Author: Mike

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a certified law enforcement instructor in handgun, shotgun, patrol rifle, less-lethal, and diversionary device disciplines, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. Mike wrote the "Tactical Analysis" column at Police1.com for 8 years, and enjoys teaching both armed citizens and law enforcement officers.

Happy Halloween 2019

RevolverGuy Steve Tracy sure knows how to get into the spirit! Is that an awesome Jack O’ Lantern or what? Nice job, buddy!

I tried carving a Smith & Wesson pumpkin, but had a hard time installing the key lock on the lid. Ha!

Keep a close watch for ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and other beasties out there. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to load up your trusty revolver with Silvertips on the big night? Just sayin . . .   ; ^ )

We hope all of you will have a fun and safe Halloween!

 

 

Wadcutters For Self Defense

I admit it, I’m a bullet nerd. I’ve always been fascinated by ballistics, and particularly terminal ballistics. I enjoy learning about how bullets do their work, and studying the minutiae of expansion, penetration, retained weight, permanent and temporary cavities, testing protocols, and all the numerical measures of bullet performance. Continue reading “Wadcutters For Self Defense”

Training With Light Loads

In the post-war heyday of the revolver, it was common for police and armed citizens to load a different kind of ammunition for practice than they did for duty or defense.  In the police community, for example, many officers shot their training and qualifications with soft-recoiling, 148 grain, .38 Special wadcutters, and loaded more powerful .38 Special or .357 Magnum ammunition for duty, and a legion of armed citizens without badges did the same. Continue reading “Training With Light Loads”

Sight Regulation and Point of Impact

We received a letter from a reader who was confused by the differences in point of impact for various gun and ammunition combinations. He had been doing some testing with his collection of fixed sight revolvers and was having a difficult time understanding why they were printing at different elevations, even when shooting the same ammo. Continue reading “Sight Regulation and Point of Impact”

Crimson Trace Lasergrips For Revolvers

In the run-up to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Southern California police agencies were busy getting ready for an invasion of tourists . . . and possibly, an invasion of well-armed terrorists. The cops in the Golden State were determined that the failures of the 1972 Munich Olympics would not be repeated on their turf, so they were eager to upgrade their counterterrorism capabilities. Continue reading “Crimson Trace Lasergrips For Revolvers”

Celebrating The 3” S&W 629 Deluxe

I grew up in the 1980s and it very much shaped who I am today.  America’s crime tolerance pendulum was swinging very hard against thugism on the silver screen.  Charles Bronson and Chuck Norris were cleaning up the streets and the world; respectively.  Clint Eastwood governed a real-life police department.  Several times a week, good guys and gals kept television safe for prime time with Smith & Wesson wheelguns.   Continue reading “Celebrating The 3” S&W 629 Deluxe”