Stay Informed with ISP Blog
If you carry a gun, how you holster it matters just as much as how you shoot it.
At Intuitive Self Protection, we train real people for real fights. And one thing we see far too often? Folks getting lazy, careless, or just plain wrong when it comes to holstering. Bad holster habits don’t just slow you down, they can get you or someone else shot. Let’s break down the mistakes we’ve seen.
At Intuitive Self Protection, we train real people for real-life fights. That means training doesn’t stop when you leave the range. If you want to shoot faster, smoother, and under stress, you need dry fire. But let’s be real: most people start strong, then forget about it a week later. Why? Because they didn’t make it part of their routine. Let’s fix that.
At Intuitive Self Protection, we train for the real world. Not Instagram and not powerlifting meets. We care about one thing: whether you can survive a violent encounter and win. That means your fitness should match the fight, not the gym flex. You don’t need to bench 300 pounds. You need to move fast, stay on your feet, carry weight under stress, and fight when your lungs are burning. This is what we call tactical fitness and it’s what actually matters in a violent encounter.
When it comes to carrying a firearm for self-defense, one question sparks endless debate: should you carry with a round in the chamber? Carrying with a round in the chamber means your gun is loaded, cocked, and ready to fire the moment you pull the trigger; no need to rack the slide first. It’s the fastest way to get your gun into action. But speed comes with responsibility, and this setup isn’t for everyone unless you’re properly trained. You owe it to yourself to understand both sides of this argument before making a decision.
Revolvers are like the classic cars of the gun world; simple and effective. At Intuitive Self Protection (ISP), we train shooters of all levels, and revolvers are often a hot topic. Firearms enthusiasts appreciate revolvers as a reliable backup, proving that these classics still have a solid role in modern self-defense.
You might wonder about the difference between hollow points and full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds. Why does is this important? Because understanding these distinctions could mean the difference between a successful self-defense scenario and a dangerous mistake. At Intuitive Self Protection, we’ve spent years training thousands of responsible gun owners, and we know how crucial it is to choose the right tools for the job. Let’s get into it.
Despite the emphasis on firearms skills to defend oneself, most deadly encounters don’t start out deadly. Most of the time, they kick off as a shove, a grab, or a punch. It’s raw, chaotic, and up-close. If your first instinct in a fight is to go for your gun, you’re already behind. Why? Because you’re in the thick of it; your hands are occupied, you’re defending yourself, and the threat is right on top of you.
That’s where most people fail. They train to shoot, shoot, shoot, but they never address the gap between a physical altercation and a gunfight. And that gap? It’s what could cost you your life.
Do you have questions about the AR-15 but not sure where to start? Well, you’re not alone! With decades of expertise in the self-defense field, Intuitive Self Protection (ISP) is tackling the most common questions to shed light on this prolific weapons system. Despite being a hot topic of debate, the AR-15 is a symbol of American firearm culture, preferred for its modularity, versatility, reliability, and the wide availability of parts and accessories. We’ll cover the origins of the AR-15, carbines and rifle definitions, legal matters, safety procedures, maintenance, customization and upgrades, tactical skills and physical fitness.
Transitional spaces are often overlooked in terms of self-protection. You know those moments when you're moving from one place to another? Your car to the office, the store, or home? Those quick, seemingly ordinary transitions are prime opportunities for potential threats to catch us off guard. In these spaces, people are usually preoccupied with their phones, thoughts, or tasks, making them more vulnerable to danger. A heightened level of situational awareness is super important in navigating transitional spaces. If something is about to happen, you'll likely spot some telltale signs if you're alert. However, if something slips your awareness and danger presents itself at close range, do you know what to do? We're here to provide you with some strategies to enhance your safety in these transitional spaces.
Alot of folks out there shell out big bucks on gear, only to find out it's nothing but junk. That's why we often get hit up for product reviews. So, here's one we're stoked about: the Dry Fire Mag. It's a nifty tool for sharpening up your shooting skills without burning through ammo. Now we reviewed the Smith & Wesson magazine, but they’re made for a variety of manufacturers. If you're serious about improving your accuracy and speed while saving some cash on bullets, this tool might just be your new favorite thing.
Alright, so you've got your everyday carry, your concealed carry license, and your trusty holster. But here's the question: do you have a technique for drawing from concealment? And if you do, have you practiced it enough times to make it second nature? We'd even go as far as to suggest that once you've mastered your technique, you keep practicing your draw regularly. Just like any other skill, self-protection abilities can fade over time, and you want to make sure you're ready to defend yourself and your loved ones if things ever hit the fan. We have over 25 years of professional experience in law enforcement and military training, and we’ve learned from seasoned professionals how to draw from concealment. We’re giving you an inside waistband drawing technique that we’ve found is most efficient. Keep in mind, this isn’t the way to draw but it is a way.
We are back with another installment of Intuitive Self Protection’s weekly blog and we’re ready to unravel the secrets behind a few head rockin’ self-defense techniques. But first things first, let's clarify; anyone who rolls with ISP doesn’t go around looking for fight. Our goal is to end fights quickly and effectively. When all attempts at de-escalation fail, when distraction isn't enough, and your attacker won’t back down; that's when our game-changing techniques come into play. We’re talking about concussive striking and brain-shaking moves that can turn the tables on a desperate situation.
One of the questions we get asked all the time is what the best empty strikes are to use in an empty hand response or when you selected not use a weapon system. Before we get into it, let’s get something straight, we aren’t the people that start fights, instigate or poke the bear but we do finish them . We emphasize being strategic and confident; knowing how to respond effectively when pushed past the limit. These strikes are to be used when you’re past the point of negotiation and you’ve made every attempt to de-escalate, distract and diffuse the situation. This is the point when the attacker is about to find out that you’re not a victim; you’re a defender. Let’s get to it.
We all know that shooting is not just about pulling the trigger and popping off rounds; it’s about mastering the art of control, timing, rhythm and accuracy. Cadence drills are the secret sauce behind consistent and controlled shooting especially in cases where speed and accuracy matter most. They can give you a tactical edge to increase your overall proficiency but particularly when firing shots in succession.
We're back with another interview that many of you have been asking for. This time, we have Justin Vitalis, an Intuitive Self Protection Plank Holder, sharing his story. Justin had lots of experience with firearms being an officer and a senior pilot in military even before he became a premium member. In this interview, he talks about the awesome advantages of being a member. When you become a member, you get access to 27 courses all year round, plus some other cool perks. Look at what Justin has to say about being an ISP Plank Holder and what it really means.
In today’s world, we have so many things that we need to be prepared for and our personal and family security is one of them. Many people are seeking a one-stop shop for professional solutions and we believe at Intuitive Self Protection, that we provide them. Here is the highly requested video by you guys out there, talking about what’s included in the ISP membership and what people are getting out of it from the perspective of a member.
Today we'll explore the Big Six components of the rifle draw stroke. Check out the video to see Dan Spagone, who has been one of our ISP and NLB lead instructors for almost a decade. He’s trained numerous civilians, and special operations in both the military and law enforcement. We’re gonna break down each step to enhance your technique.
