Greetings my fellow sheepdogs! My name is Ben, and I've been a bit of a lurker on this site for the past few weeks. Just decided to register today, as a lot of your topics have already helped me immensely.
I was first introduced to the sheepdog concept by Dave Grossman himself, when he gave my class a 4hr seminar on the combat mindset. A truly remarkable speaker he is, and he helped inspire me to head on the path that has led me up to where I am now. I can remember having strong feelings of protection for my family, fellow friends, and classmates for as far back as I can remember. I'm talking about even before 4th grade. I grew up with very anti-gun parents, who are still even against hunting, although they both presently accept my decision to carry, and my reasoning behind it. For this reason I am not sure what causes a person to walk the sheepdog path. Perhaps it's a trait you're born with. Perhaps it's a combination of events, and other exterior forms of influence during early childhood. Though as I said earlier, I was not exposed to violence, other than the bits of violence found in Disney movies, until my teenage years.
Most of my firearm training has come from the military, and I've gotten very proficient at the M4A1 rifle, and the M11 (Sig P226) pistol. Now that I live out in town on my own, I went through the process of acquiring my own Sig P239, which is basically a smaller version of the 226, and my own AR-15 (M4 variant). I'm a firm believer in the sheepdog concept, and I constantly train myself to the utmost of my ability for emergency first aid (not just a gun I carry with me), lifesaving procedures, physical fitness, and mental/emotional stability. Being a sheepdog, is not just becoming a guardian over your fellow man. It's also about you. It's a warrior mindset, one that never stops learning, never closes its mind. I gotta say, even though a lot of guys in the military give me crap about having been in Boy Scouts all my teenage years, I'm very glad to have acquired those skills, and grew up doing community service. I love all my family and friends, who helped mold me into who I am today. Glad to see others on this board feel a similar sense of calling.
Now onto my questions:
1. I was just issued my FL CCW. On the map it lists PA as a full reciprocal state, yet states that FL doesn't honor non-resident permits from PA in the pamphlet that came with my permit. If that's the case, does PA not honor a FL non-resident permit? I'm stationed in FL, but own a PA driver's license, which to me still means I'm a non-resident.
2. I currently use a Blackhawk inside-the-pants holster. Works well, but I guess I'm not used to the lack of a retention strap. I'm a little hesitant carrying in condition 1, with no retaining strap. Obviously a strap means longer response time, and a CCW holder should have the level of awareness to prevent somebody from sneaking up, and taking their weapon. I make sure mine's concealed correctly though, so that shouldn't be an issue. Just wanted to hear what others think of this.
3. Where do you guys generally carry extra ammunition. My holster doesn't have a separate pocket, so do any of you just carry extra magazines in their pocket, coat pocket, etc?
That's pretty much it for both my introduction, and questions. I look forward to reading your responses, and being out there, carrying along with you!
Ben
I was first introduced to the sheepdog concept by Dave Grossman himself, when he gave my class a 4hr seminar on the combat mindset. A truly remarkable speaker he is, and he helped inspire me to head on the path that has led me up to where I am now. I can remember having strong feelings of protection for my family, fellow friends, and classmates for as far back as I can remember. I'm talking about even before 4th grade. I grew up with very anti-gun parents, who are still even against hunting, although they both presently accept my decision to carry, and my reasoning behind it. For this reason I am not sure what causes a person to walk the sheepdog path. Perhaps it's a trait you're born with. Perhaps it's a combination of events, and other exterior forms of influence during early childhood. Though as I said earlier, I was not exposed to violence, other than the bits of violence found in Disney movies, until my teenage years.
Most of my firearm training has come from the military, and I've gotten very proficient at the M4A1 rifle, and the M11 (Sig P226) pistol. Now that I live out in town on my own, I went through the process of acquiring my own Sig P239, which is basically a smaller version of the 226, and my own AR-15 (M4 variant). I'm a firm believer in the sheepdog concept, and I constantly train myself to the utmost of my ability for emergency first aid (not just a gun I carry with me), lifesaving procedures, physical fitness, and mental/emotional stability. Being a sheepdog, is not just becoming a guardian over your fellow man. It's also about you. It's a warrior mindset, one that never stops learning, never closes its mind. I gotta say, even though a lot of guys in the military give me crap about having been in Boy Scouts all my teenage years, I'm very glad to have acquired those skills, and grew up doing community service. I love all my family and friends, who helped mold me into who I am today. Glad to see others on this board feel a similar sense of calling.
Now onto my questions:
1. I was just issued my FL CCW. On the map it lists PA as a full reciprocal state, yet states that FL doesn't honor non-resident permits from PA in the pamphlet that came with my permit. If that's the case, does PA not honor a FL non-resident permit? I'm stationed in FL, but own a PA driver's license, which to me still means I'm a non-resident.
2. I currently use a Blackhawk inside-the-pants holster. Works well, but I guess I'm not used to the lack of a retention strap. I'm a little hesitant carrying in condition 1, with no retaining strap. Obviously a strap means longer response time, and a CCW holder should have the level of awareness to prevent somebody from sneaking up, and taking their weapon. I make sure mine's concealed correctly though, so that shouldn't be an issue. Just wanted to hear what others think of this.
3. Where do you guys generally carry extra ammunition. My holster doesn't have a separate pocket, so do any of you just carry extra magazines in their pocket, coat pocket, etc?
That's pretty much it for both my introduction, and questions. I look forward to reading your responses, and being out there, carrying along with you!
Ben
