3 Gun Nation Pro Tips

Some great training ideas here. I am in the market for airsoft just for this purpose. Let me know if you have a good recommendation for quality airsoft training products besides KWA.

Travis Haley Handgun Tips

Here is a great set of instructional segments from Travis Haley's DVDs from Magpul and Pantaeo:




I will be posting more nuggets like this in the near future. See you at the range!

My Mossberg 590A1 Blackwater 12 GA

Long story short, I had a great shotgun back in the 90's and have been looking for a replacement ever since.  I still miss my Beretta 1201FP and regret selling it more than any other compromise I have ever made.  It was a super smooth autoloader that held seven rounds and had the same action as the much more expensive Benelli.  It was mostly designed for police/defensive purposes but I enjoyed knocking clays out of the air with it, much to the chagrin of the other more traditional clay shooters at the old French Creek state park free range.  When I sold all of my guns back in 95, the only one I kept was a Ruger MKII .22 target pistol.  I never really liked it as it was frequently unreliable and ended up trading it for a super cheap Traditions Home Defense Autoloader 12GA.  I kept that gun for years as a EOTW gun but concerns with reliability with all ammo types made me want to get a pump gun.  It came down to the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 590A1.  Both have great reputations but I chose the Mossberg because it just is truly mil-spec, tough as nails and has a higher capacity (9 rounds).  Yeah, it's heavy but when you wield it, it feels like something you want in your hands in a EOTW situation.  The Remington feels like a toy by comparison.  I got a ATI shell caddy, UTG LED and a Viking Tactics sling mount and hope to take the Magpul Dynamics shotgun class seen in the video below.  The DVD set is awesome and is again, required viewing if you ever plan on using a shotgun in a defensive situation.  In the meantime, I'll be using the Mossberg in 3 gun and hoping the Zombies hold off for another year ;)

My Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm

I have owned and shot more than a few 9mm handguns.  From a Tangfolio TA99, Taurus PT99, Beretta 92FS, Browning HiPower and the Glock 19.  However I couldn't be happier than I am with my M&P 9.  It has all the advantages of the Glock with a better grip and ergonomics.  I have put thousands of rounds through it without one malfunction.  It is reliable, accurate and I like the break/reset of the trigger pull even more than the Glock.  This is my primary IDPA stock service pistol and with my recent grip change, I am getting better with each trip to the range.  If you are looking for a great alternative to the Glock, give it a try.  I am taking nothing away from Glocks, they are great handguns.  I made my decision to get the M&P strictly because I liked the way the grip felt more, plain and simple.  Anyway, check out how it performs in the Magpul DVD, the Art of the Dynamic Handgun.  This is required viewing as far as I'm concerned so check it out!

My Daniel Defense M4V5

This is the latest update to my AR build.  Can't imagine I will be doing anything else besides adding a EOTech magnifier and a AAC suppressor at some point later.  Latest addition is the AAC Blackout flashhider.  Here are the details:

• Daniel Defense M4V5 midlength with flared mag well, QD swivel system, Omega X Rail 12.0, Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 twist, 16″ Govt Profile, Mid-length Gas System, Chrome Lined, MP tested, and Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate coated barrel.  5.56 and all Mil-Spec.
• Magpul MBUS GEN2 sights, MIAD grip, MOE Stock with enhanced rubber butt pad, PMAG, AFG and ladder rail panels.
• Troy Industries Ambi Mag Release and Ambi Bolt Release.
• Badger Ordnance Left Handed Tactical Charging Handle.
• Advanced Armament Corp Blackout Flashhider 51T.
• EOTech XPS2-2 Holographic Sight.
• UTG 26mm Combat IRB LED 150 Lumens.
• Magpul MS2 and Viking Tactics single/double point sling combo.

    

The Films of Michael Mann

                                                                                                             
If there was ever a filmmaker who constantly pursued the truth and authenticity of people and the worlds they live in, it's Michael Mann.  I don't think there is another artist who is as meticulous about the details that make the story and it's characters as real as possible.  Whether it is a historical epic like "Last of the Mohicans" or his masterpiece "Heat" the details are always right on the money.  This comes from doing diligent research and also hiring the very best in technical advisers.  Weapons manipulation has always been a hallmark of all of Michael Mann's films going back to Thief's James Caan and his slicing the pie with his 1911 to Miami Vice's Don Johnson taking out the trash with his Bren Ten.  The epic battle between Deniro and Pacino at the end of Heat was a great example of experienced guys using tactics and guile to defeat each other.  Most recently, Tom Cruise in Collateral, the way he handled those guys in the alley, worth the price of admission alone.  Heck, even Johnny Depp got into the mix with 1911's and Tommy guns in Public Enemies.  I heard that Michael Mann was returning to TV to do a show about horse racing but I hope he returns to the world of crime real soon.  Make sure you check out the above films if you haven't seen them.  Even if you have, check them out again and keep an eye out for those little details that elevate his films above the rest.

        

It's all in the grip

For years I had the standard thumbs forward grip that I was taught by watching Rob Leatham VHS tapes from back in the 90's.  I definitely had better control and was faster in reacquiring my front site and target and felt pretty good about the way I shot my handguns.  Fast forward to this past year and I noticed a slight modification to this grip that was being used by Chris Costa of Magpul Dymanics and Bob Vogel from the Panteao IDPA DVD.  It's hard teaching an old dog new tricks but I thought, let me give it a try.  All I can saw is wow, what a difference.  It has taken my pistol shooting to the next level.  Recoil control is simply amazing.  Give it a try yourself and see what happens.  I highly recommend both the Panteao DVD and the Magpul Dynamics DVD for the exact technique and instruction on this slightly modified grip.  Give me your feedback!