100-yard indoor range
redsguns.com
SURE SHOTS MAG | ISSUE 17 | june 2016
14 FEATURE
JUST BREATHE Becca Spinks breaks down why proper breathing is imperative to shooting.
18 FEATURE
Range Refreshers Jenna Johnson helps make summer training a bit more exciting and a few degrees cooler with three easy and delicious recipes.
TRAINING 06
DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN
09
USPSA: Perfecting pistol
10 stippling: A Girl’s how-to 13 one to watch: MADDIE DALTON
Feature pictorial by dustin meyer 22 Sure Shot leah proves that everything’s bigger in texas
LIFESTYLE 30 style me tactical: preparedness 32 WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY: julie golob 34
HOW WE EDC
Photo by Carrin Welch.
REVIEWS 36
O ffhand gear’s norb-c
39
Galco CarrySafe Gen 2
40
KLAX® Lumberjack by Klecker Knives
ruger super redhawk .454 Casull courtesy of guns warehouse
FROM THE EDITOR
I
t’s really a lucky break when you need a gorgeous location for a photoshoot and all you have to do is call a friend, who just happens to own more than one stunning property... Our friend, Jeremy, first offered up his super-hip bar, The Blackheart, back when we shot Issue 10’s Film Noir theme with Sure Shot Rachea (that mirrored knife shot is still one of my all-time fave Dustin Meyer photos!). Jeremy’s newest place, Proof & Cooper, was the perfect setting for this issue’s “Everything’s Bigger In Texas” theme, with its beautiful, giant bar, huge retro neon signs, and a rolling back lawn under a beautiful clear Texas sky. Scarfing down their fried chicken and craft cocktails was an added bonus, and the perfect end to yet another great cover shoot. We are extremely thankful for Jeremy and all the people who continually support our effort and help make our vision come to life. We are also thankful to our friend Mike, who not only brought us his mega-truck for the photoshoot, but threw in a couple baby goats, too—which we snuggled the whole time, and one even made it into the final photos! Now that the summer’s here, we wanted to come up with some refreshing options for those exhaustingly hot training days, so we asked our resident southern cook, Jenna Johnson, who also happens to be our very own copy editor, to do the honors. Jenna came up with three fantastic ideas—and we know this firsthand, because we insisted on spending a night in her kitchen as taste-testers! We couldn’t be more thrilled that this issue’s Woman In The Industry is the one-and-only Julie Golob. Becca and I shared Julie’s book Shoot on the plane en route to a recent training event, and we definitely recommend it! We make no secret of the fact that we can’t get enough of 16-year-old competitive shooter and regular Sure Shots Magazine contributor Cheyenne Dalton, but this issue we feature another Dalton: Cheyenne’s 12-year-old sister, Maddie, who is equally impressive, poised, and all-around cool. These two sisters front a bluegrass band that will blow your mind—check out That Dalton Gang!
Shoot straight! -Niki
Must-read!
My happy place!
4 | sure shots mag | issue 17
Proof & Cooper’s fried chicken with gravy tots
Goat photo by Dustin Meyer. Fried chicken photo courtesy of Proof & COoper.
I hope you all have some great plans for summer and can get some time on the range as well as some time to relax, and we hope you enjoy this issue.
Founder and editor-in-chief
Niki Jones associate editor and webmaster
Carrin Welch Copy Editor
Jenna Johnson Content Lead
Becca Spinks
contributors
Terry Dalton Maddie Dalton Bill Ferris Julie Golob Dustin Meyer Jeremy Murray Mark Sager Matthew Skutnik Kingsley Spinks Leah Thompson Emily Valentine Jessica Aline Wright
Sure Shots Magazine is a free publication. For submission requirements, email sureshotsmagazine@gmail.com All content Š2016 Sure Shots Magazine. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission. Visit us online at sureshotsmagazine.com. For ad sales contact SureShotsMagAds@gmail.com.
6 | sure shots mag | issue 17 16
defensive Shotgun With Mick Houston of Condition 1 photos and story BY CARRIN WELCH In 2012-2013, I was working in Nashville on a TV show and forced myself out of my comfort zone by shooting a few matches in the area. I made a few good friends at those matches; one of them was Mick Houston. After discovering he was a firearms instructor with Condition-1 Firearms Training Academy, I decided to take a pistol course from him. The course was challenging and truly pushed me; the instructors were great and the class was fun. Mick contacted me not long after I returned home to Austin about the possibility of presenting a class to the Austin Sure Shots. I was immediately on-board for a few reasons:
ladies, who came to the class with varying experience levels and a wide variety of shotguns. We started the day early in the classroom, where Mick went through the history of the shotgun, broke it down into parts for us, talked about different styles, uses, and the numerous ways to configure a shotgun. He gave us a lot of info about gauges and how the ammo differs for each gauge. We had a great discussion about the practicalities—positive and negative—of home defense with a shotgun, and which ammo is best suited for that situation. I’ve taken a number of shooting courses with various instructors and companies, and I have experienced the 1) At Sure Shots, we encourage our ladies to train with a variety of great and the terrible. Mick is a great instructor; during the classroom instructors to get a well-rounded knowledge base, and Mick had portion I was most impressed with his ability to assess and adapt to never taught a class for us his audience. He provided a lot of well-organized information, he kept 2) I knew Mick was a passionate shooter and instructor, and was the class moving and interesting by allowing space for questions – and excited for other Sure Shots to get the chance to train with him there were a lot of them! We moved to the range about midday, and after a little setup and a 3) I thought it was REALLY cool that he wanted to travel all the break for lunch, Mick continued instruction with a safety brief, shooting way to Texas to train our Sure Shots techniques, stance, and proper loading and unloading. Once we finished Developing shooting courses specifically for women the prep for the shooting portion, it was clear that has some inherent difficulties. With some exceptions, everyone was ready to start putting holes in paper. It was interesting to see many women don’t have the time to spend 2-3 days While all the students had plenty of shooting on the range for training, not to mention the high how almost every gun experience with pistols and/or rifles, a number of costs usually associated with shooting courses and had a different pattern, them were complete newbies to shotguns. Due to workshops. In order to appeal to everyday women, this, we took our time getting ready to shoot. Once even with the same or you have to consider family schedules and budgets, shotguns were in the ladies hands, Mick ran the similar ammunition. while still providing quality training. When we look ladies through loading and reloading techniques for courses to present to the Sure Shots, we want to and started patterning the shotguns. It was make sure that all of these factors are considered by the instructors. interesting to see how almost every gun had a different pattern, even Mick “got it” immediately and was willing to offer a good rate for the with the same or similar ammunition. This part of the class gave the class, be flexible on the time and material, and deliver on a quality ladies a chance to get comfortable with the mechanics of their shotgun, course. I knew his heart was in it for the right reasons. and Mick was able to take a little time with each student. Scheduling was a slow process, as Niki and I are both busy ladies, but There were more drills as the afternoon progressed, interspersed Mick was patient throughout and we were able to find a date that worked with time out for discussion and demonstrations. As the end of our class for all of us: October 24, 2015. Once the ball started rolling, we had a lot drew near, it was clear that everyone was having a good time, so we of ladies interested, and they signed up quickly. In true Texas fashion, decided to extend the class and those of us who could do so stayed and just before the scheduled weekend, the weather started to turn ugly, and kept shooting. It was so worth it! Mick ended the day with two really there was concern that we may have to cancel. It didn’t matter; Mick fun drills: Rolling Thunder and Select-A-Slug. I am not even going to was committed and traveled to Austin with a guest instructor, Bonnie try to explain them, because there is no way I would do justice to the Mateo, a badass lady and founder of the Nashville Pistols Shooting experience, but both drills were a huge hit with the class and really Society. Unfortunately, the night before the class, the sky unleashed an demonstrated the skills the ladies had developed throughout the day. epic thunderstorm and the range flooded. We ended up having to call off As with every course I take, attend, or coach, I am always impressed the class. The weekend wasn’t a total wash; I got to spend some time with with how people can improve in just that short time. But more Mick and Bonnie and truly enjoyed it. But what really impressed me was importantly, I’m impressed with the confidence that is built in those that Mick didn’t just cancel the class; he left it up to the ladies who had signed up: if they wanted to reschedule the class, he offered to come back! classes. At Sure Shots, we see this A LOT. Women gain confidence by learning about firearms and firearms safety, and learning to shoot in a Of course they wanted the class, so we rescheduled for the spring. fun and safe environment. At the end of the day, everyone left with a Fast forward to April 2, 2016, a beautiful Texas spring day at Best of the West. This time, cool temperatures and sunny skies greeted Mick and sense of accomplishment, appreciation for what they had learned, and the 10 ladies taking the course. He had a full day of training ready for the a smile on their face, including our instructor.
Mick Houston is a founding owner of Condition-1 Firearms Academy. Drawn to the martial arts at an early age, he has a strong background in combative arts including instructorship in Jun Fan Gung Fu and the Filipino Martial Arts. Firearms training was a natural progression that has become a real passion for him. He is a TN-certified instructor and holds an instructor certification from Rangemaster. He promotes a well-rounded self-defense skill set from a civilian perspective. sureshotsmag.com | 7
THE UlTIMATE FIREARM pROTEcTION The patented design of the Safety Scabbard accepts any long gun, shotgun or rifle trigger-first, making the trigger virtually impossible to access once the gun is properly secured, storing it in a safe, upright position.
h MADE IN THE USA h SURE SHOTS MAGAZINE READERS GET 10% OFF by USING cODE SSM17 AT cHEckOUT!
scabbard.com
8 | sure shots mag | issue 17
|
1 - 8 7 7 - H U N T- s a F ( 4 8 6 - 8 7 2 3 )
USPSA perfecting
pistol BY jessica aline wright
Thank you to Lan and Michael for always letting me pick your brains and being such great mentors to me. Always, thank you to my amazing and supportive sponsors Trop Gun Shop, Vigilance Tactical, Nordic Components, Lucas Oil Outdoor Line, Warne Scope Mounts, Invictus Practical, Lantac USA, CMC Triggers, ESS Eye Safety Systems, Dissident Arms, Notchgear and Sure Shots. Facebook: facebook.com/powerhousemouse | Twitter: @powerhousemouse Instagram: powerhousemouse | YouTube: youtube.com/c/JessicaWrightpowerhousemouse
Photo courtesy of Jessica Aline Wright.
“Dry-fire pistol,” “Shoot pistol matches,” “Live fire practice with your pistol,” …Pistol! Pistol! Pistol! You hear this everywhere in the shooting world. I have heard it multiple times on the 3 Gun Show podcast, directly from other shooters, and especially the shooters I look up to. By the end of the 2015 season I realized that my pistol skills were my weakest. I would burn down a stage on shotgun and rifle, and then bomb with my pistol.
Lan Nguyen and Michael Whitesides at Dissident Arms put up with my constant pestering and let me tag along with them at a local USPSA match put on by Kidlat Shooters at Pacleb Ranch. The first stage had two Texas Stars. Now with a shotgun in a three gun match this was a piece of cake but we weren’t using shotguns and we obviously we weren’t at a three gun match. We read through the stage descriptions and began walking the stage. Lan and Michael then asked me,”What’s your plan?” I spilled them my plan even the reloads and then I got another question asking why. Why?! Well that’s what looks good in my head. They each then continued to elaborate why I should try it this way and it was USPSA is about speed; the smallest things they pointed out that I didn’t it forces you to have see. The placement of your foot, how far you lean, quick footwork, smart the direction you are going with your reload. Wow! stage planning and to What an eye opener. Then the shooters each shot watch your front sight. the stage and most struggled with the Texas Stars. Now I was the shooter in the hole. I began walking the stage behind everyone while the shooter shot the stage but with my plan. Then I was the shooter on deck. Again, walked the stage as though I was the shooter while the actual shooter was shooting. This helped me have that plan in my head so that I didn’t have to think about it as much while shooting. My turn came and I began shooting, then came the Texas Stars. I struggled but not as badly as I had expected and I actually cleaned both stars. I was so happy with myself. The rest of the match went the same. “What’s your plan?” “Why not try this?” Oh, I see now! It’s starting to click! After just one USPSA match, I see how it translates to three gun tremendously. USPSA is about speed and it forces you to have quick footwork, smart stage planning and to watch your front sight. Not to mention there is a lot less gear to bring and ammo to carry. When not shooting a local three gun match or major three gun match, I highly suggest shooting a USPSA match.
sureshotsmag.com | 9
STIPPLING
A Girl’s How-To - story and photos by kingsley spinks stip·ple (verb) mark a surface with numerous small dots or specks (drawing, painting, or engraving).
Stippling the gripping surfaces of polymer-framed guns has become a very popular topic. From AR-15s to handguns, a high-quality stippling job creates a nonslip surface to improve your grip on the gun, and it looks really cool, too! Best of all, this effect can be easily created at home with a simple soldering iron. Here are the basics: 1. Decide where you want to stipple the gun, whether it be the entire grip or a section of the frame of a handgun. You can choose to do the entire grip and frame or just certain sections. HT ip: Get creative! Many parts of the gun can be stippled aside from just the grip and frame, such as the trigger guard and even the base plates of magazines.
2. Make sure the surface is flat and clean. If there is already a design or ridges on the grip, you can sand it down to make a flat surface. 3. Figure out what size you want your stippling dots to be and what design you want to go for, and then find a starting point. 4. Begin stippling by pressing the point of the heated smoldering iron into the polymer and repeat until the area is covered. It’s much easier if you have some kind of pattern to follow instead of doing it randomly and it’s best to try to use the same amount of pressure and angle for every dot you place. Also, try to complete the entire stippling job in one sitting, if possible. If you choose to stipple over the course of several days, you may end up with a pattern that varies day to day. This can result in noticeable shading variances. HT ip: Practice makes perfect! Before you go to town on the grip of your favorite gun, try picking up an aftermarket AR-15 grip to perfect your stippling pattern.
5. Test it out! Once the pattern is finished, it is ready to go. Take your gun to the range and do some shooting. See how great the grip feels in your hand! So what are you waiting for? Start stippling! Kinglsey Spinks is an avid shooter, hunter, and gun enthusiast. She works as a gunsmith at Blackjack Gunsmithing, an Austin, Texas-based gun shop.
10 | sure shots mag | issue 17
1 3
2 4
5
sureshotsmag.com |  11
ONE TO WATCH
MADDIE DALTON LOCKWOOD
MISSOURI Age: 12 Grade: 6th
Age started shooting: 10 Competes in: NSSF Rimfire Challenge Competition gun: Ruger 22/45 Favorite gun and why: “My favorite gun is my Ruger 10/22 because I feel I can control it well.” Future goals for shooting: To start shooting USPSA and possibly 3-Gun Other hobbies: Playing in her bluegrass band (That Dalton Gang), singing, and listening to different kinds of music
Photo by Terry Dalton.
Sponsors: Tactical Solutions, Pro-Shot Products, patriotskinz.com, Fast Five Photography, The Dalton Family Farm
sureshotsmag.com | 13
Breathe, Shoot, Repeat. Breathe. That one word seems so simple and so obvious. Air comes in, CO2 goes out, and we remain upright and conscious. Breathing is, unfortunately, an often overlooked fundamental of shooting. Try to remember your first time shooting a gun at the range. Chances are you were so focused on perfecting your grip, stance, sight alignment, sight picture and trigger control, that you may have caught yourself holding your breath a time or two. Reduced oxygen quickly leads to mental and physical fatigue, and consequently, a dramatic decrease in the quality of shooting performance. Breathing is an automatic bodily function. It is not an option if we want to stay alive, and it is not usually a conscious decision. So why, when faced with pressure to perform in a stressful environment, is it so hard to remember to do?
14 |  sure shots mag |  issue 17
Photo by Mark Sager.
BY BECCA SPINKS
sureshotsmag.com |  15
The
Fight or Flight Eyes DilateD pupils, Tunnel vision
Response MUSCLES
MOUTH Decreased saliva
BLOODFLOW INCREASES, READY TO MOVE!
LUNGS
HEART
increased respiration
Increased rate
stomach slowed digestion
HANDS trembling, loss of fine motor skills
skin sweating, chills
16 | sure shots mag | issue 17
When we are feeling threatened, nervous, or just plain stressed out, the result is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the ‘fight or flight response’, which is a physiological reaction to an event we perceive as being a threat to our survival. This reaction results in a surge of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenalin, which prepares the body to move and react quickly. As a result, some bodily functions, such as heart rate, are increased, and other functions, such as digestion, are decreased. Other physiological effects include dilated pupils, flushing, shaking, and even tunnel vision. These negative effects often result in a loss of fine motor function and hinder our ability to think rationally. Although this trait evolved to help us survive life-threatening dilemmas, anyone who has given a big speech or performed at an important sporting event can attest to experiencing the fight or flight response in a relatively innocuous setting. For these situations, correct breathing can mean the difference between success and failure. In a critical situation, however, correct breathing can mean the difference between life and death. First responders such as firefighters and police are taught a technique known as ‘tactical breathing’ which is meant to calm them down in high-stress situations. By learning to breathe correctly under stress, a cop can help keep his hands from shaking in a hostile situation, and a firefighter can build up the nerve to run into a burning building to save a life. The sequence for tactical breathing is as follows:
execute perfectly. Tunnel vision, which is a momentary loss of peripheral vision while focused on the immediate threat, is another side effect of sympathetic activation which can lead to dire consequences, particularly in a defensive shooting scenario. Training under stress is a great way to gain experience in performing under pressure, thus negating these effects should the unthinkable occur. And one of the main tenements of training under pressure is – you guessed it – learning to breathe! Indeed, proper breathing can be the key to retaining control in a critical situation. By reducing the sympathetic response, we are able to calm our emotions and regain our ability to think clearly, perform well and respond appropriately to a threat. After a stressful event, proper breathing can sharpen focus and minimize negative thoughts and emotion. For example, after a defensive shooting has occurred, it is important to remain calm and aware of any other potential threats in the vicinity. Consciously focusing on breathing can also improve your ability to remember the situation accurately and communicate the details appropriately to authorities. In a competitive shooting environment, being able to calm yourself before and after each stage is critical to performance. Many athletes utilize a personal mantra to repeat in their heads prior to a performance. Consider coming up with your own mantra to remind yourself to relax and breathe. Consciously focusing on the breath while performing breathing exercises pre-performance is a surefire way to relax the body and the mind, and prepare yourself for an excellent run. After your run, you should use your breath to help calm yourself down quickly. This will allow you to troubleshoot if necessary, focus on areas for improvement, 1. Breathe in through your nose to the count of 4. and mentally prepare yourself for your next stage. 2. Hold your breath to the count of 4. When practicing at the stationary range, consider taking your time and utilizing your natural respiratory pause. Your natural respiratory pause 3. Breathe out through your mouth to the count of 4. is the second or so between the end of your exhalation and the beginning 4. Hold your breath to the count of 4. of your next inhalation. This pause is where you are at your most stable 5. Repeat until you feel your body and mind relax. point physiologically, and where you can make your most accurate shot. It is common to see shooters, both beginner and experienced alike, Another breathing technique commonly taught to athletes is burn through magazines and ammo much too quickly during stationary known as “power breathing”. Power breathing is simply exhaling shooting practice. Over such a high volume, the breath often gets for twice as long as you inhale. Inhale through the nose x1, exhale forgotten, and the result is a gradually widening spread on the target. through the mouth x2. Sounds simple, right? Breathing techniques To practice mindful breathing at the range, try the following such as tactical and power breathing work by causing your exercise. Take a deep breath while loading a single round body to switch from a sympathetic nervous system into your magazine and placing it on the table. Exhale state (fight or flight) to a parasympathetic state (rest slowly while taking one step back from the table. and digest). Because the fight or flight response Inhale again as you step up to the table, load the can be experienced across a range of extremes magazine, chamber the round into your gun, and in non-life threatening situations as correct breathing and place it down on the table. As you exhale, well as critical ones, average citizens can take a step back from the table again. Finally, also benefit from learning and applying can mean the take a deep breath while stepping up to the these breathing techniques. Athletes and table and picking up the pistol. Exhale slowly difference between performers may use them to relax before as you bring your sights onto the target. At the an important event, and people who suffer respiratory pause, gently press the trigger to from severe anxiety can use them as a form the rear. After the shot, take a short break of of daily meditation to reduce stress levels several breaths, then repeat this exercise several and allow them to regain some normalcy times. Try to execute each of the motions in a and over their lives. single breathing sequence, either inhalation or What does all of this have to do with exhalation. It may sound complicated at first, but this casual shooting, you may ask? The answer is technique will soon become second nature. The result EVERYTHING. During practice at the range, should be an increase in mindfulness of your breath, and many people experience a sympathetic nervous system eventually, a prettier target. reaction. They may notice an elevation in heart rate, sweaty hands Part of what makes breathing techniques so easy to master is that they and a loss of attention to their surroundings. The severity of these can be practiced anywhere! Try using some of these methods the next effects is generally proportional to experience, however, even time you are in a long line at the grocery store, stressed at work, or stuck the most highly skilled shooters may fall victim at times. In a self in traffic. Getting used to breathing more effectively in your everyday defense situation, these effects are amplified to an extreme level. life will naturally translate to calm, focused, and proficient shooting, no Fundamentals such as grip and sight picture become much harder to matter the situation. There, now... Don’t you feel better?
success failure.
sureshotsmag.com | 17
b
RANGE
Refreshers
Get through summer training with the help of these three easy and delicious fixes recipes and photos by JENNA JOHNSON
Summers down here in Texas can be brutal, reaching temps well over a 100. We don’t want
Cucumber Mint Coconut Water
to put shooting on hold during those hot months, so you have to make sure you stay wellhydrated and fueled to survive the heat. Here are a few of my favorite quick recipes to toss in the ice chest that will keep you cool as a cucumber, even on the hottest of days!
18 | sure shots mag | issue 17
Coconut water does wonders for keeping you hydrated, plus replenishing those precious electrolytes that you lose through sweating. Prepare this the night before and store in the fridge overnight to get the most flavor infusion from the cucumber and mint! Ingredients: 1 bottle of Coconut Water (or you can use Spring Water if coconut water isn’t your thing) 2 sprigs of fresh mint 1 small seedless cucumber Slice the cucumber and place in sports bottle. Pull the mint leaves from the stems and bruise lightly with the back of your knife (to release the essential oils in the mint) Add to the sports bottle. Then pour the bottle or carton of coconut water to fill the sports bottle, leaving enough room to add ice in the morning. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
RAN
H YD
G
RAT E OR
sureshotsmag.com |  19
E G AN ER
ROOST B
no-bake chocolate peanut butter bites No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bites These little bits are a breeze to make and will help you keep your strength up for a lengthy match. In less than 10 minutes, you’re done and back to organizing your range bag to prepare for match day! Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. peanut butter (I used PB2 to reduce the fat in the recipe) 2 Tbsp. skim or 1% milk 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not the quick-cooking oats!) In a small saucepan, place the peanut butter, milk and chocolate chips and cook over low heat until the chips melt and the mixture is smooth, which takes about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rolled oats. Once it’s thoroughly mixed, use a spoon or melon baller to portion out approximately 8 bites onto a sheet of wax paper. Let set in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes, then move to an airtight container to store. 20 | sure shots mag | issue 17
POS T-R CH ANGE
ILLE
R
Pineapple & Cilantro Moscow Mule After you get home from that long day at the range and you’re dirty, dusty and sweaty, what’s better than an ice cold cocktail! This is one of our favorite takes on a popular drink: Ingredients: 6 cilantro leaves 1 1/2 ounces vodka 4 Tbsp pineapple puree 1 Tbsp freshly-squeezed lime juice ginger beer crushed ice Gently muddle the cilantro leaves with a few pieces of crushed ice in the bottom of a copper mug to release their oils. Add more ice to the top and pour in the vodka, pineapple puree and lime juice. Top off the mug with the ginger beer. Stir and enjoy!!
sureshotsmag.com | 21
22 | sure shots mag | issue 17
Of course we had to feature another native Texan for this issue’s featured pictorial theme, and Sure Shot Leah is Houston born-and-bred! Like any good Texan girl, she began shooting at age 12 and has now begun competing in 3-Gun. When not on the range, this marketing manager is also a National Physique Committee Bikini competitor. Don’t let her small stature (she’s only 5’1”) fool you— Leah is a force to be reckoned with!
In the photos Leah carries a Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull courtesy of Guns Warehouse; a McBros single-shot .50BMG on a McMillan Big Mack tactical stock with Sound Technology suppressor courtesy of Bill Ferris; and a machete courtesy of BSG Security Services. Goat and truck courtesy of the Metz Family Homestead. Shot on location at Proof & Cooper, 18710 Hamilton Pool Rd., Dripping Springs, TX, proofandcooper.com.
Everything’s
BIGGER
IN
PHOTOS BY DUSTIN MEYER
sureshotsmag.com | 23
24 | sure shots mag | issue 17
sureshotsmag.com |  25
26 | sure shots mag | issue 17
sureshotsmagazine.com sureshotsmag.com |  27
28 | sure shots mag | issue 17
sureshotsmag.com |  29
Style Me Tactical
PREPAREDNESS ITEMS Longer daylight hours mean that impromptu day trips start filling up our weekends. My favorite kind of day trips involves exploring new areas with friends & family and to make it even better, you get to leave the suitcase behind! Whether your day trip involves meeting up with girlfriends, exploring a new part of your city, or attending an event a couple hours away, you still want to be prepared and have some essentials handy. After all, popping back home typically isn’t a viable option. -Emily Valentine
Bag: Depending on where I’m heading will depend on the bag that I take but it’s usually one of my tote bags. If I know I need to be hands free, then I’ll opt for my backpack.
myCharge portable phone charger: A lifesaver if you’ve been ‘gramming all day. The last thing you want is to run into a low battery situation if an emergency comes up.
YSL card holder: I condense my wallet down to the necessities in this card holder.
Reusable bag: I always have a reusable bag with me. If you find anything on your adventure, then having your own bag is not only eco-friendly, but it makes life easier than carrying a bunch of smaller bags.
Snack/bar: I always like to carry a small snack or nut bar with me just in case I need a boost of energy. WH Tactical ‘Hers’ kit: This little kit packs a powerful punch of preparedness essentials. It covers everything from feminine hygiene products and first aid supplies to a water filter and pepper spray. This is definitely one of those items that you’ll be thankful you had should you need it. And it barely takes up any room. Legion XM-18 knife: I usually keep this in my waistband of my jeans. However, depending on what I’m wearing, that’s not always feasible, so I’ll clip it to the top of my tote.
Quay sunglasses: Never leave home without a pair of sunnies. KleenKanteen water bottle: I always bring a small bottle of water with me. Makeup bag: A girls gotta look fresh, right? I usually carry some antibacterial lotion, breath mints, lipstick, and a few other girly things to freshen up with. iPhone and earphones
Check out the Style Me Tactical blog: stylemetactical.com | Follow Style Me Tactical on Instagram: @ stylemetactical
30 | sure shots mag | issue 17
sureshotsmag.com |  31
Photo courtesy of Style Me Tactical.
t
WOMEN in the INDUSTRY Julie Golob
Competitive Shooter and author
“
I want to constantly improve and try new sports and platforms so that I can be the best all around shooter I can be, no matter the target.
Photo by Matthew Skutnik.
”
32 | sure shots mag | issue 17
Julie Golob is probably one of the most well-known professional female shooters. A champion, spokesperson, author, hunter, self proclaimed foodie, wife and mother, this woman is a powerhouse with an infectiously positive attitude who really needs no introduction. —Carrin Welch SSM: Please tell us a little about yourself and your background. Where to begin? [Laughs] I’m a daddy’s girl who fell in love with shooting and hunting at a young age. You might be surprised to learn I was born and raised in New York, where gun laws are extremely strict. What started out as a hobby became so much more. I began a career as a professional shooter when I was recruited to shoot for the United States Army Marksmanship Unit on their Action Shooting Team. Fast forward many years later to now, I am the Captain of Team Smith & Wesson and get to represent amazing companies and organizations -Federal Premium, Project ChildSafe, Trijicon, Safariland, Benelli and the NRA. I travel all over the U.S., and even internationally, competing and sharing a passion for shooting sports, responsible gun ownership and firearm safety. SSM: How long have you been shooting? What made you decide to start shooting competitively? This year marks my silver anniversary in shooting. 25 years has flown by so fast. I fell in love with the shooting sports as a youngster by working matches and volunteering as a range officer. After several years of watching and getting to meet pro shooters, I dreamed about becoming one of them. When I was 14, my dad and I felt that I was ready. I competed in my first match and if there was ever a question of being into it before, there was no doubt then. I was completely hooked. SSM: When and how did you get your first sponsors? I was competing as a junior at a state competition when I was approached to shoot for Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center. The company has a long history of supporting juniors and women, in addition to always keeping their eye out for rising talent. I was in the right place at the right time. Smith & Wesson was my first sponsor and now I am the Captain of their shooting team. It’s funny how things come full circle. SSM: How did getting sponsorships change how you approached the sport? Donning that Team Smith & Wesson jersey for the first time was such an honor. Up until that point, I shot for fun and to achieve my own personal goals. Having the opportunity to represent an iconic brand like Smith & Wesson, I was even more motivated to perform well and improve. SSM: What is the best part of being involved in the shooting sports? It’s cliché, but it’s the people. There is a sense of community and likemindedness in shooting. That and shooters are some of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet. Shooting is great fun, but the people are really what make the shooting sports special. SSM: Have there been any lessons competing has taught you? Competing in the shooting sports has taught me how to set goals and achieve them. I’ve also learned the value of hard work. You can’t fake your way to a win. There’s blood, sweat and a good bit of tears, but meeting those goals is so deeply rewarding on a personal level. Hard work and being honest with yourself can not only help you be successful on the range, but those qualities can also help you achieve so much in life too. SSM: If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
In shooting, it would have to be our sport’s Great One. Rob Leatham can shoot anything, from shotguns and rifles to action shooting and even precision bulls-eye. Every time I am on the range with him, I learn something. He doesn’t just teach students how to shoot like he shoots (though that is truly awesome), he takes into account a shooter’s size, mass and physical capability like no other trainer I know. His knowledge and ability to analyze deficiency in technique across so many platforms is unparalleled. In life, though she has passed, it would have been so amazing to meet Annie Oakley. Shooting is still dominated by men, but she was setting records and breaking barriers long before the sports I compete in even existed. Her shooting skills, plus her beliefs in women’s rights and equality, put her so far ahead of her time. She is so often overlooked as a pioneer for our gender. It would be amazing to talk with her, and spend time on the range! SSM: What is your primary weapon (or weapons) and why? Firearms are tools for me and each has a specific job. If I am hunting waterfowl, I’m using my Benelli Super Vinci. If I’m filling the freezer with venison, I turn to my Smith & Wesson M&P10. For personal defense, I rely on my M&P Shield. In competition, I use everything from a Performance Center 929 and 1911 to an M&P CORE, whatever the sport’s division requires. I have a primary firearm for each purpose. SSM: What are your top three shooting goals right now? Two goals are specific competition goals and the third is an overall one. I would like to shoot a perfect score in action shooting competition, the coveted 1920. Then there’s the one title that has eluded me all these years, an individual Gold Medal at the IPSC World Shoot. The World Shoot is practical shooting’s version of the Olympics and it only happens once every three years. Finally, shooting is a journey. I want to constantly improve and try new sports and platforms so that I can be the best all around shooter I can be, no matter the target. SSM: Where do you see yourself in five years? 40 is right around the corner for me so over these next five years I will be working hard to stay at the top of my game for as long as I can. With that said, I also plan to transition more to being an even better spokesperson for shooting sports and firearm safety. I want to encourage others, including my children, to learn how to shoot so that they too can benefit from it all as much as I have. SSM: What is the best shooting advice you have been given that you feel might be important to share with our readers? The best advice is to focus on the fundamentals. In practical shooting and speed shooting, it’s so easy to get caught up on specific skills for specific events. At the end of the day though, your success with the core shooting skills will not only help you deliver under pressure on the range, they also boost your confidence and therefore give you an edge in your mental game. SSM: And for our final question… If you could be any character in a movie, who would it be & why? Now that’s a question I have never been asked! Bond… Julie Bond! [Laughs] Imagine a female Double O who fights terrorism, cartels and other evils in the world while driving beautiful cars and wearing a lovely Omega with impeccable clothes tailored to conceal, fit and flatter. Indeed, I’d be Bond. sureshotsmag.com | 33
HOW WE
RACHEA
34 | sure shots mag | issue 17
TRICIA
APRIL
EDC Story and photos By carrin welch
Women have a unique situation when we decide to carry concealed; we want a carry option that is functional, but allows us to stay fashionable. Austin Sure Shots Women’s Pistol League is a very diverse group of women from every walk of life with a focus on shooting safely, training regularly, and having fun. This series will explore how and what the ladies of Austin Sure Shots carry daily for self-protection. Rachea is a wife, mother of two busy boys, and a real estate agent. When working she carries her Glock 43 (nicknamed “W”) in a Huckleberry Tactical IWB holster, and just to have another tool under her belt—literally—she carries a modified Persian 10-41 Matt Helm knife in Matt Helmdesigned kydex holster with Ka-bar clip. She trains regularly with her police-officer husband.
Tricia is a Health and Safety Officer with a government agency that does not allow her to carry concealed at work. In her non-work life she carries a Glock 43 in a variety of holsters, depending on her outfit. Here, she is carrying in a belly band from The Well Armed Women.
April is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist, which makes it hard for her to carry concealed at work. But, like many of our Austin Sure Shots, she has other self-defense tools at her disposal. Here, she is carrying her ASP Palm Defender Pepper Spray and Streamlight ProTac1L. April recently took a defensive shotgun course; read more about it on page 6.
sureshotsmag.com | 35
DAILY CARRY
Photo by Carrin Welch.
RANGE CARRY
36 | sure shots mag | issue 17
NORB C Offhand Gear offers beautiful but rugged products designed by a badass woman for women, made in the USA. Sandi Keller brought an innovative range bag design to market in 2012 with the NORB (No Ordinary Range Bag—see our review in Issue #9). People are immediately intrigued by the look of the NORB, and anyone who carries one loves it. Under its sharp style, you’d never know that it is made to do a heavy job, carry the plethora items you need for shooting. This bag has become a favorite with women shooters, and has established a reputation for being the coolest range bag on the market. Now it has a little sister! The NORB-C (No Ordinary Range Bag – Compact) is the latest in the expanding line of products by Offhand Gear. It’s got a number of the same features as the original NORB, like the signature bungee straps, heavy duty, ambidextrous zippers, and Kryptek™ Typhon fabric. The biggest differences lie in the bag’s size and intention. It’s meant not only to be a smaller alternative to the original, but also something that can be more of a daily carry. With a zippered pouch that offers credit card slots, cell phone holder, an attached loop for your keys that can be detached easily, and plenty of room for a small make up bag the NORB-C makes it simple to carry all your personal items. I like that the main section, with all the bells and whistles to carry your favorite gun to the range, can double as a place to put a tablet, e-reader, or small laptop and all the accessories. Sandi has a good eye, and takes her time considering the design as well as a woman’s needs. The NORB C is just one of her many new products she launched this year at SHOT Show, including a shooting mat and NORBs in cool new fabrics. NORB-C retails for $129. and is available at offhandgear.com. - Carrin Welch
sureshotsmag.com | 37
38 | sure shots mag | issue 17
Galco CarrySafe Gen 2 in your purse. You can adjust the height of where the backing plate sits, which is great, because each purse has different features and design. The front of the backing plate is covered in Velcro, so you can orient the cant of the holster to get the most comfortable draw. The holster itself comes in varying sizes for specific firearm models, and is elasticized, so it has a nice, snug fit. It also has a removable thumb retention strap with a snap. I did find the snap a bit difficult to unsnap with one hand—it took a bit of practice before I got the hang of it (I am not used to using holsters with retention; just tension). A nice feature of the CarrySafe is that it has a pouch to hold a spare magazine—something I’ll admit I didn’t often carry when purse-carrying my “old” way. The clip on the backing plate is certainly solid, and it attaches well to even the thinnest edge. But because the backing plate is wide enough to hold a gun and a magazine, I wonder if instead of one centered clip, if there were two—one on each end—this holster would have an even more solid attachment to the purse. The CarrySafe is now part of my EDC, and I am extremely happy with it. The GalcoCarrySafe Gen 2 retails for $49.95 and is available at galcogunleather.com. -Niki Jones
Photo by Niki Jones.
There are many times I find it impossible for me to carry onbody, usually due to clothing choices; it’s virtually impossible to appendix-carry in a dress, and a thigh holster just doesn’t work for me, which means I often carry in my purse. Living so many years in New York City has ingrained in me to never lose physical contact with my handbag for even a second, so I have no concern now that my purse-carried firearm would ever be out of my control. There are many conceal-carry purse options out on the market today, and more and more luxury-level bags are among them. That said, I’m really picky about my handbags, and I switch them up often. Ever since I began carrying by virtue of my CHL (which is now an LTC), a prerequisite for ANY handbag I would buy was that it has a compartment completely separate from the main compartment in which to keep my holstered Sig P938. I always make sure I orient it the exact same way, and I do practice drawing from each. At SHOT Show this year, the Galco CarrySafe holster caught my eye—it was exactly what I had known I needed for quite some time—a holster that would convert any bag into a concealed-carry bag. I couldn’t wait to try it! The CarrySafe has a sturdy leather backing plate that has an adjustable clip, to attach to either a partition or an inside pocket
sureshotsmag.com | 39
KLAX® Lumberjack by Klecker Knives 3 Stainless Steel Ax Blade 3 Knife Blade 3 Hammer Head 3 Cutting/Gut Hook 3 Hex Wrench Set 3 1/4” Hex Bit Driver Socket 3 Bottle Opener 3 Lanyard Hole 3 Carabineer for Easy Carry 3 Ruler
Photos Flashbang. Photoscourtesy by Carrinof Welch.
The KLAX Lumberjack by Klecker Knives was featured in the new products section at SHOT Show this year. It was hard not to notice Klecker’s cool display, including a kitschy sign that read – “The Stone Ax was Caveman’s first innovative tool. It took 10,000 years to come up with a better one.” Designed for hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the KLAX is a multi-tool built into the head of an ax. It’s meant to be carried without the handle so that it packs small, and it even comes with a handy nylon sheath that has a loop for a belt. With its unique clamping system, it can easily be mounted to a handle quickly in the field. You can purchase a handle from Klecker (seen in our photos), or it can be mounted to any stick in about 5 minutes (or so I’ve read). The ax head has a number of handy tools & features built into it:
40 | sure shots mag | issue 17
My life doesn’t really require anything like the KLAX, but it sure has been fun since it arrived. What I thought would be a fun review of the functionality of this versatile tool, highlighting its awesome gift possibilities and it’s usefulness in the zombie apocalypse, has turned into something else entirely for me. While it certainly is a very unique and useful tool, the KLAX back-story makes it even more delightful. The design team consists of a man named Glenn Klecker—a knife and tool designer—and his son, Nathan. Glenn and Nathan share a passion for knives, and enjoy sharing that passion with others. They launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 to fund testing and production of their initial design, the campaign was so popular that within 4 days of launch they were fully funded and in the end raised over 3X their initial goal. Glenn is a U.S. Marine Veteran and has designed products for companies such as Leatherman & CRKT. At age six, Nathan came up with a fun design and Glenn brought it to life: a pre-cut, easily-assembled softwood knife kit for kids. The Nathan’s Knife Kit is great for introducing and teaching kids about knife safety and is also just a really cool kit to build with a kiddo in your life. They have a plastic version of the kit called the Trigger Knife Kit that comes in many colors. The Klecker inventor spirit is strong; they have backed many Kickstarter campaigns for interesting new products. Nathan has even created a card game for kids about knives and will launch a Kickstarter for it soon. And maybe that creator-inventor-maker spirit is what resonated with me. As an artist I enjoy learning about people who not only make the act of creating part of their jobs, but also encourage their children to do the same. We need more creativethinking and make-it-yourself attitudes in the world, especially when the zombies come. The Klax Lumberjack Head retails for $180 (oprional Traditional Klax Handle is an additional $30) and is available at kleckerknives.com. —Carrin Welch
Mini Sure Shot Faith demonstrates the Klecker Trigger Knife Kit, which retails for $12.95 and is available at kleckerknives.com sureshotsmag.com | 41
THE NEW
HEAD
MF
MIG FUEL IS GOING DOWN RANGE, ARE YOU? STRAP IN. THROTTLE UP. #GO_VERTICAL M
I
G
F
U
E
L
.
C
O
M
SUPPORTING MIG FUEL IS AN AMERICAN OWNED COMPANY THAT SUPPORTS OUR VETERANS AND VETERAN CAUSES