaning every 500 rounds is often advised. Check out your firearm manufacturer’s guidelines for specific recommendations. Personally, I clean my weapons when they need it, or when I know I’ve used it a lot that  day or weekend.

Choosing The Right Holster

Choosing The Right Holster

Concealed carry is a personal choice, and finding the right holster is super important for comfort, accessibility, and effective self-defense. As I'm writing this I feel personally compelled to tell you this is an area that I have found requires a great deal of attention in getting the right gear for comfortability so you can wear it but also for quick safe access. There's nothing worse than having the wrong holster that you just won't wear or something that's uncomfortable or you can't get a good purchase/master grip on your weapon system. If you read our blog on concealed carry tips, we touched on different types of holsters.

There are many different holsters for concealed and open carry, but here we get into a few concealed holsters in detail. We start by checking out holsters that can be worn by both men and women. Then, we give you a few that are designed or more favored by women.

Home Defense Tactics

Home Defense Tactics

Your home is your haven and defending it demands more than wishful thinking. It’s gonna take hard-nosed tactics, street smarts, and commitment to your safety. This is an area I’m personally very passionate about because our home should be the place we can relax. However, bad guys are no strangers to where people let their defenses down, this is the area where they light up. Let’s give them a hard time and make them really work for it. We need to build circles of protection, this read will start that process. So, let's cut through the fluff and get straight to the point: here’s how you fortify your castle.