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#50SHADES p.6
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LEO PRO-GUN 2A SELF DEFENSE ADVOCATE
PHOTOS BY: Muzzle Flash Media
FIFTY SHADES OF
WORDS: FIFTY SHADES OF FDE
If you’re on Instagram, you may already follow me. If not, make sure that you do! A little about myself, I am born and raised here in California. My parents were immigrants from the Vietnam war and therefore I am a First Generation American. My childhood didn’t involve guns whatsoever other than seeing them in movies and TV. My interest in firearms started around highschool by going to the range with my best friend and
his father. It was fun and I had a better understanding and respect for guns. When I turned 18, I bought my first firearm, a pump action shotgun. At 21, I purchased my first pistol and not long after that, I started my career in Law Enforcement. With my experience as a responsible gun owner and Law Enforcement Officer, I decided to share my knowledge with other like-minded members in 2A and Law Enforcement communities.
I write product reviews for guns and gear on my blog www. fiftyshadesoffde.com as well as a few other publications such as www.breachbangclear.com More important than the products is the training aspect. I train as much as my schedule allows. If you use firearms for self defense and especially if you’re an officer, you can never have enough training. I am a huge proponent for concealed carry by responsible
members of the community. I know that as a LEO, we’re responding to incidents and are minutes out while the people that are there are their own first responders and if equipped with the right tools and training have a chance to stop the threat and survive the event. I plan on sharing my knowledge and experience here at CALGUNR Magazine.
"Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47” - Rep. Beto O'Rourke
FIGHT THE
LEFT BY DEFENDING YOUR RIGHT Dedicated to the unequivocal defense of the 2nd Amendment, and America’s extraordinary heritage of firearm ownership
AT THE CAPITOL IN THE COURTS THROUGH THE ELECTIONS
JOIN GOC TODAY! WWW.GUNOWNERSCA.COM
#BASICS p.8
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QUICK TIPS
EYES & EARS EVERY FIREARM AS IF 1. TREAT IT WERE LOADED
Inside most shooting facilities both eye and ear protection are required, and where they are not, it’s a good idea to wear both at all times. Our eyes are vulnerable to a number of potential hazards, such as flying parts or particles, while shooting, handling or cleaning a firearm. Just like the eyes, ears are just as important to protect. Research has overwhelmingly shown that exposing unprotected ears to a single gunshot can cause a degree of permanent hearing loss. This is why it is important to wear hearing protection at all times when participating in, or within the proximity of shooting.
Imagine you’re at a friends place and a buddy of yours has a new gun that he just picked up. He asks if you want to see it and you say “Heck ya!”. Even if he shows you that the gun is clear and sets it down, the first thing you should always do when you pick it up is to safety-check it. Always double check, awlays!
POINT A FIREARM AT 2. NEVER ANTYHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
If you’ve done your safety-check and are absolutely sure that your gun is unloaded, that does not give you the go-ahead to be careless with it. Remembering the first rule, The Gun Is ALWAYS Loaded, you should never point it toward anybody. Always be conscious of where you are aiming.
YOUR FINGER OFF THE 3. KEEP TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND 4. BE WHAT IS BEHIND IT
Bullets can go through – and beyond – your intended target. Knowing what’s behind your target is an essential step to safety and responsibility.
DRY FIRING ////// What is dry fire practice? For those of you who are new to the concept of dry fire, it’s training/practicing with a real firearm, but without live ammunition, Dry firing is simply pulling the trigger of a firearm without live ammunition in the chamber. Since the chamber is empty, nothing will go off and hence the
SNAP CAPS
shot is “dry”. Newer firearms, however, are typically dry-fire friendly and if you are really worried, use snap caps. Think about it... The only way to get good at something is to practice. While the range is always a great way to practice with our current COVID-19 situation, this is a great alternative.
Snap caps are made to protect your firearms by relieving the stress on your firing pins and firing pin springs. This will help prevent firing pins from breaking in the future. Snap caps are also a great tool to practice dry firing your guns to teach safe gun handling, improve your shooting skills, and tune your trigger. There are many brands and colors available in different calibers online or at your LGS.
#CERAKOTE p.10
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UNITED DEFENSE TACTICAL
A LOOK INSIDE ONE OF THE PREMIERE REALITY BASED FIREARMS TRAINING CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA WORDS: STAFF PHOTOS: DONNY DOSQUNIA
How did United Defense get it’s start? United Defense Tactical came from the need to have reality based dynamic training available to civilians, military and law enforcement. Static, no-pressure shooting, focusing on paper targets is about as unrealistic as it gets, and almost in no way prepares you for a real self-defense situation. We also teach close quarter combatives (self-defense). I have an instructor background in a variety of martial arts, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Survival Tactics for Law Enforcement, ICS, Krav Maga, Rapid As-
sault Tactics (developed for SEAL team 6) and other close quarter combat systems. With the high level of firearms, combatives and self-defense training experience that instructors have, we were able to put together something really unique that does not exist anywhere else. What’s your history in the firearms industry? We have been positively impacting the industry with elite reality based training and private security for over a decade. We have trained thousands of civilians, law enforcement, mili-
tary and first responder students. Additionally, I have run over 20 security sites and dozens of executive protection and security teams. Personally, I have been around guns my whole life, but was fortunate to get advanced reality based training with former SEAL and MARSOC operators/ instructors, in addition to being a firearms and tactics instructor. I have also trained with some world champion shooters, namely J.J .Racaza and Robert Vogel.
What type of qualifications do the instructors hold? Our instructors have some of the highest qualifications there are the industry. All of the instructors are former Special Operations guys, or have been trained by the highest level instructors from the Spec Ops community. Our instructors bring with them real world operational and combat experience, with many being former MARSOC, SEALs, or former military and overseas operators. Our well rounded team of instructors bring a wide range of experience to the table including; combative shooting, tactical medicine, private security details, executive protection, Department of Defense/ Department of State, contracting, FBI, defensive driving and all areas of combatives training and teaching. You’ve been at this for a while now, what have you learned along the way? A few things. First of all, you don’t know what you don’t know, so part of what we have to do is educate people that the static no-threat training they do may actually get them killed in a real gun fight. Secondly, that this is a lifestyle. You have to put in the time and the reps or you lose the skills. One class or infrequent training is not going to prepare you or keep you prepared for a real life threat. Simply put, you are either prepared and stay prepared, or you are a potential victim. Before coming to your classes should an individual have prior experience with firearms? No experience is required. (love training blank slate ) We work with brand new shooters up to expert level. We train SWAT team members, fmr Spec Ops, Military, civilians and more. If someone can learn safety and be dedicated to training, we can take someone from never picking up a gun to Spec Ops level over time. What’s the age limit to use your facility? For our live fire courses, the minimum age is 16. For the facility it is around 14, but we are going to add courses for youth classes, but without the shoot-no-shoot scenarios. Only focusing and fundamentals and skill building. We are always open to the idea of training any and all who may want or need the training; regardless of their end goal, experience level, or....age. How do the simulations prepare someone for real world situations? The state of the art immersive simulator puts the student in a heightened state of reality and pressure, as well as making decisions, communicating and de-escalating scenarios, and making good legal
use of force decisions. The simulator isn’t just not for firearms training but also it is also a stress simulator. It brings the training to a more realistic level and helps develop a combative mindset. This mindset training develops situational awareness, extreme, and communication carries over to all areas of our lives. Which type of firearms do you train individuals to handle All types of firearms and weapon systems. With the simulator, we can train handgun, rifle, shotgun, taser and OC spray. We also train improvised weapons, close quarter combatives (self-defense). On the live fire range, we can train students on all firearms they may own, including long range precision rifle.
“IT BRINGS THE TRAINING TO A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL AND HELPS DEVELOP A COMBATIVE MINDSET” What are some of the immediate benefits an individual will notice after taking one of your classes? Confidence in dealing with a threat. Confidence in communication commands or de-escalating the situation and an understanding of concepts that allow you to be a dynamic thinking shooter in a variety of potential scenarios. Any big things coming in 2020 for UDT? We look forward to growth of our current facility and the opening of other markets. UDT recently expanded our Costa Mesa facility to allow for force on force simunition training, indoor range (non lethal range) as well as a full self-defense training and instructor programs. We also recently added our resident Medical Instructor, adding to our programs, courses in tactical and trauma medicine, basic life saving, bleeding control, and more. Furthermore; we are looking to focus on adding certification and recertification courses for medical professionals, from CPR certification, all the way to Tactical Combat Casualty Care. All of our medical programs will be affiliated with the American Heart Association, National Association of Emergency.
UNITED DEFENSE TACTICAL 1011 BRIOSO DR #108, COSTA MESA, CA 92627 888.679.7464 UNITEDDEFENSETACTICAL.COM
#CONCEAL p.12
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H T I W D E M CONSU
IN BECOMING AN EXPERT ELLAR HIS FIELD : JOSEPH CU T CLOTH IS CUT FROM A DIFFEREN
HOW WAS KAOS CONCEALMENT BORN? Kaos grew out of Havok Airsoft. In 2011 my wife and I opened an indoor airsoft field in Bakersfield, CA. I had always had an interest in holsters after seeing some displayed at a friend of mines store(Code Red Airsoft) and began researching how to make them. Once we began making more holsters we began doing gun shows and LEO events that led us to close up the airsoft field and make our priority holster making. WHAT SETS KAOS CONCEALMENT APART FROM OTHER HOLSTER SYSTEMS? As a concealed carrier myself and shooting
enthusiast I have always been the person who had boxes of holsters. Even in the airsoft world. My goal as a company is to design simple low profile holsters that fit most anyone’s need for daily carry. Most holster makers offer a holster that fits either left handed shooters or right handd shooters. One for ccw and one for the range. We have been able to incorporate all of these features into our holsters thus making our holsters stand apart from anyone else. WHAT FIREARMS DO YOU MAKE HOLSTERS FOR CURRENTLY? We currently make firearms for all of the most popular models including Glock,
“MY GOAL AS A COMPANY Sig, 1911, and Smith and IS TO DESIGN Wesson. SIMPLE LOW PROFILE HOLSTERS THAT FIT MOST ANYONE’S NEED FOR DAILY CARRY.”
WHAT STEPS DO YOU TAKE TO MAKE SURE YOUR PRODUCT IS OF UTMOST QUALITY? Each holster is designed using computer software which allows us to accurately adjust any molds before they are cut. Every holster in our Fusion line of holsters is Vacuumed formed and Cnc cut for accuracy. Each holster is then hand finished by our staff buffing and sanding smooth any rough and sharp edges. Each holster is then individually hand bent over either a real gun or mold and hand revited. After which we use the same mold or gun to test each holster for draw. Once the holster has been buffed and checked we add our Quick clip.
YOU’VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR A WHILE NOW, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED? Since we first started we learned that customer feedback is invaluable. We could have stopped doing gun shows years ago. As I have seen in recent years the gun show circuit is dying down, however, it is at these shows that I get to interact directly with consumers to hear their needs, feedback and what they may or may not like in our holsters or competitors. I have also learned that I need to keep true to our goal of designing holsters according to our idea that we want to accommodate all shooters and their needs in one holster. Without this we would be making holsters like everyone else.
in more Law Enforcement Events and trainings. These events have given me a larger insight to the needs of LEO and citizens.
HAS THE CURRENT CALIFORNIA FIREARMS LEGAL LANDSCAPE AFFECTED BUSINESS? When I first started gun shows I saw huge events and venues. Costa Mesa gun show in Orange County was filled to the brim of vendors. With the implemtnation of the California roster of handguns I saw a shortage of sales for guns not on the list. I also have seen less people in attendance at gun shows. Since seeing all of this I have begun to add
WHERE CAN WE FIND KAOS CONCEALMENT PRODUCTS CURRENTLY? On our website, Amazon sold through CDC Tactical with Prime and various stores throughout the USA. Contact us for a location near you.
ANY TIPS ON WHAT TYPE HOLSTER SOMEONE SHOULD SELECT WHEN IN THE MARKET WHETHER IT IS A NEWB OR SEASONED SHOOTER? I make kydex holsters but always tell the shooter to buy something that works for them and is comfortable. That may be leather or nylon. I do also mention that is how you end up with a box of holsters and at the end of the day most people end their search for holsters with kydex because it just works. Picking a holster is like anything else. You want it to be reliable like your firearm.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU ONLINE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA? www.kaosconcealment. com @kaosconcealment Facebook Kaos concealment holsters ANY LAST WORDS? Our goal has always been to create holsters that fit everyone’s needs and scenarios. Our motto of “one holster, endless possibilities” has been something we live by when thinking about new holsters even as we begin to cater more to our law enforcement family. Our future looks bright as we begin to move towards gear(bags, belts, and clothing.
PRO TIP /////// “WE HAVE FOUND THAT
OCCASIONALLY LIGHT LUBE WOULD HELP HOLSTERS DRAW MORE SMOOTHLY, BUT IS NOT NEEDED.”
#BANNED p.14
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@DARK_ALLIANCE__CUSTOMS
PHOTOS COURTESY: DARK ALLIANCE CUSTOMS
DEF NOT CALI LEGAL (FOR NOW) BUT COOL ASF#CK!