Learn to Shoot intro article from June 2012 issue of the Outdoorsmen Magazine

Learn To Shoot 

While most reading this article have never heard of me before I would like to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Matt Schlueter; I have spent my youth growing up in a small town called Canistota, South Dakota. My home town is situated between the east and west Vermillion Rivers. My youth was filled with adventures on both rivers in the Vermillion hills with my Dad, doing outdoor activities such as like: fishing, camping, hunting, and trapping.

I started my career entered Corrections. After several years I moved onto working as a Police Officer. During my career in law enforcement, I have become a law enforcement firearms instructor for law enforcement and a Glock Armorer. I still hold these positions with the Law Enforcement Agency I am currently working for. I have recently become a certified NRA instructor for the pistol courses for their Citizen Firearms courses. I formed Schlueter Firearms Instruction which offerings handgun courses including NRA’s First Steps Pistol and NRA’s Basic Pistol courses. Other courses will be available in the future such as the NRA’s Personal Protection in the Home and Outside the Home will be added to the list of available courses.  

The handgun has many places in our country from informal plinking at the range to hunting and self defense. The variety of uses has lead to many misconceptions about handguns in each of these roles. Society in some areas of the country accepts the possession and variety of uses handguns have. While other parts of the country apply a stigma to handguns both socially and legally.


I want to take a little time tell everyone about the NRA First Steps Pistol and NRA Basic Pistol Courses.

The NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type. During the course the students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling. The particular pistol model parts and its operation along with what type of ammunition should be used for it. In addition the student will receive basic instruction on shooting fundamentals, and cleaning the handgun. Students will also learn what opportunities are available for continuing their skill development. This course is perfect for the new handgun shooter who has never been exposed to shooting handguns before.

NRA Basic Pistol is an 8 hour course which includes class room instruction During class room portion of the course students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling the differences between revolvers and semi-automatic pistols their parts how they operate and what types of ammunition each uses. The students will learn and demonstrate the basic fundamentals of shooting. The combination of these topics will later aid the student once the course moves to the range. Once at the range students will learn how two shoot from the following positions: bench rest, standing two handed, and standing one handed. Students will also learn how to properly clean their handgun, along with what opportunities for continuing skill development are available.

By participating in ether of these courses the students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and course completion certificate.

Remember shooting is fun! It does not matter if it is off of the tailgate of your Dad’s pickup as a kid learning to shoot or when older maybe learning to shoot a handgun for the first time, or expanding your own knowledge and skill sets. In closing it is my goal to educate shooters of all levels about safe gun handling practices needed when shooting and handling handguns by sharing my tales and experiences in the shooting worlds, I have experienced.

Source for NRA course descriptions: http://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseCatalog.aspx


BIO:

About Matt Schlueter
Matt Schlueter is a retired Deputy Sheriff from South Dakota with 19 years of combined experience in corrections and law enforcement, and held the position of Firearms Instructor and DARE officer with the Sheriffs Office he worked at till his retirement. He is also a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and owner/chief instructor of Schlueter Firearms Instruction. Matt’s goal is to provide the best information possible for those who want to further their knowledge and skills in shooting handguns. Matt’s goals also include providing the best training courses possible for students who attended courses he is offering. For those wishing to contact him please visit his website at www.learntwoshoot.com, or www.zwarriortraining.com or you can join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchlueterFirearmsInstruction.

Article originally posted in the Outdoorsmen Magazine June of 2012.

Defensive Shotgun Part II

The Defensive Shotgun II

When putting your Personal Safety Plan in place and increasing the level of security in your home, the addition of firearm(s) for personal protection can be another step in the process. The defensive shotgun’s role is very different than other measures in your personal safety plan in the home.

15 Yards - Federals Vital-Shok® TruBall® Rifled Slug PB127RS/MV 1300 FPS -
Slugs hit left of Center, one had the wad/ball follow it through,
second lower one the wad flew just to the right.

So where does the defensive shotgun fall in the plan? Personal protection firearms in your personal safety plan are defensive in nature and tools of last resort. The defensive shotgun is a formidable tool, capable of stopping violent assailants when used at defensive pistol ranges. With this tool you can protect yourself & your family from attackers who would place you & your family in imminent fear of great bodily injury and death.

A prepared Citizen who has a personal protection firearm incorporated into their safety plan. Realize use of defensive firearms require skills they can learn through attending formal firearms classes for the types of defensive firearm(s) they have selected for this role.

ACCESSORIES:

Before enrolling into a defensive firearms class with your newly purchased defensive shotgun, you may need to add a few accessories to complete your defensive shotgun system.

Secure Storage:

Much like a pistol for personal protection, it is wise to have a separate lockable storage for the defensive shotgun. This will prevent it from being accessed by unauthorized persons. Each person’s home environment this storage method will be different. In some homes simply adding a locking door handle to a closet may be enough to provide a secure storage system.  Other homes may require a more secure storage system, such as adding a separate metal gun locker for defensive firearms.

Sling:

The sling is to the defensive shotgun what the holster is to the pistol. A sling will enable the home owner to transition their shotgun to a slung position if they needed to use their hands. Why would we want this accessory? A sling will allow the home owner to retain their defensive shotgun, while using their hands. Some of the reasons a home owner may need to have their hands free are: to transition to a secondary firearm, help family members move to safety, provide first aid to family members, other persons or you’re self for injuries as a result of violent assault in your home.

Weapons Mounted Lights:

The addition of a weapons mounted light producing a minimum of 90 lumens. This will aid the defender by, being able to illuminate and identify the attacker. This illumination will also give the defender an advantage by temporarily blinding the attacker when the light is activated.

Magazine Extensions:

While many modern shotguns destine to become personal protection firearms come all ready fitted with magazine extensions bringing their capacity beyond that of the standard shotgun used for upland game birds and water fowl. If taking a shotgun that was intended for hunting and converting it into a personal protection firearm, it is possible to add a magazine extension.

Ammunition Carriers:

SideSaddle ammunition carriers will allow you to carry an additional 4 to 6 extra shells mounted to the left hand side of your receiver.

Butt Stock Shell Holders will allow you to carry an additional 5 shells on the off side of your shotguns butt stock. This option simply slides over the butt stock of your shotgun.


PERSONAL PROTECTION AMMUNITION:

Choices for personal defense ammunition for shotguns in the past have been regulated to ether lead buckshot or soft lead rifled slugs.

Today’s manufacturers have taken these traditional choices combined with new innovation to provide some of the best products available for personal protection today. Some of these manufactures offering personal protection ammunition for shotguns are: Federals, Fiocchi, Hornady, Remington, and Winchester.

Some of the options available are:

15 Yards - Fiocchi 12HV00BK-
Nickel Plated 00 Buckshot 9 Pellets
MV 1325 FPS

• Ammunition for your shotgun is available in both 2 ¾ inch shells and 3 inch shells. 

• Low Recoil Ammunition in both Slugs & Buckshot.

• Magnum powered ammunition in both Slugs & Buckshot

• Plated buckshot combined with new flight control wads provides tighter groups. 

• Rifled slugs today are capable of greater accuracy than those in the past. 

• Segmented 1oz. rifled slug – 12 gauge 2 ¾ inch DEFENDER S12PDX1S

• Duplex Loads containing three 00 buckshot & a 1oz.  rifled slug – 12 gauge 2 ¾ inch DEFENDER S12PDX1

PRACTICE AMMO:

While patterning your defensive shotgun and practicing with your chosen personal protection ammo is advisable. It is more economical to practice with lighter recoiling trap loads. When practicing you will be refining your firearms handling skills, such as target acquisition, reloading, tactical reloading, and transition drills.

In closing remember only hits count!
Check back for more articles on shooting.

About Matt Schlueter
Matt Schlueter is a retired Deputy Sheriff from South Dakota with 19 years of combined experience in corrections and law enforcement, and held the position of Firearms Instructor and DARE officer with the Sheriffs Office he worked at till his retirement. He is also a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and owner/chief instructor of Schlueter Firearms Instruction. Matt’s goal is to provide the best information possible for those who want to further their knowledge and skills in shooting handguns. Matt’s goals also include providing the best training courses possible for students who attended courses he is offering. For those wishing to contact him please visit his website at www.learntwoshoot.com, or www.zwarriortraining.com or you can join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchlueterFirearmsInstruction.

Article originally posted in the Outdoorsmen Magazine April of 2014

Defensive Shotgun Part I

The Defensive Shotgun

When considering options for firearm as part of your personal safety plan in the home, how many have considered using a shotgun. Now most of us in South Dakota have grown up learning how to use one while hunting for pheasants, ducks, and geese. The game getter shotgun is not all ways the best option because it is so long. Some shotguns will only need the replacement of the barrel to make it suitable for home defense just by adding a smooth bore slug barrel with open sights will be a good starting point.

Characteristics to look for:

• A barrel between 18 ½ inches and 21inches with an improved cylinder choke. 
• A bead front sight found on most shotguns will work
• You may also consider rifle sights found on slug barrels commonly used for deer hunting. 
• Be capable of holding a minimum of three rounds of ammunition. 
• Have a sling so you can sling the firearm. 

Some of the manufacturer’s that make models all ready in configuration for home defense are: Harrington & Richardson, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester just to name a few. Prior to writing this article I did a brief search of the stores in Sioux Falls, SD and found two different models available for less than $250.00. Harrington & Richardson - Pardner Pump Protector & Mossberg’s Maverick 88 Special Purpose.


Advantages:

• Home owners who have received proper training in the use of a defensive shotgun will have more confidence in their abilities if ever faced with an armed assailant attacking them in their home.  

• The defensive shotguns power and profile, the standard 20gauge or 12 gauge shotguns using premium defensive ammunition in a defensive shotgun could cause a devastating wound(s) on a potential assailant at defensive pistol ranges of 0 – 10 yards. 

• Defensive shotguns start at prices much lower than a typical defensive handgun.

• They will provide lifelong service if maintained properly.  

• Shotguns are symbols of power and authority which gives it value as a deterrent. Assailant facing a home owner defending themselves with a shotgun, may loose their confidence and disengage their attack on the home owner and other family members. 

Disadvantages:

• Defensive shotguns fire multiple projectiles when using a self-defensive load of buckshot. If the shotgun has not been properly patterned at the range it is possible, and the gun is used in a defensive shooting some of the pellets could miss the target and cause a potential danger to others and/or damage property.

• The typical self-defense load for a defensive shotgun consists of buckshot or slugs, both have potential to over penetrate their intended target and endanger others. In the event of a miss these loads could pass through multiple walls in your home possibly even exiting the house. 

• Size, weight, makes the shotgun heavy and awkward, this size prevents to carrying for extended periods of time. All defensive shotguns should be equipped with slings. 

• Function of the shotgun is easily learned, but like any other skill, must be practiced to be maintained. 

• Retention of the shotgun may be difficult without the use of a proper sling. 

Ammunition:

Regardless of gauge selected for your defensive shotgun the most common defensive rounds consist of Buck Shot and or Rifled Slugs.

Slugs

Rifled Slugs are lead projectiles that have rifling on them which makes them capable of hitting targets from 0-100 yards. A 12gauge rifled slug is a .72 caliber projectile and the 20 gauge rifled slug is a .61 caliber projectile. They are capable of hitting a 10 inch circle at 75 yards with open sights. Two of the more common rifled slug loads available are:

• 12 gauge – Federals Vital-Shok® TruBall® Rifled Slug PB127RS or LEB127RS consisting of a 1 oz. rifled slug. 

• 20 gauge – Federals Vital-Shok® TruBall® Rifled Slug PB203RS consisting of a ¾ of an ounce rifled slug. 

While the rifled slug may extend the range of the shotgun for hunting big-game, law enforcement, and military uses. I would discourage their use for home defense due the possibility of over penetration.





Buck Shot

Buck Shot is a load consisting of large pellets used for self-defense. Three of the more common buckshot loads for self-defense are:

• 12 gauge – Federals Premium® Personal Defense® PD132 or LE132 #00 Buckshot consisting of 9/.33 caliber pellets.
• 
  
• 12 gauge – Federals Premium® Personal Defense® PD156 #4 Buckshot consisting of 34/.24 caliber pellets.
• 
  
• 20 gauge – Federals Premium® Personal Defense® PD256 #4 Buckshot consisting of 24/.24 caliber pellets

Defensive accuracy by NRA standards in their Personal Protection in the Home class is being able to maintain a grouping of 5 rounds into a 9 inch circle. The rule of thumb is a buckshot pattern will increase in diameter by 1 inch for every yard of travel after being fired. This should make a defensive shotgun have a maximum effective range of 9-10 yards. At this range it should ensure your defensive shotgun may place all the pellets into 9 inch circle with in its range.

Remember this is a rule of thumb and does not take into account any “flyers” outside the pattern you may experience with your particular shotgun. Individual shotguns do pattern differently even among the same make, models, and loads. For this reason it is highly recommended a home owner including a defensive shotgun in their home safety plan, take their shotgun to the range and be pattern it on a large paper target to determine the size of your pattern and most common defensive ranges.

In closing remember only hits count, and if you’re searching for a low cost home defense firearm a shotgun may be just what you’re looking for. Check back next month for more information on defensive shotguns.

Article originally posted in the Outdoorsmen Magazine March of 2014

Bio About Matt Schlueter:
Matt Schlueter is a retired Deputy Sheriff from South Dakota with 19 years of combined experience in corrections and law enforcement, and held the position of Firearms Instructor and DARE officer with the Sheriffs Office he worked at till his retirement. He is also a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, and owner/chief instructor of Schlueter Firearms Instruction. Matt’s goal is to provide the best information possible for those who want to further their knowledge and skills in shooting handguns. Matt’s goals also include providing the best training courses possible for students who attended courses he is offering. For those wishing to contact him please visit his website at www.learntwoshoot.com, or www.zwarriortraining.com or you can join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchlueterFirearmsInstruction.