DEFEND

“The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.”

– Marcus Aurelius

Self Defense Guides and Reviews

Everyone’s basic instinct is to protect themselves and their family. Have you thought about how you will react when an unexpected attack occurs? Will you panic and fumble around because you don’t know what to do?

Protecting our family comes in many forms. From basic self defense and the proper mindset to concealed carry and the proper tools.

Most importantly, we can’t freeze or panic when an unexpected attack occurs. In order to withstand an attack and be prepared, we must not only have the proper tools, but the proper training as well.

In this section our goal is to provide you with guides for protecting your family as well as self defense, home defense, and the tools you will need. We will go deeper into mindset topics as well as training and cover the how, not just the what.

Explore this section and start putting together a plan for different scenarios that you may face and what tools you may need.

Each week we give you practical tips to help you mentally prepare for difficulties, from small setbacks to full blown emergencies. These are unique each week and best of all, it is totally free!

We also include links to any new guides or content and also keep you abreast of what we are up to.

Start Here to Learn How to Protect Your Family

It all starts at home. After all, if we are not safe at home, we are not safe anywhere.

Start with our Home Defense Guide. Follow our 8 steps for an affordable way to fortify your home and implement an early warning system.

Start Here: Home Defense Guide

Concealed carry is another tool that we can use to protect ourselves and our families away from home. Regardless if you are new to concealed carry or a veteran, we think you will find value in our unique approach.

We not only provide our unbiased review of the best gear we have used, but we also include tips for how to improve your mindset. This is helpful in both day to day life and also for when the unexpected occurs.

Continue Here: Concealed Carry Guide

Concealed Carry Gear — Concealed Carry is much more than just getting a permit and buying a handgun

Also be sure to check out our Deals and Coupons page for discount codes to save money on everything from holsters to ammunition!

Self Defense Guides

These guides will help you protect your family. We explore how to avoid conflict all together, and then make the best decisions once you are involved in one.

Best Pepper Spray – A great tool to get you out of a tough situation
Civil Unrest Preparedness – Learn how to avoid trouble and how to react once it comes
Best Plate Carriers for Emergency Preparedness – Why you don’t want what the miliary uses
Situational Awareness – Learn how to spot trouble before it happens
Best Tactical EDC Flashlight – Find our 7 favorites, a must have for self-defense

One overlooked part of self-defense is not getting trapped. If roads or closures force you off your normal route, solid map-and-compass skills can keep you moving around trouble. Start with our Navigation hub.

Firearm Guides

No matter what your experience level, these guides can help you find the best gun and how to set it up correctly.

How Much Does a Gun Cost – Learn what the differences are and what you can expect
How to Buy a Gun Online – It is perfectly legal with these tips
Best Gun Cleaning Kits – Keep ’em clean!
Best Gun Cleaner and Lube – Best CLP, Oil, and Solvents

Handgun Guides and Reviews

Best Concealed Carry Guns – Find our favorites
How to Choose a Concealed Carry Gun – Learn what features to look for
Best 9mm Pistols – Our favorites in the most popular pistol caliber
8 Helpful Tips for Choosing the Best Optics Ready Pistol – Check out these tips before buying

Rifle Guides and Reviews

AR-15 Basics: Start Here – A complete guide to learn about AR-15s.
Best Home Defense AR-15 Setup – Includes 3 setups covering all types of homes
Budget AR-15 Build – A full strategy guide for saving money plus a full example build
Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 Review – The Best Budget AR-15?
Primary Arms SLx 1-6×24 Gen IV Scope Review – Best Budget “do it all” Rifle Scope?
Best AR-15 Flashlights – A practical guide to the best rifle lights
Best AR-15 Stripped Lowers – Find our favorites from budget to easiest for builds.
Best AR-15 Lower Parts Kits – Our favorite parts kits from our builds.
Best AR-15 Grips – Our favorite grips, from lightweight to ones for small and big hands.
Best AR-15 Stocks – Our favorite stocks for all scenarios.
Best AR-15 Charging Handles – Our favorite charging handles, especially when using a suppressor.
Best AR-15 Triggers – Our favorite and best bang for the buck triggers, plus a selection guide.
TacPack Review – One of our favorite subscription boxes, see if it is actually worth it!

Ammunition Guides

Learn about the different types of ammo and get past all the confusion of sizes and weights.

Best Place to Buy Ammo Online – See our tips on how to find the best deals and save money on ammo.
PMC SFX 9mm Ammo Review – Is it the best affordable self-defense option?
How Much Does Ammo Cost – Find out what drives the price and our favorite places to buy it
Bullet Sizes and Calibers – Learn about the confusing nomenclature
9mm Vs 9mm Luger – Learn why it may not always be the same thing
How Fast Does a Bullet Travel – Learn why speed matters and why slower could be better

Red Dot Guides

We have tried a ton of red dots over the years. Learn when you should use one, how to pick and how to use them.

Best Pistol Red Dot Sights – Find our favorites after years of testing
Best Red Dots for the P365 – Find our picks for our favorite CCW
Iron Sights vs Red Dot Sights – Which is better?
Red Dot Footprints – Learn how to pick the right dot for your gun
DPP Titanium Adapter Plate Guide – Cross reference tables of adapter plates and dovetail mounts
How to Mount a Pistol Red Dot – Learn how to mount one to your pistol correctly
How to Zero a Pistol Red Dot – Learn how to quickly get your dot zeroed

Holster Guides

We love trying new holsters and find that “the best” for one person is not the best for someone else. Learn what makes a holster comfortable, and why sometimes it has nothing to do with the holster itself.

Best Concealed Carry Position – Find one that is right for you
How to Choose a Concealed Carry Holsters – What to look for based on you and your lifestyle
Best Concealed Carry Holster – Find our Favorites
Best Appendix Holsters – Our favorite for AIWB Carry
Best IWB Holsters – Our favorites for all Inside the Waistband Carry Positions
Best OWB Holsters – Our favorite Outside the Waistband Holsters
Best Glock 19 Holsters – Our favorites specifically for the Glock 19
Best Sig P365 Holsters – Our favorites for the P365, P365XL, and P365 XMacro
Best Glock 43X Holsters – Our favorites for the most popular CCW Glock
Best Walther PDP Holsters – Our favorites and tips to conceal the PDP.
Best M&P Shield Holsters – Our favorites for the CCW Smith & Wesson
Best Pistol Magazine Pouch – Carry an extra mag on your belt!
Best Concealed Carry Gear for Women – Find our favorite options just for women.

Concealed Carry Clothing

Best Concealed Carry Pants – Our favorites for everyday wear
Best Concealed Carry Shirts – This gets tricky, learn our tips!
Best Concealed Carry Shorts – Warm weather options
Best Concealed Carry Belt – You got to hold everything up!
Best Concealed Carry Bags – When carrying off-body makes more sense.

Body Armor and Accessories

Premier Body Armor Review – Best Budget Body Armor?

Range and Training Gear

We certainly have our favorites when it comes to range gear. Find out what we like to use after years of training.

Best Range Bag – Something to put it all in!
Best Shooting Hearing Protection – The first thing to take with you
Best Defensive Handgun Training Program – Something you can do on your own time.
More to Come!