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WESTERN

AUG & SEPT

SHOOTING JOURNAL

Volume 2 // ISSUE 12 // August 2014 PUBLISHER

James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Dick Openshaw

Billings, MT Metra Park, 308 6th Avenue North

Sept. 5-7, 2014

Pasco, WA TRAC Center, 6600 Burden Boulevard

Sept. 6-7, 2014

Andy Walgamott

Coeur D’Alene, ID Kootenai County Fairgrounds, 4056 North Government Way

Sept. 13-14, 2014

Hamilton, MT Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Road

Sept. 19-21, 2014

See our website for full schedule.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR EDITOR

Rachel Alexander LEAD CONTRIBUTOR

Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS

Larry Case, Tom Claycomb III, Chris Cocoles, Christine Cunningham, Brick David, Andre D’Allau, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Mike Nesbitt, Troy Rodakowski, Daniel Scott, Bob Shell, Keith Sipmann, Robin Taylor, Kathy Weiser SALES MANAGER

Brian Lull ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

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ON THE COVER The unorthodox reality show Small Town Security explores the curveballs that its various lovable and quirky characters encounter while running a security company in Ringgold, Ga. (BEN LEUNER/AMC) Contact the editor at ralexander@media-inc.com.

Get daily updates at westernshootingjournal.com. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Pinterest.

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Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

CONTENTS 76

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 12 • AUGUST 2014

Female Hunters Gain Ground In Alaska Women now purchase 20 percent of all hunting licenses in the Last Frontier, a rate that is significantly higher than the national average of 9 percent, and our correspondent is one of them!

MOVE OVER RENO 911, SMALL TOWN SECURITY IS HERE

Security To The Stars The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills protects some of the biggest names in Hollywood. We check in with this company that’s solely comprised of veterans and law enforcement officers on what it takes to keep clients safe.

Inside The Private Security World, Part 1 of 2 What does it take to get into the protection industry? Contrary to what you might expect, physical strength and size are not necessarily prerequisites.

The Most Powerful Private Security Companies in the World, Part 1 of 2 – Nos. 30-21 Whether guarding cash, business execs, NGOs or natural resources, these companies are among the largest in the world – but which is the biggest? We rank the top 30, starting with the outfit formerly known as Blackwater USA.

101

We take a look at what makes this quirky AMC reality show so popular. The “armed and dangerously funny” characters may be odd, but there’s something lovable about them. (BEN LEUNER/AMC) FEATURES 39

One Of The Strongest Double-Action Revolvers Ever Ruger’s family line of GP-100 revolvers in .357 caliber replaced their Security Six line – with significant improvements.

The New Kid On The Range MOA Rifles hasn’t been around very long, but their long-range rifles in various calibers reflect the workmanship of seasoned professionals. Our Troy Rodakowski spends a day at the range of this central Oregon company.

Tactical police competitors bring rifles with suppressors, short shotguns, and submachine guns like the MP5 at the NRA’s exclusive match in Medford, Ore.

109 BEYOND THE BADGE: Keeping Peace In Santa’s Town Cold weather is the biggest challenge that officers in the Alaskan town of North Pole face, but on occasion, reindeer herding skills come in handy.

123 49

BLACK POWDER: Black Powder Burns At Annual Quigley Shoot Columnist Mike Nesbitt relays the ups and downs of his trip to the annual Quigley Down Under-inspired Buffalo Rifle Match in eastern Montana.

Girl Power! In this second of our three-part series on the top women in the firearms industry, we bring you stories on strong female role models in law enforcement, gun rights, business, and the state house.

COMPETITIONS: When Cops Compete

SCATTERGUNNER: Basic But Important Shotgun Tips A look at some of the basic concepts of shooting well, including mastering comb, cast, and length of pull.

133

ARCHERY: Top Archers Compete At Annual Redding, Calif., Shoot The big Redding Trail Shoot and National Field Archery Association’s National Marked Yardage Shoot allows average archers a chance to mingle with the greats, as our man on the stick-and-string beat found.

WESTERN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2014 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

CONTENTS ALSO INSIDE 97 129 137 147

Pinkerton Security: The History Of Abraham Lincoln’s Private Bodyguards Barbecuing Tips From Mrs. Roadhunter The Troika ‘Fighting Knife’ Reloading Steel-Cased Rounds

DEPARTMENTS 17 19 21 23 27 29 33 35 141

Editor’s Note Letters To The Editor News: Model Loses Contract After Hunting Photo Surfaces Gun Show Calendar Competition Calendar Reader Snapshots Guns Of Our Fathers: The WWI German Soldier’s Bolt-Action Rifle Range Spotlight: Bremerton, Wash., Police Department Shooting Range Product Feature

ROADHUNTER: Pursuing Pronghorns Scott Haugen reveals three keys for taking America’s “speed goat.”

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

115

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Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

EDITOR’S NOTE

omething I’ve noticed as your editor over the past year is an escalation in the debate over tactics. It’s taking place in several arenas. First, it’s happening in regards to carrying a firearm into a business. While most of us firearms enthusiasts want the ability to carry our sidearm most places, what is the best way to go about ensuring this? Some activists, such as Open Carry Texas, have taken more of an “in-your-face” approach, entering businesses in groups displaying AR-15s and larger weapons. Others fear this unintentionally provokes businesses, which may then institute a policy prohibiting firearms. Secondly, there is a debate going on in regards to hunting and publicity. Attractive women posing with large, ex-

otic game have attracted the most criticism (see our news article). Some would argue that the photos encourage young girls and other women to take an interest in hunting, so the photos are helpful. Others are concerned there could be a backlash against hunters, as people emotionally react to the photos. If the exotic game is endangered, or is not used for meat afterwards, but instead to save parts of it for display, the criticism ramps up even more. One critic of a Texas cheerleader who posted photos of herself hunting African game on Facebook said, “I’m a hunter and proud of that. That being said, I eat what I shoot and only hunt overpopulated animals that otherwise would starve or get diseased. Trophy hunting majestic and rare animals so you can get paid by the people who

sponsor you is sick!” Fortunately, most safari outfitters we know of do engage in hunting for conservation and provide the meat to poor residents in the region. While it is an exercise of our First and Second Amendment rights to brandish guns and game provocatively, is it wise? What do you think? Email your thoughts to me at ralexander@media-inc.com and we’ll publish them in our new Letter to the Editors section.

westernshootingjournal.com 17

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR KATE WOOLSTENHULME, OWNER OF DESIGNER CONCEALED CARRY LLC Wow, I’m bowled over by the coverage in your July issue! Just got the magazine today. I gotta say your “people” did a fabulous job with layout, editing, photo selection, etc. I love the presentation, the way the photos and text unfold over the three pages. KERRY SARUWATARI While I have nothing against open carry (I live in Arizona), I think that the “in your face” approach of openly carrying long guns is doing more harm than good. Chipotle and Target are two good examples. One of my friends made the following observation: “Open Carry Texas: Getting guns banned in more places than Michael Bloomberg.” MOST POPULAR PHOTO LAST MONTH ON FACEBOOK

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The Gray Room at H&K USA in Sterling, Va. This should be our conference room at Western Shooting Journal. MOST POPULAR TWEETS LAST MONTH ON TWITTER Norissa Harman@GWG_NUR Jul 2 Highlight of my day@GwGJeN & myself next to the @WillieDuckMan@bosshogswife #startedfromthebottomnowwehere pic.twitter.com/Uk1zxDXBBB @2ndAmPatriot 7h @WesternShooting revolution continues! Land of the free, home of the brave! Titan Ready USA@TitanReadyUSA Jun 6 @WesternShooting I am thinking we need to run a sale for Western Shooting subscribers! Bill@GoalieBill328 Jun 3 @Rach_IC@WesternShooting good.women are hard to find with a great additive and the love of her weapon

westernshootingjournal.com 19

PRIMER

NEWS

TEENAGE HUNTRESS AND WORLD CUP FAN LOSES MODELING CONTRACT ARTICLE BY RACHEL ALEXANDER • PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK

t is being described as a very odd sequence of events. Axelle Despiegelaere, a virtually unknown 17-year-old beauty from Belgium, was singled out for fame during a World Cup game between Belgium and Russia by cameras, sporting a patriotic Viking hat, face paint and waving pom poms to support her team, the Red Devils. The makeup giant company L’Oreal noticed her, and offered her a modeling contract. But after Despiegelaere posted a grinning photo of herself with an oryx gazelle she had shot in Africa a year ago while hunting, L’Oreal appears to have reconsidered its decision. The

photo included the caption, “Hunting is not a matter of life and death. It’s much more important than that … this was about one year ago … ready to hunt Americans today haha.” The caption was a joke about an upcoming Belgium-U.S. game. The company abruptly announced that its hiring of her only consisted of one video about hair, for airing in Belgium, nothing more. She was terminated after just three days on contract, before the World Cup final. She posted an apology afterwards, removing the photo and writing, “Hi, I didn’t mean to offend anyone … it was a joke. Thanks for understanding.”

Despiegelaere had set up a Facebook page, which had received over 200,000 likes, but it was taken down, most likely due to all the hateful comments she had begun receiving. Oryx gazelles are not an endangered species, so many thought the reaction by L’Oreal was overly harsh. WSJ

westernshootingjournal.com 21

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

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PRIMER

GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R

1–3 Leadville Boom Days, Leadville, Colo. Sioux City Gun Show, Sioux City, Iowa WCSM Missoula Gun Show, Missoula, Mont.

2–3 Azle Gun Show, Azle, Texas Payson Gun Show, Payson, Ariz. Ontario Gun Show, Ontario, Calif. Denver Gun Show, Denver, Colo. Oklahoma TNT Gun & Knife Show, Oklahoma City, Okla. Pendleton Gun and Knife Show, Pendleton, Ore. Bryan Gun Show, Bryan, Texas Dallas Gun & Knife Show, Dallas, Texas Midland Gun & Blade Show, Midland, Texas Saxet San Antonio Gun Show, San Antonio, Texas WAC Puyallup Gun Show, Puyallup, Wash.

8 – 10 Midwest Huntfest and Gun Show, Wichita, Kan. MACA St Louis Gun Show, St. Louis, Mo. Livingston Gun Show, Livingston, Mont.

Amateur archers mingle with the pros at the annual competitions in Redding, Calif., featured in this issue in the Archery section. (ROBERT MARTIN)

Tyler Lone Star Gun Show, Tyler, Texas Wichita Falls Gun & Knife Show, Wichita, Texas

15 – 17 Big 3-Day Hunting & Sportsmen’s Gun Show, Loveland, Colo. Sidney Gun Show, Sidney, Mont.

16 – 17

ACSWW Gun Show, Vancouver, Wash.

Albuquerque Gun & Blade Show, Albuquerque, N.M. Prescott Valley Gun Show, Prescott Valley, Ariz. Costa Mesa Gun Show, Costa Mesa, Calif. Eureka Gun Show, Eureka, Calif. Indian Territory Antique & Collector Arms Show, Shawnee, Okla. Grand National Gun Show, Tulsa, Okla. Nacogdoches Gun Show, Nacogdoches, Texas Lacey Gun Show, Lacey, Wash.

9 – 10 Billings Up In Arms Gun Show, Billings, Mont. GGA Ennis Gun Show, Ennis, Texas Glendale Crossroads Gun Show, Glendale, Ariz. Stockton Gun Show, Stockton, Calif. Prospectors Sertoma Colorado Springs Gun Show, Colorado Springs, Colo. Springfield Gun Show, Springfield, Mo. NMGCA Gun, Sword & Knife Show, Albuquerque, N.M. Sapulpa/Kellyville Badshot Gun Show, Kellyville, Okla. Oklahoma City Gun Show, Oklahoma City, Okla. Shawnee Gun Show, Shawnee, Okla. Oregon Arms Portland Gun Show, Portland, Ore. Saxet Corpus Christi Gun Show, Corpus Christi, Texas Houston Gun Show, Houston, Texas

22 – 23 Portland Gun & Knife Show, Portland, Ore.

22 – 24 Boone Sportsmens Club Annual Gun Show, Boone, Iowa Anaconda Gun Show, Anaconda, Mont. Rock Springs Arms Show, Rock Springs, Wyo.

23 – 24 Antioch Gun Show, Antioch, Calif. Bakersfield Gun Show, Bakersfield, Calif. Buchanan Dam Gun Show, Buchanan Dam, Texas Canton Gun Show, Canton, Texas Centralia Gun Show, Centralia, Wash. Chico Gun Show, Chico, Calif. Colorado Springs Gun Show, Colorado Springs, Colo. Tanner Loveland Gun Show, Loveland, Colo. Kansas City Gun Show, Kansas City, Mo. West Plains Gun, Knife & Outdoors, Show, West Plains, Mo. Las Vegas Gun Show, Las Vegas, Nev. LASC Los Alamos Gun Show, Los Alamos, N.M. Durant Sportsman’s Gun Show, Durant, Okla. Lock-N-Load Gun Show, Cleveland, Texas Jefferson Gun & Knife Show, Jefferson, Texas Liberty New Braunfels Gun Show, New Braunfels, Texas Pasadena Gun & Knife Show, Pasadena, Texas Stephenville Gun Show, Stephenville, Texas Salt Lake City Gun Show, Sandy, Utah Yakima Gun Show, Yakima, Wash. Visit westernshootingjournal.com for more events. Email editor@westernshootingjournal to have your show listed here.

westernshootingjournal.com 23

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Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

PRIMER

COMPETITION C A L E N D A R

A police officer competing at the 3-gun Tactical Police Competition featured in this issue under Competitions. (LARS DALESIDE/NRA)

1–2

Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette National Championships, Raton, N.M.

Cotton Candy Clean-up (cowboy mounted shooting), Warrensburg, Mo. Buckle Series Tournament (archery), Colorado Springs, Colo.

1–3 Triple Header (cowboy mounted shooting), Greeley, Colo.

1 – 10 2014 USAS SG National Championships (trap, skeet), Colorado Springs, Colo.

2 Burt Co. Fair Shootout 1 (cowboy mounted shooting), Oakland, Neb.

3 Coyote Point (pistol), San Mateo, Calif.

8 2014 USPSA Area 4 Championship, Puyallup, Wash. Iowa State Fair “Shootin on a Stick” (cowboy mounted shooting), Des Moines, Iowa

9 – 10 Glen Kubal Memorial (cowboy mounted shooting), Geddes, S.D. Shootout at Lincoln Day (cowboy mounted shooting), Lincoln, Mont. Battle on Betty’s Butte (cowboy mounted shooting), Bismarck, N.D. Summer Heat (cowboy mounted shooting), Marshalltown, Iowa Sharp Shooter (cowboy mounted shooting), Sultan, Wash. 2014 Summer Sizzle (archery), Phoenix, Ariz. Oklahoma State JOAD Outdoor Championship (archery), Perry, Okla.

16 Northern Rockies Section Championship (USPSA), Billings, Mont. 2014 Oregon Open Sectional Championship (USPSA), White City, Ore. 2014 Washington State ChampionshipsTIER 3 (IDPA), Renton, Wash.

ZOC Ranch Shootout (cowboy mounted shooting), Monroe, Okla. Bishop Bash Number (cowboy mounted shooting), Las Cruces, N.M.

22 Columbia Cascade Section Championship (USPSA), Dundee, Ore.

23 – 24 Adolph Haugen Shoot (trap), Renton, Wash.

24 Montana Mayhem (USPSA), Hamilton, Mont. Zombie Shooters United 3-Gun Match, West Point, Ky.

28 Area 2 Noveske MG Championship (USPSA), Byers, Colo. 2014 Utah State USPSA Handgun Championship, Salt Lake City, Utah Visit westernshootingjournal.com for more events. Email editor@westernshootingjournal to have your show listed here.

westernshootingjournal.com 27

PRIMER

TOP SHOTS

Gabriel Krekk’s photographic and artistic project “ American Cowgirls” comes to life with American Cowgirl #2: Maricopa, Arizona’s Cowgirl Shell Abbott, as she poses with her Lincoln edition Rifle Winchester Model 73 .30/30. She is also carrying a S&W .45-cal. Long Colt. You can see more of Gabriel’s beautiful watercolor paintings and contemporary realism at gabrielkrekk.com. Any interested cowgirls who would like to be a part of this amazing project may send their interest through Facebook to the artist. (GABRIEL KREKK)

Jason Harris of R&J Firearms with a .50-cal. AR pistol chambered in .502 T-Sabre. (R&J FIREARMS)

Braxton Haugen with a bear he took in Idaho. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Taylor Barnwell of Longview, Wash., with a .45. She texted her prom date this photo before the prom, “Look, but don’t touch ... protection provided by my papa!” Fortunately, her date got a good laugh out of it. (PHYLLIS BURCHETT) westernshootingjournal.com 29

PRIMER

READER TOP SHOTS Jason Harris with a Springfield SA-1. Chambered in .308. This rifle is the same as an M60 except it is semi-auto. (R&J FIREARMS)

Roadhunter columnist Scott Haugen with the skinned hide of a huge bear he took in Alaska, which squared 10’9”. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

The editor’s brother Andrew Alexander on a sporting clays excursion with clients in Virginia, despite rupturing his Achilles tendon playing basketball just a few days earlier.

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER!

Jason Harris with a custom LR-308, platform chambered in 6.5 Creedmore, that was built for a customer. (R&J FIREARMS)

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Congratulations to Scott Haugen for winning the Readers’ Top Shots contest for July! Each month, the reader who submits the best photo will receive an AmmOMug of their choice from ammomug.com. Submit your best reader photos to us at ralexander@media-inc.com. You can also submit videos for our website.

Guns Of Our FatherS

THE BOLT-ACTION RIFLE FROM A DEAD GERMAN SOLDIER Stolen During The Great Depression ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM spent three days sick in bed but recovered. After the armistice, he mustered out in Springfield, Mass., and with his helmet, gas mask and the finest hunting rifle he would ever own, walked the 30 miles back to his home town. He wore out his uniform and boots working in the year that followed, and he hunted with the fine rifle to put food on the table. He was an excellent shot, and the ammunition he’d taken from the officer lasted him into the 1930s. Unfortunately, during the Great Depression, someone broke into the mountainside cabin he’d built for himself and his wife, and stole the rifle. I wish I could see that rifle, but it’s been gone a long time. The greater prize is really knowing who George Irish, Sr., was. There have been few like him before or since. He lived into his early 90s, outliving his wife who was 20 years his junior. All but his last few years were spent in the home he’d built into the side of the mountain that never had running water, indoor plumbing or electricity. These amenities were things he never felt he particularly needed. He grew his own food, and when his legs could no longer carry him up the hillside to his garden, he dragged himself with his hands. He was the kind of man who was so remarkably tough and talented, it is hard for modern Americans to have a frame of reference to appreciate it. WSJ

The Gewehr 98 (abbreviated G98, Gew 98 or M98) is a German bolt-action Mauser rifle firing cartridges from a five-round internal clip-loaded magazine that was the German service rifle from 1898 to 1935, when it was replaced by the Karabiner 98k. July 28th was the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. (WIKIPEDIA)

eorge Irish was an independent-minded man. In 1917, he was 25 years old. He made a living as a jack-of-all-trades in Summers, Conn., just across the border from Massachusetts. He wasn’t married and America had just become involved in what became know as World War I. He volunteered for the army. He was assigned to an artillery unit and trained in the Midwest before crossing the Atlantic in an improvised troop ship. In France, he didn’t work the guns, instead he kept the doughboys who labored over them fed. He was a muleskinner, and his job was to drag loads of artillery ammunition and supplies across the open barrage, along swept roads and paths, from the supply dumps to the front-line artillery positions. It was hard work hitching up the mule team and driving the animals through the shell-torn terrain and digging out the wagons when they got stuck in the mud. Mules cannot take cover, and if they were killed or

wounded by shell splinters or machine gun barrages or poison gas, he had to calm the other animals and unhitch the casualties so the supplies could move on. Gas attacks were especially miserable. First he had to put on his own mask, and then try as fast as he could with limited vision through cloudy eyepieces to get them on mules. It was not glorious work, only hard and dangerous. On one trip over recently taken ground, he saw a dead German officer in a shell hole. By that time, he was no stranger to the dead. What caught his attention was the officer’s beautiful sniper rifle. It was a custom-made bolt action with dual-set triggers and a telescopic sight, in a European caliber unfamiliar to him. He recovered the rifle and all the ammunition the officer had on him, and stowed it on his wagon. If he got home, it would be a fine and very practical souvenir. Though the Germans never got him, the Spanish flu that killed millions worldwide in 1918 almost did. He

westernshootingjournal.com 33

range spotlight

THE RANGE OF BREMERTON AND KITSAP COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT Popular Citizen’s Academy Program Likely To Be Brought Back To Washington County ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM • PHOTOS BY UNDERSHERIFF GARY SIMPSON, KITSAP COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Detective Ken Smith, performing secondary duties as a firearms training instructor, assists Lt. John Gese with tactical shotgun application pointers.

aw enforcement officers carry firearms to protect themselves and private citizens from grievous harm at the hands of society’s criminal elements. Most officers will never have to use deadly force, but it is a sad fact that, every year, some do (unofficial estimates for 2011 were 1,146 suspects shot in the line of duty nationwide). Peace officers can’t carry a firearm unless they can demonstrate competence with that weapon by qualifying with it at the range using a prescribed course of fire, often referred to as the

practical pistol course or a similar title. Unfortunately, despite the obvious importance of firearms training, budget cutbacks have forced many agencies across the country to limit their officers to annual qualification only. Law enforcement agencies in Kitsap County, Wash., recognized the need for a dedicated training facility to provide their officers with a suitable range for practice and qualification decades ago. They combined their resources and built the Bremerton Police Department (BPD) Range in a secluded area between the city of

Bremerton and the Kitsap-Mason County line, west of Seattle. Most people have no idea it’s there, including our editor, who has lived in the area for half of her life! Presently, it is a firearms training facility used by Bremerton police officers, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office (which include patrol deputies and detectives, corrections officers, court security officers and the SWAT team), troopers from the Washington State Patrol (District 8), Poulsbo police officers, Washington State Department of Corrections officers, FBI special westernshootingjournal.com 35

range spotlight

Inside the firearms cleaning station (l-r): Deputy Jennifer Rice, Lt. John Gese, Detective Tim Keller and Lt. Steve Duckworth of KCSO.

agents, Suquamish tribal police officers, Military Sealift Command personnel and special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Northwest Field Office. Though some federal agencies use the range, it is maintained by local departments, which strive to make continuous improvements. The BPD range includes a 25-yard pistol range, a section for shotgun firing, a 100-yard patrol rifle range, a firearms cleaning station and a rubber-

’S R LELER M U MB THTU

ized facility used for forced entry and room clearing training. The rubberized house is currently only used with simunitions until it undergoes significant repair. You are probably saying that this sounds like a great place to shoot. It is, but it’s only for law enforcement use, and it’s busy most days of the week. There is one way for private citizens to get a taste of it, though. Deputy Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office informed me that the agency is looking into bringing back the popular Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy in the future. This 10-week course allows private citizens a detailed look at various aspects of law enforcement work, from investigations to emergency vehicle operations, and includes a class at the BPD range, where deputies and SWAT personnel demonstrate some of the firearms used by the agency. For a lot of participants, the range was the highlight of the course.

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Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

This valuable program was expensive to conduct, as it placed a strain on the agency’s overtime budget during the economic downturn that began seven years ago, and was temporarily suspended. However, it gave citizens great insight into the nature and challenges of police work, and in so doing, showed them how they could contribute meaningfully to maintaining law and order in their communities. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the citizen though his or her action or inaction, and not the lawman alone, that makes good neighborhoods and bad ones. I hope this program receives the funding to continue for years to come. WSJ Editor’s note: Those who would like to receive information about the sheriff’s office may contact Deputy Wilson at swilson@co.kitsap.wa.us to have their email address added to the sheriff’s email distribution list.

GUN REVIEWS

ONE OF THE STRONGEST DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVERS EVER Ruger’s Target Model GP-100 ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY BOB SHELL

Sarah Cross demonstrates how easy the .357 GP-100 is to hold and fire.

uger’s GP-100 family line of six-shot double-action .357/.327 Federal Magnum revolvers has been around for a number of years. It was introduced in 1985 as a replacement for the Security Six. There were some changes that made the GP-100 one of the strongest double-action revolvers available. They come in different barrel

lengths and finishes, so it would be a good idea to check out the company’s website, ruger.com, to see what options are available. The model I received is the competition piece, which is supposed to have a couple of features lacking on the regular model. It includes a worked action to enhance smoothness. A three-lug system and extra lining is extra help in

lining up the cylinder with the barrel to enhance accuracy. It cost $200 more than the standard GP-100, reflecting the extra work involved. There were a couple of things that surprised me. First of all, the doubleaction pull is a bit heavy, in my view. Both single- and double-action pull was consistent. Some of the other shooters with better hands liked the double-action pull, so that is one of the reasons why I have several people try out these guns. The single action is nice at 4 pounds, and has no travel or creep. I don’t see any way to adjust it, although a qualified gunsmith may be able to lighten it. The front sight is a fiber optic, and is easy to pick up; however, the rear sight is fixed, which I find odd considering it is a target gun. Without a doubt, there are adjustable sights available, but in my view, they should be standard on this gun. The frame is set up to accept various custom grips, which is a good feature,

HUNTER COMPANY OFFERS NEW AFFORDABLE CONCEALED HOLSTER FOR TINY GLOCK G42 AND A LEATHER BELT SLIDE HOLSTER When the new Glock 42 .380, the smallest pistol Glock has ever introduced, was presented to the market, Hunter Company immediately designed an open-top holster for the super-concealable, single-stack .380. Providing superior concealment features combined with incomparable comfort, the 1142 ProHide Holster features a trigger-guard tension screw and precise hand boning for maximum retention and reinforced opening, allowing one-handed holstering. Made from vegetable-tanned, top-grain leather, this holster will fit up to a 11⁄2-inch belt. It is available in chestnut tan or black for just $80. Additionally, Hunter Company has developed a new belt-

slide holster with simplicity and affordability in mind. Designed to fit on top or under the belt, the 1503, 1504 and 1505 will accommodate most medium- and large-frame semiautos on the market today. The holsters are made of

westernshootingjournal.com 39

GUN REVIEWS durable top-grain leather and are offered in chestnut tan or black for $44. The 1503 fits the Colt 1911, 1911 with rail, 1911 Compact Springfield EMP, Kahr CW9, Beretta 92 and similarly sized semi-auto frames. The 1504 fits the Smith & Wesson M & P, Ruger SR9, SR40, P93, P94, P95 and similarly sized semi-auto frames. The 1505 fits the Glock 17, 19, 21, 29, 30 and similarly

since not everyone will like the factory offering. In my view, they are fine and comfortable. As is something I always do, I have other people shoot the T&E (training and evaluation) gun. That way I get a more fair view of how the gun is liked. Everyone who has tried it liked the grips, making comments about them. The frame is heavy, so it should digest heavy loads over a period of time without a whimper. Except for heavy loads with heavy bullets, recoil shouldn’t be an issue as it is with a light gun. Actually, shooting it with heavy 200-grain loads wasn’t bad at all.

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

sized semi-auto frames. The Hunter Company, Inc., has been building quality leather holsters, belts and accessories since 1952 in Westminster, Colo. Each item is handcrafted by skilled American workers, with their craftsmanship being passed down to future generations. Constantly innovating, Hunter Company strives to keep up with the pulse of the shooting Industry.

The .357 round is probably the most versatile cartridge available in any handgun. It can be loaded down to levels that anyone can handle. On the other end, 180- and 200-grain bullets can be utilized to hunt some big game. While no means the best load for big game, it will do under certain circumstances. For self defense, it is one of the very best. To keep cost down, lead bullets come in many weights and styles, and are usually easier to get then the jacketed types. To find out how good this model is, we tried many loads from the 90-grain Hornady Flex Tip to some 200-grain LBT type of bullets. At 7

yards, it is easy to put a half-dollar-size group standing with most loads using six shots. That type of accuracy is good enough for any type of work. At longer ranges, it still shot consistent and round groups. A couple of the shooters with strong hands did well shooting double action at 7 and 15 yards. I tried quite a few different types and weights of bullets, and it did well with everything, but like any gun, it has its preferences. The MSRP is $899, which may seem high but some shopping around will usually result in a better price. If you want a high-quality double-action revolver, you won’t be disappointed. WSJ

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GUN REVIEWS

MOA RIFLES: LONG-RANGE SHOOTING AND HUNTING FOR ALL ABILITIES The New Kid On The Block ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TROY RODAKOWSKI

Tim Burnett of Solo Hunter TV / Off Grid Hunter takes aim with his MOA 7mm WSM.

ou could call them the “new kid on the block.” In many ways they are, but when it comes to experience, workmanship and expertise, they are seasoned professionals. Based in Redmond, Ore., MOA Rifles was in its infancy more than 14 years ago when Bob Beck, host of Extreme Outer Limits TV, decided it was time to invest his time into a system of shooting that would allow him the opportunity to harvest animals from great distances. The name MOA (Minute Of Angle or Minute Of Arc) is a term used by shooters that measures bullet drop based on bullet weight, powder, barrel twist and the like. Long-range shooters know this term very well, as their accuracy is largely dependent upon it. In order to be a successful long-range shooter, one needs to be consistent, honest with him or herself in terms of ability, and have a good rifle, optics and ammunition. These rifles are de-

signed to meet the needs of any longrange shooter, from beginner to expert. In partnership with Nightforce Optics as well as Berger Bullets, MOA has perfected a high-end yet affordable weapon system. I was thoroughly impressed with the design of these rifles and the information provided by Bob during his long-range shooting class, which I attended in June. LONG RANGE Many folks do not see long-range shooting as ethical or even challenging. I have always been a hunter who has closed the distance while in pursuit of my game. So, going into this, I was, needless to say, very skeptical and not wholeheartedly convinced this was a direction I would ever want to go. However, once I took the course, handled the rifles and saw what it takes to become an accomplished long-range hunter/shooter, I was sold. This sport is not easy, and it takes great talent to develop accuracy at ranges from 600

to 2,000 yards. There were nearly 20 shooters in the class from all over the country. Folks flew into Redmond from New York, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada, Arizona and Canada to gain knowledge and valuable instruction from Bob, his lovely wife Chris, and the entire MOA staff. Tim Burnett from Solo Hunter TV/Off Grid Hunter was also there to shoot his own custom 7mm WSM. THE GUNS These rifles come in various calibers from .22-250 to .338 Ultra Mag, and pretty much anything in between, and are available in either short or long actions. Various synthetic flat and/or camouflage designs are available for your choosing. The custom design is one of the biggest attractions for many MOA clients. “We wanted to design a high quality rifle that’s affordable to the folks working a little extra overtime,” says Bob. He has done it, and people seem westernshootingjournal.com 43

GUN REVIEWS to be very impressed. Bob begins by explaining to newbies how it all works and what to expect once a shooter hits the range. He breaks it all down from top to bottom, explaining the rifles, their barrel twists, optics and ballistics. “With ballistics, you want a load that will maintain velocity and trajectory in windy conditions,“ he explains. Berger has designed specific loads in VLD (very low drag) that are optimal for long-range conditions through these guns. The loads, together with these rifles, have the ability to resist various atmospheric conditions presented to a shooter at long range. I have used all kinds of optics through the years and had never had the chance to use Nightforce until now. Needless to say, after doing so, they have my full endorsement. Nightforce is truly amazing, with exceptional clarity, durability and workmanship. One of their factory headquarters is based fairly close by in Orofino, Idaho, which

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Shooters have the opportunity to shoot very long distances with their MOA rifles.

is very convenient. It was refreshing to peer through their scopes to see the impressive clarity and magnification properties. Of course, there are numerous options with matching mounts that are compatible with the selection of rifles.

SHOOTING We started out at 100 yards to zero our rifles. It didn’t take long, since the staff had already bore sighted and fired all of them prior to our arrival. From there, we moved to the 400- to 2,000-yard range. Unfortunately, the weather was less than perfect, as it was windy, rainy and even snowed a bit on us. I had to remind myself that these are similar to the hunting conditions we all encounter on a regular basis, making for a very realistic shooting experience. With several spotters keeping an eye on the shooters, folks began to dial in their rifles at long range by adjusting the MOA, which is easily dialed in on the scopes. All of the rifles were fitted with bipods for this, and shooters were instructed on form, stability, and consistency. “Canting” of a rifle during your time in the field or hunting is one of the biggest reasons shooters often times miss targets. “Canting is one of the major issues shooters have, as it is easy to get into a

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bad habit of doing it,” reminds Bob. The bubble scopes help to keep shooters’ rifles level and gunners honest when shooting from the prone position. Beck was seen quite often telling clients, “Check your bubble.” Shooters were also regularly reminded about their form and breathing, in relation to accuracy and consistency. Before long, everyone was hitting at 600-, 800- and 1,000-plus yards. Smiles and high fives were a common sight in the afternoon at the MOA range as guys told stories of that 1,800-yard shot that had always been on their bucket list. “Check it off, man,” I said with a smile to an older gentleman. Bob points out, “At MOA, our goal is to continue to produce an affordable high-quality weapon for not only seasoned shooters, but beginners as well. We want all of our clients to be satisfied and know that we stand behind all of our products and will continue to support them along the way for many years to come.” Now is the time to get your long-range groove on and jump into this fast-growing sport that is not only a great challenge, but takes serious skill in order to become an accomplished shooter. WSJ Editor’s note: For more information about MOA rifles, visit moarifles.com or call (541) 526-1820.

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TAKING ON THE CHALLENGING ANNUAL QUIGLEY SHOOT ‘Maybe I Should Have Used a .45’ ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

The buffalo target posted at the entrance to the Quigley shoot represents the challenging, far-away targets that participants are expected to hit with their 1800s-era buffalo rifles.

he Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match is a highly renowned annual event hosted by the Forsyth Rifle & Pistol Club out of Forsyth, Mont. Inspiration for this long-range match, of course, came from the movie Quigley Down Under, starring Tom Selleck. And the shooting in the match is almost as good as what was portrayed in the movie. This year saw the 23rd annual gathering for the Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match, and it was attended by over 600 buffalo gun shooters from 36 different states and three countries. Highest compliments must be extended to the staff for the administration of this fine event. Putting over 600 shooters through the course, where

each fires 48 shots, in approximately eight to 12 hours over two days is a real accomplishment. It is done by assigning shooters into 12 groups, and those groups are divided into squads. Each squad has six shooters who take their shots sequentially as the scorekeeper calls their names. Shooters must be on time, and if you are not in your relay when your squad is shooting, you miss those shots. There are two sets of targets, so that two groups can fire at the same time, each with their own target, scorekeeper, and safety officer. The matches are open to traditional single-shot or lever-action rifles, firing bullets of .375 diameter or larger. They have classes for several kinds of rifles; trapdoor, lever action, original Bal-

lards, and others, but the most popular guns on the firing line are the Sharps, a few rolling blocks, and the Highwalls. My choice for shooting in this event was my favorite ’74 Sharps in .44/77 from C. Sharps Arms. The loads used in that rifle contained 70 grains (by volume) of Olde Eynsford 2F powder under a card wad, which was just behind 400-grain grease-groove bullets cast from Accurate Molds’ No. 44-400B. That loading produces about 1,370 feet per second from my gun’s 28-inch barrel. Most of the long-range shooters use heavier or longer bullets in their loads to help buck the crosswinds, which tend to blow lighter bullets farther off course. A rundown of the targets is actually short and rather specific. There are six westernshootingjournal.com 49

black powder

Allen Cunniff fires his new .45/70 at the buffalo.

targets that begin with the metal buffalo at 805 yards. Next, is the large octagon at 600 yards. That is followed by the first “postage stamp,” a vertical rectangle at 530 yards. Then, comes the “diamond” out at 405 yards, which is followed by a second “postage stamp” at 417 yards. The sixth target is,

in my opinion, the toughest, and it is also the closest: it’s the “bucket” at 350 yards. All targets are fired at from the sitting position while using X-sticks, except for the bucket, which is fired at from the offhand position. Personally, I made hits on every target at least once, using my .44/77, ex-

cept for the bucket. Maybe that’s why I think it is the most difficult to hit. And having the targets set out at those irregular distances certainly adds to the challenge and the fun. But getting at least one hit on each of the targets was a small goal that I had set for myself. That goal, I will quickly admit without shame, was not realized. I just couldn’t get a hit on the bucket, but folks who were watching could see that my shots were close enough to show that I was trying. In fact, Don McDowell, was spotting my shots through his scope, and after one very close miss, he exclaimed, “If you were using a .45 you would have hit it!” Our group started on target No. 2, which simply means we got to shoot at target No. 1, the buffalo, last. My hits had been few, as I admit, but getting three good hits on the long-distance buffalo target added well to my score and really helped to make my day. You can go online to quigleymatch.com and

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black powder read all of the details, including the individual scores. My finishing score was only 11 hits out of 48 shots, putting me in 542nd place. I’m not ashamed of that, not for my first try at long-range shooting, but even so, I have all of my excuses lined up and ready. My partner, Allen Cunniff, who was another first-timer, got the highest score from our small camp. He used

A crowd gathers at the event’s awards ceremony.

his good old .45/90 to get a score of 23 hits. Good job, Allen! He also bought a new .45/70 and fired it during “sight in” before the match started. I must say that using a silver-blade front sight out in those always-changing light conditions is not the best idea. Shooting with an aperture front sight is much easier; just put the “white dot” on the targets in the “mid-

dle” and squeeze the shot off. I’m already planning on using different sights at next year’s Quigley match. This year’s match scores for those 48 long-range shots ran from 45 hits all the way down to zero. The shooters who did not score any hits are not looked down upon at all. They tried, so they’re a real part of these doin’s. The top shooter was Ed Tilton, from Columbia Falls, Mont., and he used a Model ’74 Shiloh Sharps in .45/90. With that rifle, Ed used bullets from a mould he cut himself, which resembles the elliptically-shaped nose of the “money bullet.” Ed, of course, cannot be complimented enough for his outstanding shooting, and getting this year’s winner’s plaque is his second Quigley win in a row. The ladies shoot right along with the men. The top-shooting lady gets the “Crazy Cora” award, which this year went to Tiffany Sage, with a score of 39 hits.

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The young shooters are certainly not ignored. The under-16 crowd shoot in their own class, and this year’s top scorer was Savannah Hickey. Also, a special youth rifle, a Model 1875 engraved .40/65, was donated by C. Sharps Arms and won by Justin Haynes. By the way, the record high score at Quigley, shot by Al Loquasto, in 2004, is 46 hits out of the possible 48. The long-range course at Quigley has never been “aced.” Most of the shooters and guests at the Quigley doin’s stay in a tent and “tin-tepee” camp, which begins just behind traders’ row. That camp is simply huge, and is known as “Quigleyville.” Because Quigleyville has a greater population than some of the towns in that corner of Montana, I suggest that it should also get a Post Office and zip code. Some words about traders’ row are also in order. There was simply a whole lot to see, and I did buy some goods

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Match winner Ed Tilton with the treasured 1st place plaque, signed by actor Tom Selleck.

while shopping between shooting relays. The entire row stretched out, just across the road from the firing line, for about a quarter of a mile. Several of the better known traders were there, including Dave Gullo from Buffalo Arms Co. (buffaloarms.com) and Steve Brooks the bullet-mould maker (brooksmoulds.com). The goods I bought included some vegetable-fiber wads for my .44/77 and another pair of X-sticks, plus more. The Boy Scouts from the area put on such good feeds that going to Quigley without much food or cookin’ gear is just fine. While the Scouts didn’t offer a lot of variety, nobody who had one of their breakfasts could say they were still hungry. Other food was also available, but my vote for the best chow goes to the Boy Scouts. For me, the whole Quigley experience was simply outstanding, and the brotherhood of the shooters is something which isn’t commonly found everywhere in today’s America. As an example, I was talking with Ed Tilton, the match winner, and when we compared our scores – my 11 hits compared to his 45 – he said that my scores are certainly going to climb and his own can only go down, then we’ll meet somewhere in the middle.That’s a great way to look at it! WSJ westernshootingjournal.com 55

Washington State Senator Pam Roach poses with son Dan while hunting doves.

PROTECTING YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Outspoken State Senator Explains How She Got That Way ARTICLE BY RACHEL ALEXANDER • PHOTOS BY PAM ROACH

am Roach may be the strongest Second Amendment advocate in the Washington State Senate. The longtime legislature who represents a suburb near Tacoma is known for her annual legislative trips to the range and loyalty to Washington’s firearms community. I had a chance to interview her recently, to find out how she came to be such an outspoken ally. RACHEL ALEXANDER What is your background: Did you grow

up shooting, and if so, how did that influence your beliefs today? PAM ROACH My dad had two daughters, and I was the eldest. He didn’t have a bird dog, so he took me hunting instead. I grew up hunting east of San Diego, Calif., in Lemmon Valley and El Centro. My father would shoot doves with a .410 shotgun, and always got his limit. Dad thought it was dangerous to deer hunt because there were too many people. We couldn’t afford a hunting trip to Alaska. Not too long ago I went dove hunting in Argentina with my son Dan. I think it is effective if you’re talking to the media about guns, and you’ve got an AR-15 in your hand. It puts a positive spin on the shooting sports. I’m an advocate, I don’t just take a position. I think everyone should own a gun. Shooting sports are a family hobby. I enjoy the camaraderie. I like shooting with my son, who is now chair of the Pierce County, Wash., Council.

few things we could do to move forward. One of them we are working on is the protection of shooting ranges against encroachment. When growth occurs, big developments are built in the suburbs, and people move there. If they buy a home near a gun range, they start complaining about the noise. But the gun range was there before them. We are also looking into increasing resources for hunting and fishing. We need more enforcement officers on the hunting side. I got two new officer positions created in the budget for Eastern Washington, after they contacted me requesting more. The government will close down access to hunting if there aren’t enough fish and game officers. They’ll make it so people can’t hunt. It also hurts other outdoor activities. Since there are people who abuse the system, if they don’t have the enforcement, they close the access. RA Do you find yourself under attack because of your

strong support of the Second Amendment? PR I’m not under attack in my district. The majority in my

district support the right to keep and bear arms, and they hunt and fish. Of course, my opponents will find niche markets and then use them against me.

RA What is currently happening in the Washington legisla-

RA Do you have any advice for getting women involved in

ture in regards to Second Amendment legislation? PR Given the political climate in Olympia, there are only a

PR Get a companion who likes these types of activities to go

shooting?

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numbers. Look at Initiative 1185, which passed in 2012. It now requires a two-thirds majority vote in the legislature to raise taxes. If you look at the legislative districts outside of King County, they’re very Republican. Only four legislative districts said no to 1185; that’s four out of 49. McKenna did well everywhere outside of King County. There is a dense population outside of Seattle, and people are putting pressure on their legislators. The NRA will set up in the legislative gallery and put pressure on the left. They know the NRA has membership lists and controls a big voting block.

RA Tell us a bit about your legislative

day at the range. PR During session in Olympia, all the

press is there, so it’s the perfect opportunity to access media from around the state and the Portland media. It’s a captive audience with all the legislators and staff on campus. I offer them a free experience. We had a nice press conference prior to our last shooting at the Evergreen Sportsmen’s Club. Representatives from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Association of Sportsmen’s Caucuses spoke, among others. The topic we stressed was the economic impact to the state of Washington. RA Since moving back to Washington

state two years ago, after 16 years in Arizona, it was interesting to see how this state has moved to the left on most political issues – yet not the

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Senator Roach doesn’t just vote for the Second Amendment, she advocates for legislation.

Second Amendment. Why do you think that is so? PR I don’t think Washington is that liberal. Look how close the last governor’s race was between Democrat Jay Inslee and Republican Rob McKenna. We really should have a Republicancontrolled House and Senate by large

RA Any final thoughts? PR It’s prudent to always want to exer-

cise your constitutional rights. A gun is something that you want access to; one of the most important reasons for it is self-defense. But exercise this right in a very safe responsible way, especially if you have children around. Safety first. Have a gun safe and use it. WSJ

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ccording to 2011 FBI statistics, women make up 12 percent of the 700,000 law enforcement officers, spanning about 14,000 total police agencies nationwide. Of approximately 84,000 women cops, only some 219 are chiefs of their departments, which equates to about 1.5 percent. The crux of it is, at this time, it is extraordinary for a woman to hold a top leadership position in law enforcement. Chief Jacqueline A. Seabrooks of the Santa Monica, Calif., Police Department is one of those extraordinary women police officers. She received national television attention as a result of a tragic multiple murder case in June 2013. Chief Seabrooks presented the facts to the media with exceptional attention to detail and cool poise that conveyed the sense that everything was under control. It was under control. Her responding officers had shot and killed the deranged gunman on the scene, putting an end to his rampage. Seabrooks became chief in May of 2012. She is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day leadership of the 455-member police department, which patrols all 8.2 square miles of Santa Monica. This beach community, about 10 miles west of Los Angeles, is home to 92,000 people, and a recreation and work destination to another 200,000 people daily. She manages an annual operating budget of $73 million from tax dollars. Her road to the top took 30 years of work. She began her career in the California State Police, but transferred

ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM • PHOTO BY SANTA MONICA POLICE DEPARTMENT

to Santa Monica as a patrol officer in 1982. Women officers, and especially black women officers, were a lot less common than they are today. She worked the streets for nine years before getting promoted to sergeant in 1991. She was the first woman to be promoted to that rank in the city. In fact, each time she was promoted thereafter, she was the first woman to hold the position. She became a lieutenant in 1997 and a captain in 2001. In 2007, she left Santa Monica to become Chief of the nearby Inglewood, Calif., Police Department, which was slightly more than half the size of her current department, though geographically it covered a somewhat larger area. During the four years and eight months she was chief in Inglewood, crime dropped to levels not been seen since the 1970s. For Seabrook, police work in the community is where law makes a real difference in the lives of the people, and police officers bear the responsibility to faithfully uphold it for everyone’s benefit. This is what first made her passionate about her career and still drives her today. At the time she was coming up through

the ranks, she was frustrated many times by stereotypes that distracted from what should have been the real focus of the measure of an officer’s worth; the quality of performance. In her career, she has not only served as an officer of the law, but also as an agent of change in the culture of law enforcement. She did this by being truly excellent at her work and not allowing herself to be limited by stereotypes. WSJ

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Marion Hammer, Pistol-packing Grandma of the ‘Gunshine State’ ARTICLE BY RACHEL ALEXANDER • PHOTO BY THE NRA

he has been called “the NRA’s most powerful weapon.” CNN refers to her as “unstoppable.” Bloomberg Businessweek described her work as “Pistol-Packing Grandma Pushes NRA Laws Across U.S.” Marion Hammer became president of the NRA in 1995 and served through 1998. She remains on the board of directors, and continues her lobbying for the NRA in the Florida State Legislature, where she is considered one of the state’s most successful lobbyists. In fact, as a direct result of her efforts, Florida is sometimes referred to as “The Gunshine State.” She successfully got the legislature to implement Stand Your Ground in

2005, opening up about how she once had to pull out her .38 Special to defend herself in a parking garage. The law was the first of its kind in the nation, and since then, half the states have adopted it. In 2008, Hammer successfully got a law passed that allows employees to bring firearms with them to work, provided they are locked in their vehicles. Hammer received her first gun when she was only 5 years old. The .22 single-shot rifle had belonged to her father, who died in World War II. She said in an interview with Bloomberg, “He gave his life for freedom. I feel that I am carrying on that fight.” As a child, she would spend her allowance on rifle cartridges. She

entered shooting competitions, where she met her husband, and became a certified firearms instructor. At just 4-foot-11, some of the muzzleloaders she likes to shoot are taller than her. At her office in Tallahassee, Fla., she keeps a replica Charleville musket mounted above the desk. There is a bullet-riddled target on the wall – the “First Ever Award for Ass Kicking” given to her by a police organization, and her concealed weapon permit – License No. 0000001. Hammer has quite the sense of humor. The president of the Audubon Society of Florida opposed the NRA on gun show regulations. Hammer responded by opposing the Audubon’s attempt to make the endangered scrub jay the state’s bird, saying the way it it scrounges for food represents a “welfare mentality.” She has received a long list of awards. In 2004, she was inducted into the Florida Women`s Hall of Fame by Governor Jeb Bush. She received the “Florida Outstanding Women Achievement Award” from the Florida Secretary of State in 1997. In 1996, she received the “Arizona Governor`s Appreciation Award” for promoting equal opportunities for women. The National Safety Council presented her with a “National Citation Outstanding Community Service Award” in 1993. The American Legion honored Hammer and the NRA with a “National Education Award” in 1995 for creating the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program for kids. The NRA even named an award after her, the “Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award.” She has been honored on too many occasions to list by law enforcement, state and federal governments, and as well as gun rights organizations, and others. She was the only woman to receive the “Roy Rogers Man of the Year” award. Hammer is a real trailblazer for women in the realm of firearms, and as someone who was not raised around guns, I am grateful that she was there to do the heavy lifting for the rest of us in advance. WSJ westernshootingjournal.com 63

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

WOMAN AND VETERAN-OWNED FIREARMS STORE Albuquerqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belinda Gallegos Chimes In On The Challenges

ARTICLE BY RACHEL ALEXANDER

.S. Air Force veteran Belinda Gallegos co-owns ABQ Guns in Albuquerque, N.M., with her husband, Arnold. Located on the west side of the city. The shop caters to women as much as men. The couple has over 20 years experience each with firearms of all types, and Arnold has three NRA certified firearms training certificates. RACHEL ALEXANDER How did you de-

velop an interest in firearms? BELINDA GALLEGOS I used to be in the

Air Force, on a team where I had to qualify with a long gun. I was a medic. I did really, really well, scoring expert marksman level. When I got out of the service and married my husband, he wanted me to have personal protection. As a result, I am not a victim anywhere I go, I know how to protect myself. I am pretty confident I could defend myself, if I needed to.

(ALBUQUERQUE GUNS)

RA How did your firearms business come about? BG My husband has always been an entrepreneur. He has started 10 businesses. We wanted to create a firearms business where women would feel comfortable stopping by. Women can come in and ask questions and not be judged or ridiculed. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a beginner, you have tons of questions. Sometimes you get an attitude from the people behind the counter. We wanted to make people

westernshootingjournal.com 65

feel comfortable.

them if I don’t know an answer.

RA What does ABQ Firearms offer? BG We sell a little bit of everything –

RA What about women who are new

revolvers, pistols, shotguns, rifles, components to build your own guns, accessories, ammo, concealed-carry purses, holsters and more. We do a lot with concealed carry. Even though my husband is licensed, we don’t teach the classes ourselves, we work with two reputable instructors.

BG When I show new buyers guns, I

RA Do you have any advice for women

wanting to get into the firearms industry? BG Learn your guns. If you want to get into this business, you need to be able to talk on the same level as an experienced shooter. You’d be surprised how many male customers come in, and they try to talk above my level, but because I paid attention, I can talk the talk with them, so they back off and respect me. The male customers eventually know they can come talk to me. I’m not afraid to tell

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

to guns? can sense apprehension from some, and I will recommend that they go for training prior to buying the firearm. We go over very basic knowledge of firearms with customers: how to hold it, clean it, take care of it and handle it – but we do not offer regular firearms instruction. I want to make sure that I’m selling to someone informed; I don’t want them just buying on a whim. There are only two guys I recommend for training; these are the ones I’ve gotten consistently great feedback on, Dale Perkins and Kurt Carlson. I tell people to take their questions to them. I tell women to make sure the gun fits their hands. Women will ask me what I like to carry. But people have different preferences. By taking lessons first, you can start out with a .22

and move up to a .45. You can try out revolvers, pistols and more. You get a chance to shoot it first before you buy it. There are so many things that are involved in buying a handgun. I started out with a .38 Special. It has gotten me out of a few bad situations. RA What do you like to shoot? BG I like my 10/22 rifle and my Sig

Sauer p238 (a .380). I love the Sig. I carry two firearms, the Sig and a Springfield XD .40. RA How does your husband fit into the picture of running the firearms business? BG My husband is very, very knowledgeable. He’s a hunter and has taught me a considerable amount about shooting. RA What should people know about ABQ Guns? BG We offer $15 transfers. If we don’t have what you want, then we can try to order it. WSJ

westernshootingjournal.com 67

TEXAS’S FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS FOR WOMEN

WOMEN HUNTERS

MAKING GROUND IN ALASKA Women Buying 20 Percent Of Hunting Licenses It was in the fall of 2006 that I first discovered duck hunting. The ground was cold and unforgiving, and the nearest escape from the misery of damp cobwebs and the flesh of rotting salmon was a 400-yard crawl away. Mascara dripped into my eyes as the sky opened up with rain, and I missed a shot on a pair of wigeon. A news reporter contacted me shortly after this beginning to my hunting ca-

reer – it was newsworthy then that a girl would go out into the marsh. That was just a few years ago, but the times have changed – and quickly. Women have always participated in hunting, but are no longer seen as a novel exception to the rule of men in the hunting arena. They are becoming its newest face and hope of preserving the hunting tradition. According to hunting license infor-

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE CUNNINGHAM

mation available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the number of females who purchased resident hunting licenses in Alaska in 2011 made up approximately 19 percent of the total licenses purchased. In 2012, females purchasing resident hunting licenses accounted for 20 percent of the total purchased in the state, making one in five of Alaska’s hunters female. This number represents a higher

The author on a remote duck hunt with her chocolate Lab, Cheyenne.

The author is an avid bird hunter, and here holds a surf scoter, a type of sea duck.

percentage of female hunters than the national average of 9 percent, reported in a comprehensive review of hunting licenses by the National Shooting Sports Foundation in 2009. It isn’t just license numbers that are on the rise. Alaska’s hunters’ education program tracks information about its participants, and according to Ginamaria Smith, who leads the state’s hunter education and training programs for the Division of Wildlife

Conservation, statewide statistics for females who complete the hunters education course have increased since 2003, when 1,366 participants completed the program and 13.5 percent of the participants were female. In 2012, 2,382 participants took a hunter education class and 35.3 percent were female. Elaina Spraker, the clinic director of the Kenai Peninsula’s popular Women on Target program, notes,

“Guns are a significant part of the Alaskan culture; they are a very important tool not only for protection from two- and four-legged animals, but equally important as a means to harvest food.” While a fear of bears may not resonate with those living in most U.S. cities, peninsula residents face a very real fear of both brown and black bears in residential communities. Defense of life and property (DLP) bear mortality has doubled in the past decade, and a firearm is often recommended for any outdoor pursuit – from jogging to taking the kids to the park. AS MY HUNTING AND SHOOTING PURSUITS

evolved, I began to connect with other women who were living a similar life. We met at sporting events, gun ranges, and in online forums. Some of us were just learning to hunt, and others had spent their lives as guides, taxidermists, and even local legends in the field. Because the stories of women hunters were under-

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represented in outdoor literature, I was encouraged to undertake a project to share the variety of perspectives of a growing number of women hunters. There was no shortage of material – from a bush pilot who took a subsistence moose while pregnant and with her son in a pack on her back, to an 84-year old who had taken all of the 29 North American species of big game. The stories were both familiar and unlike any of my own. Before writing the book Women Hunting Alaska, I had little idea what the difference between a female hunter and a male hunter would be when it came to the stories told. The answer became clear – for each hunter, the meaning of a hunt is developed over time and is a confluence of how each of us was raised, how we’ve lived and grown, and the place we finally find ourselves. In Alaska, wild game is a significant part of many families’ diet. Whether living in rural communities or on the road system, the ability to provide sustainable

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

food through hunting is part of the Alaska way of life. Kerribeth Bahr explains the sentiment felt by many Alaskan women interested in obtaining food through hunting, “It’s a really good feeling when you are the only person that touched your dinner.” Bahr moved to Alaska in 2006 after 10 years in the army working on helicopters. She now works for a small regional airline in Nome. Although she has gone on trophy hunts in Africa and New Zealand, her favorite thing is to leave town on the weekends, get out into the wilderness and look for ptarmigan, fox, or signs of bears. This firsthand ability to survive and sustain ourselves and our families, as well as be an active participant in the outdoors, is something that resonates with many Alaskan women. Alaska’s conservation groups have embraced women hunters as the future of hunting, and these women work to involve their children in nature and provide them with an under-

standing of sustainable food practices. As a volunteer instructor for the hunter education program, my local chapter of Delta Waterfowl, and Safari Club International’s Annual Upland Hunt, it’s refreshing to see the interest women have not just in taking game, but in being capable of field dressing and cooking it as well. One participant in a recent workshop said, “I needed to know that I could care for the game before I could go hunting. That was as important to me as learning to shoot.” As my own adventures in the field grew to include a family of sporting dogs, and advanced to hunting big game, every step in the process has been an awakening. The hard work involved in hunting is its own reward. Oftentimes men will ask how to involve their wives or daughters if they do not show an interest in hunting. It’s true that hunting is not for everyone, or something that can be easily learned from a husband or father. For others, the hunting fields offer a bond

OREGON’S FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS FOR WOMEN

that is unlike any other. It’s a time when we completely abandon our domestic roles and share a pursuit. It provides insight into each other’s values and ethics as we encounter the lessons of life at its most fundamental level. Involving women in this adventure is as simple as remembering to invite them. Last winter, my nephew called me daily to remind me I had promised to take him ice fishing. He wanted to go so badly, he updated me on every fishing-related thought that went through his mind via text and phone message. It was impossible to forget to ask him along on my next trip. When I arrived at his house that morning, his younger sister watched us

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

as we were packing up his gear. Because she was not as persistent and had never asked, I had never thought of inviting her. I quickly repaired my mistake and asked, “Do you like to fish?” Her face lit up and she said, “I love to go fishing.” My nephew grew pale. He did not want his annoying younger sister tagging along. “She’s never been fishing!” he said. “She doesn’t know how to fish!” After all I had learned and been through since my first day in the field, I knew for sure we were taking his little sister. She was the best behaved on the trip, and showed interest in every aspect of what we did. It surprised both her brother and her mother that she had wanted to go. I’m so incredibly grateful someone thought to invite me, and I hope it’s something I can pass on. WSJ Editor’s note: For up-to-date information on the Women Hunting Alaska book, please visit Northern Publishing or like Women Hunting Alaska on Facebook.

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westernshootingjournal.com 75

MOVE OVER RENO 911,

SMALL TOWN SECURITY IS HERE Reality Show Focuses On Quirky Georgia Security Business ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM

Lt. Dennis Starr and Sherry Dee Allen. (GENE PAGE/AMC)

mall Town Security, which has run for three seasons now on AMC, is about JJK Security, a small, private security business in Ringgold, Ga., population 3,645. The company was founded in 1984 and is family owned by Joan and Irwin Koplan, who have been married for 44 years. The show focuses mainly on Joan and Irwin’s interactions with each other and their three core employees, Lt. Dennis Starr Croft, who heads up the security guard force, Brian Taylor, the private investigator and process server, and Christa Stephens, the secretary. The cast is refreshingly honest, revealing many things that will make you go “wow!” They have been described as “some of the most unusual people you will ever meet.” In one episode, JJK Security is holding a training session when a thief steals a

bicycle right in front of them. The guards all fail the test, failing to accurately identify the thief. The show has great characters, and that is the fundamental element of successful television. TV producers couldn’t have scripted a more curious group of lovable and interesting characters. The feisty and unpredictable Joan Koplan is quite the colorful main character, known for her cursing, burping, love of fine cigars, chihuahuas, peanut butter and Cool Whip. She often has lipstick on her teeth and smudged eyeliner, because she is terrible at doing her own makeup. On one episode, Koplan laughed so hard she peed her pants. She has farting contests with her husband and admits there is a lot of farting in the office. “Lieutenant Croft is the big farter, really. His farts have gone from trumpet to trombone,” Koplan admitted in a media interview.

Owner Joan Koplan loves her chihuahuas. (BEN LEUNER/AMC)

westernshootingjournal.com 77

Koplan relayed on one episode that she used to have her own talk show on a public access station, “The Joan Koplan Forum,” but it was canceled due to her foul langauge. She gets it back after promising the station owner to “keep it clean.” Lt. Starr has his own quirky characteristics, which you’ll have to watch the show to discover. He once moved his entire family to Montana to live off the land to escape the feared Y2K disaster. They built a bomb shelter and stockpiled firearms. Most of the show takes place inside the security company’s headquarters, which is cluttered because 78

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Irwin Koplan, who wears a mismatched toupee, is a hoarder. The show’s success hasn’t always helped the business. Some in the small town of Ringgold don’t like all the attention, and clients who hire the company don’t always appreciate the TV cameras following them around. This friction is revealed on recent shows. Joan Koplan explained to Hollywood.com in a July 2012 interview how the show got started: “I’ve had people coming into my office for a long time saying how crazy it is and how it should be a reality show.” She knew someone from a talent agency, and the rest is history. The show has

been a surprise hit for AMC. Last year, Small Town Security was rated among the top 25 most popular shows on cable TV, with over 150,000 viewers. Koplan enjoys patrolling; she doesn’t just sit behind a desk all day and order employees around. She told Hollywood.com, “I don’t patrol as much as I used to because I’ve got five people out there patrolling. But I love going out a lot of times by myself. I’m out there for like two or three hours, patrolling our places, mostly car lots, trying to catch somebody doing something. That’s in my blood.” The best reality TV shows have a genuineness to their characters that makes them worth the investment of the viewers’ time. Such is the case with Small Town Security. The characters’ interactions with each other are believable and sincere and therefore relatable. One TV critic told her mom after watching the show, “I love them. I want to work with them. I want to live with them.” Another reviewer at Grantland.com expressed, “I have no idea why I like it, but when I sit here and stare at it, it makes me feel things.” The cast may be different than what we’re used to on most TV shows, especially law enforcement shows, but it’s a realistic reflection of what America is like today. Just honest folks with flaws but also good intentions and charisma. It shows “the human condition in its grittiest coarseness and its finest tenderness,” as one online commenter characterized it. I would not be surprised if the cast of this show left the security business for the entertainment industry. AMC did a few completely fictional sequences with them as teasers for the show’s third season, portraying them as Hollywood actors who were just playing the parts of real people in a reality TV show. I found these clips online, and to my surprise, the cast was completely convincing. I think they are really actors at heart who have been trapped in the uniforms of private security guards. Joan Koplan has said she always wanted to sing. Sometimes it takes a while to find your calling. WSJ

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Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

SECURITY TO THE ST RS BY RACHEL ALEXANDER PHOTOS BY THE BODYGUARD GROUP OF BEVERLY HILLS Q&A With The Bodyguard Group Of Beverly Hills ARTICLE

Clients include some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Kim Kardashian (l) and Lindsay Lohan, who is pictured here with owner Kris Herzog.

s part of our new threepart series about security, I spoke with Richard Davis, the director of operations for The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills. His security team has been providing high-end executive protection for the rich and famous since 1967. Some of his clients include Jon Voight, Eva Longoria, Jack Nicholas, Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Paris Hilton; as well as presidential candidates Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich, and Herman Cain. They have occasionally had to fire clients, due to their irresponsible drinking or drugs. Staffed solely by U.S. military veterans, the group has a perfect record, with no client injuries ever in its 47year history.

RACHEL ALEXANDER Tell me a bit about

your bodyguards. RICHARD DAVIS The Bodyguard Group is comprised of Navy SEALs, and the police bodyguards, who are former military veterans, make up the rest of the group. There are over 700 members nationally, and the company operates primarily out of Beverly Hills. RA What does it take to work there? RD Our bodyguards must be U.S. vet-

erans, with a specialized job skill in the military related to the field they are serving with us. To be in our K9 unit, the veteran must have worked with K9s. The same goes for Navy SEAL or Delta Special Forces and detectives. In order to protect celebrities, they must have done protective detail in the military.

RA Who would want to hire you? RD Our safety and protective record

stands out: we’ve never had an injury or illegal action involving a client. We provide job placement for elite U.S. veterans – the elite of the elite. If you support the troops, by hiring us you are supporting the troops. We help people at high risk, such as protective witnesses who have not yet applied for or qualified for protection, we will move them and change their name. We tell them: Here are the 10 best words you’re ever gonna hear in your life: “You are now under the protection of SEAL Team 6.” RA What areas do you cover? RD We cover the entire continental U.S. RA How do you deal with the pawesternshootingjournal.com 81

HERE ARE THE 10 BEST WORDS YOU’RE EVER GONNA HEAR IN YOUR LIFE: “YOU ARE NOW UNDER THE PROTECTION OF SEAL TEAM 6.”

More photos of Britney Spears with The Bodyguard Group can be found at thebodyguardgroup.com/Britney-Spears.html.

guards also carry JPX jet protector. That pepper spray blasts 450 mph at a length of up to 21 feet. There is a video on our website, thebodyguardgroup.com, of a bodyguard shooting someone in the face. You can see over 1,000 photos of our history on our website. RA Are your bodyguards disguised or

obvious? RD We have clandestine operations

Paris can be seen on video being protected by The Bodyguard Group at thebodyguardgroup.com/Paris-Hilton.html.

parazzi, like TMZ? RD We beat them up every chance we get. In California, it is legal to engage in mutual combat. Every time they call one of our clients a filthy word, we’ll call them out for legal mutual combat. Roger Felker, our chief legal investigator, has just won his second award from the FBI for outstanding work as a criminal investigator. RA How are you able to avoid com-

plaints?

where they work undercover, as well as non-clandestine operations where they act as a deterrent, with a suit and earpiece. We dress down to match our client. RA How did the company start? RD Founder Bill Herzog came back

from Vietnam in 1967, with fellow veterans, some from the Korean War era, and they complained to the mother of actor John Wayne about not being able to find jobs. John Wayne suggested founding a company that only hired U.S. veterans. He used to vacation on Catalina Island, and those of us from the company would see him there until 1979. The company is now run by Bill’s son, Kris Herzog.

RD We are the elite of the elite. The

same people that are protecting you have protected the president. When someone is running for president, they receive zero Secret Service protection until the field is narrowed down to the last major candidates. Vice presidents lose all Secret Service protection six months after they leave office. We spent seven months protecting Obama when he was running for president.

RA I read this disclaimer on your web-

site: “We are not a security rent-aguard company – period.” What do you mean by this? RD We have no security guards, we only have U.S. veterans. We are highend, and a free job placement referral group for elite law enforcement. We

don’t have to accept applications from anyone. You might compare it to a private country club versus a public golf course. RA Have you ever have any incidents? RD Kris Herzog pushed a gun off the

eye of one our high-risk clients once. It was stuck up to the face of one of our clients overseas. The assailant shot Kris through his hand as he pushed the gun away. RA Anything else you think our readers should know? RD I wish California had the same concealed weapons permit laws that Arizona now does, which allow residents to carry concealed without a government permit. Arizona is the perfect model for the rest of the country. Crime rates have gone down there, and Phoenix is not even in the top 100 most dangerous cities in America. Whereas in Los Angeles County, 99.99 percent of concealed carry applications are denied. L.A. has more gun violence and crime than Phoenix. I wish the NRA would champion this kind of law. WSJ Editor’s note: The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills pays 25 percent cash back on future profits for successful referrals. Visit the website at thebodyguardgroup.com.

RA What kind of firearms do your

bodyguards carry? RD The Sig Sauer P220 in .45 caliber

ACP is our favorite gun. For a shotgun, we prefer the Remingon 770, and for a rifle, the Colt M4. Body82

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

Owner Kris Herzog (l) was shot in the hand once pushing a gun off the eye of a high-risk client.

As a deterrent, Kris Herzog deliberately does not dress undercover when protecting highprofile clients like Jessica Alba.

INSIDE THE PRIVATE

SECURITY WORLD PART 1 Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Bodyguard? ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM • PHOTO BY CANSTOCKPHOTO

here is an increasing demand for security professionals of all types in the present economy, and this month I’ll lay out for you some of the facts about becoming a bodyguard, or personal protection agent as they are sometimes called in the field of executive protection (EP). The job is to protect your client from harm. That includes physical harm and harm to

their reputation. Keep in mind, the latter does not include getting rid of a dead prostitute or any other criminal activity. Any client who asks a professional bodyguard to break the law is a client not worth working for. Though dominated by men, women can and have been successful in the field. Women can blend into the background in ways that men

often can’t, allowing them to watch for potential threats without being recognized as bodyguards. Military and law enforcement backgrounds can be very helpful, but they aren’t prerequisites for a career in this area, and neither is physical size. Contrary to what you might expect, most of the requirements are really mental and character related. Obviously, you must be in excellent physical shape to defend your client, and yourself. You must have keen senses in order to perceive threats quickly and gain valuable reaction time. After that, it’s all about what’s going on between your ears and the kind of person your life has made you into. Intelligence, discipline and the ability to concentrate in distracting environments are critical to success in this field. In addition, personal integrity, discretion, tact, courtesy and charm are the traits of a great bodyguard. Though it might not seem so, it is a people person’s job. As in police work, most situations will require less-than-lethal force. For example, consider the difficult position of the bodyguard who recently had to separate singer Jay-Z from the aggressive slapping he was receiving from his sister-in-law in a hotel elevator. Neutralizing the threat by throwing her to the ground was not an option, if for no other reason than her sister, singer Beyonce, was also in the elevator. The bodyguard bear hugged her, which must have been like trying to hold onto a mountain lion, and turned her to place his body between her and the victim. THERE ARE NO ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS for

bodyguards, but a great deal of the job requires research and analytical skills that one would tend to develop in college. A bodyguard will protect his client much more effectively through careful planning to avoid problems. This is called advance work, and it’s a lot more than just considering the list of people or groups that are a threat to your client, Through advance work, the bodyguard seeks out the information westernshootingjournal.com 85

THOUGH IT MIGHT NOT SEEM SO, IT IS A PEOPLE PERSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S JOB. needed to make a plan to protect his client. It entails everything from surveying the area your client will be in and developing primary and alternate driving routes to and from the location, to learning guest lists and meeting and interviewing staff members at the destination in order to recognize anyone who should not be there while you client is present and thus might present a threat. Advance work prepares the bodyguard and identifies areas of potential danger. By doing this risk assessment, dangers can be evaluated, and plans adjusted to bypassed or mitigate them so that confrontations are avoided altogether. If your advance work and the plan-

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

ning it produces fails to avoid a confrontation, you may be forced to use violence to protect yourself and your client. Fortunately, unlike the Secret Service, nobody realistically expects you to take a bullet for them. However, they do expect a high level of martial skill, both armed and unarmed. First off, don’t shoot your client accidentally. This may have been the fate of former Louisiana Governor Huey Long. Consider taking advanced courses in tactical shooting and hand-to-hand combat from reputable instructors, even if you have some military or law enforcement experience. There are private firms that offer basic and advanced course work in the EP field, which could prove beneficial, but check their reputation and credentials in the industry before you spend your hard-earned money on them. The actual state licensing requirements for bodyguards will vary. In California, a bodyguard’s mandatory training requirements are the same as for a guard, 40 hours of initial training followed by eight hours of continuing education every year. If you intend to work as the employee of a security firm, they will probably have their own training program to meet state licensing requirements, and you won’t need to pay for that on your own. You can expect to earn from $15 to $28 an hour. There is merit to paying your dues as an hourly employee to learn the business and get experience. Naturally, better pay can be realized by marketing yourself directly to your clients. To go into business for yourself, in addition to the usual business operations like advertising, bookkeeping, obtaining business liability insurance, etc., you’ll need to get your Private Patrol Operator (PPO) license. This is required before you can render security of bodyguard services to any person or business. To get your PPO, you must pass a state test, but once you do, you are free to be sell your services directly. In California, without a PPO you will always be someone else’s employee. WSJ westernshootingjournal.com 87

THE MOST POWERFUL

PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES IN THE WORLD PART 1 — NOS. 30-21 From ACADEMI (Formerly Blackwater) To The 640,000+ Employees Of G4S ARTICLE BY KATHY WEISER-ALEXANDER • PHOTOS BY WIKIMEDIA | REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM SECURITY DEGREE HUB

ear may be a strong motivator in uncertain times. Governments can only stretch so far, meaning some people are more than willing to pay private security companies to go the extra mile in protecting their loved ones. Firms operating in crisis zones around the world require protection as well, which has created a need for more

vigilant and military-minded security service providers. Sometimes, these companies also assist governments and armed forces, providing highly trained armed personnel and logistical support. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and it’s difficult to put a price tag on peace of mind. Read on for 30 of the most powerful private security companies in the world.

30 ACADEMI

Originally going under the name Blackwater USA, American private military company ACADEMI was established in 1997 by ex-U.S. Navy SEAL Erik Prince. Blackwater was awarded its first government contract in 2000, and in order for the company to fulfill it, more than 100,000 sailors were trained for acwesternshootingjournal.com 89

tion. Blackwater was heavily – and controversially – involved in the Iraq War. In 2009 Prince stepped down as CEO, and the firm, by then known as Blackwater Worldwide, was rebranded Xe Services LLC. In 2010 private investors took over, and the company became ACADEMI in 2011. According to its official website, ACADEMI offers “stability and protection to people and locations experiencing turmoil.” And it works with “federal, state and local government clients, global commercial customers, numerous law enforcement and intelligence organizations and agencies and allied governments worldwide.”

29 ICTS INTERNATIONAL

Former Israel Security Agency and El Al Israel Airlines security personnel formed Israeli private security company ICTS International N.V. in 1982. The firm’s head offices are in Amstelveen in the Netherlands. According to its website, ICTS International “provides advanced, comprehensive security solutions for the aviation and homeland security sectors, with an emphasis on transportation security in general, and railroad and mass transport security in particular.” Set up in 2005, I-SEC International Security BV is the company’s airport and airline security wing. Towards the end of the 1990s, ICTS International created a computer technology called Advanced Passenger Screening, which is utilized by the 90

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majority of major U.S. airlines. Based on passenger information, the algorithm calculates the likelihood of passengers posing some kind of threat. In 2008 ICTS International’s revenue totaled $98.8 million.

Triple Canopy’s employees are former special ops personnel and police officers. According to its official website, the company “provides mission support, security and training services to government agencies and multinational corporations worldwide.” Triple Canopy employs no less than 5,500 staff, and its clients include NGOs, telecommunication companies, oil and gas businesses, mining firms and financial organizations from all around the world. The company’s

SERVICES GROUP 28 NORTHBRIDGE

Registered in the Dominican Republic, but with offices in Kentucky, Ukraine and the U.K., Northbridge Services Group is a private military contractor that claims to provide “highly confidential and effective security related services designed to address the needs of governments, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, the corporate sector and prominent individuals.” Northbridge’s current CEO and president is ex-U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran Robert Kovacic, who took up his post in 2003. The company’s key services include security advisory and training, operational and intelligence support, and strategic communications. Northbridge also supports law enforcement agencies in the realm of terrorism, narcotics, organized crime, poaching, smuggling, maritime defense and the protection of natural resources. In 2003 the company made headlines when it controversially offered to capture beleaguered thenLiberian president Charles Taylor for a fee of $4 million. In 2012 Northbridge’s revenue totaled $50.5 million.

27 TRIPLE CANOPY

Triple Canopy is a private security, risk management and defense contracting company based in Reston, Va. Former U.S. Special Forces soldiers established the firm in Chicago in 2003, and a significant number of

chain of command counts former Delta Force soldiers, consultants and analysts among its number. Triple Canopy rose to prominence in 2004 in Iraq, and one of its Iraq defense contracts is valued at $1.5 billion.

26 PROSEGUR

Prosegur is a multinational private security company with 150,000 staff spread out over Europe, Asia, Oceania and Latin America. The firm was established in 1976, and its head office is located in Madrid. Its service areas comprise manned guarding, home security, fire defense, and security technology and consulting. Prosegur is Spain’s biggest private security firm, and in 1987 it made history as the first company of its kind to be listed on the Madrid Stock Ex-

change. In 2011 the firm earned $233.748 million. With a task force of over 4,700 armored vans, Prosegur is well known for its cash-in-transit services, which it outsources to banks around the world. The company’s

technology services include CCTV monitoring, access control, and “antiintrusion and perimeter detection.” Meanwhile, guarding provisions feature armed and unarmed guards as well as K-9 units and VIP protection.

DEFENCE SERVICES 25 AEGIS

Aegis Defence Services is a British private military company established in 2002 by former Sandline International director and British soldier Tim Spicer. The firm has foreign offices in Iraq, Kenya, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bahrain and the USA. It also had a hand in the establishment of the British Association of Private Security Companies. The company is involved with NGO, aerospace, and government and diplomatic sectors, as well as oil, gas and mining industries. Currently, Aegis has a $293 million contract with the U.S. government to provide protection and assistance during the restructuring of Iraq. In 2011 the company also

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secured a $497 million contract to protect the U.S. Embassy situated in Kabul, Afghanistan.

GK SIERRA

Founded in 2007, Washington, D.C.- and Portland-based private military company GK Sierra started out producing secure communication technology for the U.S. government. Two years later, the firm, which is a wing of Genoa-Knowlton, Inc., started offering investigation and intelligence options among its services. At present GK Sierra gathers intelligence for the CIA. As well as having a Tel-Aviv office, the company is said to employ high-ranking Mossad operatives, which has led to accusations that it is in fact part of the Israeli In-

telligence Service – allegations that GK Sierra has emphatically rejected. The company’s specialties include corporate investigation and intelligence, digital forensics, and encryption technology, while it is also purported to have “direct action” operatives on the ground in various countries around the world.

23 KBR

KBR is a private military, engineering and construction company based in Houston. It was formed in 1998, when Halliburton subsumed Dresser Industries and amalgamated Dresser subsidiary The M. W. Kellogg Co with its own subsidiary Brown & Root. KBR has worked in

countries like Cuba, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Currently, its American workforce in Iraq numbers 14,000,

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and it is also said to have the biggest U.S. government contract there – beating out all other Iraq-based companies. In 2008, KBR declared that it was buying Alabama’s BE&K in a deal said to be worth $550 million. In 2011 KBR earned $540 million. And today it employs more than 27,000 people in over 70 countries across Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Over the years, the firm has, however, been involved in its share of controversies – from allegations of sexual assault lodged by female employees, to paying off Nigerian officials for government contracts.

22 CORPS SECURITY

Formerly known as the Corps of Commissionaires, Corps Security is a British security company, that, officially speaking, reports to Queen Elizabeth II. Established in 1859, it is said to be the world’s oldest security firm, and today it has a team of about 3,000 security personnel plus a dozen offices

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throughout the U.K. The company’s specialty is corporate security – including event protection, electronic surveillance, and consulting. According to its official website, Corps Secu-

rity is “the leading supplier of specialist security solutions.” Dressed, upon request, in the company’s iconic Commissionaire Uniforms, Corps Security’s event protection unit secures high-profile sporting sites like Wembley Stadium and has a presence at important annual affairs such as the London Lord Mayor Show. Other services include manned guarding, CCTV surveillance, alarm response and key holding.

Defion Internacional is a private military company that supplies specialist security staff who are mostly recruited from Latin America. These personnel are often then contracted out to other companies; in fact, Defion Internacional first became known when it trained recruits to work with Triple Canopy in Iraq. Defion Internacional has bureaus in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Iraq and Dubai, and the firm specializes in training bodyguards, drivers, and logistics and administrative personnel. Latin American security staff stationed in the Middle East have been described as “guns for hire.” Moreover: “A Peruvian in Baghdad will not panic if he has to face a blast or a blackout because he has already experienced that on the streets of Lima,” Defion Internacional administrative manager Alejandro Fernandez has explained. WSJ

21 DEFION INTERNACIONAL

Editor's note: Next issue we'll profile Nos. 20-1.

Headquartered in Lima, Peru,

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THE HISTORY OF

PINKERTON SECURITY Abraham Lincoln’s Private Bodyguards ARTICLE BY KATHY WEISER/LEGENDS OF AMERICA ounded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton, the Pinkerton Agency quickly became one of the most important crime detection and law enforcement groups in the United States. Born in Scotland on August 25, 1819, Pinkerton worked as a barrel maker before immigrating to the United States in 1842. Settling near Chicago, he went to work at Lill’s Brewery as a barrel maker. However, Pinkerton soon determined that working for himself would be more profitable for his family and they moved to a small town called Dundee, some 40 miles from Chicago. Making barrels once again, he quickly gained control of the market due to the superior quality and low prices of his product. Always thrifty, Pinkerton thought that he could save some money by not paying someone else for poles to make barrel hoops. Before long, he found a small deserted island in the middle of the Fox River and rowed out to cut down a supply of his own. However, when he got to the island he found signs that someone had been there, and knowing that counterfeiters had been working in the

Allan Pinkerton (l) with Abe Lincoln. (WIKIMEDIA)

which soon led to the arrest of the counterfeit band. However, they failed to catch the ringleader. Pinkerton found himself involved in the search for the leader and soon tracked him down, as well. THIS ACCIDENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN JUSTICE

area, he wondered if the island might be their hideout. When he returned, he notified the local sheriff of his suspicions and the two teamed up to stake out the island

led to Pinkerton’s appointment as a deputy sheriff for Kane County, Ill., and in 1850 he became Chicago’s first police detective. That same year, he, along with Chicago attorney Edward

Rucker founded the North-Western Police Agency. In the meantime, Allan’s brother, Robert, had his formed his own business called “Pinkerton & Co” as early as 1843. Robert’s organization was originally established as a railroad contractor, but somewhere along the line, he began to work as a railroad detective. Through his contacts in the railroad business, Robert had also secured a number of contracts with Wells Fargo to provide guards on

stage coaches. Robert’s business grew so rapidly that he hired several men as railroad and stage coach detectives and guards. When Allan and Rucker’s business dissolved a year after it was formed, Allan joined his brother Robert in his already established company and the name was changed to the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The “new” company provided a variety of detective services, from private mili-

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tary contractors to security guards, but specialized in the capture of counterfeiters and train robbers. Though there were a few other detective agencies at the time, most had unsavory reputations and the Pinkerton Agency was the first to set uniform fees and establish practices, which quickly earned respect for the organization. In 1861, while investigating a railway case, the agency uncovered an assassination plot against Abraham Lincoln, where conspirators intended to kill the just-elected president in Baltimore during a stop on his way to his inauguration. However, with Pinkerton’s warning, Lincoln’s itinerary was changed. During the Civil War, President Lincoln hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to organize a “secret service” to obtain military information on the Confederates and sometimes act as Lincoln’s bodyguard. Working diligently, Allan Pinkerton traveled under the pseudonym of “Major E.J. Allen.” After the war, Allan Pinkerton re-

turned to his duties at the detective agency, which was often hired by the government to perform many of the same duties that are now regularly assigned to the Secret Service, the FBI, and the CIA. The agency also worked for the railroads and overland stage companies, playing an active role in chasing down a number of outlaws, including Jesse James, the Reno Brothers, and Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch. On their three-story Chicago building, their logo, a black-and-white eye, claimed “We Never Sleep.” This originated the term “private eye.” WHEN ROBERT PINKERTON DIED IN 1868,

Allan assumed full control of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. However, just a year later, in the autumn of 1869, Allan suffered a paralyzing stroke which nearly killed him. Both Robert and Allan’s sons then took on most of the responsibilities of running the business. However, there was rivalry between them, and the agency struggled without leadership. At the same time, it began to suffer financially. Despite the challenges, by the early 1870s, the agency had the world’s largest collection of mug shots and a “criminal database.” During the height of its existence, the Pinkertons allegedly had more agents than the standing army of the United States of America, causing the state of Ohio to outlaw the agency, due to the possibility of its being hired out as a “private army” or militia. Fortunes were to decrease once again for the agency when, in 1871, Chicago suffered the Great Fire which began on the evening of October 7th. Before it burned itself out three days later, the entire business district was destroyed, including the Pinkerton buildings and many of their records. When the fire was finally extinguished, martial law was declared in Chicago and guards from the Pinkerton guards were hired to prevent looting. Robert’s widow, Alice Isabella Pinkerton, and his dependents were also left homeless.

When she approached Allan for assistance, he encouraged them to return to Great Britain. Offering to pay for the journey, Alice and her sons accepted his offer and sailed for Liverpool, leaving the agency entirely in the hands of Allan and his sons. When Allan Pinkerton passed away in 1884, the agency was taken over by his sons, Robert and William. They soon became involved in the labor unrest of the late 19th century when they were hired by a number of businesses to keep strikers and suspected unionists out of their factories. However, the rapidly expanding agency became known for less admirable activities as they often became the “law” in and of themselves. Accused of using heavy-handed tactics, such as firebombing Jesse James’ mother’s home and using intimidation against union sympathizers, the public began to turn away from supporting the agency. Many labor sympathizers accused the Pinkertons of inciting riots and their reputation continued to suffer. The most notorious example of this was the Homestead Strike of 1892, when Pinkerton agents killed 11 people while enforcing strikebreaking measures. In order to restore order, two brigades of state militia had to be called out. Continuing their involvement against the labor movement into the 20th century, their reputation was harmed for years in the public consciousness. However, the agency endured. In 1907, the agency was inherited by the founder’s grandson, Allan Pinkerton II and his great-grandson, Robert II, in 1930. When Robert Pinkerton II died in 1967, without a male heir, family direction of the corporation came to an end. Pinkerton’s Inc. has since grown to a $1.5 billion organization that provides a wide range of security services. The company has its U.S. headquarters in Westlake Village, Calif., and is a subsidiary of the Securitas Group of Stockholm, Sweden, a world leader in the security industry. WSJ westernshootingjournal.com 99

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COMPETITIONS

WHEN COPS COMPETE Exclusive: Inside The Tactical Police Showdown ARTICLE BY ROBIN TAYLOR • PHOTOS BY LARS DALESIDE/NRA

Equipment rules vary. For example, invited guests at NRA tactical events can use competition-oriented gear, such as the rifle and pistol shown here.

f you shoot competitively, you probably think you’ve got a good concept of the “competition shooting world.” But there’s another world – a hidden world – for law enforcement only. “Hidden” might sound conspiratorial, but law enforcement events are just that. If you don’t work in law enforcement or the military, you’re not welcome except by special invitation. “Three-gun” has become the hot ticket nationwide, and that parallel world has taken to it with gusto. Police-

men, perhaps more than the rest of us, need to be familiar with multiple weapons, and the free-form course design of 3-gun allows trainers to set up scenarios that patrol officers might face. From a recreational shooter’s point of view, 3-gun pushes the “fun factor” through the roof. There’s something visceral about kicking open a door and blasting a steel target with a shotgun. Recoil shoves you back and the paint flies off in a grey-white swirl of smoke. Compared to punching holes in paper on a square range, it’s much

more intense and exciting. Depending on who is running the event, military people, firemen, and certain security contractors are welcome to join in. The Police and Fire Games, for example, have a much wider audience than, say, the Texas Law Enforcement Championship. The LE world crowns its own champions, and offers a prize structure that can make “civilian” matches jealous. Handguns, rifles, uppers, holsters, you name it, odds are it’s on a prize table somewhere. LE training and equipment westernshootingjournal.com 101

COMPETITIONS budgets form the life blood of many private firms, so those firms use match sponsorship as a way to advertise to the LE community directly. Done right, officers can get their competitive adventures treated as training (legitimately, I might add), with the bill paid by their employers. Limits on the number of guns you can win in a year pushes the loot down toward the new guys, and many prizes are awarded by random draw. INTENSE LEVEL OF COMPETITION Landon Rasmussen has a strong resume as a soldier, and more recently as a SWAT officer. His department will occasionally send him off to compete as part of his training regimen, and what he learns comes back to the department in various ways. “I learned more about shooting in competition than I ever did in the military or on in law enforcement,” he says. “If you think about it, it’s obvious. If you want to learn to drive, I mean really drive, you go talk to a race car driver. The same thing applies to shooting.” Brownells has been a supporter of LE competitions from early on. “We’ve always believed that the police are our first line of defense

against crime, and we want them to be able to shoot as well as they possibly can,” says Brownells’ Larry Weeks. “These matches encourage them to get out and practice, train, and become better shooters.” Rasmussen agrees wholeheartedly. “A lot of cops don’t specialize in shooting,” he says. The officers who go to competitions are usually the ones with strong skills, and he laments how the guys that could really use the exposure often go elsewhere. In training, Rasmussen’s unit shoots a lot of hostagetaker targets. If you miss, the penalty is big – running a mile-long loop, for example. Suddenly serious, Rasmussen said, “For my part, I don’t want to be the one who has to take that hostage shot for real, and misses.” LE matches differ from their civilian counterparts thanks to the policeonly boundaries. Most use “cold” ranges (where firearms are kept unloaded), but a “hot” range isn’t out of the question. The challenges can be very physical (kicking doors in, carrying dummies, etc) and the equipment rules vary dramatically. The NRA has run its bullseye-like national police shooting championship since 1962, and it rolled out a

The full range of law enforcement weapons can be found in the competition, including rifles with suppressors, short shotguns and submachine guns.

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3-gun oriented offshoot called “Tactical Police Competition” in 2008. The pistol championship demands the ultimate in handgun accuracy, at 50 yards, and a little bit of that rubbed off on TPC. “I think of it as an ‘IDPA’ 3-gun shoot,” says Rasmussen. The accuracy demands aren’t PPC-level, but they’re steep compared to USPSA or IDPA. According to Rasmussen, “it’s not like the ‘run and gun’ you find on the civilian side.” SUPER COOL GEAR We heard about NRA TPC matches through Mike Slee at ADCOR after Rasmussen finished ninth at a regional match with ADCOR’s 10.5-inch-barreled police rifle. ADCOR’s short-barrel rifle requires exotic federal paperwork for civilians to own, but you’ll see rifles like it – frequently with full-auto capability – at LE events. At another recent event, the ICE delegation shot the rifle portion with their 9mm carbines. Similar rifles with suppressors, short shotguns, and submachine guns like the MP5 all appear on duty somewhere in the U.S., and different stages will test those different weapon skills.

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Range officers may load inert (dummy) rounds to induce malfunctions, or force you to engage a target weak handed with a weight tied to your arm (simulating injury). The principals of the NRA TPC rule book strive to “bring the street to the range.” “In TPC,” Rasmussen says, ”there are no separate categories for high capacity handguns and single stack handguns, or different scoring systems for different calibers. This is because suspects on the street do not know, care or act differently because of any of these factors.” Courses of fire come in two flavors: skill drills and scenarios. Both have the bar set high, forcing a certain level of intensity. “We push them here so they’ll be prepared if they ever have to draw their gun,” said the NRA’s Marc Lipp in an interview on the NRA blog. “Yes, it’s a competition, but it’s also training. Training you’re not going to find squeezing off a few with your bud-

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dies at the range.” The NRA TPC match series includes about a half-dozen events per year, all overseen by NRA’s dedicated match staff. The Sig Academy in Epping, N.H., will hold one in September, followed by another in Waxahachie, Texas, south of Dallas; in October. Typically, you’ll see anywhere from 25 to 75 officers in the “Patrol” and “Tactical” divisions, joined by a dozen or less invited guests/volunteers. The NRA pistol events can be much larger, drawing as many as 600 officers to its national event. “Now that I’ve done it, mentally I’ll be better prepared,” says Rasmussen. “Instead of coming to RACE, I’ll be more focused on the process.” Lipp offers the courses used by the TPC matches to LE trainers nationwide, providing a freeze-dried “supplemental training” option that they can tailor to their local needs. He’s intentionally restricting the growth of the “official” match series as a way of shepherding the TPC’s reputation for quality. Let me repeat, these events aren’t open to the public, but if you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement, military, fire protection, and related contractors working for our government, “cops matches” offer a tremendous opportunity. Even if you’re new to competition, an officer or soldier should feel welcome, and expect to get real training value out of each course. The NRA has the largest network of events, ranging from precision “action” pistol events, to the free-form TPC events I mentioned earlier. You’ll find contact information and full details on the TPC rules at tpc.nra.org. WSJ Editor’s note: For more than 20 years, Robin Taylor has covered the shooting sports from the inside, covering events in more than 20 states and two European nations. His firm, Taylor Freelance, LLC, produces pistol magazine extensions, books on shooting and other accessories for competititve shooting at taylorfreelance.com. westernshootingjournal.com 105

WHAT IS THE ALL THE BROUHAHA ABOUT FROGLUBE THE SECRET BEHIND THE WILDLY POPULAR FIREARMS CLEANING LUBRICANT

urrently, over 2,000 regional dealers and distributors distribute FrogLube, which are mostly the smaller independent, small town resellers. It is an American made product, conceived, designed and manufactured by a Service Disabled, Combat Veteran Owned Small Business Enterprise and directly supported by the sales generated bytens of thousands of performance seeking, gun owners, military troops, law enforcement officers, competitors and firearms maintenance professionals. Larry Lasky, the manufacturer of FrogLube, stumbled into the business of firearms lubricant completely by accident. A former Navy SEAL Captain, he’d served 32 years in the military, finally retiring from service in 2008. He started a consulting business, where he was approached by a dealer of biologically-friendly lubricant used by mechanics in heavy industry, who wanted him toexpose a natural lubricant to military buyers. From this, he developed his own formula, and to make a long story short, the attempt to reach out to the U.S. militaryfailed miserably. Lasky continued shooting with active duty SEALs at a private facility in San Diego. One day, he was using it at the range, and the guys asked about his “secret goo.” It was raining, and the back of his pickup was filling up with water with his guns in it, but he wasn’t worried. That was very attractive to them, being maritime operators who frequently expose their weapons to the ocean environment . He went through a 10-month evaluation period where his buddies tried using it and reported their feedback during their exploits in the mountains, deserts and oceans where they deployed. The report back was that it was awesome. At that point, he decided to form a company with his wife to mass produce the goo. Lasky maintains that many people learn tactics, but very few people actually master the functional operation of their gun. Contrast this to racecars, where the racecar mechanic is NOT the racecar driver. There is a performance aspect of guncare that is neglected. Lasky formulated the lubricant originally just to avoid rust. Your gun should be ready to go all the time if you’re in law enforcement, you can’t rely on just wiping off the rust once a year. Through his solution, he was able to prove that eliminating malfunctions can be done. FrogLube is an antioxidant, so it stops rust. It is bio-based, not just biodegradable. That means the ingredients are already degraded into a natural state. It’s not going to change your firearm. All the other products out there have some sort of petroleum base. The MSDS safety sheet accompanying them will reveal this, and will declare that there is toxic material, or that It burns. Out in the woods, Lasky says he uses his old gun lube to start campfires. Firearms exposed to intense chamber pressure, 1000F in a closed chamber, and cycling hundreds of times in mere seconds during full auto,creates a lot of reaction in a small space over a short period of time. Under heat and pressure, metal can change shape and form, which means your ballistics will change. This isn’t good for someone concerned with accuracy. You need to control the variables. Snipers and hunters want to control variance so all they have to deal with is variance they can measure such as velocity, distance and elevation. FrogLube moves around in the metal. When it gets hot, it “sweats” to the surface. But it’s dormant when cold. Lasky says it is actually seasoning the metal. He sees perfection as a path instead of a destination-the product is always undergoing some type of testing and evaluation. The ingredients are all food grade and a closely guarded secret. Lasky compares it to making gourmet food, and insists on pharmaceutical grade production quality. Lasky asks, “Would you put $2 gun lube in a $10,000 gun? You wouldn’t put generic tires on a Ferrari.” A growing number of innovative and performance driven companies wanting to avoid the use of toxic and preservative lubes and drive up the value of their guns are co-manufacturing with “FrogLube Inside”. FrogLube eliminates the need of preservatives inside firearms, which unless removed, might result in unexpected performance over time. FrogLube products comply with military tech manual guidance. FrogLube views the Mil-spec product standards as the minimum allowable standard for firearms performance. The reason is that MIL-SPEC allows for malfunctions, some amount of rust to form, and unacceptable levels of toxicity. Following the technical manual guidance for maintenance and lubrication ensures the gun will always perform! FrogLube testing is designed to put stress on their products for areas such as cleaning interval, high volume shooting and long distance accuracy. In some cases, guns aren’t cleaned until they malfunction, which may be several thousands of rounds fired. Testers have gone hundreds of rounds between cleanings without issues, or a change in accuracy. Currently, to attain consistent accuracy FrogLube recommends the shooter clean the gun every 100 rounds. FrogLube formulations also comply with the requirements of the NRA instructor guides and standard armorers practice for the operation and maintenance of firearms. After just one initial application, people will notice performance gains. It allows guns to be shot at any temperature, even minus 40F. You can spend lots of money trying to gain performance, like adding various components that attach to your gun, or you can focus your investments on something you can place inside your gun. The Performance gained from a $25 bottle of FrogLube product will greatly exceed that of replacing a $100 buttstock on an AR-15. FrogLube has taken the mystery out of the equation. Full performance is gained from it’s proprietary two-part system of solvents and lubricants. An ‘all in one’ strategy fails to meet the logic test. How does lube react when mixed with other products? What happens when the gun is over lubed? How about low-no lube operations like winter when excess is supposed to be removed? Can you remove something by cleaning it off with more of the same thing? The military uses two products and so does FrogLube. You know FrogLube CLP will integrate with FrogLube Solvent. FrogLube was initially developed as a non-toxic alternative to WD40. What began as the “green goo”, Lasky came up with the name “FrogLube” one night when he realized the significance of the presence of frogs. If environmentalists found frogs in an area, then it meant the area was in ecological balance.. Frogs are found everywhere around the world, just like firearms. For more information, visit froglube.com.

behind the badge

KEEPING ORDER IN ALASKA’S CHRISTMAS TOWN How the North Pole PD Deals With Winter, Losing Santa’s Reindeer BY CHRIS COCOLES AND ANDRE’ M. DALL’AU • PHOTOS BY NORTH POLE POLICE

Snow tires and chains are normal in this part of the country.

There are at least three places on Earth called the North Pole. One is the physical location where the northern rotational axis of our planet meets the surface of the earth; the second is the most used navigational aid in the world – the magnetic North Pole; the third is a small city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough in Alaska, the 49th state of the union. The city of North Pole gets its revenue from supporting and servicing the two nearby oil refineries and from summertime tourists visiting nearby Fairbanks or those traveling to Fairbanks and Valdez on the Richardson Highway. Foremost, the small city of about 2,210 residents prides itself as the place where Christmas lives year round. Convenient to the real geographic North Pole which is only 1,700 miles away, its biggest attraction is a gift shop named Santa Claus House. Actually a modern-day trading post similar to the ones first established in the area many decades ago, the Santa Claus House is renowned for the huge

fiberglass statue of Santa Claus standing outside, which is the world’s largest effigy of Jolly St. Nick. According to the Santa Claus House website, “for 60 years we’ve put smiles on the faces of millions of children all over the world with our personalized Santa letters.” In keeping with the Christmas motif, the city street lights are fashioned to look like candy canes, the streets have names like St. Nicholas Drive, Santa Claus Lane and Kris Kringle Drive while the city’s emergency vehicles are candy cane red with the police cars colored a bright green and white. Maybe because of the Yuletide theme, the city of North Pole has a violent crime rate that is 15 percent lower than the average for the state of Alaska, but which is about 55 percent higher than the national average for the Lower 48. Actually, simple criminal theft is statistically the largest single crime the poice department deals with. The police force has about a dozen sworn officers, including Chief Steve Dutra, a lieutenant, three sergeants, six to eight patrolmen and a detective. Additional help and support is provided

by the Alaska State Troopers and their Special Emergency Response Teams, one of which is in nearby Fairbanks. The North Pole Police are now sporting new uniforms of black pants and shirts, which are equally important as their outerwear and gear, because what they carry and wear has to endure excessively cold temperatures and normal, rough routine use as well as provide immediate protection from violent offenders. Each officer has soft ballistic armor and both lethal (a Glock G22 in .40 S&W that is becoming the single most used sidearm by law enforcement) and less-lethal TASER weapon as part of their duty gear as well as patrol carbines and shotguns. That may seem a lot of ordnance for a cheery village that celebrates Christmas year-round, but not every resident or tourist is dressed in fur-fringed red velvet, is a cheerful elf or tirelessly works to build toys for good little girls and boys: on April 22, 2006, police arrested several students at North Pole Middle School for allegedly plotting a school shooting - it was never determined whether it was all talk or not – much along the lines of the Columbine High School massacre. The good police work from such a small group of law enforcement professionals possibly prevented a national tragedy and saved many lives. Even Kris Kringle needs a little help from the local heroes in uniform. We were able to catch up with Chief Dutra, who was gracious enough to talk about the everyday issues and strong community camaraderie in Santa’s unofficial home. westernshootingjournal.com 109

behind the badge CHRIS COCOLES Tourism is a big part of North Pole’s economy with the Christmas/Santa Claus theme and décor. Does that create a whole new set of obstacles for the police department with a lot of out-of-towners coming in and out? CHIEF STEVE DUTRA Although we have a large number of people who come to our town annually, it generally does not make a big impact on our call volume. The tourists who come to our city seem to be very low-key and not the type of demographic that creates any police-related problems, although we do have calls about tourists stopping vehicles in inappropriate places to take pictures of certain sights around town. Other than that, we are pleased to have the visitors. CC What is the biggest challenge your department faces on a day-to-day basis? SD Cold weather is the biggest challenge. Our second biggest challenge is maintaining a vigilant traffic enforcement presence. Our small city has two military bases on each side, and a large population moving through the city every day. Our little city is a hub city for the southern portion of the North Pole area. We are surrounded by approximately 20,000 to 25,000 people, and these people come into our city to use our stores and schools. Almost 90 percent of our crime is linked to nonresidents. Along with these strains, we are a very community-oriented police department, which participates in a lot of outreach. CC Have you had to deal with a lot of wildlife such as bears, wolves, caribou, etc., that simply get in the way of your officers doing their jobs? SD Luckily, we have not had a lot of contact with wildlife inside the city limits. We occasionally have a moose or two wander into the area, and they do cause motor vehicle accidents. Wolves are generally on the outskirts of our city and mainly stay clear of people. We have Santa’s reindeer at the Santa Claus House, and yes, one year we had to catch one of Santa’s reindeer 110

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and return it to its pen. Most of Alaska’s caribou are located north and east of North Pole. CC How does the Alaskan winter impact the city and how your officers do their jobs? SD Winter weather is a huge hurdle for the police. We have all learned to adapt our tactics and policing methods in order to stay safe. Cold weather can make dangerous encounters even more dangerous. Altercations with suspects at minus 10 degrees or colder can be extremely problematic in the sense you have additional weather factors that impact your ability to perform at your peek. Clothing can limit your mobility and limit your control of suspects. Cold weather exposure at these extreme temperatures is a constant concern. We dress in multiple layers and carry a significant amount of cold weather gear to help with extended exposure. We carry hand warmers, bunny boots, beaver hats, and additional batteries for our equipment. We use specially tested cold weather oils for our weapons in order to stave off issues with our firearms. Our vehicles go through a lot of batteries during the winter months. The hard starts and the draw of our electronics cause significant issues. We also have interior heaters in the cab of the vehicle, which require the vehicles to be plugged in for the winter. This increases operational costs, but decreases equipment degradation. CC What role does the North Pole Reserve Association serve within the department as a whole? SD These reserves are unpaid, but they still dedicate themselves to the law enforcement profession and seem eager to learn, which I think is great for the community. CC Does that make you feel good to see those officers in action? SD Our reserve officers serve an important role by helping to augment our staffing. I could not tell you how much

I respect these men and women who volunteer to do this work. It is a noble profession and takes an enormous amount of commitment to stay proficient. These individuals have to maintain the same training as our regular officers, so when I see them working, it makes me very proud. These are dedicated people. CC Chena Lake must be a popular place in summer for fishing, boating, parties, etc. Is that a place where you’ve had to be cognizant of potential accidents or issues? SD Our contract with the Corp of Engineers is the only one of its kind in Alaska. We are not the primary law enforcement for most of the developed recreational areas. but we are often called upon to deal with these areas. Our primary purpose is to protect the Chena Flood control dike from offroad vehicles and vandals. Our rural Alaskan lifestyle breeds a lot of offroad vehicle enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the dike system that protects the North Pole and Fairbanks areas from flooding is extremely susceptible to erosion if off-road vehicles were allowed to operate without control. We vigilantly patrol this stretch of dike and surrounding property to keep this vital asset safe. CC The 2006 school shooting plot at North Pole Middle School made national headlines, but can you discuss how the department handled a very complex and sensitive investigation? SD I was the primary officer on this case, and I can say it was one of the most prolific cases we have ever had. A case of this nature required the assistance of every agency in the area. We drew resources from everyone who was willing to assist. It required our small agency to kick into overdrive and 12-hour rotations. I was reassigned fulltime to the case, and spent six months coordinating 200-plus interviews, collecting hundreds of pieces of evidence and executing dozens of warrants. We were thankful our efforts led to a successful resolution

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behind the badge and we are glad to put this chapter behind us. We were inundated with press from all over the world. Being placed into the media under these circumstances was a real eye-opener. CC I would guess that created a lot of anxiety around that small town. How does a police department in such an atmosphere deal with the concerns of the community? SD We dealt with it as it should be dealt with. We addressed it directly and responsibly. We shared as much information as we could, and we were honest and forthright. I would have to applaud our community for having faith in our department and for this we received significant support. CC What are some of the community/charity events the police department participates in around North Pole? SD We participate in the G.R.E.A.T.

(Gang Resistance Education and Awareness Training) program in our middle school. This class has been ongoing for over five years, and we engage the youth about a wide range of issues that include drugs and gangs. We conduct tours for cub scouts, girl scouts, schools, church groups and more. We have a lot of officers who volunteer with several organizations. We participate in the annual Torch Run, homecoming and Fourth of July parades. We conduct training classes for our local Army and Air Force personnel. We also reach out and provide training assistance for our local university law enforcement academy. CC You hear a lot about communities coming together for a common cause. Are there some examples of that you’d like to recall? SD I would have to use the most recent event because it is so close and personal. We recently lost two Alaska

State Troopers who most of us knew and worked with. Sgt. Scott Johnson was a highly respected officer and has been instrumental in a lot for the entire community. Trooper Gabe Rich worked for our department for four years and was a good friend to all of us. We lost some fine people for no reason. I drove our department HarleyDavidson in the procession and saw the streets lined with thousands of people showing their support for our fallen brothers, and I was significantly moved. This community then showed up by the thousands to the funeral and it proved to me that our community is united. I am very proud of the citizens of North Pole and Fairbanks. I am thankful for Gabe Rich and Scott Johnson; they will be missed. WSJ Editor’s note: For more information on the North Police Department or the city, check out its website, northpolealaska.com.

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PRONGHORNS: WESTERN DESERT ICONS An Easier Kind Of Hunt Where You’re Almost Sure To Take One ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

Whether hunting with bow or rifle, there are many opportunities when it comes to pronghorn hunting out West. Scott Haugen is about to draw on this rutty South Dakota buck.

ast fall, my family and a few friends hopped on a plane and flew to Sheridan, Wyo., where we bought our antelope tags over the counter and were hunting by afternoon. For the last several years, pronghorn tags have been undersubscribed in this region of the state, meaning leftover tags are easy to acquire, even for nonresidents. It was late October and our timing was perfect. The rut had passed, the migration was on, and each day we saw hundreds of pronghorns pouring into the farmland, eager to amass food for

the upcoming winter. Pronghorns are one of the West’s greatest conservation success stories – thanks largely to hunters – and they offer families some amazing hunting memories. Lots of animals, days that begin with a beautiful sunrise, and good weather are all a part of pronghorn hunting. But these animals can be pursued in multiple ways, too, making the hunt even more exciting. THE ATTRACTION In terms of Western big game, pronghorns occupy a relatively easier habitat to hunt. Rolling terrain studded

For two days Scott Haugen chased this unique buck, and finally caught up with him. Singling out a buck, and sticking with it, is one of the author’s favorite pronghorn perks, something that’s tough to do with brush-country game.

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ROAD HUNTER PRONGHORN PARADISE Because trophy pronghorn hunts are largely dependent upon drawing tags and gaining landowner permits, we’re taking a different look at where to go in this section. Case in point: I’ve never hunted pronghorns in my home state of Oregon because I’ve never drawn a tag, and I’m not eager to pay $3,000 for a trophy antelope hunt in the desert states of the Southwest. So, below are five destinations I’ve personally hunted, and can attest to being prime locales for eager antelope hunters.

SHERIDAN, WYO.

NORTH TEXAS

From Sheridan to Gillette, along the I-90 corridor, antelope thrive. Leftover tags for multiple game management units are the norm in this stretch. Lots of land and lengthy seasons make this a great place to hunt. You likely won’t rewrite the record books here, but you’ll see hundreds of antelope (and deer) each day.

The Panhandle region holds some impressive bucks, and tags are easy to get – just make sure you have a place to hunt, as much of the land is private. Concentrate efforts from Amarillo, northeast to Pampa, toward the Oklahoma border.

with sagebrush and golden grasses makes it relatively simple to locate animals, then form a game plan. The land is easy to walk and ideal for hunters young or old, fit or unfit. Success rates run high. Bucks are very territorial and can

NORTHWEST SOUTH DAKOTA

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SOUTH-CENTRAL WYOMING

The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department has worked hard with landowners in this region to allow walk-in hunting access. Research these lands, then start making calls. Tags are getting tougher to draw than they were five or six years ago, but there are some big bucks in this area. Take time to visit the little town of Buffalo, and maybe hop down to Sturgis and Black Hills National Park.

Archery tags used to be a 100 percent draw in this region, and although the chances are still fairly high of pulling a tag; it’s tougher for rifle hunters. I’ve had many great hunts in the golden triangle of Broadus, Forsyth and Glendive. Allow time to visit this Lewis and Clark historically rich land by hopping on I-94, all the way to Billings.

Head out any direction from the hub towns of Casper, Rawlings, Rock Springs and Riverton, and you’ll find antelope. Tags are pretty easy to draw in most of the units in this region, with leftover tags sometimes being available. Beautiful and full of Western history, spend time seeing how special this land truly is.

be patterned on pre-season scouting missions. I’ve observed bucks making scrapes, chasing does and establishing territories as early as May. Such antics continue through the summer. I’ve returned to these same areas in the fall to take those bucks.

An Icon of the American West, the pronghorn is fun to hunt, and today, ranges throughout many states. If you can’t draw a tag, there are places where they can be acquired, over-the-counter.

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Water, food and open terrain are what pronghorns need to survive. Their eyes and fast feet are their protection, and they rely on exposed vantage points to detect danger. For hunters, be it with gun or bow, figuring out how to slip within shooting range based on animal behavior is wherein the thrill and challenge lies. SINGLED OUT Whether hunting on foot, from a blind or behind a decoy, one of the most exciting elements surrounding pronghorn hunting is singling out a specific buck, and sticking with him until the tag is filled. No doubt the open country plays a large part in this approach. Optics are perhaps the most important tool when focusing on a particular buck. Being able to locate and accurately evaluate a buck is critical, and not always easy. Invest in the best optics you can afford; I rely on Swarovski. Personally, there’s no greater rush in pronghorn hunting than singling

ROAD HUNTER .257 WEATHERBY Over the years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken pronghorn while using a variety of rifle calibers. One Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard so much about, and always wanted to try, was Weatherbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mark V chambered in .257 Magnum. Last fall, I finally had the chance. Six of us went to Wyoming, and all six of us hunted, one at a time, sharing the same rifle. In three days of hunting, we came away with six nice bucks, with six shots being fired at ranges between 150 yards to just under 400 yards. We shot Weatherby Ultra-High Velocity, 115-grain Nosler Ballistic Tips, some of my favorite performing bullets of all time. In 1958, Roy Weatherby set a standard with the Mark V that many manufacturers are still trying to match, as he developed what is regarded as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strongest bolt action. The .257 outperforms the .25-06 and .257 Roberts in ballistic, energy and trajectory comparisons, meaning itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fast and packs a punch. Its low recoil makes it a favorite among women and youth, and is a gun Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be using on upcoming deer hunts.

At first glance, pronghorn habitat may appear barren, but a closer look reveals prime land and lots of wild game.

out a buck and sticking with him until the deal is done. Big bucks have small home ranges, and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t flee far from their comfort zone. Patience and persistence will prevail, and if played smart, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come away with a heightened sense of appreciation for these animals.

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ROAD HUNTER

Macie Stewart and the author’s son, Braxton Haugen, doubled-up on these Wyoming pronghorns last October. Two proud dads, Chris Stewart, and Scott Haugen, couldn’t have been more pleased with this youth hunting adventure.

ber, sagebrush to alfalfa pivots. The constant change makes it fun. Hunters should know that pronghorns have eyesight equivalent to about 8x binoculars, and their field of view is an amazing 320 degrees. In other words, know when and when not

to move. Pronghorns are the fastest animal in the Western hemisphere, capable of reaching speeds of 60 mph and maintaining a surprisingly fast pace for hours. Blow a stalk and you may not catch up to a buck until he returns to his home turf.

Pronghorn hunting is addicting, one of those things that when you try it, hooks you for life. My son, at age 6, took his first pronghorn buck in Texas. My dad, over 70 years of age, still can’t get enough antelope hunting. Taken care of quickly in the field, pronghorns are also exceptional table fare. With so many ways to hunt these desert gems, and with so much unique land to see in multiple Western states, pronghorns offer one of the West’s most enjoyable adventures. From guided, private-land hunts to do-ityourself public-land excursions, there’s no shortage of pronghorn hunting opportunities for all to enjoy throughout our great land. WSJ Editor’s note: For signed copies of his popular big game hunting adventure book, Life In The Scope: The West, send $15 (free S&H), to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or order online at scotthaugen.com.

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BASIC BUT IMPORTANT SHOTGUN TIPS Mastering Comb, Cast, And Length Of Pull ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

Dave Miller, shooting pro from CZ-USA who offers tips on YouTube, shooting clays.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Winston Churchill

think I told you last time, my brothers and sisters in camo, that I may relate many of the aspects of our life here on this earth to hunting, shooting and the like. I don’t think I am alone in the concept of this; if I am not hunting or shooting, I am probably thinking about it. So in pondering about the world of shotguns the other day, I came up with this. It has always seemed to me that shotgunners, more than any other type of shooter, take the lead in wanting to improve their shooting. I have actually been wrong about things a few times, and I may be wrong about this, but take a look at the gargantuan amount of material, books and videos that are

out there on making you a better shotgun shooter. It just appears to me that rifle shooters do not have the “fire in the belly” that scattergun people do to improve. Could it be that it is just more difficult to shoot a shotgun well? Boy howdy, rifle marksman Richard Mann will love that! Now, before everybody goes crazy on me here, let me say this: I like rifles too! I own several; pistols and revolvers as well. I am just submitting to you that more practice and skill is involved in shooting a shotgun well than in shooting a rifle. Oh well, that will give everybody something to talk about at the barber shop and the gun range. SHOOTING CLAYS VS. BRINGING HOME THE MEAT You should know by now that your humble shotgun scribe is trying hard

to bring you what you want in the world of shotgun illumination. I have a theory that most of you out there, and I readily include myself in this category, just want some simple tips on how to improve our shooting for the time that we do have to hunt (given, that this time is never enough). Some of us are going to shoot clays occasionally, and we know that it is good practice, but how can we make our clay shooting relate to bird-hunting scenarios? I really think that is what a lot of our scattergunners out there want: help improving so they can do better in the field. Here comes Dave Miller, shotgun pro at CZ-USA, to the rescue. Dave has been involved in several videos that emphasize this point. I will give you the boiled-down version of Dave’s tips on this, then you can watch the videos for yourself. westernshootingjournal.com 123

SCATTERGUN TRAIL WINCHESTER’S ROOSTER XR SHOOTS FARTHER I hear that the problem in late season (sometimes early season!), after all the easy birds are gone, most of the pheasants get up in front of you at an extreme range. Those picture-perfect flushes with the rooster rising 10 yards away in slow motion don’t seem to happen to you and your buddies. The birds you flush seem to have studied shotgun ranges and look like they have been shot out of a cannon. Enter Rooster XR, Winchester Ammunition’s most inno-

DAVE’S TIPS Get your body in position for the shot. This may be the essence of what Dave is teaching here. If we have had any instruction at all on the trap, skeet, or sporting clays course, we know that you need to be aligned properly, have your body pointed in the correct position to make any particular shot. Same goes in the bird field, you hear this from bird hunters all the time, bet you have said it yourself: “I can’t believe that bird came out when I was all twisted up trying to cross that ditch!” Take the time to get set up for the shot. OK, stay with me here, you are in the above situation with crossing the ditch, in a twisted-up position. What Dave is telling us is take the time to get properly set up for the shot. The important thing to remember here is that we do have the time to get set for the shot. I really had to preach this to myself many years ago, (and still do). Here is the deal, and I want you to give this some thought. Think about how fast the bird is actually flying. I’m not talking about how fast he looks like he is flying. Hey, I grew up trying to hit a ruffed grouse; first they would scare you to death coming up, and then all you would see is a brown blur that you could never catch up with. Thing was, I thought I could never catch up with it. The bird guys tell us that a ruffed grouse can reach 50 miles 124

Western Shooting Journal // August 2014

ARTICLE BY LARRY CASE

vative pheasant load. Using the same Shot-Lok technology as their Long Beard XR, which took the turkey world by storm, the shot is encased in a hardened resin that fractures when the shell is fired. The resin forms a protective buffer preventing movement, which ultimately leads to virtually no pellet deformation, and results in longer ranges with tighter patterns and more knockdown power. I shot the Long Beard XR shell this spring when patterning my gun and killed a turkey with it. It works. The Rooster XR shell is the same basic concept that will give you the medicine you need for those smart-aleck roosters that flush on the edge of other shotgun ammo’s range. Winchester tells me this load will be on the shelf for the season this fall. Try it and make some believers out of those wild-flushing roosters.

per hour in flight, a ring-necked pheasant almost that fast. I am always a little fuzzy on some the wildlife facts that you read. How did they measure that? But OK, let’s say that is right, 45 to 50 mph for either bird. How fast is the shot traveling from your average shot shell? We are told everything between maybe 1,145 to 1,400 feet per second, which gives us between 780 to 900 miles per hour. No matter how fast that rooster looks like he is going, boys and girls, he ain’t going that fast! Back to what Dave Miller is trying to teach us: He is saying that you have plenty of time to set up for the shot; take that step to the right or left so that you may align yourself for the shot. Practice all this with the shotgun that you are going to hunt with, and wear your hunting attire. It should go without saying, but I am, that you are going to practice with the gun that you will be hunting with. Don’t take your sporting clays gun with 30-inch barrels and an extra 4 pounds to the range, and then when opening day comes around, pull out that snappy little 20 gauge that feels like you are carrying a BB gun. Also, try wearing your hunting coat or vest when you do this. You want everything to “feel” the same when the time comes to play for keeps. TECH TALK Speaking of feeling, let’s talk about

SCATTERGUN TRAIL this. It is very important when you mount the shotgun that it “feels” right. What we are talking about here is gun fit. Volumes upon volumes have been written about this by wiser men than me, but I would say this: The basic factors of gun fit are length of pull (distance from the rear of the stock to the trigger). OK, I said that about end of the stock to the trigger, but what is really important is the distance between the knuckle of the thumb and the nose when the shooter has the gun mounted. Did you get that? Mount the shotgun as you normally would and notice how far the knuckle on your thumb is from the end of your nose. It should be about two finger widths in distance. If it is more than that, the stock is too long; if it less, the stock is too short. Next is drop at comb, which is the part of the stock that your cheek comes into contact with when you mount the gun. If you cannot look di-

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rectly down the rib when you mount the gun, lining up the beads if you have two, the drop at comb is incorrect. If there is a problem, the comb is usually too high and you are looking over the top of the front bead. Lastly is cast, which has always been, to some, one of the shrouded mysteries of the shotgun world. Cast is, in effect, the “bend” in a shotgun stock to make it fit the shooter better. Right-handed shooters need a cast “off” basically to bend around the right cheek so the gun will fit them better. Left-handed shooters require a cast “on;” the gun bends the opposite way. Almost all standard-production shotguns have no cast; the stock is straight. The way to find out about all of this and to correct any problems with the gun is to go a qualified gun fitter and get checked out with the gun that you are going to hunt with. If there are problems with the fit of the gun, only go to a qualified gunsmith! Spend some

time with him, and if possible, it is best if he speaks with whoever did the gun fitting. When you start talking about cutting down the length of a stock, you can get into big trouble fast. Don’t be going to your buddy’s brother-in-law who always wanted to be a gunsmith and has two chisels and a hack saw. Alright, what I am trying to do here is get you a little help so that you can bring home a few more birds this year. Maybe your dog won’t look at you so funny or even growl at you if don’t miss as much this year. You’ve got to go out and practice, folks! Is that so bad? Get out there and burn some powder! That is what this is all about, right? Just like fishing, any day spent shooting beats the heck out working. WSJ Editor’s note: Dave Miller’s Videos may be seen at czusa.com or on YouTube. The author is a lifelong shotgunner. When he misses, he usually admits it, and when he hits it, he tries not to brag.

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ast, smoky, lightly charred and flavorful, wild game on the grill can be fantastic. But due to the low-fat content of venison and other game meats, it can quickly overcook, leading to a tough, gamey, disappointing meal. Many people keep their game off the grill, preferring instead to cook it low and slow in the crockpot or hot and fast in a skillet. Both of those are great cooking methods, but there are many other options. The key in cooking game on the grill is sticking to the mantra of “hot & fast” or “low and slow.” For tender steaks like backstrap, slice meat thin (1⁄2 inch) across the grain. For cuts such as sirloin, cut thicker and pound or cube to ½ inch. Marinate steaks in an oil-based marinade, something as simple as Italian dressing or a homemade version with one part oil to one part acid (vinegar, citrus or wine) and a little salt, plus a little sweet with garlic and/or herbs tossed in. Keep salt to a minimum as it can toughen meat; it’s better to sprinkle with sea salt right before grilling. Marinate tender cuts of meat for an hour, and tougher cuts overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to grill, always bring

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HAUGEN

meat to room temperature. Preheat grill to at least 400 degrees. Keep grill grates well lubricated. Use an oilsoaked paper towel held by tongs to wipe the grates immediately before placing meat on them. Grill the steaks just until grill marks appear, usually less than one minute per side. Serve rare to medium rare. Kebabs are also a great option with wild game. Alternating fruit and vegetables with meat allows the meat to cook a little longer and stay moist. Follow the same guidelines for marinades and cooking recommendations

as I mentioned for steaks. Plank cooking is a fantastic way to cook wild game on the grill, and is more of a low-and-slow method. The plank keeps meat such as backstraps and tenderloin moist by providing a barrier from the direct heat. Plank cooking also adds tremendous smoke flavors as the board smokes. With plank cooking, be sure to have a squirt bottle of water on hand to extinguish any flames from the board. Keep the grill closed as much as possible to deepen the smoke flavor. With larger cuts of meat, use an in-

The author hunts her own game with her husband, Scott.

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THIS CAN’T BE WILD GAME MARINADE 1-2 pounds venison 1 ⁄4 cup real maple syrup 1 ⁄4 cup soy sauce 1 ⁄4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1 ⁄4 cup cider vinegar 1 ⁄4 cup brown sugar 1 ⁄4 cup olive oil 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed 3 sprigs rosemary (optional) Mix all ingredients in a sealable container or plastic bag. Add sliced game and let marinate one to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

ternal-cooking thermometer, and remove meat by 140 to 145 degrees for best results. The cooking technique I am the most excited about this season is the “sous vide” method. Sous vide means “under pressure” in French, and is a

method of vacuum sealing meat and par-cooking in a water bath prior to searing on a skillet or on the grill. This method is a combination of slow cooking and searing that produces a rare-medium, thick steak that is nicely crusted on the outside but tender and

juicy on the inside. Steaks can be parcooked ahead and sit in the fridge until ready to grill. With the many options for grilling wild game out there, don’t let another cookout go by without grabbing some of your prized game meat from the freezer and enjoying it on the grill. WSJ Editor’s note: Tiffany Haugen is a full-time author and recipe developer, and is a cohost of the new online series, Cook With Cabela’s. To order signed copies of her popular book, Cooking Big Game, send $20 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or visit tiffanyhaugen.com for this and more titles.

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Amateurs mingled with the top pros in the country.

MEET THE TOP ARCHERS

AT REDDING, CALIF., COMPETITIONS The Annual Archery Event You Won’t Want To Miss ARTICLE BY TOM CLAYCOMB III • PHOTOS BY ROBERT MARTIN

live in Idaho, and we have plenty of 3D shoots to keep one occupied, especially when piled in with all the quadrillion outdoor activities that Idaho has to offer. I’ve bowhunted for over 35 years, but didn’t start hitting the 3D shoots until maybe 15 years ago. They’re a blast – but I noticed that anyone who was anyone talked about going to the Redding shoot in California. You ought to think about hitting it someday. Here’s my take: Even though you may not be shooting at their level, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with some of the best archers in America. In any sport, it always motivates you to excellency when you run with the big dogs. When I was a kid, my level of riding rose when I joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association. Your intensity increases. You’re around a different class of people. They think differently

than normal people. They practice more and expect perfection. The Redding shoot is held the first weekend in May every year and is actually two shoots in one. There is the Redding Trail Shoot and the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) National Marked Yardage Shoot. To get all of the details, go to nfaausa.com, but let’s cover some of the highlights in this article. First, let’s provide a little history on the NFAA. It was founded in 1939, and you might not know it, but the famous Pope and Young Club, one of North America’s leading bowhunting and conservation organizations, was started as part of NFAA’s Hunting Activities Committee. They have a rich history and a list of many accomplishments. My buddy Robert Martin, who is a lot better shot than I am, attends every year. His daughter Gabby has

won a second-place award twice and one third-place award. She has also been a multiple Idaho State Champion for her age division. Years ago, I remember doing an interview for a newspaper with her when she was in the Peewee Chick division. It is nice to see that she has done so well. IT IS A THREE-DAY SHOOT. The first day,

you shoot 25 targets, the 2nd day you shoot 25, and the last day, 20. At each target, you have a total of two shots. If you hit the orange dot you get an 11, if you hit in the zone, a 10, a body shot is an eight, and of course, a miss is a zero. So you have a possibility of scoring 22 on each target, for a total of 1,540 points. The yardages are marked, unlike some 3D shoots, which will help determine the best shot, not the best one at estimating yardages. Speaking of, there are targets from 35 to westernshootingjournal.com 133

Leading archer Gabby Martin (second from right) at the Big Foot 101-yard shot with other archers.

100 yards. There are too many divisions for me to list in this article but they have adult freestyle, women’s freestyle, recurve, long bow, youth with sights, youth with no sights, kids, pro classes – the list goes on and on. Pretty much all of the target sce-

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narios are scenic. By this, I mean if you’re shooting at a deer target, it may be in the middle of a herd of deer. The shoots are set up in three different terrains. There are draws, flats and downhill. In other words, real-life hunting scenarios. Like I alluded to at first, it is a big

shoot, and will have 1,500 entries. Probably 25 percent will be dealers of some kind, so most people there are serious shooters. When the starting gun fires off at 8 a.m., the fun and games begin. There will be all manner of archery gear, vendors, food and a local pro shop will set up a booth, so there are plenty of side attractions as well. For sleeping quarters, many people camp at the range, but that is on a first-come, first-served basis and fills up fast. A lot of people also camp at Whiskey Town, which is a lake area. Then of course there are local motel services available as well. Redding is located in a pretty part of California, and if you hit the shoot next May, it should provide for a fun mini-vacation for your family if you wanted to take an extra day to tour around. If you don’t feel like you’re good enough to attend, hunt up Gabby and talk to her. She can tell you how to get into the Peewee Chick division. WSJ

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KNIVES

A KNIFE MADE PURELY FOR SELF-DEFENSE The Troika ‘Fighting Knife’

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY KEITH SIPMANN

If you like Golok blades, you’ll want to check out Troika.

re you a knife lover? Maybe you’re a blade collector? If you are, then you undoubtedly know that there are a lot of knives on the market claiming to be the very best design for self-defense, military use, etc. However, very few have been used and tested by individuals with the actual experience needed to truly test the weapons’ effectiveness in a real combat scenario. How many knifemakers’ ads have you seen that claim their knife is a box cutter, a food-prep tool and a defensive weapon all wrapped up into one design? Probably quite a few, I am guessing. But is that what you really want? Personally, I don’t carry a knife to open boxes or cut food labels, I carry it as a backup to my gun during close-quarters self-defense situations. Therefore, I want a quality

blade that’s made just for that purpose. Meet the Troika, a handmade CPM3V knife with tapered tangs and G10 scales. It’s made right here in America, and assembled by veterans. The Troika was developed by Meynard Ancheta of Kali Dynamics and Torin Hill of Toris. The knife is actually handmade by expert knifemaker Jeff Crowner, who we have featured before for his epic Golok blades. Crowner was chosen by the team to make the blade due to his knowledge, reputation for impressive heat-treating work, and his commitment to quality, all of which has been put into this special knife. Hill told me during our interview, “The Troika design was the result of a conversation about knives, their use, impact, and ideal carry/use positions. Meynard and I went back and forth, discussing the value or lack of merit in

the designs of ‘fighting’ knives in the market and history. After a long online discussion, he said he’d draw up some ideas, and then we began making changes to the drawings – throwing out features and informing the design with historical or functional concerns. Ancheta knew what blade geometry he wanted, and suggested that the steel (and exponentially more important the heat treat) would make the difference in the design.” The blade is made from CPM-3V steel, which is said to provide some of the best blade properties when compared to other common tool and knife steels. It’s a quality steel providing better toughness than most other steel grades, and it has very good wear resistance, about 50 percent better than the much-loved D-2 steel. It holds an edge very well, and is fairly easy to fabwesternshootingjournal.com 137

ricate and sharpen due to its relatively low alloy content. The one caveat to CPM-3V is that it is not very good at corrosion resistance. When heat treated using Crowner’s methods, CPM-3V outperformed everything else for the characteristics that the designers wanted for the knife. One concern about the knife was related to the performance of the blade tip. Some knife enthusiasts have often stated that a blade tip that is too thin will snap off as soon as it hits a hard surface, such as bone. That concern didn’t stop the team from pushing forward with their design, which included some unique puncture testing of their 3⁄16-inch-thick knife design. In fact, that shared concern is what led the team to use the heattreated CPM-3V as their steel choice. “I expressed my initial concerns about tip performance under load and against organic material – knowing full well the historical concerns about the Fairbairn-Sykes breakage,” Hill said. “I’d never seen a knife with that fine of a tip perform on a puncture test like that. It absolutely put to bed the concerns of ‘knife guys’ who said that it would be flimsy, or would snap off as soon as it hit a bone.” The handcrafted grip, which consists of hand-filed graphite, olive drab, coyote, or black G10 scales, is designed with a neutral shape so that its user can handle the knife however they feel most comfortable with. Like most knives meant for combat use, some specific training with this knife is highly recommended in order to be able to put it to good use in your time of need. The makers realize that need by including a $110 voucher for a Toris workshop with every knife purchase. The Troika comes with a Toris draw-driven Kydex sheath and a steel trainer knife. The overall package is priced at $479. You can purchase the knife through toris.org. All in all, if you want a high-quality, purpose-built blade that was ultimately designed for rapid-penetration and rapid-release, then you’ll want to look at getting your hands on a Troika. WSJ 138

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that they need to carry. These pockets can be customized for the customer. The gun pocket in our purses is closed in the middle with velcro and a magnet. Inside the gun pocket, there is velcro to attach the gun holster, which is included with the purse. The gun pocket is well hidden between the front and back compartments of the purse, but there is easy access to the pocket for fast delivery. This is the way we make all but two of our purses. Retirement seems a long way off, but I hope this business will carry me that far. Being a widow has given me a little more time to devote to my business. And here is hoping that I will be able to help a lot of women and men along the way. Visit theconcealmentshop.com or call (800) 444-7090.

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THE FIRST AND BEST REMAINS THE SAFEST

TANNERITE® BRAND BINARY TARGETS THE ONLY TO GUARANTEE PRODUCT WILL NOT START FIRES

ightning strikes start fires. Reckless campfires start fires. Johnnycome-lately exploding targets start fires, too. Tannerite® brand binary exploding, center fire rifle targets DO NOT start fires. It doesn’t get any clearer than that... A question often asked is how, with so much audible concussion and visible “smoke,” is it possible for Tannerite® brand binary targets to be so safe? The answer is elementary: Tannerite® uses only the purest, highest quality raw materials and precise formulations to avoid the possibility of a fire on detonation. This, while other brands may be riddled with impurities and contain incendiary ingredients. So why would another brand of exploding targets introduce impurities that, as a consequence, could produce a fire? The answer is twofold. Firstly, it’s a legal issue. Tannerite® Sports, LLC holds a patent on the formulation and competitors may add other ingredients in an attempt to skirt the patent. The chemical composition and formulation of Tannerite® brand targets is exact and attempts to modify this formulation can lead to fires and other safety concerns. The second reason is cost. Pure, premium ingredients are more expensive to produce. So while Tannerite® brand exploding targets spare nothing to be the safest, other makers trim costs by marginalizing their product while putting you, the shooter, at greater risk. They make more money. You take on the peril of being a fire starter. Tannerite® brand exploding targets are composed of a catalyst (pyrotechnic grade aluminum powder) and fuel (explosives grade ammonium nitrate) that when mixed, and struck by a bullet traveling no less than 2,000 FPS, detonate on impact. A .223 caliber will provide the minimum energy required to initiate the chemical reaction – 22’s won’t do it, nor will a shotgun, handgun or pellet gun…

Products of the explosion are another consideration. What’s in all that sound and fury? It’s pretty straightforward when you’re talking about Tannerite® brand exploding targets. You end up with the simplest, nonflammable products: nitrogen, water, and small amounts of byproducts that will not start a fire. Now other brands that include marginal materials – even black powder – can produce the most dangerous of byproducts: FIRE! If you are a serious hunter, marksman or tactical firearms enthusiast – buy ours. If you want the adrenaline rush of being a potential-pyromaniac, buy theirs. Make sure the fire station is close, though. And don’t forget the marshmallows. ABOUT Tannerite® Tannerite® brand targets employ a binary explosive used as a shot indicator for long-range firearms practice and training. Tannerite® brand target detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and a cloud of water vapor. Small caliber rimfire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation. In use, a long-range rifle shooter places Tannerite® targets downrange,

retreats to his firing position, and fires. The shooter does not have to walk down-range to see if the target has been hit, as the Tannerite® will detonate and serve as an indicator. Since the two components that make up Tannerite® targets are not explosive until mixed, they can legally be purchased in the USA without a license. Tannerite® targets are exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces, such as a hammer blow or being dropped, and they cannot be initiated by any kind of flame or electricity. Tannerite® is the registered trademark for Tannerite® brand targets and binary exploding rifle targets are a patented invention by Daniel J. Tanner. www.tannerite.com

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RELOADING

SO, YOU WANT TO RELOAD STEEL-CASED ROUNDS What You Need To Know To Avoid Detonation ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DANIEL SCOTT

Be very careful when it comes to mixing different cases with different primers.

ost people who have ventured into the realm of hand-loaded ammunition have broached the question at least once: Can steel-cased rounds be safely reloaded? Obviously they’ve been safely loaded at least once at the factory. Why can’t they be reloaded? The answer is that they can be, and of course that tentative “yes” is followed by a very big “but ...” which should lead you to correctly believe that there are some pretty big caveats. To start with, there is an inordinate amount of military surplus steel-cased ammunition out on the market that is Berdan primed, meaning that it has two or more smaller flash holes and a center protrusion that acts as the anvil for the primer. This obstacle is not insurmountable, but it is significant. The

second problem is the steel case itself. Like brass, it is ductile and malleable, but steel is also tougher. In addition it tends to have more memory and will spring back to its original shape after firing, unlike brass, which remains formed to the chamber dimensions. If you’re unlucky enough to have Berdan-primed cases you’d like to reload, the first challenge is removing the spent primer. Confirm that you do indeed have Berdan-primed cases, by using a small bore light to illuminate the interior of the case. The presence of two or three small flash holes, as opposed to the single larger flash hole found on Boxer-primed cases, indicates that you won’t be able to deprime the round with a traditional decapping die. Instead, the best method is to remove the primer hy-

draulically. Water is incompressible and readily available in most circumstances. Simply fill the case with water and use a piston roughly the same diameter as the case mouth to drive the primer out by rapidly and forcefully ramming it into the case. A screwdriver can work in a pinch. Some water will spurt out around your improvised piston, but the rest should force the primer out of the pocket. Of course, at this point you’re left with the option of either seeking out very hard to find Berdan primers, or machining out the projection, flash hole, and possibly even the primer pocket in order to safely load a Boxer primer. Whichever option you choose, do not under any circumstances attempt to prime a Berdan case with a Boxer primer; the projection of the case in the center of the pocket serves as the anvil and will cause a Boxer primer to detonate. STEEL CASES ARE MUCH MORE PRONE to oxidation than brass. Most are covered with a polymer or laquer coating in order to prevent rust. I’d recommend against using cases that show any signs of corrosion, as this can weaken the case catastrophically, resulting in a rupture that could damage your firearm, injure you, or even kill you. Cleaning a steel case presents the next problem. Hard media such as stainless-steel pins will scratch or even completely remove the protective coating. Ultrasonic cleaning is the best approach, but if you must use a traditional tumbler to clean the cases, make sure to use a softer media such as corn cob. westernshootingjournal.com 147

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Luckily, for most people attempting to reload steelcased ammunition, modern steel cases are manufactured using Boxer primers and the single large flash hole to which we are accustomed. This leads us to the next step: resizing. Carbide dies, while not absolutely necessary, are highly recommended. You’ll also need to make sure that the cases are well lubricated in order to avoid getting them stuck in the die. From here on out, the method for reloading steel-cased ammunition is very much the same as loading brass-cased rounds. The one part that may be difficult in some cases is seating the bullet. As mentioned above, steel cases have more memory than brass cases, and will tend to spring back to their original shape. Because of this, seating a flat-based bullet can be more difficult even if you’re using a throat-expanding die. Frankly, other than a complete zombie apocalypse, it’s hard to come up with a situation where you would need to know how to reload steel-cased ammo. Brass, both new and once fired, is abundant and easy to find. Even preppers anticipating a complete grid-down collapse would have a hard time making the case that brass will suddenly up and disappear. Still, if you’re concerned about whether or not it’s possible to do, or if you just want to try it out on a lark, rest assured – it can be done. WSJ

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