GORE-TEX PYRAD

This Guy Brings A Sword To A Gunfight

I know that the headline sounds like the opening line of a joke but it’s real. I think you’ll find this video from Paradigm SRP pretty interesting. It features Chris Garland, Paradigm SRP’s VP of Special Weapons and Combatives and based out of their Nashville, Tennessee office. He is a former US Army infantryman and served as a Diplomatic Security Officer (PSD) for the Department of State while assigned to the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. A lifelong student of the martial arts, Chris hold various master level rankings in sword and knife based arts.

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It features some of Paradigm SRP’s Special Operations Battle Blades. We first learned about them during SOFIC. They currently come in two flavors; the Direct Action Ranger Knife and Special Operations Battle Blade and were designed by Chris Garland based on his extensive knowledge of Japanese style swords and knives. Due to the special edge geometry and finishing, they are fully capable of delivering fatal cuts either through deep tissue destruction or the severing of body parts. In fact, the reason these blades were designed in the first place was to incapacitate an opponent in a single cut as seen in the video. They are available in both hand forged and machined versions.

www.paradigmsrp.com/our-products/srp-tactical-blades

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58 Responses to “This Guy Brings A Sword To A Gunfight”

  1. NOLA says:

    I am utterly stunned at the stupidity and unsafe firearms handling in that clip. That was them screwing off I assume. Thats not real.

  2. Kaos-1 says:

    That’s some steven segal sh*t right there. But hey, if he can do it real world, more props to him.

  3. Joe says:

    James Williams Hisshou much?

  4. Paste says:

    Wow. SSD should be embarrassed for post that nonsense. I’m embarrassed for having watched it. So much bullshit in such a small amount of time. Just to ID a few;

    Why transition to a sword (or any secondary weapon) when your primary is still functional?

    Yelling “clear” a nano second after every rehearsed drill.

    Having to look at/for your holster to be able to secure pistol.

    A close quarter drill in which you remain stationary and fire a mag worth of ammo up and down, up and down and then reload and stand there and do it all over again.

    All the fake control tactics with his accomplice(s).

    And of course the beard.

    • Chris K. says:

      Also why poke some one with your pistol and potentially push the slide out of battery when you could just shoot the threat…. It would be quicker to shoot anyway.

  5. Case says:

    If I’m not mistaken, which I very we’ll could be, I think he’s using a type of target engagement referred to as center axis relock. The story behind it is it was some LE style developed IOT maintain weapon control during close proximity engagements. I tried it once on the range and it was surprisingly accurate and fast as fork both strong and support hand. After I picked up my brass I went straight to the chu and washed the gay off.

  6. Stefan S. says:

    I’m a 25 year student of Shinkendo and tameshi-giri. This guy will get someone killed. Anyone who knows Japanese blades wouldn’t buy this gaijin’s offerings.

    • El Bearsidente says:

      Tameshigiri is nothing but test cutting, nothing to “study” there. Also, who are you calling a “gaijin”, whitey? Takes a true nanbanjin to call other gaijin “gaijin”.

  7. Patrick says:

    I wouldn’t have this guy chop cucumbers.

  8. SeanL says:

    Break the wrist. Walk away.

    Be sure to name drop and be CBA with real dudes like MG Singlaub and Mulholland.

    And to think guys were busting Costa’s balls over making a movie.

    Unbelievable.

  9. Mnky says:

    There’s also a lot of media controversy about this guy hype and
    exagerating his credentials (military and otherwise).

  10. Case says:

    This is like Christmas come early. I can’t wait until the morning to read all the comments on this post. Thank you SSD.

  11. Case says:

    This is like Christmas come early. I can’t wait until the morning to read all the comments on this post. Thank you SSD.

  12. jjj0309 says:

    These might be looks cool but have a same problem as CRKT knives designed by James Williams. The blades have no hand guards.
    I don’t want to get my hands soaked in my own blood when I tried to stab in real defense and combat situation.

  13. Mike Nomad says:

    Nice gag reel, I guess…

  14. fog says:

    as an oriental, I’ve to say this is so cool, though it is may not functional.

  15. Alan says:

    I am very seldom left completely speechless by anything here on SSD.

    Until now.WHO takes this idiots classes/courses,and WHY?

    The stupid…it burns. Make it stop…

  16. Everyone Else says:

    a lot of butthurt in this comment section. i think you guys are just jealous you cant do cool stuff like the guy in the video can

  17. See Bowl says:

    “Sir? Does this mean Ann-Margret not coming for New Years” 🙂

  18. John says:

    I want the 4:26 of my life back.

  19. Boobs Maguillacutty says:

    Mute the video and play the Benny Hill theme song in the background…it makes a lot more sense.

  20. Joe Momma says:

    I can’t tell you how many doors I’ve gone through to only be stopped by a rolled up carpet!!! Count me in!!!!

  21. Ex11A says:

    He’s got some quick hands, but I doubt the DoS authorized a Tanto on its authorized weapons list…

  22. Joe says:

    Here’s the real world knife-gun application

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs-TObcA6R0

  23. Daniel says:

    http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17255

    The Karate Kidder
    A local martial arts talent has won over the press and some of the top brass in the U.S. military, but he’s prone to tall tales and outright fabrications

    By Matt Pulle

    http://www.nashvillescene.com/Stories/News/2005/04/21/The_Karate_Kidder/index.shtml

  24. Chuck says:

    My man is solid! That’s motivating!

  25. jack says:

    I hereby request that James Yeager and Chris Garland be added to the Superfight! card deck as showcased on Tactical Fan Boy

  26. Matao says:

    To my eyes, there is a lots of quick, jumpy movement that may be fast on a clock but not safe, practical, or recommended!

    Transitions to blade seemed slow and awkward, which is rather contradictory to the eastern “art of drawing the sword” – or “Iaido” (just google it).

    I would enjoy seeing this quy choreograph some scenes for action movies or video games, he’s got quick hands.

    In regard to the lack of hand guards on the blades. Some say it its not needed if you have good handle and strong grip, but I for one would rather my hands be that much safer

  27. Dennis says:

    Rex Kwan Do!

    I’m glad he took a picture of his first trip to Victory Pond.

  28. straps says:

    “Dude, can I borrow your striking dummy?”

    “What ‘fer?”

    “Demonstrating my knife and gun skillz.”

    “OK, just don’t shoot it or cut it.”

    “Um, K.”

  29. T.D. One says:

    There are a lot of very mean and uncalled for comments on this post. Some very unprofessional! I know Master Chris Garland personally, and I can say that his skillset is very high. I can differentiate the difference between a training exercise like El Presidente, and real world tactics. This knives are actually meant for cutting through tissue, not stabbing. Two entirely different techniques. Chris is one of the best in the world and has spent many many years in Japan and Korea studying the warrior arts. The bottom line is that personal attacks are very uncalled for here. Especially in this season. Merry Christmas to all and have a very Blessed New Year.

    • straps says:

      The guy obviously works hard at what he does. I don’t think many here would deny that. And some of his techniques have application. I don’t think many here would deny that.

      Some of it, however, is packaged as viable tactics SOLD–one would believe at taxpayer expense–to people who do NOT have unlimited training budgets or all the time in the world to be away from the field (where leadership has to prioritize which skills will keep them alive). Everyone here who has a legitimate professional interest in what’s presented has had to integrate relevance, legitimacy, viability and sustainability when e-VALUE-ating training. That challenge presents itself from chairborne to Tier 1. Some of that stuff is far afield on all counts.

      • T.D. One says:

        I agree with what you say about useless training. I would classify the UFC style fighting billed as combatives one of those. Great PT value but that is where it should stop. I do know that SRP does not solicit to train the military in regards to a program. I also know a Navy SEAL Team member that will tell you, without a doubt, that the training he received directly saved his life on a mission in Iraq. This is direct first hand knowledge from someone who’s integrity is beyond reproach.

        • T.D. One says:

          Training I mentioned was given directly by Chris, not SRP. I just don’t like seeing someone like Chris who has given so much to the Special Operations community drug thru the dirt. CWO Gary ONeil and SGM Jordan could expound on the charitable donations Chris has given to the
          Community. Far more than any money he has and will make from any teaching he will do for the government. That is not what he is in it for.

      • Gene says:

        You said, “I can differentiate the difference between a training exercise like El Presidente, and real world tactics.”

        Seriously? Have you ever USED real world tactics, in the real world? I have. A lot of the guys criticizing this clown have, as well.

        I’m so fed up with “trainers of SpecOps”…

    • NOLA says:

      I assume this IS Chris typing this.

      Regardless, you have GOT to be kidding. This is clown suit 101. I think the most popular comment, when I forwarded this video to my teammates was “OMG WTF !!”

      You should get “Master” Chris to enable comments and ratings for the video 🙂

  30. Jason says:

    I’ve no doubt that this’ll get lost in the comments, but something aside from this guy’s antics, I think it’s interesting what you can see in his use (or lack of use) of target identification. Seems like a trend in lots of tactical training.

    Fast forward to 2:18. See when he’s walking away from those 4 steel plates. They’re just steel plates, nothing special about em. As he’s walking away, they yell CONTACT. He spins around, and unloads on all 4 targets.

    When he turns around, he isn’t really id’ing targets…he’s just shooting at all 4. What if they received fire from another source and someone yelled contact. He spins around and shoots them but none of those 4 were holding weapons. What if he just turned around and shot 4 unarmed civilians?

    I think there’s something to be said about realistic target identification in training. Paul Howe has some real interesting drills where he has students walk into a room they’ve never seen before and clear it.

    Some of the targets have pictures of guns in their hands, some have pictures of other things like remote controls or wallets. If you go in with a competition mindset, where “contact” or “gun” means “shoot all the targets” or “shoot all the green squares and don’t shoot the blue triangles”, you’re gonna fail in this scenario. Identifying targets on demand is a lot harder than just shooting all the man sized targets on the range.

    • T.D. One says:

      You make great points Jason. This is a good breakdown and I agree with you about Paul’s training. It’s top notch and from one of the most professional men out there. However, the drill Chris was doing was one that was designed for practicing turning and shooting from a kneeling position. Like El Presidente, there were no shoot/no shoot Id targets; just an exercise to practice the maneuver. That being said, I believe the best training is done to the same degree and manner that you would use in the real situation, but there is a time and a place for the drills, or Katas of the art.

      • Jason says:

        True, not every single “shoot 2, reload 2” or other drills like it need to have ID elements incorporated. But those kinds of drills practice skills you use during a gunfight after you’ve ID’ed. If I’m shooting 2 then reloading and shooting again, it should be after I’ve made a good identification first.

        But when I’m turning around and shooting at targets cold because someone called out “contact”, I’d like to think that I’m identifying a target before shooting it. I feel like that’d just build bad “shoot first, think later” habits. But that’s just my opinion.

  31. Case says:

    Wow guys, that was way better than I anticipated. I would first like to thank Eric W for new favorite term “douche chills”…classic. Poor T.D. Took a beating on this one but he hung in there the whole way. Hats off to you bud. Jack, I was totally thinking about the James Yeager , chris garland thing and didn’t post it. Well played, hate that it didn’t catch peoples attention, there’s so much good material there.

    • NOLA says:

      True, well worth a laugh, and I passed that video on to all the team guys I know. I asked them why the million dollars of training that NSW gave them could have been replaced with a month or two with this guy. The replies were stellar.

      It was even more interesting of Garland posting here calling himself “T.D.” and speaking in the third person. I spoke to a guy who worked with him on Bremer, who said that Chris is certifiably insane, but he wouldn’t ever wanna fight him, he’s really a good fighter. Thats good enough in my book, but this video is plain stupid to put out there.

  32. Dellis says:

    I would site that many here reading and responding carry a blade. A knife is a tool, a utility which serves many purposes. They slice, dice, chop and hammer. I love blades and collect them.

    Ya know what’s wrong with all these “knife fighters”? They live in a fantasy world and teach wild fanciful stuff whose mechanics will fail when pressed into action. There is no such thing as a knife fight but only a knife “attack”. How many “knife fighters” do you think end up cutting themselves, sometime worse, than their intended targets? Work out some training sessions with marking blades and go full speed, use 2 different inks and you may be surprised to find where you see your ink color on your arms, gut area or legs.

    A blade is a last ditch tool. In a CQC attack many times a blade can draw faster and be in the fight faster than a sidearm BUT if you go all Steven Segall on your attacker then you’re now the criminal. Now for those in service……how many instances have you had to use a knife to defend your life?? Open a box, hammer some nails, cut wire, rope or use it as a foothold yes.

    In regards to a handguard, all of my blades that I use for and as a tool have some form of a handguard. Last thing I want is to have to use my blade to puncture something and my hand slip across my blade! Or when I have to take out 10 ninjas and on the 10th one my hands are so blood soaked it slips across my swiss army spork…man that hurts just thinking about it.

    • Jason says:

      Goddamn, do you work for Marc MacYoung? You sound like you quoted some of his articles word for word. But yeah, +10 to what you wrote there.

      About the servicemembers, I’d hazard a guess that a knife is useful as a third weapon system….when everything else in arms reach is broken or out of ammo. Keep it mounted on the plate carrier in some place easy to access and learn some good basic techniques to use with it. But never forget its place: the last possible option.

  33. Dellis says:

    Nope I do not work for Mr. MacYoung but have heard the name. I as a kid fancied knives and swords, ya know watched all the pirate, 3 musketeers and samurai movies I could and fantasized about being in sword fights and such. Then later in life I took some serious self defense training and everything I thought I knew about edged weapons went right out the dojo window. I studied Aikibujitsu the empty hand are of the samurai and our Shihan showed his students just what a blade can and can’t do.

    It’s an odd world when one can defend themselves and shoot an attacker 5 times and not be questioned but you stab an attacker 5 times and they question your motives and perhaps label it “overkill”.

    I agree that a blade should always be kept close by and just as one trains in drawing their weapon and doing reloads they should know how to draw their blade. Learn to keep it on your weak side also is good practice, along with a nice flashlight.

    Merry Christmas

  34. Gary L. O'Neal says:

    In all these negative comments about Chris Garland, I see little (if anything) that speaks from real-world experience. I have fought in combat. I have trained thousands of men and women around the world in the science and art of surviving in combat. I have myself used these techniques and transitions from sub to pistol to knife and hand-to-hand in real world life-or-death combat experience.

    Particularly unimpressed with the comment “taking a knife to a gunfight,” I would say that you need to look at the history of the OSS and veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, men who engaged the necessarily silent taking-out of sentries, veterans who too often found themselves fighting for their lives with little more than knives and entrenching tools.

    If you have never experienced this sort of combat, you might be naïve enough to make the sort of comments I have encountered about Chris at this site. Anyone can nit-pick, but I suspect that no one on this site has experienced the range and intensity of training that Chris has.

    I know what Chris Garland has done. I have trained with Chris. I know what training that he has gone through, and I know how he has applied that training in hostile environments. I also know that he has outperformed and embarrassed some who lack his expertise and may hold old grudges….

    My endorsement of Chris Garland’s bona fides is unqualified. If you are real, walk the walk: Train with Chris or with those who trained Chris—rather than hiding like cowards behind computers and ignorant claims.

    Be part of the solution, not part of the problem. If you are not working on the solution, then you are the problem.