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Gunfighter Moment – Ken Hackathorn

Saturday, December 26th, 2015

If you were to tell your neighbor that they are going to experience a home fire tomorrow, most would run to check the status of their fire extinguisher, or maybe even run out to purchase a new one. It sounds a bit flippant to say this, but the aftermath of the most recent terrorist event in the US has had a similar effect on many citizen’s outlook on firearms. Make no mistake, the Second Amendment is in place for such an need. I am always amazed at the number of people that have CCWs, yet rarely ever carry a sidearm. Somehow, they think that they will have time to strap a gun on if trouble is about to descend upon them.

Reality is that being prepared is about being ready. Situational awareness must be practiced; it is something that most people don’t possess; like combat marksmanship, it only comes with practice. Just having a gun is not really enough, you must be safe and skilled with a small arms in order to be effective. Most folks go to a class to qualify for their CCW. In most cases they make no effort to either improve their shooting skills or maintain them. Right now the buzz is that everyone wants a ‘high capacity’ pistol to prepare to shoot it out with a terrorist cell. Get real, it’s not how many bullets your sidearm holds, or how many spare magazines you have on your belt; it is about how well can you shoot effectively when the chips are down. Find a range in your area. Set aside time each month for dedicated practice. Seek out instruction; any is better than none.

Most every area of the USA now has a local guy cooking kydex holsters in his kitchen, another building AR15s in his garage, and another guy that has bought a set of 5-11 clothes, a war belt with leg holster (generally one that looks more like a high ankle holster), and blaster that looks like it came from the movie set of Star Wars. These types declare that they are ninja commando trainers and your answer to learning to become a great ‘Combat Shooter’ (whatever that may be).

Look at the reason you need a sidearm. What are realistic problems you face? Remember those little compact 380s and pocket rocket 9mms may be great to carry, but how well can you shoot one when someone is shooting at you? Most of these little pocket type guns are perfect for the people that carry them, as long as they never need them.

Good training and a supply of ammo to stay proficient is not cheap. Don’t kid yourself and think that just because you ‘qualified expert in the military’ or outshot your buddies 10 years ago at a beer can shooting match means anything today. Combat marksmanship is a perishable skill. Okay, if you are going to exercise your CCW rights, make a plan now to become skilled, and get started.

– Ken Hackathorn

Ken Hackathorn has served as a US Army Special Forces Small Arms Instructor, Gunsite Instructor, and NRA Police Firearms Instructor. He is currently an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, Certified Deputy Sheriff with Washington County SO, Ohio, and a SRT member and Special Response Team trainer. Ken has trained US Military Special Operations forces, Marine FAST and SOTG units and is a contract small arms trainer to FBI SWAT and HRT.

Ken has provided training to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and been active in small arms training for the past 25 years. He has written firearms related material for Guns & Ammo, Combat Handguns, Soldier Of Fortune, and currently American Handgunner and contributed to at least six other gun/shooting journals. Ken was also a founding member of IPSC and IDPA.

To see Ken’s Training Class Schedule visit aliastraining.com.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer SSD readers hard earned words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Training & Security Services, Ken Hackathorn
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 10 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Larry Vickers

Saturday, December 19th, 2015

Given the current situation in the industry with red dot sights I get people asking me everyday on what Aimpoint optic I recommend.

Being a long time user of Aimpoints red dot sights and a brand ambassador for the company I have had a chance to use everything they make. If money is no object then I recommend the Micro T-1/T-2/H-1/H-2 series. They are the top of the line in my book.

If you are watching the budget then I recommend the Patrol Rifle Optic. For the money spent it is superb.

Hopefully this helps you pick what Aimpoint optic works best for you. In my considerable experience, and I am admittedly biased, Aimpoint red dot sights are without peer; very simply the finest money can buy.

-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV

Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical is a retired US Army 1st SFOD-Delta combat veteran with years of experience in the firearms industry as a combat marksmanship instructor and industry consultant. In recent years he has hosted tactical firearms related TV shows on the Sportsman Channel with the latest being TacTV of which Bravo Company is a presenting sponsor. Larry Vickers special operations background is one of the most unique in the industry today; he has been directly or indirectly involved in the some of the most significant special operations missions of the last quarter century. During Operation Just Cause he participated in Operation Acid Gambit – the rescue of Kurt Muse from Modelo Prison in Panama City, Panama. As a tactics and marksmanship instructor on active duty he helped train special operations personnel that later captured Saddam Hussein and eliminated his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein. In addition he was directly involved in the design and development of the HK416 for Tier One SOF use which was used by Naval Special Warfare personnel to kill Osama Bin Laden. Larry Vickers has developed various small arms accessories with the most notable being his signature sling manufactured by Blue Force Gear and Glock accessories made by Tangodown. In addition he has maintained strong relationships with premium companies within the tactical firearms industry such as BCM, Aimpoint, Black Hills Ammunition, Wilson Combat and Schmidt & Bender.

Larry Vickers travels the country conducting combat marksmanship classes for law abiding civilians, law enforcement and military and has partnered with Alias Training to coordinate classes to best meet the needs of the students attending the class.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer us some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Larry Vickers, LAV, Vickers Tactical
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 6 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Daryl Holland

Saturday, December 12th, 2015

After the recent Domestic Terrorist attack in San Bernardino, our current administration believes that more gun control is the answer. These ignorant Democrats and Libtards have no clue when it comes to combating terrorism in the U.S. or abroad. Watching them water down our international prowess was laughable in the beginning, but it’s not funny to watch them dismantle everything we worked for in the Middle East just so Obama could say, “I ended the war in Iraq”. It’s not funny this administration could have sent a QRF to Benghazi, then covered up their lack of action. It’s not funny that they have been negotiating with Iran, the same country whose constitution mandates that all laws are based on the Koran. Women are considered un-equal to men under Iran’s legal code. It’s not considered “Radical” that women shouldn’t drive cars, can’t open a personal bank account or be allowed to go out in public without a male relative chaperone. Infidelity is grounds for stoning, homosexuals are hung and beheading is the penalty for leaving Islam. We don’t negotiate with terrorist, but it’s OK to negotiate with these savages?

We are not at war with Islam, but elements within Islam are at war with us. Until we recognize that Islam is not a religion of peace, there will be another 9/11, more attacks like Paris and San Bernardino. Gun free countries and gun free zones that display signs of their weakness will continue to be the perfect target; “Ignorance is Bliss” and sheep will always be an easy target for wolves.

Wake up America and vote out our weak leaders that want to disarm you and your ability to protect yourself. If they will not take the lead on combating evil how can you expect them to prevent evil from knocking on your doorstep?

Respectfully,

Daryl Holland

Daryl Holland is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with over 20 years of active duty experience, 17 of those years in Special Operations. Five years with the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and 12 years in the 1st SFOD-Delta serving as an Assaulter, Sniper, Team Leader, and OTC Instructor.

He has conducted several hundred combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Philippines, and the Mexican Border. He has conducted combat missions in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush Mountains as a Sniper and experienced Mountaineer to the streets of Baghdad as an Assault Team Leader.

He has a strong instructor background started as an OTC instructor and since retiring training law abiding civilians, Law Enforcement, U.S. Military, and foreign U.S. allied Special Operations personnel from around the world.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn, they offer some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Security and Training Services, Daryl Holland
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 19 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Jeff Gonzales

Saturday, December 5th, 2015

I think it’s safe to say the majority of the American citizenry does not expect violence. This mentality has lead to a weakening of not just our societal norms, but our national security.

Why bother

I can sit here and pontificate on how screwed up our government is, how one sided our media is and how “sheepish” the masses are, but it really isn’t going to fix the problem we face. Sure, there have been a few converts who have moved away from the dark side, but the efforts are largely wasted. If you finally realize you need to take your personal safety more serious forgive me if I don’t jump for joy. I don’t want to be all doom & gloom here, I would rather be matter of fact. What would the majority of those who already know we are at war gain value from, what really matters to their survival?

Hierarchy of needs

I’m a big believer in biology. In my opinion it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why, it is the survival of our species. Why are men attracted to certain women and women attracted to certain men? Eliminate the touche-feelie crap and it boils down to procreation, the continuation of our species. Breaking it down even further, survival has a lot to do with mindset. In this day an age, the majority of grass eaters have forgotten or have no idea the importance of survival and how to ensure their own, much less their family’s. It is really quite sad, but in the end your survival depends on your mindset, skill set and the tools at your disposal.

Be prepared

Mentally preparing for unplanned violence requires only it’s acknowledgment to get the proverbial ball rolling. If at a fundamental level you can acknowledge there is the possibility of unplanned violence it makes a huge difference mentally. Once you can look the animal in the eye, it frees you up to prepare. Preparation is key. A good friend of mine was on vacation over Thanksgiving holiday literally a few blocks from the Colorado shooting. In a brief discussion he commented how important preparation was and as the old Boy Scott motto goes, “be prepared” really epitomizes the situation. What have you done to prepare for that or other similar situations. Mental preparation motivates you to then physical prepare in the form of training.

How sharp is your blade

This is where the rubber really meets the road. All your mental preparation will be for not, if you don’t have the physical training to back it up. Unless your control of the Force is Jedi level you will have to fend like the rest of us. In this day an age with the escalation of terrorist threats the two most important training blocks you can obtain are combat marksmanship and concealed carry. Your skill with a firearm must be at the highest level you can obtain, then one more above that. You will never rise to the occasion you will default to your level of training. One of the reasons our standards are so tough is because nothing I do can honestly mimic the stress of real combat. If you have crappy technique based off a crappy program with crappy standards don’t be surprised by your crappy performance. Once your marksmanship skills are honed to a razor’s edge next comes having a firearm on you as often as possible; daily concealed carry. The art of concealing has evolved from the photographers vest of lure so get with the program and spend time perfecting your concealment game. When violence knocks on your door, will you answer with good intentions or hot lead. Once you get this part of the game down it will motivate you to then selecting your gear.

Water, water everywhere

Selecting your gear will be much easier once you have defined your mission. Until then, you are easily swayed by marketing and propaganda rather than truly fulfilling your needs. You also have probably asked yourself if you are fully prepared, could you use this or that or whatever new shiny object is that hits the market. At some point you have to recognize it is a come as you are war. Whatever you brought is all you got so choose wisely. It will either end the fight, allow you to strong point or allow you to move to a safe area or exit. The situation will always dictate. In other words, do you have enough ammunition to put the threat down fast. If not, will you have enough ammunition to keep them at bay while you strong point. If not, will you have enough ammunition to effectively maneuver to cover or an exit. All of the above it is implied your combat marksmanship skills are legit. So, yes, it is a good idea to create your jump bag, go bag or E&E bag whatever you want to call it, but realize you will probably not have it when it counts. You will have to win the fight, to survive, with your daily load out.

In the end, the world is not complicated. It is filled with evil, evil that must be confronted by righteous strength and courage. In the end, some people just need to be killed.

– Jeff Gonzales
Trident Concepts, LLC

Jeff Gonzales of Trident Concepts, LLC is a decorated and respected U.S. Navy SEAL who has worked in a variety of environments and capacities throughout the globe. He specializes in personal protection tactics and training for armed and unarmed conflicts. His motto is “Concepts that meet reality”. Jeff’s goal is not simply to train you, but to better prepare you for the worst-case scenario.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn, they offer some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Jeff Gonzales, Trident Concepts
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 11 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Pat McNamara

Saturday, November 28th, 2015

Because I’ve heard it said that ‘Holstering’ a pistol is an ‘Administrative’ move, I would argue that there is true merit in holstering a pistol the same way we draw a pistol on two different fronts.

One is that in the tactical world, we must sometimes have to deescalate and go ‘Hands On’. We must do this without taking our eyes off of the threat.

Two, when practicing a draw stroke, the best draw stroke is nothing more than holstering in reverse. This was said to me by Rob Leatham some decades ago. So, when practicing a draw stroke, why not double the amount of meaningful repetitions by holstering the same way we drew?

…Only one is in reverse.

Patrick McNamara
SGM, US Army (Ret)

Patrick McNamara spent twenty-two years in the United States Army in a myriad of special operations units. When he worked in the premier Special Missions Unit, he became an impeccable marksman, shooting with accurate, lethal results and tactical effectiveness. McNamara has trained tactical applications of shooting to people of all levels of marksmanship, from varsity level soldiers, and police officers who work the streets to civilians with little to no time behind the trigger.

His military experience quickly taught him that there is more to tactical marksmanship than merely squeezing the trigger. Utilizing his years of experience, McNamara developed a training methodology that is safe, effective and combat relevant and encourages a continuous thought process. This methodology teaches how to maintain safety at all times and choose targets that force accountability, as well as provides courses covering several categories, including individual, collective, on line and standards.

While serving as his Unit’s Marksmanship NCO, he developed his own marksmanship club with NRA, CMP, and USPSA affiliations. Mac ran monthly IPSC matches and ran semi annual military marksmanship championships to encourage marksmanship fundamentals and competitiveness throughout the Army.He retired from the Army’s premier hostage rescue unit as a Sergeant Major and is the author of T.A.P.S. (Tactical Application of Practical Shooting). He also served as the Principle of TMACS Inc.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Pat McNamara, TMACS Inc
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 10 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Mike Pannone

Saturday, November 21st, 2015

Entering A New Time

We are entering a new time and we as good Americans need to act accordingly. The attack in Paris should have been the largest and most recent wake-up calls to the general populace that we are entering a new age with a different threat. This threat not only seeks to but is capable of projecting power in a different manner. It an ideology that says the price of admission and to get “credentialed” all one must do is lash out at the innocent who does not believe in their ideology.

Talk with those in your charge about reactions if there is an attack and agree on it. What is our immediate plan? Who goes where and does what? These decisions will not be arrived at under the tremendous stresses of potential death or grievous bodily injury. Without planning it is just luck and as I have said countless times and is Noner Rule #1 “Good luck is for novices; bad luck is for everyone. Bank on skill, at least you control that.”

In preparation I encourage those who understand the legal and moral ramifications and can legally carry a firearm to do so. Before taking on that responsibility, seek genuinely competent training. Make that CCW a life preserving tool and not an expensive good luck charm. Once that proficiency requirement has been met you have demonstrated your seriousness and should carry everywhere you are legally permitted.

If you don’t already have it seek first-aid training and have medical supplies in your vehicle. This is just the right answer regardless of current threat levels.

Finally, understand that the biggest threat you will face relative to ISIS related terrorism is the “lone wolf” attacker or what I more specifically call the “non-aligned sympathizer” (NAS). That term is exactly what the ideology commands and encourages due to the inability of any security apparatus to effectively monitor them. The reason this is important is that if you just avoid ball games and large populated public venues or the likely “soft targets” understand everyplace you go without a very obvious security presence is a soft target. The NAS can strike anywhere any time because he is only concerned with becoming a name of note in the “cause”. For that reason, we must remain what I call “professionally vigilant” or in layman’s terms acutely aware of our surroundings. Make sure you know what “right” looks like as far as behavior. If someone stands out don’t come unglued and immediately call 911 but look and listen. All over the multiple war zones we have been engaged in are sign’s in one place or another that say
“Stay alert, Stay alive.”

It has made the difference in many a soldier, sailor, Airman and Marines life….It will for you if you heed that simple and sage advice.

“I’m waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age,
to the new age”

Imagine Dragons, Radioactive

– Mike Pannone

Mike Pannone retired from the Army’s premier assault force (1st SFOD-D) after an explosive breaching injury. A year after his retirement America was attacked on 9/11 and he returned to help serve his country as the head marksmanship instructor at the Federal Air Marshals training course and then moved to help stand up the FAMS Seattle field office. In 2003 he left the FAMS to serve as a PSD detail member and then a detail leader for the State Department during 2003 and 2004 in Baghdad and Tikrit.

In 2005 he served as a ground combat advisor of the Joint Counter IED Task Force and participated on combat operations with various units in Al Anbar province. Upon returning he gave IED awareness briefings to departing units and helped stand up a pre-Iraq surge rifle course with the Asymmetric Warfare Group as a lead instructor. With that experience as well as a career of special operations service in Marine Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces and JSOC to draw from he moved to the private sector teaching planning, leadership, marksmanship and tactics as well as authoring and co-authoring several books such as The M4 Handbook, AK Handbook and Tactical Pistol shooting. Mike also consults for several major rifle and accessory manufacturers to help them field the best possible equipment to the warfighter, law enforcement officer and upstanding civilian end user. He is considered a subject matter expert on the AR based Stoner platform in all its derivatives.

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Security and Training Services, CTT Solutions, Mike Pannone
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 16 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Larry Vickers

Saturday, November 14th, 2015

Always take the time to try different weapons- pistols, carbines, etc. This makes you a more well rounded shooter and allow as you to make informed decisions and provide sound advice to others that might seek input. This is part of your ‘gun education’ and is a critical and often overlooked part of becoming more savvy with firearms.

This was brought home to me once again at the class I just taught with Rob Leatham. Rob is an incredible shooter of course and widely considered the greatest handgun shooter of all time (I agree completely) but one thing Rob does very well is the ability to pick up any handgun you can think of and shoot it – and in most cases shoot it very well.

This comes from not only having a solid foundation of handgun fundamentals but a genuine interest in learning about different types of pistols. He is in his heart a gun guy just like me.

One of the things I did in this class was offer to demonstrate a drill known as ‘The Test’ (also known as the 10-10-10 drill) using a student’s pistol. ‘The Test’ is a simple drill and a very good one; 10 shots from the ready in 10 seconds at a B-8 bullseye replacement center from 10 yards. Each shot in the white outside the black is one second added to your score and each shot off the white paper is 3 seconds. So in order to pass with one shot out of the black and in the white your raw time must be under 9 seconds, with 2 shots out under 8 seconds and so on. It’s an excellent drill and one I do in some form or fashion in every two-day pistol class I teach.

I passed ‘The Test’ easily regardless of the students pistol I used (in this case a Glock 35, Glock 41 and a DA/SA SIG P226) – how did I do this? Simple – I shoot as many different handguns as possible to form a mental ‘data bank’ on how one pistol might perform vs. the other. The only way to accomplish this is to try different weapons whenever you can. Hell you might even find something that you like better than what you currently shoot (M&P shooters I’m looking at you; try an HK VP9; a far better pistol)

Hope this helps and as always be safe and keep shooting!

-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer us some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Training and Security Services, Larry Vickers, LAV, Vickers Tactical
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 9 Comments »

Gunfighter Moment – Daryl Holland

Saturday, November 7th, 2015

As our personal security becomes compromised by cowards looking for gun free zones and other easy prey, why wouldn’t you want to exercise your 2nd amendment right and carry a weapon? I only ask that you be accountable with your marksmanship and know your own capability to not become part of the problem in an active shooter scenario. I know good people want to help during chaos, but you’re not helping if you can’t hit what you’re shooting at. I get it, because it takes the 1st responders several minutes to respond to a situation and if I had family in that situation, I wouldn’t wait either. If you don’t know the difference between cover and concealment, you might be behind on tactics to proceed without guidance.

The 1st responders and other fools like myself that run to a gun fight have most likely had some training. Situational awareness and tactics were not taught during your conceal carry class and just shooting paper targets in the backyard won’t prepare you for the stress involved during a gun fight. Not only can you hit the target but can you hit the “X” ring consistently and under stress? Nothing prepares you like the real thing and even though your combat veteran may be cool during chaos…can he burn the “X” ring out?

If you’re that person carrying a weapon without any training and find yourself in an active shooter situation, you should find a defendable location and let the assaulter come to you and then let him have it. I call it the “Joe Biden method”.

I know teachers are carrying weapons in some of the schools around Texas, which is great. However, the right teacher should be carrying that has taken marksmanship courses and/or possess some tactical skills.

Would you want an average shooter with minimal training slinging lead around your Precious Cargo (children)?

Respectfully,

Daryl Holland

Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn, they offer some words of wisdom.

Tags: Alias Security and Training Services, Daryl Holland
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 11 Comments »